MQA-CD
High-resolution audio in the classic CD format
An MQA-CD (Master Quality Authenticated) is a standard audio CD whose music has been encoded with the MQA process. It plays on any CD player – and with an MQA decoder it also reproduces information from the high-resolution studio recording. Many MQA-CDs come from Japan, often from Universal Music Japan and frequently combined with the UHQCD manufacturing process.
The essentials of MQA-CD
Technically a standard Red Book CD at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz.
An MQA decoder unfolds additional hi-res information.
Many titles appear there as MQA-UHQCD, for example from Universal Music Japan.
MQA does not reconstruct the hi-res master completely losslessly.
What is an MQA-CD?
MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated. The process “folds” information from a high-resolution studio recording so that it fits into a data stream at CD resolution. On an MQA-CD the music is therefore stored in the completely normal CD standard of 16-bit / 44.1 kHz.
To an ordinary CD player the disc is a normal audio CD. Only an MQA decoder recognises the embedded additional data, unfolds it and plays the music back at a higher resolution. “Authenticated” means the decoder confirms via an indicator that it is receiving a genuine MQA signal.
How to hear full MQA quality
An MQA-capable device alone is not always enough. For the MQA data to arrive, the whole chain has to be right:
- —Digital output: The CD player passes the signal via its coaxial or optical output to an external MQA decoder – or has one built in.
- —Unaltered signal: Digital volume control, tone controls or upsampling in the player destroy the MQA flag. The signal must arrive bit-perfect.
- —Full decoder: MQA-CDs need a full MQA decoder. A pure “MQA renderer”, as offered by some USB DACs, expects an already unfolded data stream and is not enough here.
- —Without a decoder: No problem – the MQA-CD then sounds like a carefully produced normal CD.
MQA-CD, UHQCD and SACD compared
The terms are often mixed up. This overview shows what is behind the formats:
| Format | Data on the disc | Standard CD player | Needed for higher resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio CD | PCM, 16-bit / 44.1 kHz | Yes | – |
| UHQCD | PCM, 16-bit / 44.1 kHz – special manufacturing process | Yes | – (no higher resolution) |
| MQA-CD | MQA-encoded PCM, 16-bit / 44.1 kHz | Yes | Full MQA decoder |
| MQA-UHQCD | MQA encoding pressed on a UHQCD | Yes | Full MQA decoder |
| Hybrid SACD | DSD (1-bit / 2.8224 MHz) plus CD layer | Yes, via the CD layer | SACD-capable player |
More about the other formats can be found in our categories UHQCDs and Hybrid SACD and in our guide Audiophile CD types at a glance.
What does MQA-UHQCD mean?
Many Japanese releases carry “UHQCD x MQA-CD” or simply MQA-UHQCD on the cover. Two different things come together here:
The digital encoding process that packs hi-res information into the CD signal.
“Ultimate High Quality CD”: a manufacturing process intended to form the data structures with particular precision.
Important: UHQCD does not increase the digital resolution. An audible advantage over a normal CD read without errors has not been generally proven – yet many listeners value these editions because they have usually been carefully remastered.
An honest assessment: who is the MQA-CD for?
We do not promote MQA-CDs as sonically superior to SACDs or conventional CDs across the board. MQA is not a fully lossless process: the original hi-res master file is not restored bit-perfectly. The format is therefore controversial among experts.
An MQA-CD is worthwhile above all if you own an MQA decoder, collect Japanese remasters or are looking for an album in its most elaborate CD edition. And because every MQA-CD is also a full audio CD, you take no risk: it remains playable on any player.
Frequently asked questions about MQA-CD
Will an MQA-CD play on my normal CD player?
Yes. An MQA-CD complies with the normal CD standard and plays on any CD player, in the car and on a computer. Without a decoder you hear it in normal CD quality.
What do I need for full MQA playback?
A CD player with a built-in MQA decoder, or a CD player with a digital output plus an external DAC with a full MQA decoder. The signal must leave the player unaltered – without digital volume control or upsampling.
Is a DAC with an “MQA renderer” enough?
No. A renderer only performs the last step and needs an already unfolded signal, for example from streaming software. MQA-CDs need a full MQA decoder.
Is MQA lossless?
Not completely. MQA puts more information on the disc than a normal CD, but does not restore the high-resolution master file bit-perfectly. If you are looking for a lossless hi-res format on disc, SACD is a good choice.
MQA-CD or SACD – which is better?
There is no general answer. SACD stores high-resolution DSD directly on the disc but needs an SACD player. The MQA-CD remains a normal CD and needs an MQA decoder for its extra benefit. In the end, the mastering of the individual title often decides.
What is the difference between UHQCD and MQA-UHQCD?
A UHQCD is a CD made with an especially precise manufacturing process, but at normal CD resolution. An MQA-UHQCD additionally contains MQA-encoded music that a decoder can unfold. Pure UHQCDs can be found in our category UHQCDs.
Does MQA still exist?
The company behind the format, MQA Ltd., went into administration in 2023 and was taken over by the Canadian company Lenbrook, which also owns NAD and Bluesound. Some streaming services now rely on other formats. For your MQA-CD this makes no difference: it remains a full audio CD, and existing MQA decoders continue to work.
Hi-res in a familiar format – discover MQA-CDs and MQA-UHQCDs at Klangheimat.
Not sure whether your system can decode MQA? Get in touch – we are happy to advise you. More formats can be found under Audiophile CDs.
