Recent content by merifon

As far I could found, regarding materials from hi-res masters, then encoded in MQA 48KHz 24bit, the part up to 22KHz is left untouched whilst the ultrasonic part is heavy lossy compressed, using the six less significant bits from 24. For files delivered in the 44.1KHz 16bit MQA form, I didn't...

Addendum Thinking about how MQA buries its flags on few less significant bits (six for 24bit files and not clear how many for 16bit), it's possible that without a "licensed" step that searches for them and rises a flag, the simple "file passthrough" doesn't trigger the process

I could think that at WiiM labs, they thought Tidal would replace all MQA files, not only those 48KHz 24bit. Or maybe was royalties matter only. I agree, it's a non-problem for the majority of the people but (maybe due to some biases), I feel that the D/A process done by the MQA circuit on...

There must be something subtle, in the coaxial input of Nad there is a "MQA pass-through" that if disabled, stops the MQA recognition. Maybe I'll follow your suggestion and open a ticked but I wouldn't like to disturb with a minor problem that is mainly curiosity.

Disclaimer: this isn't a post upon MQA, nor about its lossyness, it's about how WiiM devices manage files they sent over their digital output. Premise: Tidal since time has replaced its MQA 48KHz 24bit derived from hi-res master, with hi-res Flacs. The remaining MQA derived from CD quality...

I would not have thought that the statistics indicated these titles, but I have no reason to doubt it...

I was generally praising the concept of tape monitor. In a streamer only, like the pro or the pro plus it makes not sense but in something like the WiiM ultra used as preamp or in the WiiM amp, a tape monitor loop could be useful, mainly to insert some external processor, since the use of tape...

As exemple, a miniDSP Flex for Dirac, inserted in the tape monitor loop. The fixed level makes it better than inserting it between pre and amplifier (if available) as S/N ratio.

Tape monitor it's also a good way to insert a processor. It's better in some way than the pre/amp separation. Edit: I'm generally speaking about "tape monitor" and not necessarily WiiM related...

The "tape monitor" and the "phono input" removals, were the major misses of the XXI century devices. Phono did the comeback, now it should be the time for tape monitor, very useful in many cases.

Tidal also lacks many features and suggestion are less accurate, when used from third pard apps. This it's because streaming services usually release less featured API, in order to promote their own apps. In this case, better use Qobuz (or Tidal) connect.

The overall result is amazing but Nad lacks on quality control of firmware updates and support service speed. They should learn from WiiM support. Every, really every update, a new quirk is guaranteed and a new fix is needed. Finally last bi-update (new one to fix the previous new one) seems to...

It's been a long time... I finally got a NAD C3050LE after attended a demo with Dirac. That convinced me that the future lies in active room correction, in Class D and, why not, even in switching power supplies. Unable to correct the room's modal resonances and having limited options with some...

Yes, I don't like so much Amazon Music and its low smoothness but sometimes use it for background due to prime subscription

Just to mess up, if I recall correctly Amazon Music app on iPhone usb dac connected, upsampled anything to 192khz, at least some years ago. Anyway if I address directly my WiiM Pro from Amazon Music app, it shows 320Kbit 16bit 48KHz, maybe this is the native resolution from Amazon. Not possible...