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Tag Archive for MQA

iBasso DX220 Tidal Master Patch V2 for ROM V1.10.123 released!

 in News

 

 

Version 2 is updated for better reliability for some cases with occasional dropouts.

 

After iBasso releasing ROM update version 1.10.123 for DX220 device, some people reported issues about playback instability on Tidal with MQA files in Tidal Master. The symptoms can happen from occasional dropouts during screen off to severe level.

I made some changes in boot configuration which should lessen the burden that cause negative effects with Tidal Master tracks. It may not be 100% fix but should improve the reliability of Tidal Master playback significantly.

If you use Tidal application with MQA and have issues, you may try this firmware patch and see if it can resolve the those issues and happy listening. 🙂

 

Download: iBasso DX220 Tidal Master Patch V2

 

Installation Guide

1. Turn off device and connect with USB connection to computer while holding play button
2. Install Rockchip USB driver included in AndroidTool and make sure it shows ‘Found One Loader device’ in AndroidTool software
3. Open AndroidTool, click on “Upgrade Firmware” tab, click on Firmware button and select update.img extracted from Purist ROM then click Upgrade

 

If you like improvements in Purist ROM, you may upgrade to Enhanced / Advanced ROM for even better sound. Please read Portable Products for more details including iBasso DX220 Fidelizer Mod project with 3 modification levels and happy listening. 🙂

Understanding how MQA re-constructing perfectly aligned waveform

 in Article

From my understanding based on technology MQA applies.

1. Hi-Res down-mixed to 24/44.1-48
2. With decoder flags for filter and DSP from AD to DA
3. Up-mixing to 88.2-96 through software layer or 176.4-192 with hardware layer too
4. Up-mixing will re-construct signal based on profile stored in AD and DA flags

The major advantage of MQA technology is you identify which AD used on recording and MQA DAC will construct 2-4X sample rate to match with DA part. It’s quite good technology to deliver more reliable analogue sound through streaming effortlessly.

There’s method to archive better sound with purist waveform but it will never be easier. MQA should work well for most non-purist audiophiles for time being since some purist audiophiles don’t want to get involved with DSP no matter what.

Roon 1.5 test results with NimitraS featuring DSD and MQA with DSP

 in Article

 

Roon 1.5

 

Few days ago Roon released version 1.5 which is a major upgrade improving Linn, Tidal, and MQA support. There were sound signature changes in 1.4 making the sound too bright so I immediately checked on version 1.5 and here’s my findings.

I tested Roon 1.5 with NimitraS I’m going to bring to Munich show and use eXD audio interface for native DSD playback and converting MQA tracks to DSD format. It looks like they resolved brightness issue and Roon sounds musical again with improved transparency.

I checked audio output options and found new MQA options which freely allow user to use software (Decoder) and hardware (Renderer) to decode MQA files. Using Decoder will work with any output and Renderer will only work with MQA-capable device.

I also tested MQA with DSP such as Crossfeed to for my Rudistor RP030 + Beyerdynamic T1 and DSD upsampling for eXD interface with Emm Labs DSD playback. It worked fine and sounds very good.

So far I’m very happy with Roon 1.5 upgrade. It didn’t cause a huge mess with database like 1.3 upgrade and sounds better to my liking. I can search through Tidal better with official MQA support.

 

Fidelizer Munich AV Show 2018 Map

 

Oh, I will also bring NimitraS with Roon 1.5 and other goodies in Munich AV Show tomorrow so feel free to check our booth in Hall 3 J15. There’s also 3,000th license purchase offer for Fidelizer Upgrade Program including Fidelizer Purist ROMs so feel free to check out and take up offers. 🙂

Optimize MQA sound quality for Tidal Masters Guide

 in Article

After Tidal launch Tidal Master update that works only on desktop applications right now, there’s a few Fidelizer users asking about getting the best sound with Tidal Master so I think it’s good idea to write up step-by-step guide here.

 

STEP 1: Get Tidal for Windows app

Download most recent version of Tidal for Windows then sign up or login with your account.

 

STEP 2: Setup Streaming audio for best sound quality

Click on “Streaming” tab, you’ll see Streaming dialog with Quality and Sound Output options. Select “HiFi / Master” for Quality and audio output device of your choice. Don’t choose “System Default” because it doesn’t support exclusive mode.

You’ll notice settings icon when you move your cursor to audio output item. Click on that icon and select all options there. If your audio output doesn’t support MQA, uncheck “Passthrough MQA” option so Tidal will perform software decoding of MQA instead.

 

STEP 3: Use Fidelizer with Tidal

After setting up Tidal software, you can improve Windows sound quality further with Fidelizer software. You can run Fidelizer, click “Fidelize” button, choose “Yes” to launch music player application after optimizations, and select Tidal shortcut icon on Desktop.

If you’re using upgraded version, you can choose “Network Player” audio profile for better streaming audio performance.

 

And now you’re ready to play music with best sound quality from Tidal Masters. If you want to use Tidal Masters with JPLAY, I recommend ASIO Bridge software to allow bridging audio output with JPLAY ASIO driver.