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I use Tidal masters with a blue sound node 2. I’d like to by pass the built in DAC, and am considering yours. Why is usb important-I’m new to all this. Do I need usb to use mqs with your DAC and the Bluesound node #?Thanks
Thanks!So, it’s up to Gala to explain....
I'm sorry to report that your understanding is incorrect. The Node 2 provides full MQA decoding only from its analog outputs, but its digital outputs only provide MQA Core (first unfold) decoding. This limitation is actually determined by MQA's own design, since the final stage of decoding (also referred to as MQA Rendering) is DAC specific. A digital output cannot provide a fully MQA decoded signal, since the MQA Rendering portion is DAC specific and has to be uniquely implemented for each different DAC. Please don't shoot the messenger! I'm not saying that the GALA DAC won't work from the Node's digital output, only that the resultant output of the GALA DAC will not be fully MQA decoded and will only benefit from MQA Core's first unfold.
We're in agreement that the Node's digital output will work with the GALA DAC for MQA or non-MQA files, but when the MQA maximum output will be 24/96 that indicates the first unfold of MQA only. If the DAC was able to provide the final MQA rendering (which again is DAC specific) then you would be getting full MQA decoding and up to 24/192 via MQA. The Node's DAC provides MQA rendering and that is what allows it to output up to 24/192 potential via MQA.