Lossless Streaming Comparisons.....
- Thread starter SWL3600
- Start date
daviddi922
Active Member
Does the PW link support the mqa or just the hifi level?
daviddi922
Active Member
That's unfortunate 
looks like with bluetooth Aptx hd, it will only transfer 44khz or basically CD quality as well. Seems like nothing is capable of transferring completely lossless unless it is a hardwired device to a dac or has the streamer built in to the dac and that device also needs to have outputs that dont downsample.
Seems like a difficult combination for a reasonable price. It sounds like the best sounds quality for the money is using something like the Zorlo ztella that is usb -C to a 3.5mm cable to RCA L/R preamp in. This will support MQA but then Im attached by cable across the room.
looks like with bluetooth Aptx hd, it will only transfer 44khz or basically CD quality as well. Seems like nothing is capable of transferring completely lossless unless it is a hardwired device to a dac or has the streamer built in to the dac and that device also needs to have outputs that dont downsample.Seems like a difficult combination for a reasonable price. It sounds like the best sounds quality for the money is using something like the Zorlo ztella that is usb -C to a 3.5mm cable to RCA L/R preamp in. This will support MQA but then Im attached by cable across the room.
imral3
Enjoy the musics!!
I miss Lossless
Also, "Attic Pre-Amp"! LOL!!!
imral3
Enjoy the musics!!
Before you go chasing the potentially expensive MQA dragon, first decide if you like it's sound quality with your laptop doing the first unfold. TBH I didn't care for its SQ.That's unfortunate
Seems like a difficult combination for a reasonable price. It sounds like the best sounds quality for the money is using something like the Zorlo ztella that is usb -C to a 3.5mm cable to RCA L/R preamp in. This will support MQA but then Im attached by cable across the room.
daviddi922
Active Member
What is this service app? If I have my laptop plugged in as my source and try to use the Tidal app on my phone it will not control it.
Spotify lets you do this, I would think Tidal would too.
CD streaming is lossless.
daviddi922
Active Member
What do you mean by first unfold? How will my laptop be different than using my phones aux as the output?
Neither did I, not sure what they are doing but I would rather listen to 16/44.
Whatever streaming service you are using has apps for mobile devices.
Your best bet is probably do like I did and go to the streaming service sites and research what you want to do, then look for a streamer that will do it.
daviddi922
Active Member
Are you saying like the Spotify and Tidal app on my mobile device? Or the actual Bluesound Node 2i, PW link etc apps? I guess what I call streaming service is the actual Spotify, tidal, Qobuz music service I am paying for. Versus maybe like a UI app for bluesound Node 2i, PW link etc. I could just have my lingo wrong though
Yes, and my PW-Link as a mobile device app also
imral3
Enjoy the musics!!
When you say "phone aux" do you mean the headphone jack?
What output are you using on the laptop? Headphone also?
The Tidal app will do the first unfold of the MQA (24/96). Then, an MQA enabled DAC is needed for the second unfold of MQA in order to reach the 24/192 resolution.
daviddi922
Active Member
Yes, correct. The headphone jack/3.5mm jack on phone and laptop.
This link outlines pretty specifically where you will hear Hifi versus MQA audio.
https://support.tidal.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002599997-What-Audio-Quality-Does-TIDAL-HiFi-Offer-
How do I play the first unfold? Im guessing I will need to use USB instead of the 3.5mm jack?
I The Tidal app on your phone will show you when it is sending the MQA file and your phone is doing the first “unfold”.
daviddi922
Active Member
Based on the link I attached, the 3.5mm jack of my phone only will support Hifi. Which is roughly CD quality 44.1khz.
Am I missing where it says my phone supports MQA compatible? Because it shows the list of MQA compatible mobile devices
Your phone will not have MQA compatibility. You need to do some reading on the interweb About MQA. I believe there is even a website.
daviddi922
Active Member
Okay cool, just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.
I read a bit more on the website, I'm just trying to understand how my phone will output the first unfold of the 96khz/24bit when it states that most devices with headphone output only suport the Hifi quality.
Is this where I will need to use the USB-C port to get the first unfold?
Thank you guys helping me understand this more, been a lot of reading today trying to figure out how this all works and whats the best way for the best quality.
I read a bit more on the website, I'm just trying to understand how my phone will output the first unfold of the 96khz/24bit when it states that most devices with headphone output only suport the Hifi quality.
Is this where I will need to use the USB-C port to get the first unfold?
Thank you guys helping me understand this more, been a lot of reading today trying to figure out how this all works and whats the best way for the best quality.