Nothing has inflamed me more in the last few years as an engineer and an audiophile more than this MQA nonsense. Is there a need for this? No. Let's take MQA's pitch one piece at a time and decode it. MQA marketing pitch is in quotes.
About MQA
"Using pioneering scientific research into how people hear, the MQA team has created a technology that captures the sound of the original studio performance."
OK, this statement seems to imply that somehow studios are NOT capable of capturing the original studio performance without MQA? Are you kidding me? They have doing this for years. No MQA has ever been required to do this. Not ever. It is certainly not required now. But, something could always be ADDED to the signal to make it sound better. Ever heard of an "aural exciter". Not me, I want it how it was recorded. Next...
"The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream"
This means MQA is going to take the recorded digital file, perform data encryption, then compress it and store it in a proprietary format that no one else can read.
"while also being backward compatible, so you can play MQA music on any device."
Notice they call the file "MQA music" at this point. This is an important distinction. It is no longer a normal uncompressed high resolution digital audio file. This statement also attempts to diffuse any concerns about their control over the music file YOU just purchased. Yes, you can play it on non-MQA equipment, just not at full resolution. What a deal, huh? They are in full control at this point. ..... but it's OK, right? Keep telling yourself that. You have data rights to that file. Just not full data rights unless you open your wallet to purchase an MQA device. Even then, you cannot open it, manipulate it, use a DSP with it. An MQA file is locked down - period.
"MQA’s award-winning technology is licensed by labels, music services and hardware manufacturers worldwide and is certified by the RIAA."
Sure it is licensed by labels, they finally have control of DRM again! Stuart has had a long fight getting the industry on board. I guarantee the only reason you are seeing the incorporation of this by the industry is that the music industry gains control, which means more $$$$. Also, the audio industry gets their share I'm sure. There is absolutely no technical merit to MQA, none. There is a reason Stuart will not share any of the real technical details. MQA puts control of your music in the hands of MQA, a UK-based private company.
The Trojan horse has arrived folks. Remember, control is power. That is what they are after. It is not about creating smaller files for streaming. It is not about true studio sound quality. This is not needed in today's world of HDTV streaming. Yes, we have the technology to stream HiRes audio files right now without MQA. HDTV requires much more bandwidth than audio by itself. That argument is moot.
I guess by now you have figured out that I am not buying the MQA BS. If you feel like you have to have that little MQA light to light up on your player or DAC to feel good, then fine. I don't. But, these are only my views on the subject.
Peace and good will to all.
MQA is a UK-based private company. For more information visit
www.mqa.co.uk