Tidal Max not working

I’m using and referring to Lindemann bridge II streamer which I’m using on my NDS. It has the streaming unlimited card in it which is same manufacturer as Naim use in their latest streamers. Naim use SU800 and Lindemann Bridge SU810.

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The older thread was closed, just try to keep the topic alive. As of July 1st 2024, I still couldn’t see anything higher than 44khz 16bit tidal content streamed. Nsc222 owner here

Have you tried using MconnectLite? It’s a free workaround.

No actually, let me try that. Thanks!

In my opinion. Tidal is now converting their MQA files to FLAC files high resolution. That will be done before the twenty fourth this month. When that’s ready I presume that NAIM will release the necessary updates for playing Tidal Max resolution.

Lol, sure, lets go with that.

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I hope what you mean is that they are replacing MQAs with FLAC versions. MQA being lossy (albeit not in the same way that MP3 or AAC files are lossy) so any conversion would not be lossless.

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Tidal is not converted anything. They are replacing MQA with hires and CD quality files. Currently the MQA 44/16 and not been replaced yet.

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In my experience the most I am listening to are now replaced and only some random MQAs left. However, I have to say that I do not really hear any difference (my room, listening habits and equipment).

I just did a 2 month Tidal trial for $2 since I knew MQA was going away at the end of the month and wanted to see if any changes have already taken place

So with roon I can see my Tidal stats. Shows number of albums below.

23% of my Tidal library is still MQA with majority at 44.1k. Only 16 albums left at 88k and higher.

Tidal: (6268)
MQA: (1410)

And the MQA breakdown
44.1k: (1359)
48k: (51)
88.2k: (3)
96k: (13)

All this library analysis is fine, but does it actually reflect what files are available or being served to the specific device?

I have no MQA decoding ability but sometimes the file says MQA underneath the file details. I guess I am being served a lossless CD equivalent not MQA?

And let’s not forget, not every HD file is a guarantee of increased fidelity.

What I’m trying to show is that almost 25% my Tidal library still has MQA only albums available at the moment. I’m not making judgment call on the quality with those stats. But Tidal claims starting on July 24th, there will be no MQA at all. So it’s more of a before and after kind of thing. I’ll check the stats after that date and see if truly they have been replaced. I was just curious what percent MQA was left in my own collection.

When I saw this number in the past, I decide to go back to Qobuz. Just prefer not to deal with MQA. I still have Qobuz until the 27th and also have Tidal for 60 days for just $2. So if they do purge all the MQA, I’ll stick with them.

And to talk of your point of the file type. You can play the file thru roon and it will show whether it’s MQA or not. Those albums currently do not have a CD quality equivalent to play. That’s the issue. Roon shows when multiple versions are available. Roon can do the initial decoding but the whole point is I’d rather just avoid MQA all together.

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Does any know when Tidal will have Hi Res (FLAC) files through the Naim app?

(I know there have been previous threads on this but I think they’re all locked?)

No one knows for sure. Plenty of speculation, but the timelines hinted at have already passed, and there’s mixed reports that the work has even started. But we can hope.

Hopefully Tidal users will get hi res flac files via the Naim app from the 24th July when Tidal implement their announced change of replacing MQA files with flac.

Or will Tidal and Naim have to start a process after that to make it happen?

Should we ask Steveski who runs digital at Naim, or has that already been done?

Not if he wears padded skiing trousers.

But as far as I can recall the Mconnect apps send music files from your router via Wi-Fi into your iPad and back via Wi-Fi to your streamer…?

That’s my understanding too.

Not ideal, but also not really a problem as a short term work around until a Naim HD update.

I guess so, except that in my case my streamer is connected vis Ethernet and not Wi-Fi. It works as a UPnP server, allowing playback of hi-res files, but of course it’s only a workaround until Naim get their app/firmware support in place.

But if I start a playlist from Tidal, then turn my phone off - the playlist continues. It seems to me that it’s more like Chromecast - the phone is the controller but the link is directly between the source and the player.