MQA Support
MQA Support identifies which stages of processing a product performs when playing MQA-encoded audio.
A Core decoder performs the first decoding stage, producing 88.2 or 96 kHz PCM audio. A Renderer completes the processing after core decoding. A Full decoder does both. A bare MQA logo does not tell you which role the product performs.
MQA Support — DAC
A renderer-only DAC needs an upstream player to core-decode the music and preserve the information needed for rendering. A full decoder can instead receive the untouched MQA stream and handle both stages itself.
Check that the chosen DAC input supports the intended MQA path, and that any signal processing preserves the required information. An ordinary non-MQA DAC can play the core-decoded PCM if it accepts that sample rate, but cannot complete MQA rendering. The original recording’s sample rate is not a promise of the decoded output rate.
Sources
- Roon x MQA — Roon
- Roon Audio Setup Basics — Roon
MQA Support — Streamer
Check the output you intend to use. A streamer may complete MQA processing for its own analog output but use a different processing stage or bypass mode at its digital output. Its overall MQA label does not describe every connection.
For an external DAC, match the streamer’s output mode to the DAC’s role: a renderer needs core-decoded audio, while a full decoder can take untouched MQA. Passing MQA through unchanged is not decoding it. Also check that your chosen music source actually provides MQA; hardware support alone does not guarantee that.
Sources
- Roon Audio Setup Basics — Roon
- Why isn't my External DAC Playing MQA? — BluOS
- Tidal Audio Format Updates — Tidal
Sources
- Roon x MQA — Roon