Music is an integral part of our daily lives, and the way we consume music has evolved significantly over the years. With the advent of digital music, the quality of music playback has become a crucial factor. MQA, or Master Quality Authenticated, is a new technology that promises to revolutionize the way we listen to music. In this blog, we will discuss what MQA certified is, why it is required, the pros and cons of MQA, and a list of MQA certified portable & desktop DAC’s & Digital Audio player (DAP) products available in India.
What is MQA certified?
MQA is a new technology developed by Bob Stuart that promises to deliver high-resolution audio in a compressed file format. It is designed to reproduce the sound of the original recording with high accuracy, using a process called "music origami." Music origami folds the data into a smaller file size while preserving the original sound quality, making it possible to stream high-resolution audio over the internet without compromising on the sound quality.
Why it’s required to have MQA certified DAC & Digital Audio player?
MQA technology is designed to improve the sound quality of digital music. It provides a more detailed and accurate reproduction of the original recording, which is essential for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who demand the highest quality of sound. MQA certified DAC & Digital Audio players can play MQA files with high accuracy, providing the listener with an immersive and authentic music experience. Moreover, MQA-certified playback devices can decode the original studio-quality sound, delivering it to your ears with stunning accuracy, and enabling you to listen to the music as the artist intended.
Pros and cons of MQA
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|
Improved audio quality |
Requires MQA certified hardware to fully experience |
Smaller file size for high-resolution |
Limited availability of MQA content |
Preserves the original recording quality |
MQA files are not easily editable or modifiable |
Enables high-resolution streaming |
MQA is a proprietary format, not an open-source standard |
Compatible with various platforms |
Critics argue that MQA is not significantly better than FLAC |
Reduces audio artifacts and distortion |
Some audiophiles prefer the sound of uncompressed audio formats |
MQA certified DAC & Digital Audio player product available at The Audio Store
Below is the list of MQA certified portable & desktop DAC’s & Digital Audio player (DAP) products available at The Audio Store.
Portable DAC’s-
- Helm Bolt portable DAC
- HiBy FC4 portable DAC
- Questyle M15 portable DAC
- Audiorect Atom2 portable DAC
- Lotoo Paw S1 portable DAC
- FiiO Q3 MQA portable DAC
- FiiO BTR5 2021 portable DAC
Desktop-grade DAC’s-
Digital Audio player (DAP)-
- HiBy R2 II (Gen2) Hi-res portable player
- HiBy R3 Pro Saber 2022Hi-res portable music player
- HiBy R6 / R6 III Gen3 Hi-res portable music player
- HiBy R5 Gen2 DAP
- TempoTec V6 Variation digital audio player
- FiiO M17 Desktop-class music player
- HiBy RS6 R2R DAC music player
- Sony NW-A306 Walkman music player
- HiBy RS2 R2R music player
All of these devices have been certified by MQA, ensuring that they can reproduce high-resolution audio with stunning accuracy.
Conclusion
MQA technology promises to revolutionize the way we listen to music, and MQA certified DAC & Digital Audio players are essential for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who demand the highest quality of sound. While MQA has its limitations, its ability to provide high-quality sound while keeping file size small makes it an attractive proposition for music lovers. If you are looking for a high-quality audio experience, consider investing in an MQA certified DAC or Digital Audio player.