CES 2016

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is continuing its march toward sonic superiority. It announced that new partners will provide MQA content, and that HTC is demonstrating a smartphone equipped with a "proof of concept" MQA decoder.

You will recall (here and here) that MQA was invented by Meridian (ie. Bob Stuart); MQA Ltd. is now a separate company (complete with a new logo). MQA technology cleverly shoehorns extra hi-res data into standard-res-sized audio files. Of course, that won’t work unless streaming sites offer MQA files, and consumers have access to MQA decoders. Now, that circle is closing.

Scandinavian music label 2L will be the first label to let you buy music in MQA. 2L was founded by Morten Lindberg, a highly respected figure in recording world, and a Grammy multi-nominee including three categories in the 2016 voting. Furthermore, MQA offerings are expected to expand later this year with 7digital (Japan), HQM (Japan), Onkyo Music, and TIDAL set to launch MQA files. MQA hardware playback partners will include AURALiC, Aurender, and Bluesound. Also look for Berkeley Audio, dCS, lxion and Kripton to join the MQA product list. They join previously announced products from Meridian Audio, Mytek, Onkyo, and Pioneer.

Finally, at the show, HTC is demonstrating the One A9 smartphone with MQA on board as a “proof of concept.” There is no word on when, or even if, HTC will make this MQA phone available to consumers. If HTC does decide to offer a MQA phone, it would be a major step forward for MQA Ltd. in this classic chicken-and-egg scenario. Even without a HTC announcement, MQA is taking shape with both content and hardware. Perhaps there is still hope that at least some consumers are still passionate about sound quality.