Reference

Question: What is MQA?

Answer: In essence, MQA is a hierarchical method and set of specifications for recording, archiving, archive recovery and efficient distribution of high quality audio. Devised by long-term collaborators Bob Stuart and Peter Craven, it has been developed by MQA Ltd. [1]

One axiom is that, in audio, High Resolution can be more accurately defined in the analogue domain in terms of temporal fine structure and lack of modulation noise than by a description in the digital domain, particularly if that description relies on sample rate or bit depth numbers. [2]

Another observation is that, by not going back to first principles, the recent trend seeking higher-resolution in digital audio has involved an unstructured and somewhat unscientific approach; a 'dilution' rather than resolution of problems; leading to excessive increases in data rate with resulting lack of convenience for the end user.

A postulate in MQA is that by combining the statistics of musical signals with modern methods in sampling theory and insights from human neuroscience, we can more effectively convert the analogue music to digital and back to analogue.

A key implementation point is how to bring these insights to bear on current equipment, so that distribution files can be enjoyed on existing equipment while at the same time not accepting compromises in the potential to overcome key problems in processing or in the gateways (A/D and D/A) or to innovate in the future.

We see from some questions that some people have been confused but this is generally because they are approaching, trying to understand, or forcing the discussion on MQA, from a different conceptual frame of reference. In brief, MQA is a philosophy more than it is 'just a codec.'