MQA

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an audio codec developed by Meridian to carry a high-resolution signal in a container about the size of a CD file. The principle is based on signal folding: the higher frequencies are encoded in the quantization noise of the main stream, then unfolded during playback by an MQA-certified DAC.

The final output reaches up to 24 bits / 384 kHz, with authentication certifying conformity to the studio master. Without compatible hardware, the file remains playable at quality comparable to CD; only a DAC bearing the certification restores the full Hi-Res resolution intended by the MQA format.