MQA Live is a new way for fans to connect to artists, wherever and whenever the artist is performing. Live concerts can be audio-streamed in real time in MQA, allowing fans to hear live performances across different countries and time zones – all in the best possible audio quality. During RMAf 2018, the two live audio streams will run on consecutive days (5 and 6 October): the first will be a private media event presented by Bluesound, featuring Zara McFarlane and band, streamed to audiences in three cities (London, New York and Denver); the second will see the return of the Misha Mullov-Abbado Group, who treated Munich show attendees earlier this year, and whose performance this time will be streamed into MQA partner rooms in Denver.
This special performance will be streamed in real time from RAK Studios in London, into a number of MQA partner rooms across the show: Aurender (8014); Bel Canto Design (7017); Bluesound (Atrium 23 CanJam); Brinkmann Audio (1103); Cary Audio (8004); DALI (7002); Esoteric (535); iFi Audio (Atrium 24 CanJam); Krell Industries (7021); Mark Levinson (Cottonwood); MOON by Simaudio (8018); NAD Electronics (8021); Pro-Ject Audio Systems (8000 & CanJam). Those presentations will make use of all the main media players supporting MQA, like Amarra, Audirvana and Roon.
The leading service in live music distribution, nugs.net, has now enabled MQA on Android devices. Fans can now stream exclusive live concerts from some of the largest touring artists in the world in MQA quality, on both iOS and Android using the nugs.net apps. Pearl Jam’s recent shows from Fenway, Wrigley and Seattle, as well as Dead & Company’s impressive sets are just some of the latest concerts available in MQA.
LG continues to expand MQA streaming capability across its range of smartphones: having started with the V30 handset, it has now added the V30+, V35 ThinQ and G7 ThinQ models. The Essential Phone, which also supports MQA streaming, will soon launch its Audio Adapter HD accessory to deliver full MQA rendering.
“As the only solution for authenticated high-resolution music delivery on mobile, MQA brings together convenience and quality, enabling an enhanced listening experience wherever and however music fans choose to listen,” says Mike Jbara, CEO of MQA. “Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2018 will be a fantastic showcase for MQA and our many partners.”
New MQA Partners
Astell&Kern is announcing MQA integration for its line of portable players, beginning with the A&ultima SP1000 in mid-October, and coming to other players across the range soon. The A&ultima SP1000, a high-end portable audio player, earned a ‘CES 2018 Best of Innovation Honoree’ award for Portable Media Player & Accessories.
The EISA award-winning DALI Callisto wireless loudspeaker system, in combination with the BluOS plug-in module, now supports playback of MQA music from both streaming services or locally stored files.
Calgary-based EMM Labs is a further new MQA partner and has integrated MQA into its recently launched and much-praised DV2 DAC. The upgrade is expected towards the end of October 2018.
Further new MQA partner announcements include Audiolab’s 8300CDQ DAC, due to be released late October, and Krell Industries, who will be integrating MQA into its K-300i integrated stereo amplifier later this year.
New products now showing MQA support at RMAF 2018 also include NAD’s D3045 hybrid digital DAC/Amplifier, dCS with its Bartók DAC with headphone amplifier, Bel Canto’s new network streamer, e.One Stream, and Cary Audio’s new DMS-550 and DMS-600 network audio players.
MQA technology can also produce a superior CD-based listening experience and support for MQA-CD is also generating much interest from record companies. Korean manufacturer Cocktail Audio is introducing a range of products with support for MQA-CD, including the X14 Music System, X50D Pure Digital Music Server, X45 Music Server, X45 Pro DAC & Reference Level Music Server, X35 Music Player, and N15D HiFi Network Adapter/DAC.
On September 14, a remastered version of the 50th anniversary edition of The Doors’ "Waiting For The Sun" album was released featuring advanced sound recording innovations, including MQA encoding for CD and digital release. At RMAF 2018, MOON by Simaudio will be hosting playback sessions of the full album on MQA-CD on its 390 Network Player & Preamplifier.
www.mqa.co.uk
