MQA is a high resolution streaming technology that gives you original master recording quality from a music streaming service. It’s the core of TIDAL’s vast TIDAL Masters catalogue. And while far from exhaustive, it does include some pretty incredible works of art.
These are albums you can stream at resolutions up to 24-bit, 192kHz, giving you a mind-boggling resolution that helps create a deeper, more immersive listening experience.
However, none of this is without certain caveats. While TIDAL Masters will offer up 24-bit, 192kHz, just because it’s a Masters track doesn’t mean it will hit those incredible heights. In fact, most don’t. The majority of masters titles are going to sit somewhere between 48 and 96kHz, which is admittedly far from the shiny 24/192 that’s continually advertised.
While, yes, not every Masters track is a hefty 24-bit/192kHz in resolution, what you do get is well beyond CD quality.
Audio format based upon the current CD standards but includes a greater amount of information that provides higher quality sound. There are three types of discs: single layer, dual layer and hybrid discs. The hybrid disc can be played on existing CD players as well as Super Audio CD players since it contains both standard audio CD and Super Audio CD information.
“Super Audio CD” is a trademark.
Surround – Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos is a technology for surround sound. By utilizing ceiling-mounted speakers, the listener is given a dedicated rendition of sounds coming from above. Alternatively, reflection speakers may be used, which are commonly placed on top of the front speakers.
DTS:X is an object-based audio which creates better multi-dimensional sound. The audio track is coded to make each speaker better reflect the spacial position of the sound, giving a more lifelike sound experience.
DTS:X lets the user adjust only the voice track, making dialogue easily audible.
DTS-HD Master is a combined lossy/lossless audio codec, which enables bit for bit identical playback to the master track - hence the name. On devices which do not support high resolution, a lossy rendition of the track is utilized.
THX Select2 Plus is a certification given to home theater components, which deliver satisfactory sound levels in rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet (57 m3) in size.
THX Ultra2 Plus is a certification given to home theater components, which deliver satisfactory sound levels in rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet (85 m3) in size.