Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of electronic components and automotive infotainment systems, has brought the world numerous “First 1” and “Number 1” products since its founding in 1948. The Alps Alpine Group currently operates 110 bases in 26 countries and regions, supplying roughly 40,000 different products and solutions to around 2,000 companies worldwide. Those offerings include devices such as switches, sensors, data communication modules, touch input panels, actuators and power inductors; electronic shifters, remote keyless entry systems and other automotive units; consumer electronics like car navigation and audio-visual systems; and systems and services such as digital keys based on smartphone app and blockchain technology, and remote monitoring.
ASUS continually enhances every aspect of the gaming experience across its ranges of high-performance gaming PCs, monitors, keyboards, mice and headsets, and its products have won numerous awards and accolades. MQA technology has been added to the latest ASUS headphones, the ROG Delta S and ROG Delta S Animate, to deliver the highest quality listening experience to music-loving gamers.
Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware. Formed in 2006, an elite team of ASUS engineers and designers committed to creating the world’s best gaming experiences came together to start the Republic of Gamers (ROG). ASUS ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, audio equipment, routers and peripherals. Alongside this, ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events with ROG gear being used to set hundreds of overclocking records whilst continuing to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world.
Founded in 2014 by Andy Ho, Zorloo is a group of music enthusiasts, who are focused on improving mobile audio experiences on smartphones and laptops. Zorloo’s products are small, convenient, affordable and do not require batteries or an external power supply. The company aims to provide high-quality products at reasonable prices so that “everyone can enjoy wonderful music with excellent sound quality, anywhere and anytime”.
Launched in October 2012 by parent company, iriver, Astell&Kern is a luxury brand specialising in high-resolution audio products and accessories. The name is derived from the Latin word for ‘star’ – Astell – and Kern which means ‘centre’ in German, denoting that Astell&Kern is at the centre of music. Astell&Kern’s goal is to provide customers natural and original sound without distortion, showcasing the miniscule details from the original recording, and ensuring that listeners can enjoy music the way the artist, producers and recording engineers intended it to be heard. Parent company, iriver Ltd, was founded in Korea in 1999, and is a global leader in cutting-edge products for the digital world with local offices in China and the US. Astell&Kern continues to extend its range of devices with award-winning MQA technology. with continued upgrades to enable MQA playback.
Astell&Kern and TIDAL Masters
All Wi-Fi enabled Astell&Kern players will feature the artist-owned streaming service TIDAL. Pair an MQA-enabled Astell&Kern device with TIDAL Masters to experience music in its highest possible quality. This is the sound of the studio, the master version as signed-off by the artists and recording engineers.
Cayin was founded in 1993. While their products carry a distinctive cultural connotation and span over a very wide price range, they are devoted to developing the best sounding audio equipment at competitive prices. Cayin have developed over 400 products to date, ranging from CD players to speakers, all of which provide the same high-quality benchmark and attractive price to performance capabilities. With a spectacular track record of over 70 local and international awards, Cayin has grown into one of the largest audio tube amplifier development and manufacturing facilities in the world. Cayin pays attention to detail because they believe this is what it takes to reproduce music naturally.
The FiiO name takes the ‘Fi’ (meaning fidelity) from HiFi and adds ‘iO’ (denoting binary numbers 1 and 0) to convey the convenience of digital life. Established in 2007 with headquarters in Guangzhou, China, FiiO designs, produces and sells high-quality portable music products, at affordable prices, to music lovers worldwide.
FiiO is focused on product quality and adheres strictly to standards in quality management to attain the lowest repair-related product returns rate. The company has received praise, as well as numerous awards, for its ranges of high-resolution digital audio players, portable headphone amplifiers, DACs and earphones.
HiBy Music specialises in research, development and sales of high quality portable audio products, offering you the best hi-fi music experience, whether at home or on the go. With over 30 professional audio R&D staff and over 10 years of experience in the portable audio field, HiBy has developed dozens of portable digital audio players (DAPs), earphones, as well as USB DACs. Furthermore, the HiBy Music smartphone audio player app has a user base of two million users in over 90 countries around the globe, and has won accolades from professional users for its audio quality.
Founded in 2009, and based in the manufacturing centre of Dongguan in Southern China, HIDIZS set out to make premium yet affordable portable music players with great sound. The company believes “no-one should ever compromise on sound quality”, is run by a CEO who is also a musician, and boasts a core team of more than 40 staff with decades of combined experience in professional audio R&D.
HIDIZS launched its first portable audio player, the AP100, at CES 2014. Since then, using a crowd-funding approach to successfully finance new products, the HIDIZS range has expanded beyond DAPs to include in-ear monitors, Bluetooth headphones, cables, DAC dongles and headphone amplifiers.
Founded in 2006, iBasso Audio specialises in developing and producing portable headphone amplifiers, DACs, digital audio players, in-ear monitors, and full-sized headphones. In 2011, it successfully bypassed the Android ALSA driver, and developed the world’s first 24bit/192kHz Android audio player. It was a milestone for high-resolution portable audio players, that enabled high-resolution online streaming. iBasso Audio released its DX220 digital audio player in 2019, based on the Android 8.1 OS, which allows the installation of any music player application. With full MQA support, it greatly increases the efficiency and convenience of online high-resolution music.
Established in 1999 and based in Beijing, Lotoo is the professional audio brand of parent company, Beijing Infomedia Electronic Technology Company, specialists in broadcast radio and television equipment. ‘Personal Audio Workstation’ – abbreviated to ‘PAW’ – has become the name synonymous with Lotoo’s product line-ups: initially high-end audio recorders; then its range of digital audio players, including the flagship PAW Gold; and, more recently the company’s first miniature DAC – the PAW S1 – which is its first MQA-enabled product.
With a leading professional audio R&D team in Asia, Lotoo currently exports to dozens of countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America, and wants its products to reach every corner of the world.
Founded in 1988, with the launch of its first hi-fi stereo amplifier, Shanling has released new products every year since. It has also obtained a series of patented technology licences, including: SONY LDAC; Bluetooth BQB; Japan Audio Society ‘Hi-Res Audio’; Microsoft’s HDCD, Dolby Laboratories’ Dolby Digital; DTS; as well as DVD, SACD and CD, and now MQA.
Today, Shanling is a high-tech company combining R&D, production and sales of a wide range of hi-fi products: hi-res portable music players; amplifiers; headphones; SACD/CD players; and power conditioners. Shanling has established close relationships with many international high-end manufacturers and has a growing reputation within the industry.
Sony loves and maintains a deep understanding for music, and thus aims to gather all people with creative minds, offering a musical experience for all who love music. “So, create, perform, sing, love, feel music. Sony is one for all. — for and by Music Lovers”
“for and by Music Lovers” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
Formed in the early 1980s by Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, Audiolab earned worldwide acclaim with the 8000A – an integrated stereo amplifier that became a classic step-up from the budget models of the time. In 2011, the arrival of the M-DAC heralded a new, compact range called LAB Series, further expanded by the Q-DAC and M-PWR. Since the launch of the 8200 Series and LAB Series, Audiolab has won more major awards in UK hi-fi magazines than any other brand of high-performance audio electronics. Audiolab is part of the IAG Group, the world’s premier manufacturer of audio equipment for domestic and professional use, plus professional lighting systems and luxury yachts.
Bel Canto was founded by John Stronczer in 1991 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John’s expertise in integrated mix signal design and passion for live music has steered him towards creating the most engaging musical playback experience. Every Bel Canto product begins with a high-level idea that goes through extensive development and proof of concept, which leads to an optimised design that improves ergonomics and performance. Using advanced technologies and only the highest grade materials, Bel Canto’s highly experienced team is dedicated to ensuring every component is built to the highest standards. The ACI 600 integrated amplifier was the first product to introduce MQA support.
Berkeley Audio Design was founded by alumni of Pacific Microsonics, developer of the HDCD process and the Pacific Microsonics Model One and Model Two, widely considered to be the highest quality professional ADC and DAC ever produced. The team realised that few outside of Model One and Two users in the recording industry would ever hear music reproduced with that level of detail – a level of fidelity they felt was “closer to the microphone feed” than even first generation open-reel analog tapes. With the integration of MQA core decoding software, Berkeley Audio Design provides the highest quality reproduction of MQA encoded recordings, underlining the company’s commitment to offering the optimum level of fidelity available to music lovers and audiophiles everywhere.
Engineering simplicity and product longevity are the cornerstones of the Brinkmann design philosophy. Founded in 1985 by Helmut Brinkmann, Brinkmann Audio is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of high end audio components. They are one of the few audio companies to design and manufacture every component in the playback chain, from source through amplification. Brinkmann’s analog expertise has led them to the new, ‘MQA-ready’ Nyquist, the Digital-to-Analogue Converter so musical, only an analogue leader could have designed it.
Since launching in 1968, Cambridge Audio has remained committed to one overarching objective: “To produce audio equipment that faithfully creates a pure and natural sound.”
The company also references the ‘British Sound’ – an ethos that lies at the core of its engineering process and means the removal of any barriers or distortion that can alter the sound of the original recording. All product design continues to be carried out by teams in London and Cambridge, and the company is constantly experimenting and problem-solving to deliver music lovers the ultimate listening experience at the fairest possible price.
Cambridge Audio HiFi
Cambridge Audio HiFi systems are built to deliver the purest reproduction of your music. Whether it’s an amplifier, network player or all-in-one system, each unit has been designed with nearly 50 years of audio expertise. For Cambridge Audio, it’s not a question of quality or convenience – Cambridge Audio HiFi systems are built with high-end components and years of audio engineering expertise to provide high quality sound from just one box.
Founder Mario Canever is first and foremost a music fan. Living near the renowned La Fenice opera house in Venice has fuelled his passion for music, as well as a desire to achieve playback as close as possible to the natural sound of voices and instruments. Mario, who has an MSc in digital electrical engineering from Padua University, had always been dissatisfied with the harsh sound of most digital converters. He has travelled extensively in his quest to study the best in international audio design, and is responsible for all aspects of production design. MQA compatibility is a natural partnership for CanEVER audio.
Based in Korea, Novatron was established in 2003, with the aim of creating innovative hifi audio systems by combining the latest IT technology and premium sound quality.
In 2006, the first music server was launched under the cocktailAudio brand. Novatron now offers a wide range of products (all under the cocktailAudio and Novafidelity brands), from a pure digital music server with music database function, to a player & DAC, an all-in-one music player, as well as USB DAC.
dCS believes that the role of a hi-fi system is to preserve all of the subtle information on a recording throughout the reproduction chain, and present it to the listener with every last nuance of emotional content intact. To this end, dCS has been refining a key element of the process, the digital-to-analogue conversion, for a quarter of a century. By making the world’s most advanced DACs, master clocks and digital-to-digital converters, dCS ensures music reproduction sounds more faithful to the original recording than anything else. The dCS product range combines world-class craftsmanship and leading-edge technology.
Designed and engineered by Milomir “Miki” Trosic, founder of sister company Auris Audio, EarMen carries on the legacy of sound that has established Auris as a leader in the high-fidelity audio world. What sets EarMen’s products apart, however, is that they’re specifically designed to enhance portable listening, so its products will easily fit in your pocket alongside your smartphone. Although small in size, EarMen products contain powerful audio components designed to give you and your equipment a no-compromise audio experience. Powerful amplification and world class audio processing, fully compatible with all major smartphones and computers, all in a device the size of a lighter.
EMM Labs was established by Ed Meitner, a leading expert in digital converter design, in 1998. Initially, Ed worked closely with Sony and Phillips to refine what was possible from the DSD/SACD format and developed the first complete multi-channel DSD playback system.
The company and its team of talented physicists, engineers and music lovers, quickly became one of the industry’s most respected makers of high-resolution audio recording and playback products. Today EMM Labs designs products for a wide variety of applications to be found in audiophile homes throughout the world.
In order to meet the needs of demanding audiophiles, TEAC launched the “ESOTERIC” brand in 1987 with the aim of delivering exclusively engineered and manufactured high end audio products. Esoteric’s corporate philosophy “The joy of the highest levels of musical elation” is embodied in a superb range of audio and video products.
Founded in 2010 and based in Toronto, Canada, exaSound designs and manufactures high-end DACs, network music players and servers. The company’s mission is to empower audiophiles to enjoy studio master files the way they were recorded—at their original format, sampling rate, resolution and number of channels. exaSound has developed proprietary asynchronous USB protocol, ASIO drivers and FPGA firmware to achieve a 32bit, low-jitter, bit-perfect signal path. exaSound introduced the first 8-channel DXD DAC and the first DSD256 DAC to the audiophile market. The brand now has global recognition and exaSound products have won major awards by leading high-end audio publications.
With the integration of an MQA full decoder and renderer, exaSound Audio Design’s e32 Mark II DAC provides the highest quality reproduction of MQA encoded recordings.
The Ferrum brand was created in early 2020 by Polish audio technology company HEM. The range of compact and stylish hi-fi products draws on HEM’s two decades of experience in R&D, manufacturing and distribution, as well as a rich legacy of craftsmanship in the Warsaw region.
Ferrum focuses on delivering the best possible audio experience at an affordable price, while products also need to combine sustainability, durability and quality. The team is constantly looking to innovate and create exciting new products to raise the bar and offer a superior listening experience. Its first MQA-enabled product is the ERCO headphone DAC/AMP.
The FiiO name takes the ‘Fi’ (meaning fidelity) from HiFi and adds ‘iO’ (denoting binary numbers 1 and 0) to convey the convenience of digital life. Established in 2007 with headquarters in Guangzhou, China, FiiO designs, produces and sells high-quality portable music products, at affordable prices, to music lovers worldwide.
FiiO is focused on product quality and adheres strictly to standards in quality management to attain the lowest repair-related product returns rate. The company has received praise, as well as numerous awards, for its ranges of high-resolution digital audio players, portable headphone amplifiers, DACs and earphones.
Headquartered in one of China leading tech hubs – the city of Shenzhen – GUSTARD is a company with research and development at its core. Its goal is to provide music fans with high-performance audio products at affordable prices.
Chinese company HDEngine is one of the leading brands in the professional audio-visual industry, with products ranging from 4K media players to optical HDMI cables. Since the company’s inception, HDEngine has upheld its strong focus on image and sound, with the desire to develop beautifully designed, high-end products that deliver the best audio-visual experiences to its customers. The BDP-H650 NEW media player with MQA capability marks the start of HDEngine’s partnership with MQA.
Born in England in 2012 as the brainchild of ultra-hi-fi company AMR, iFi was conceived to deliver portable and desktop audio products that addressed the growing trend of computer-based audio. More and more people were using headphones to listen to music, but plugging them straight into smartphones, tablets, laptops and so on, thus placing their music at the mercy of the inferior DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and amp circuitry contained within these devices. iFi was one of the first companies to manufacture high-performance DAC/headphone amps for portable use, thus delivering a superior sonic solution for the age of music streaming via computers and smart devices.
Nowadays, iFi’s product range encompasses all manner of devices to enhance the pleasure of music-listening, whether the source is digital or analogue. From portable devices to home hi-fi components and accessories – and even all-in-one audio systems – you can rely on iFi to convey music with its heart and soul intact, owing to innovative design and proprietary technologies that capture its energy, scale and detail. With a vast and continually growing collection of awards to its name, iFi is now a true global leader in high-performance audio – delivering music to your ears in full and vibrant colour.
Founded in 2020 by parent company, Shenzhen Wesion Technology, Khadas handles the development and support of all Khadas retail products. Initially Khadas specialised in developing and manufacturing high performance single board computers for the open source community and streaming media player industry. It has recently expanded its range to include products such as the Tone2 Pro DAC/headphone amplifier and RCA connectors.
Krell Industries designs and manufactures high performance audio and video equipment for serious music enthusiasts and home theatre aficionados. Every Krell component is a unique synthesis of science and art. Recorded performances are, by their very nature, works born of passion and Krell’s aim is to bring that passion to life in your home, and the Krell team is excited to be working with MQA to achieve this goal. From source to loudspeakers, Krell components reproduce the definitive music and home theatre experience, based on the principles of innovative engineering, impeccable build quality, and unerring accuracy in sonic reproduction.
Founded in 2017, LOXJIE Audio specialises in audio DACs and digital amplifiers. With an experienced engineering team balancing the demands of technology and design, the brand has established itself as a manufacturer of feature-rich and competitively priced audio products. LOXJIE distributes its products to a global hi-fi audience, and after-sale support is an important part of its vision of excellence.
Parent company Pixel Magic Systems was founded in 2003, a privately-held electronics equipment manufacturer specialising in high-definition home theatre products. Subsidiary company LUMIN Music was set up in 2012, focusing on the audio market with the launch of a technically advanced streamer, the LUMIN A1, which has since been joined by a full range of players. LUMIN Music’s network music players can automatically perform core decoding, as well as hardware rendering, of MQA-encoded streams to deliver the best possible playback with the maximum available music data.
M2Tech was founded in 2007 by Italian electronic engineers Nadia Marino and Marco Manunta. In 2009 the company launched its first product to much acclaim, the hiFace USB audio interface – the first of its kind capable of delivering bit-perfect 192/24 data. The Young 384/32 DAC (part of M2Tech’s “Rockstars” series named after well-known musicians) followed soon after, the first mid-range DAC capable of bit-perfect 384/32 conversion. Research and innovation are key to M2Tech’s mission: each new product is designed to bring something new to the audiophile market, while also aiming at the best sound quality. The Joplin 384/32 Analog-to-Digital converter and the Evo PhonoDAC Two stay true to M2Tech’s philosophy. Recognising the advantages of MQA, M2Tech plans to incorporate MQA capability into all of its new DAC products, starting with the Young MkIII.
The concept behind Manunta by M2Tech is to create HiFi products for the budget-conscious audiophile that deliver great sound quality at affordable prices. All Manunta products benefit from the technical solutions used by parent brand M2Tech, delivering high performance alongside an intuitive user experience.
A leader in high-fidelity audio since 1972, Mark Levinson has been the reference standard for the high-end audio industry. The company believes every piece of your audio system should be designed to bring you impeccable sound – with nothing added or taken away. Its world-class engineers spend hundreds of hours developing technologies and products that allow you to uncover the detail, nuances and intricacies within your music. A deeper relationship with sound awaits.
Matrix Audio is a high-fidelity digital audio company established in 2013 by a trio of music-loving engineers. The three founders originally met in high school in the ancient city of Xi’an in central China, brought together by their shared passion for music and electronic technology. From the outset, the company has attached great importance to technical innovation and continuous research.
The team pays great attention to the performance, function and build quality of its audio products, while also focusing on the user experience and design aspects. All of its audio products boast not only excellent sound performance, but also great design that integrates harmoniously into the home environment. Matrix Audio’s first MQA product was the X-Sabre Pro DAC with full decoding capability. Since then the range of MQA-enabled products has grown each year.
Ed Meitner has been creating state-of-the-art audio hardware for both professionals and music lovers for many years, and his focus has always been to address the needs of the customer.
Meitner Audio’s mission is to make truly high-end audio more accessible to more people. It is uniquely positioned to achieve this goal by having access to the groundbreaking technology developed by its partner company EMM Labs.
Meridian was founded by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd in 1977. The pair met in Cambridge, where they discovered shared interests and philosophies in audio equipment design. Their first collaboration, the Lecson hi-fi system, was deemed so innovative and ground-breaking that it forms part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. For four decades, Meridian Audio has been crafting innovative, elegant, high performance audio solutions. From its compact DSP loudspeakers with integrated amplification, to its user-friendly music management platform, Sooloos, Meridian delivers easy to install, high resolution audio systems for home cinemas and whole home solutions. In 2015, MQA, a technology developed within Meridian Audio, was spun off as a separate limited company in 2015 with Bob taking up the position of CTO.
Metrum Acoustics is a Dutch manufacturer of high-end audio equipment for consumers and professional users. The company was founded in 2009 by an experienced team with a thirty-year history of innovation in acoustics and electronic design. Designer Cees Ruijtenberg describes how the Sonnet Morpheus DAC, the company’s first MQA-enabled product, “gives you more weight, body, tonal richness, and a more natural sense of the space of the recording.”
MOON believes that nothing should stand between the listener and the authenticity of the original recording – that’s why its partnership with MQA is a natural fit. The result is a newfound closeness between listener and artist, edging closer to the ultimate goal: access to the purest sound. From concept to customer service, the entire team at MOON is dedicated to ensuring products stand the test of time. With a 10-year warranty on products, everyone at MOON has confidence in everything they make, and can take pride in the fact that almost all of their environmentally-friendly parts and products are impeccably crafted at Simaudio in Quebec, Canada.
MSB Technology is an employee-owned company, run by the people who work, design, manufacture and sell the products they create. They are a close-knit group of friends and family who share a passion for what they do. Sound quality is always the driving force in MSB’s designs. MSB unveiled its first MQA-ready product, the Select DAC, at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2016.
Built on over thirty years of audio expertise, Musical Fidelity designs and engineers powerful hi-fi audio hardware that delivers exceptional sound and high technical performance. Its passion for music and world-class engineering ensures that each design has a superb build quality. This is achieved by embracing new technologies, combined with developing more traditional methods, resulting in an overall greater performance.
Founder Michal Jurewicz arrived in New York in 1989 after graduating from Warsaw University with a degree in Electronics and Acoustics. His first job was working as a technical engineer in the Hit Factory, New York’s largest recording studios, and he was soon hired by Skyline, home to legendary producer Nile Rodgers. Michal started designing digital audio converters while at Skyline, and his early converter prototypes were used to mix many of the hit albums from the early 90s, including those from Mariah Carey, James Taylor and the B52s. Michal founded Mytek Digital in 1992 in New York City. Since the early 2000s, manufacturing and programming R&D has been carried out in Warsaw. The Brooklyn was Mytek’s first consumer-grade DAC to perform MQA decoding.
Originally founded in 1972, the goal of NAD was to prove that excellent sound quality and excellent value could co-exist. It began when a group of European audio importers hired American audio executives Martin Borish and Bjorn Edvardsen to make an affordable, state-of-the-art amplifier that focused on four core principles: innovation, performance, value and simplicity. Many tens of prototypes later, Edvardsen had created the world’s best-selling hi-fi amplifier in history, the NAD 3020. Now headquartered near Toronto, Canada, NAD employs a team of audio engineers and enthusiasts that carry forward the legacy of Borish and Edvardsen, pushing the boundaries for a better listening experience that is accessible to as many people as possible. NAD announced support for MQA on all BluOS-enabled systems in 2016.
NuPrime Audio Inc was established in 2014 by NuForce’s cofounder, Jason Lim, with backing from the OEM factory. NuPrime has since introduced a series of superbly engineered yet affordable audio components, winning numerous accolades along the way, including an unprecedented four ‘Product of the Year’ awards from The Absolute Sound and SoundStage! Network in 2015. NuPrime’s products adhere to high-end audio design philosophies and the company boasts its own in-house R&D resource, resulting in the recently released NuPrime Evo One.
Based in New York, PALAB’s design team is dedicated to creating minimalistic and naturally perfect audio products. PALAB believes its obsession with perfecting the electronic circuit faithfully reproduces the original sound of the recording. The portable M1-mini DAC/amp, with integrated MQA decoding capability to deliver the highest sound quality, is its first product with MQA.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems, located in Vienna, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of record players. For more than fifty years, Pro-Ject has been designing and building turntables at its manufacturing facility in Litovel in the Czech Republic. This plant is one of the most advanced manufacturers of precision mechanics in the country and produces simple, uncluttered and utterly functional products. Pro-Ject products exhibit sonic performance beyond all expectations normally associated with their price. They are simple to use, maintenance free and will function reliably a lifetime long. They also offer extraordinary value for money.
PS Audio only make music and the products that support its reproduction. Hand-crafted, high-end home music reproduction systems designed, engineered and built by people that care: about lifestyle, music, the environment, quality, fairness and the trust they’ve earned over the last 40 years.
PureAudio was founded in 2003 in Taiwan and is a brand owned by Hontron Electronics. The latest PureAudio product, and the first to integrate MQA technology – the Lotus DAC5 – is a reference-class DAC designed for studio professionals. The company is committed to providing consumers with high quality and affordable audio hardware.
Founded in 2012, Shenzhen-based Questyle Audio Engineering is run by talented audio technologist Jason Wang. An engineering-led firm, Questyle focuses on high-tech lossless audio systems and aims to provide a high quality, yet convenient, listening experience. The company produces several products, from headphone amps to digital audio players (DAPs), and its recently released M12 DAC/Amp incorporates MQA renderer technology.
Rotel audio products are known worldwide for their quality, reliability, value and exceptional sound reproduction. Since 1961, Rotel has utilised the resources of its formidable international design team and manufactured products in its own sophisticated production facilities.
Rotel proudly offers a complete range of electronics that have consistently received critical acclaim and won industry awards. With substantial investment in new technologies and manufacturing, Rotel is prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving specialist electronics marketplace. Its first range of MQA-enabled products, released in 2019, was the MICHI series.
Sabaj was founded in 2016 in Shenzhen, China, by a team of experienced audio engineers and marketing professionals. Believing high quality audio products can also be affordable, Sabaj set out to produce products that met this brief. Managing the entire process, from initial design through to launch, the company ensures its components are expertly and professionally selected, while also reflecting the latest engineering methods.
Founded in 1988, with the launch of its first hi-fi stereo amplifier, Shanling has released new products every year since. It has also obtained a series of patented technology licences, including: SONY LDAC; Bluetooth BQB; Japan Audio Society ‘Hi-Res Audio’; Microsoft’s HDCD, Dolby Laboratories’ Dolby Digital; DTS; as well as DVD, SACD and CD, and now MQA.
Today, Shanling is a high-tech company combining R&D, production and sales of a wide range of hi-fi products: hi-res portable music players; amplifiers; headphones; SACD/CD players; and power conditioners. Shanling has established close relationships with many international high-end manufacturers and has a growing reputation within the industry.
Founded in 2010, Guangzhou Shikuang Technology specialises in research and development for high quality audio hardware. In ancient China, Shi Kuang was a famous musician and fortune-teller whose philosophy was to ‘let more people hear good music’. Inspired by this philosophy, Guangzhou Shikuang’s aim is to combine a passion for music with knowledge of technology, to deliver the most beautiful sound through its products.
Located in Shenzhen, China, S.M.S.L Electronics was founded in 2009 with in-house R&D, manufacturing and marketing expertise, and specialises in audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier and power amplifier products. The company’s philosophy of “excellent, affordable products and continuous improvement” has helped S.M.S.L build a solid reputation and establish a comprehensive domestic sales network, alongside a distribution network which exports products to more than 30 countries worldwide. In 2019, S.M.S.L began its MQA partnership and launched its first MQA-enabled product, the M500 DAC.
Sonnet Digital Audio is a Dutch manufacturer of high-end audio equipment for consumers and professional users. The company was founded in 2019 by an experienced team with a thirty-year history of innovation in acoustics and electronic design. Designer Cees Ruijtenberg describes how the Sonnet Morpheus DAC, the company’s first MQA-enabled product, “gives you more weight, body, tonal richness, and a more natural sense of the space of the recording.”
TAGA Harmony was co-founded by current CEO and high-end audio specialist, Przemek Kokocinski, with the goal of creating great-sounding speakers. The name comes from the first letters of the company tagline: ‘To Achieve Glorious Acoustics’, and to do this in ‘Harmony’ with nature. Its product range has now expanded to include high-end hi-fi and home theatre speakers, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, outdoor speakers, audio cables and audio equipment for the pro audio market. Its first MQA-enabled product is the DA400 DAC.
From its establishment in 1953, TEAC has developed products for every segment of the sound and music industry. From high-end audio professional in a major post-production studio to the novice or hobbyist at home, TEAC is everywhere. TEAC is a company committed to providing its customers audio/video solutions and tools that let them translate their creativity into reality.
Guangzhou Topping Electronics & Technology, known as ‘TOPPING’, is based in Guangzhou, China, and was established in 2008. TOPPING’s corporate philosophy is built on the dual goals of outstanding audio and superb performance; while a strong emphasis on R&D is backed up by investment in skilled engineering teams, equipped with top-of-the-range professional audio testing machinery.
TOPPING develops and sells a wide range of audio products including power amplifiers, headphone amplifiers and DACs. Its international network of distribution channels covers online sellers, as well as more traditional dealer outlets.
The first MQA-enabled product is the D90 desktop DAC.
Guangzhou Trasam Audio Equipment Co was established in 2011, and is an innovative, technology-based company focusing on HiFi audio products. The company integrates product development, manufacturing and sales under one professional audio brand, and uses the latest equipment and a highly skilled team of electro-acoustic technical engineers to deliver the best products. Trasam takes a no compromise approach to sound quality, and enabling “more people to hear good music” is the company’s ultimate goal.
After studying for a degree in telecommunications engineering, Javier Guadalajara completed a masters degree in acoustics and electronics, and was appointed Associate Professor of Electro-acoustics. His subsequent research into digital sound reproduction “The Effects of Jitter in Digital Audio,” led to a professorial post at Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao. His involvement with the family high-end audio business, combined with his academic work, led Javier to establish Wadax in 2006, launching the first product, the Pre 1 pre-amplifier, in 2010. In 2013, the company was awarded Best Start-up by the Instituto de Empresa, one of Europe’s leading business schools.
Based in the city of Shenzhen, China’s thriving technology hub, xDuoo specialises in the development, design and sales of a range of high-end audio products, including headphone amplifiers, DACs and portable music players. The work of its experienced technical team has earned xDuoo a reputation as a reliable and proficient ODM, and the company has now created and launched its own brand. The R&D department monitors audio trends closely and providing the best user experience is central to the development of all new products.
Since 2009, YULONG Audio has been designing and manufacturing high-end audio products, with a special focus on all-in-one products for home and personal use. Combining leading-edge technology, rigorous engineering principles and exquisite craftsmanship, the company produces reliable and competitively priced products that sound great and measure well. YULONG applies the same approach to DA-ART, its sub-brand that targets the younger generation. Its first MQA-enabled product is the DA-ART Aurora DAC with MQA decoding capability. Despite its compact design, the Aurora offers extensive input and output options, and works with iOS and Android devices, as well as Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
Founded in 2014, Shenzhen-based ZIDOO Tech boasts an R&D team of more than 60 engineers and specialises in media players, network streamers and DACs. The company’s philosophy of creating affordable products with continuous improvements has helped Zidoo build a solid reputation and establish a comprehensive sales network, exporting to more than 30 countries worldwide. 2021 marked the beginning of the partnership between ZIDOO and MQA, and the first product with MQA is the high-end UHD 3000 media player.
ALO audio has established itself as a highly regarded brand in the personal audio space, with a team of skilled technicians who are music fans first and foremost. Starting out as Audio Line Out, founded in 2009 by self-taught engineer Ken Ball in Portland, Oregon, the company initially focused on producing the highest grade audio cables. The product range has since expanded into headphone amplifiers and interconnects, for both portable and home listening. ALO audio’s first MQA product is the Pilot, a portable USB DAC with MQA renderer. When paired with streaming services TIDAL or nugs.net, or used with media players such as Audirvana and Roon, the Pilot delivers the full MQA experience.
Founded in 2005, Audioengine‘s mission is simply to build products that sound great, are easy to use and make people want to listen to music every day. Its product line specialises in an extensive range of powered speakers which are designed for desktop and in-room listening. In every application, Audioengine products are designed to bring professional audio sound to everyday listening.
Since 1980, AudioQuest, headquartered in Irvine, California, has been a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-performance audio/video products and custom-install solutions. Although best known for its comprehensive range of analog, digital, and AC power cables, the company has expanded its portfolio to offer a diverse assortment of state-of-the-art products, including the multi-award-winning DragonFly DACs, Lyra phono cartridges, and Niagara and PowerQuest power products. Most importantly, all AudioQuest products, regardless of price, are meticulously designed to deliver outstanding performance and exceptional value. With the 2017 update to DragonFlys Black and Red, AudioQuest introduced the first implementation of MQA rendering technology, making these portable DACs, along with the new flagship DragonFly Cobalt, the perfect affordable complements to MQA-ready streaming services.
Based in Shenzhen, China, Audirect has been engaged in HiVi & HiFi product development and sales for more than 5 years. Its product range includes high-definition video players, DSD DACs and, more recently (in response to the removal of headphone jacks in smartphones), portable DACs.
The latest portable DAC is the BEAM, earlier models being the ‘Whistle’ and first generation ‘uPod’. These products are capable of rendering MQA music, and perform the final unfold when paired with an MQA decoder such as the TIDAL app.
Clarus products are engineered to provide the ultimate listening experience for discerning music fans. Originally establishing a reputation for its high-end audio cabling, Clarus has since expanded its product range, with the most recent addition being the Clarus Coda. The Coda is a high performance USB-DAC amplifier, which includes an MQA renderer, and is designed to be used with smartphones, tablets or computers. When paired with an MQA Core Decoder (for example when streaming with TIDAL or nugs, or when used with media players, Audirvana and Roon), the Coda delivers the full MQA experience and takes you to the original performance.
Founded in 2017 by a former member of two well-established Chinese HiFi companies, FiiO and Oppo, ddHiFi is dedicated to designing and making user-friendly accessories for audiophiles. ddHiFi’s aim is to produce affordable products with a streamlined design and luxury feel. Accessories range from adapters and DACs, to earphones and cases.
Designed and engineered by Milomir “Miki” Trosic, founder of sister company Auris Audio, EarMen carries on the legacy of sound that has established Auris as a leader in the high-fidelity audio world. What sets EarMen’s products apart, however, is that they’re specifically designed to enhance portable listening, so its products will easily fit in your pocket alongside your smartphone. Although small in size, EarMen products contain powerful audio components designed to give you and your equipment a no-compromise audio experience. Powerful amplification and world class audio processing, fully compatible with all major smartphones and computers, all in a device the size of a lighter.
The FiiO name takes the ‘Fi’ (meaning fidelity) from HiFi and adds ‘iO’ (denoting binary numbers 1 and 0) to convey the convenience of digital life. Established in 2007 with headquarters in Guangzhou, China, FiiO designs, produces and sells high-quality portable music products, at affordable prices, to music lovers worldwide.
FiiO is focused on product quality and adheres strictly to standards in quality management to attain the lowest repair-related product returns rate. The company has received praise, as well as numerous awards, for its ranges of high-resolution digital audio players, portable headphone amplifiers, DACs and earphones.
HELM Audio is a multi-award winning British-American venture focused on audio innovation. Founded in 2017 by a proven team of industry veterans with a passion for sound quality and the deep know-how needed to build world-class cutting-edge products, HELM set out to fill a big gap in the market with an ambitious brand born for music lovers who desire immersive audio with ultramodern freedom and functionality at tremendous value.
HELM’s first MQA-certified product is its award-winning Bolt DAC/AMP, a portable hi-res DAC for no compromise MQA audio rendering.
HiBy Music specialises in research, development and sales of high quality portable audio products, offering you the best hi-fi music experience, whether at home or on the go. With over 30 professional audio R&D staff and over 10 years of experience in the portable audio field, HiBy has developed dozens of portable digital audio players (DAPs), earphones, as well as USB DACs. Furthermore, the HiBy Music smartphone audio player app has a user base of two million users in over 90 countries around the globe, and has won accolades from professional users for its audio quality.
Founded in 2009, and based in the manufacturing centre of Dongguan in Southern China, HIDIZS set out to make premium yet affordable portable music players with great sound. The company believes “no-one should ever compromise on sound quality”, is run by a CEO who is also a musician, and boasts a core team of more than 40 staff with decades of combined experience in professional audio R&D.
HIDIZS launched its first portable audio player, the AP100, at CES 2014. Since then, using a crowd-funding approach to successfully finance new products, the HIDIZS range has expanded beyond DAPs to include in-ear monitors, Bluetooth headphones, cables, DAC dongles and headphone amplifiers.
Highscreen launched in Russia in 2003 as a producer of computers, tablets and accessories. In 2009 it began manufacturing smartphones, including the first ever Android smartphone to be sold officially within Russia. Earning itself a reputation for devices that combine value with quality and functionality, its latest smartphones boast longer battery life and professional quality audio. The company’s first MQA-enabled product is the TrueSound Pro – a rendering adapter for Android handsets to boost audio performance.
Founded in 2006, iBasso Audio specialises in developing and producing portable headphone amplifiers, DACs, digital audio players, in-ear monitors, and full-sized headphones. In 2011, it successfully bypassed the Android ALSA driver, and developed the world’s first 24bit/192kHz Android audio player. It was a milestone for high-resolution portable audio players, that enabled high-resolution online streaming. iBasso Audio released its DX220 digital audio player in 2019, based on the Android 8.1 OS, which allows the installation of any music player application. With full MQA support, it greatly increases the efficiency and convenience of online high-resolution music.
Born in England in 2012 as the brainchild of ultra-hi-fi company AMR, iFi was conceived to deliver portable and desktop audio products that addressed the growing trend of computer-based audio. More and more people were using headphones to listen to music, but plugging them straight into smartphones, tablets, laptops and so on, thus placing their music at the mercy of the inferior DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and amp circuitry contained within these devices. iFi was one of the first companies to manufacture high-performance DAC/headphone amps for portable use, thus delivering a superior sonic solution for the age of music streaming via computers and smart devices.
Nowadays, iFi’s product range encompasses all manner of devices to enhance the pleasure of music-listening, whether the source is digital or analogue. From portable devices to home hi-fi components and accessories – and even all-in-one audio systems – you can rely on iFi to convey music with its heart and soul intact, owing to innovative design and proprietary technologies that capture its energy, scale and detail. With a vast and continually growing collection of awards to its name, iFi is now a true global leader in high-performance audio – delivering music to your ears in full and vibrant colour.
Jade Audio is a subsidiary brand of FiiO Electronics Technology. It’s a stylish, youth-oriented brand, and shares the aims of FiiO – to provide high-quality yet cost-effective audio products to a global audience. By applying the best technologies, maintaining the highest levels of quality and customer service, Jade Audio wants its consumers to feel the beauty of life through every piece of music.
Founded in 2015 and based in Dongguan, China, JCALLY has been engaged in HiFi audio product development and sales for over a decade. The company now has almost 300 employees and production space of 10,000 square metres. Its product range includes earphones, portable DACs, cables and accessories. The latest product JM50/JM50L is a USB C DAC capable of rendering MQA music and performing the final unfold when paired with an MQA decoder.
Founded in 2020 by parent company, Shenzhen Wesion Technology, Khadas handles the development and support of all Khadas retail products. Initially Khadas specialised in developing and manufacturing high performance single board computers for the open source community and streaming media player industry. It has recently expanded its range to include products such as the Tone2 Pro DAC/headphone amplifier and RCA connectors.
Established in 1999 and based in Beijing, Lotoo is the professional audio brand of parent company, Beijing Infomedia Electronic Technology Company, specialists in broadcast radio and television equipment. ‘Personal Audio Workstation’ – abbreviated to ‘PAW’ – has become the name synonymous with Lotoo’s product line-ups: initially high-end audio recorders; then its range of digital audio players, including the flagship PAW Gold; and, more recently the company’s first miniature DAC – the PAW S1 – which is its first MQA-enabled product.
With a leading professional audio R&D team in Asia, Lotoo currently exports to dozens of countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America, and wants its products to reach every corner of the world.
Phatlab was founded in 2015 and is based in Taiwan. Previously working at audio enthusiasts ENIGMAcoustics, Mr Lin – Phatlab CEO and lead designer – recognised the importance of headphones and set out to create his own company. Through proprietary headphone amp technology, Phatlab’s aim is to duplicate the experience of high-end stereo performance on headphones. It’s first MQA-enabled product is the Rio portable DAC.
Founded in 2012, Shenzhen-based Questyle Audio Engineering is run by talented audio technologist Jason Wang. An engineering-led firm, Questyle focuses on high-tech lossless audio systems and aims to provide a high quality, yet convenient, listening experience. The company produces several products, from headphone amps to digital audio players (DAPs), and its recently released M12 DAC/Amp incorporates MQA renderer technology.
ASUS continually enhances every aspect of the gaming experience across its ranges of high-performance gaming PCs, monitors, keyboards, mice and headsets, and its products have won numerous awards and accolades. MQA technology has been added to the latest ASUS headphones, the ROG Delta S and ROG Delta S Animate, to deliver the highest quality listening experience to music-loving gamers.
Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware. Formed in 2006, an elite team of ASUS engineers and designers committed to creating the world’s best gaming experiences came together to start the Republic of Gamers (ROG). ASUS ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, audio equipment, routers and peripherals. Alongside this, ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events with ROG gear being used to set hundreds of overclocking records whilst continuing to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world.
Founded in 1988, with the launch of its first hi-fi stereo amplifier, Shanling has released new products every year since. It has also obtained a series of patented technology licences, including: SONY LDAC; Bluetooth BQB; Japan Audio Society ‘Hi-Res Audio’; Microsoft’s HDCD, Dolby Laboratories’ Dolby Digital; DTS; as well as DVD, SACD and CD, and now MQA.
Today, Shanling is a high-tech company combining R&D, production and sales of a wide range of hi-fi products: hi-res portable music players; amplifiers; headphones; SACD/CD players; and power conditioners. Shanling has established close relationships with many international high-end manufacturers and has a growing reputation within the industry.
TempoTec Corp was set up by a group of audiophiles in pursuit of better sound quality and a more convenient user experience. Its multinational team comprises experts from China, Taiwan, Korea and Germany, proving “music has no boundaries”. All have at least two decades of audio system development experience.
As technology develops, TempoTec believes there will be more music played and transmitted from ever more devices. While accuracy is key in the digital world, the final listening format is always analog. So, besides keeping up with the latest advancements in digital audio processing technology, TempoTec also relies on customer feedback to create new user-oriented products and enhanced listening experiences for all music lovers. Technology and humanity lie at the soul of TempoTec.
Founded by legendary filmmaker George Lucas in 1983, THX and its partners provide premium entertainment experiences in the cinema, at home and on the go. Over the past three and a half decades, the company has expanded its certification categories to include consumer electronics, content, automotive systems and live entertainment. Today, THX continues to redefine entertainment, providing superior audio and visual fidelity to audiences worldwide.
Whizzer is a design-driven professional audio brand founded in 2013 with headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Making a name for itself initially with a range of stylish and premium-sounding in ear monitors, the company’s enduring goal is to push the boundaries of design, sound and technology. The DA1 Cube portable DAC with rendering capability is its first MQA product.
Based in the city of Shenzhen, China’s thriving technology hub, xDuoo specialises in the development, design and sales of a range of high-end audio products, including headphone amplifiers, DACs and portable music players. The work of its experienced technical team has earned xDuoo a reputation as a reliable and proficient ODM, and the company has now created and launched its own brand. The R&D department monitors audio trends closely and providing the best user experience is central to the development of all new products.
Founded in 2014 by Andy Ho, Zorloo is a group of music enthusiasts, who are focused on improving mobile audio experiences on smartphones and laptops. Zorloo’s products are small, convenient, affordable and do not require batteries or an external power supply. The company aims to provide high-quality products at reasonable prices so that “everyone can enjoy wonderful music with excellent sound quality, anywhere and anytime”.
In 1976, two friends with a passion for music and electronics met up while engineering students at Cambridge University, and founded Amplification and Recording Cambridge (ARCAM) to launch their first amplifier.
Alongside developing and producing the descendants of the original amplifier, ARCAM has since expanded into home cinema electronics, building a world-class reputation for making some of the best-sounding AV electronics. Hard-won techniques for preserving and handling the most delicate signal and reproducing music with all its subtleties, nuances and excitement intact, are in ARCAM’s blood.
ARCAM has shown that no-nonsense engineering can work wonders when it comes to bringing music and movies to life, and integrating MQA into its range of hi-fi and home systems further supports this approach.
Atoll Eléctronique was founded in 1997 by Stéphane and Emmanuel Dubreuil to meet the needs of what they felt was an overlooked audience – the budget-conscious audiophile – and the company now sells products in more than 30 countries around the world. All models are entirely assembled at the company’s French factory, followed by rigorous testing of each unit, ensuring complete control of the manufacturing process. Atoll Eléctronique’s products not only deliver reliable results to the most demanding of music lovers, they will also enhance any home with their clean and beautiful design.
Aurender brings together a team of passionate individuals whose goal is to enrich everyone’s lives through innovative products. Their reputation is founded on building high-quality, file-based and streaming media players for both audiophiles and music lovers who want to enjoy operational convenience, simplicity and excellent sound quality. The Aurender A10 includes MQA full decoder technology, and is a fully compliant MQA end-to-end solution enabling you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. Aurender’s products are developed and manufactured in South Korea.
Bel Canto was founded by John Stronczer in 1991 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John’s expertise in integrated mix signal design and passion for live music has steered him towards creating the most engaging musical playback experience. Every Bel Canto product begins with a high-level idea that goes through extensive development and proof of concept, which leads to an optimised design that improves ergonomics and performance. Using advanced technologies and only the highest grade materials, Bel Canto’s highly experienced team is dedicated to ensuring every component is built to the highest standards. The ACI 600 integrated amplifier was the first product to introduce MQA support.
Bluesound’s founders pioneered HiFi in the 70s – innovation and the pursuit of perfection in audio runs deep in their collective DNA. Bluesound’s sole mission is to create innovative wireless digital audio products and technologies that allow for the most true-to-life music
experience possible. Bluesound is an alliance of audiophiles, designers, engineers and passionate music lovers. The company launched the first wireless multi-room system to support MQA music, considering MQA’s technology “a natural match” for their hi-res music and wireless streaming platform.
Celebrating 10 years of Bluesound
Bluesound is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding with the launch of a limited-run product, the NODE X, and a digital campaign that celebrates and thanks the partners that have helped it become an award-winning, best-selling audio brand.
Since its inception in 1989, Cary Audio has always held quality and performance as its primary objectives. Beginning with the production of high quality two channel tube components, the company has since branched out into home theatre and digital playback solutions, while maintaining its dedication to accurate and lifelike reproduction of music. The DMS-500 network audio player was Cary Audio’s first product to support playback of MQA music, as well as the first to use 16x rendering of MQA files.
Based in Korea, Novatron was established in 2003, with the aim of creating innovative hifi audio systems by combining the latest IT technology and premium sound quality.
In 2006, the first music server was launched under the cocktailAudio brand. Novatron now offers a wide range of products (all under the cocktailAudio and Novafidelity brands), from a pure digital music server with music database function, to a player & DAC, an all-in-one music player, as well as USB DAC.
dCS believes that the role of a hi-fi system is to preserve all of the subtle information on a recording throughout the reproduction chain, and present it to the listener with every last nuance of emotional content intact. To this end, dCS has been refining a key element of the process, the digital-to-analogue conversion, for a quarter of a century. By making the world’s most advanced DACs, master clocks and digital-to-digital converters, dCS ensures music reproduction sounds more faithful to the original recording than anything else. The dCS product range combines world-class craftsmanship and leading-edge technology.
EMM Labs was established by Ed Meitner, a leading expert in digital converter design, in 1998. Initially, Ed worked closely with Sony and Phillips to refine what was possible from the DSD/SACD format and developed the first complete multi-channel DSD playback system.
The company and its team of talented physicists, engineers and music lovers, quickly became one of the industry’s most respected makers of high-resolution audio recording and playback products. Today EMM Labs designs products for a wide variety of applications to be found in audiophile homes throughout the world.
In order to meet the needs of demanding audiophiles, TEAC launched the “ESOTERIC” brand in 1987 with the aim of delivering exclusively engineered and manufactured high end audio products. Esoteric’s corporate philosophy “The joy of the highest levels of musical elation” is embodied in a superb range of audio and video products.
Based in Shenzhen China, EWEAT has built a reputation over the last decade for specialising in high-quality and affordable home cinema and HiFi products, including media players, network streamers and DACs. The brand is marketed as MyMei within China. The first MQA-compatible product is the DMP50 network streamer which can be easily operated via your mobile phone.
Founded in 2010 and based in Toronto, Canada, exaSound designs and manufactures high-end DACs, network music players and servers. The company’s mission is to empower audiophiles to enjoy studio master files the way they were recorded—at their original format, sampling rate, resolution and number of channels. exaSound has developed proprietary asynchronous USB protocol, ASIO drivers and FPGA firmware to achieve a 32bit, low-jitter, bit-perfect signal path. exaSound introduced the first 8-channel DXD DAC and the first DSD256 DAC to the audiophile market. The brand now has global recognition and exaSound products have won major awards by leading high-end audio publications.
With the integration of an MQA full decoder and renderer, exaSound Audio Design’s e32 Mark II DAC provides the highest quality reproduction of MQA encoded recordings.
HiFi Rose is a hifi brand based in Korea. The team comprises music specialists and experienced acoustic engineers, who create stylish network media players that support high quality audio and UHD video. The first player to integrate MQA technology is the RS201E network media player.
Born in England in 2012 as the brainchild of ultra-hi-fi company AMR, iFi was conceived to deliver portable and desktop audio products that addressed the growing trend of computer-based audio. More and more people were using headphones to listen to music, but plugging them straight into smartphones, tablets, laptops and so on, thus placing their music at the mercy of the inferior DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and amp circuitry contained within these devices. iFi was one of the first companies to manufacture high-performance DAC/headphone amps for portable use, thus delivering a superior sonic solution for the age of music streaming via computers and smart devices.
Nowadays, iFi’s product range encompasses all manner of devices to enhance the pleasure of music-listening, whether the source is digital or analogue. From portable devices to home hi-fi components and accessories – and even all-in-one audio systems – you can rely on iFi to convey music with its heart and soul intact, owing to innovative design and proprietary technologies that capture its energy, scale and detail. With a vast and continually growing collection of awards to its name, iFi is now a true global leader in high-performance audio – delivering music to your ears in full and vibrant colour.
Innuos was founded in 2009 to upend conventional thinking about digital music as a source, and engineer innovative, artful HiFi products that deliver unexpected warmth and accuracy – products that unleash the full potential of digital music playback. Its products elevate music enjoyment by offering true audiophile performance and believes that markably high-quality audio and ease-of-use are essential parts of any memorable music experience. Through precise matching of bespoke hardware and in-house developed software, Innuos music servers, streamers and more, continue to prove that digital music sources can still be pushed to new levels. Innuos full range of products including ZEN, STATEMENT and PULSE now supports MQA Software decoding.
Parent company Pixel Magic Systems was founded in 2003, a privately-held electronics equipment manufacturer specialising in high-definition home theatre products. Subsidiary company LUMIN Music was set up in 2012, focusing on the audio market with the launch of a technically advanced streamer, the LUMIN A1, which has since been joined by a full range of players. LUMIN Music’s network music players can automatically perform core decoding, as well as hardware rendering, of MQA-encoded streams to deliver the best possible playback with the maximum available music data.
Lyngdorf Audio was founded by audio innovator, Peter Lyngdorf, as a sound system R&D company in Denmark in 2005. Peter’s previous audio achievements included the development of the world’s first fully digital amplifier in the late 90s. In 2007, through a partnership with iconic piano brand Steinway & Sons, SL Audio was created. SL Audio designs, develops and manufactures sound systems and components under the umbrella of the Lyngdorf and Steinway brands.
A leader in high-fidelity audio since 1972, Mark Levinson has been the reference standard for the high-end audio industry. The company believes every piece of your audio system should be designed to bring you impeccable sound – with nothing added or taken away. Its world-class engineers spend hundreds of hours developing technologies and products that allow you to uncover the detail, nuances and intricacies within your music. A deeper relationship with sound awaits.
Matrix Audio is a high-fidelity digital audio company established in 2013 by a trio of music-loving engineers. The three founders originally met in high school in the ancient city of Xi’an in central China, brought together by their shared passion for music and electronic technology. From the outset, the company has attached great importance to technical innovation and continuous research.
The team pays great attention to the performance, function and build quality of its audio products, while also focusing on the user experience and design aspects. All of its audio products boast not only excellent sound performance, but also great design that integrates harmoniously into the home environment. Matrix Audio’s first MQA product was the X-Sabre Pro DAC with full decoding capability. Since then the range of MQA-enabled products has grown each year.
Meridian was founded by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd in 1977. The pair met in Cambridge, where they discovered shared interests and philosophies in audio equipment design. Their first collaboration, the Lecson hi-fi system, was deemed so innovative and ground-breaking that it forms part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. For four decades, Meridian Audio has been crafting innovative, elegant, high performance audio solutions. From its compact DSP loudspeakers with integrated amplification, to its user-friendly music management platform, Sooloos, Meridian delivers easy to install, high resolution audio systems for home cinemas and whole home solutions. In 2015, MQA, a technology developed within Meridian Audio, was spun off as a separate limited company in 2015 with Bob taking up the position of CTO.
Monitor Audio is a British owned and managed global specialist in audio design and manufacture. For nearly 50 years it has been creating award-winning stereo and surround sound systems and architectural speakers, all carefully designed to deliver a performance to remember.
In its ceaseless quest for superior sound quality, Monitor Audio has become the world’s foremost expert in developing metal dome drivers. When treated properly, metal has amazing properties which allow speakers to deliver a more life-like performance and expose every detail in a high definition recording. This revelatory level of detail ensures that Monitor Audio products are the perfect partners for MQA.
MOON believes that nothing should stand between the listener and the authenticity of the original recording – that’s why its partnership with MQA is a natural fit. The result is a newfound closeness between listener and artist, edging closer to the ultimate goal: access to the purest sound. From concept to customer service, the entire team at MOON is dedicated to ensuring products stand the test of time. With a 10-year warranty on products, everyone at MOON has confidence in everything they make, and can take pride in the fact that almost all of their environmentally-friendly parts and products are impeccably crafted at Simaudio in Quebec, Canada.
Based in Shenzhen China, EWEAT has built a reputation over the last decade for specialising in high-quality and affordable home cinema and HiFi products, including media players, network streamers and DACs. The brand is marketed as MyMei within China. The first MQA-compatible product is the DMP50 network streamer which can be easily operated via your mobile phone.
Originally founded in 1972, the goal of NAD was to prove that excellent sound quality and excellent value could co-exist. It began when a group of European audio importers hired American audio executives Martin Borish and Bjorn Edvardsen to make an affordable, state-of-the-art amplifier that focused on four core principles: innovation, performance, value and simplicity. Many tens of prototypes later, Edvardsen had created the world’s best-selling hi-fi amplifier in history, the NAD 3020. Now headquartered near Toronto, Canada, NAD employs a team of audio engineers and enthusiasts that carry forward the legacy of Borish and Edvardsen, pushing the boundaries for a better listening experience that is accessible to as many people as possible. NAD announced support for MQA on all BluOS-enabled systems in 2016.
Based in Korea, Novatron was established in 2003, with the aim of creating innovative hifi audio systems by combining the latest IT technology and premium sound quality.
In 2006, the first music server was launched under the cocktailAudio brand. Novatron now offers a wide range of products (all under the cocktailAudio and Novafidelity brands), from a pure digital music server with music database function, to a player & DAC, an all-in-one music player, as well as USB DAC.
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to create award-winning products that are highly praised by leading audio publications. The company’s philosophy is to deliver products and services that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding level of excellence. The Onkyo DP-X1 portable digital audio player has integrated MQA technology to play back MQA music.
Pioneer was founded in 1938 in Tokyo, Japan and has since grown to international stature as a manufacturer of audio and video products for use at home, in the car and in business environments. Headquartered in Long Beach, CA, Pioneer Home Entertainment USA is a leader in home entertainment products under the Pioneer and Elite brands. With an established reputation for innovation and quality, the company’s products are embraced by high-end custom installers and movie, gaming and music enthusiasts alike. The Pioneer XDP-100 was the company’s first portable digital audio player to offer MQA playback.
Roksan was founded in 1985 by Tufan Hashemi and Touraj Moghaddam, graduates of the University of London/Imperial College London and Queen Mary College. The name is derived from Roxana, daughter of the Persian King Darius, and reflects the pair’s Persian heritage. The combination of innovation, sound quality and reliability earned the company an enviable reputation for high-end music reproduction from the outset. In late 2016, Roksan was acquired by British loudspeaker manufacturers Monitor Audio. The combined operation boosts the quality, desirability and strength of products under both brands. Roksan’s first MQA-enabled product is the Attessa Streaming Amplifier.
The SFORZATO company was founded in Japan in 2009 by experienced engineer and music fan Kyoichi Omata. Named after the musical term which denotes playing a chord or note with particular emphasis or ‘force’, Sforzato develops and markets high-end audio network players that deliver exceptional sound quality.
Founded in 1988, with the launch of its first hi-fi stereo amplifier, Shanling has released new products every year since. It has also obtained a series of patented technology licences, including: SONY LDAC; Bluetooth BQB; Japan Audio Society ‘Hi-Res Audio’; Microsoft’s HDCD, Dolby Laboratories’ Dolby Digital; DTS; as well as DVD, SACD and CD, and now MQA.
Today, Shanling is a high-tech company combining R&D, production and sales of a wide range of hi-fi products: hi-res portable music players; amplifiers; headphones; SACD/CD players; and power conditioners. Shanling has established close relationships with many international high-end manufacturers and has a growing reputation within the industry.
Silent Angel is for music lovers who want to build a high-quality HiFi set-up and pursue the purest audio quality possible. The team’s music journey began in 2014, based on a desire to improve the quality of digital music streaming: “We want to unleash the power of digital music beyond CD quality,” explains Silent Angel’s CTO Chorus Chuang. The brand provides quality components for residential HiFi streaming systems, including network switches, music servers and streamers, and more.
Located in Shenzhen, China, S.M.S.L Electronics was founded in 2009 with in-house R&D, manufacturing and marketing expertise, and specialises in audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier and power amplifier products. The company’s philosophy of “excellent, affordable products and continuous improvement” has helped S.M.S.L build a solid reputation and establish a comprehensive domestic sales network, alongside a distribution network which exports products to more than 30 countries worldwide. In 2019, S.M.S.L began its MQA partnership and launched its first MQA-enabled product, the M500 DAC.
From its establishment in 1953, TEAC has developed products for every segment of the sound and music industry. From high-end audio professional in a major post-production studio to the novice or hobbyist at home, TEAC is everywhere. TEAC is a company committed to providing its customers audio/video solutions and tools that let them translate their creativity into reality.
Since 1965, Technics has been manufacturing hi-fi audio products (amplifiers, network audio players, turntables and speaker systems) to deliver the ultimate emotive musical experience for music lovers. “The rapidly growing music streaming industry needs essential audio technologies like MQA to deliver an authentic music experience to a mass audience and Technics is delighted to partner with MQA to help achieve this goal.”
Founded in France in 1981 by electronics professor Yves Bernard André, YBA products are designed to be beautiful to look at and extraordinary to listen to. Since its beginnings, YBA has seen continued success, supporting André’s philosophy to reproduce sound as accurately as possible. Under Shenzhen-based company Shanling, YBA was relaunched internationally in 2012 and has five distinct ranges: DESIGN, GENESIS, HERITAGE, PASSION and SIGNATURE. André continues his close involvement in the company, including personally testing all products before final approval.
In 1976, two friends with a passion for music and electronics met up while engineering students at Cambridge University, and founded Amplification and Recording Cambridge (ARCAM) to launch their first amplifier.
Alongside developing and producing the descendants of the original amplifier, ARCAM has since expanded into home cinema electronics, building a world-class reputation for making some of the best-sounding AV electronics. Hard-won techniques for preserving and handling the most delicate signal and reproducing music with all its subtleties, nuances and excitement intact, are in ARCAM’s blood.
ARCAM has shown that no-nonsense engineering can work wonders when it comes to bringing music and movies to life, and integrating MQA into its range of hi-fi and home systems further supports this approach.
Formed in the early 1980s by Philip Swift and Derek Scotland, Audiolab earned worldwide acclaim with the 8000A – an integrated stereo amplifier that became a classic step-up from the budget models of the time. In 2011, the arrival of the M-DAC heralded a new, compact range called LAB Series, further expanded by the Q-DAC and M-PWR. Since the launch of the 8200 Series and LAB Series, Audiolab has won more major awards in UK hi-fi magazines than any other brand of high-performance audio electronics. Audiolab is part of the IAG Group, the world’s premier manufacturer of audio equipment for domestic and professional use, plus professional lighting systems and luxury yachts.
Bel Canto was founded by John Stronczer in 1991 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John’s expertise in integrated mix signal design and passion for live music has steered him towards creating the most engaging musical playback experience. Every Bel Canto product begins with a high-level idea that goes through extensive development and proof of concept, which leads to an optimised design that improves ergonomics and performance. Using advanced technologies and only the highest grade materials, Bel Canto’s highly experienced team is dedicated to ensuring every component is built to the highest standards. The ACI 600 integrated amplifier was the first product to introduce MQA support.
Bluesound’s founders pioneered HiFi in the 70s – innovation and the pursuit of perfection in audio runs deep in their collective DNA. Bluesound’s sole mission is to create innovative wireless digital audio products and technologies that allow for the most true-to-life music
experience possible. Bluesound is an alliance of audiophiles, designers, engineers and passionate music lovers. The company launched the first wireless multi-room system to support MQA music, considering MQA’s technology “a natural match” for their hi-res music and wireless streaming platform.
Celebrating 10 years of Bluesound
Bluesound is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding with the launch of a limited-run product, the NODE X, and a digital campaign that celebrates and thanks the partners that have helped it become an award-winning, best-selling audio brand.
Since its inception in 1989, Cary Audio has always held quality and performance as its primary objectives. Beginning with the production of high quality two channel tube components, the company has since branched out into home theatre and digital playback solutions, while maintaining its dedication to accurate and lifelike reproduction of music. The DMS-500 network audio player was Cary Audio’s first product to support playback of MQA music, as well as the first to use 16x rendering of MQA files.
Based in Oslo, Hegel was founded in 1988 by Bent Holter. While a student at the Technical University in Trondheim, Norway, Bent’s thesis was based on eliminating harmonic distortion associated with solid state amplifiers. This project led him to establish his own company, named after the rock metal band Bent played in after hours, The Hegel Band.
The company expanded quickly during the nineties: first came the patented audio technology, known today as SoundEngine; then in 1994 Hegel launched its first DAC; followed by a CD Player in 1996. Today, in addition to SoundEngine, Hegel’s portfolio contains six more original technical solutions. Hegel has dealers in more than 40 countries and its products are sold all over the world. Its first MQA-enabled product will be the H590 amplifier.
JBL has brought music to life in a way people can feel for over 75 years. From recording studios to iconic concerts, and movie theaters to the world’s biggest sporting events, its award-winning sound has powered the world’s most epic musicians and venues. JBL unleashes the power of music so you can live life to the fullest whenever and wherever.
Drawing upon the heritage of the JBL® brand, JBL Synthesis® systems combine the most advanced signal processors, equalizers, amplifiers and loudspeakers to create the most realistic listening experience possible in rooms of any size.
Krell Industries designs and manufactures high performance audio and video equipment for serious music enthusiasts and home theatre aficionados. Every Krell component is a unique synthesis of science and art. Recorded performances are, by their very nature, works born of passion and Krell’s aim is to bring that passion to life in your home, and the Krell team is excited to be working with MQA to achieve this goal. From source to loudspeakers, Krell components reproduce the definitive music and home theatre experience, based on the principles of innovative engineering, impeccable build quality, and unerring accuracy in sonic reproduction.
Founded in 1934 by Harold Joseph Leak, pioneering British hi-fi manufacturer LEAK was a mid-twentieth century trailblazer in the field of high-performance audio equipment. LEAK has been responsible for many technological firsts including the Point One series of valve amplifiers which were the first to reduce total harmonic distortion to 0.1 per cent. The ground-breaking Trough-Line FM radio tuner is still considered one of the finest FM tuners ever made. Following a 40-year hiatus, LEAK is now part of the International Audio Group alongside other MQA partners, Audiolab and Luxman.
Lyngdorf Audio was founded by audio innovator, Peter Lyngdorf, as a sound system R&D company in Denmark in 2005. Peter’s previous audio achievements included the development of the world’s first fully digital amplifier in the late 90s. In 2007, through a partnership with iconic piano brand Steinway & Sons, SL Audio was created. SL Audio designs, develops and manufactures sound systems and components under the umbrella of the Lyngdorf and Steinway brands.
A leader in high-fidelity audio since 1972, Mark Levinson has been the reference standard for the high-end audio industry. The company believes every piece of your audio system should be designed to bring you impeccable sound – with nothing added or taken away. Its world-class engineers spend hundreds of hours developing technologies and products that allow you to uncover the detail, nuances and intricacies within your music. A deeper relationship with sound awaits.
MOON believes that nothing should stand between the listener and the authenticity of the original recording – that’s why its partnership with MQA is a natural fit. The result is a newfound closeness between listener and artist, edging closer to the ultimate goal: access to the purest sound. From concept to customer service, the entire team at MOON is dedicated to ensuring products stand the test of time. With a 10-year warranty on products, everyone at MOON has confidence in everything they make, and can take pride in the fact that almost all of their environmentally-friendly parts and products are impeccably crafted at Simaudio in Quebec, Canada.
Originally founded in 1972, the goal of NAD was to prove that excellent sound quality and excellent value could co-exist. It began when a group of European audio importers hired American audio executives Martin Borish and Bjorn Edvardsen to make an affordable, state-of-the-art amplifier that focused on four core principles: innovation, performance, value and simplicity. Many tens of prototypes later, Edvardsen had created the world’s best-selling hi-fi amplifier in history, the NAD 3020. Now headquartered near Toronto, Canada, NAD employs a team of audio engineers and enthusiasts that carry forward the legacy of Borish and Edvardsen, pushing the boundaries for a better listening experience that is accessible to as many people as possible. NAD announced support for MQA on all BluOS-enabled systems in 2016.
Since 1965, Technics has been manufacturing hi-fi audio products (amplifiers, network audio players, turntables and speaker systems) to deliver the ultimate emotive musical experience for music lovers. “The rapidly growing music streaming industry needs essential audio technologies like MQA to deliver an authentic music experience to a mass audience and Technics is delighted to partner with MQA to help achieve this goal.”
Rotel audio products are known worldwide for their quality, reliability, value and exceptional sound reproduction. Since 1961, Rotel has utilised the resources of its formidable international design team and manufactured products in its own sophisticated production facilities.
Rotel proudly offers a complete range of electronics that have consistently received critical acclaim and won industry awards. With substantial investment in new technologies and manufacturing, Rotel is prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving specialist electronics marketplace. Its first range of MQA-enabled products, released in 2019, was the MICHI series.
Founded in 1977, AudioControl is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative high-performance audio solutions for the residential, commercial and automotive markets. Based in Seattle, USA, AudioControl offers premium quality home theatre and whole-house entertainment products; distributed audio amplifiers for commercial applications; and a legacy of outstanding car audio processors, amplifiers and OEM interface solutions sold worldwide.
In order to meet the needs of demanding audiophiles, TEAC launched the “ESOTERIC” brand in 1987 with the aim of delivering exclusively engineered and manufactured high end audio products. Esoteric’s corporate philosophy “The joy of the highest levels of musical elation” is embodied in a superb range of audio and video products.
M2Tech was founded in 2007 by Italian electronic engineers Nadia Marino and Marco Manunta. In 2009 the company launched its first product to much acclaim, the hiFace USB audio interface – the first of its kind capable of delivering bit-perfect 192/24 data. The Young 384/32 DAC (part of M2Tech’s “Rockstars” series named after well-known musicians) followed soon after, the first mid-range DAC capable of bit-perfect 384/32 conversion. Research and innovation are key to M2Tech’s mission: each new product is designed to bring something new to the audiophile market, while also aiming at the best sound quality. The Joplin 384/32 Analog-to-Digital converter and the Evo PhonoDAC Two stay true to M2Tech’s philosophy. Recognising the advantages of MQA, M2Tech plans to incorporate MQA capability into all of its new DAC products, starting with the Young MkIII.
Meridian was founded by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd in 1977. The pair met in Cambridge, where they discovered shared interests and philosophies in audio equipment design. Their first collaboration, the Lecson hi-fi system, was deemed so innovative and ground-breaking that it forms part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. For four decades, Meridian Audio has been crafting innovative, elegant, high performance audio solutions. From its compact DSP loudspeakers with integrated amplification, to its user-friendly music management platform, Sooloos, Meridian delivers easy to install, high resolution audio systems for home cinemas and whole home solutions. In 2015, MQA, a technology developed within Meridian Audio, was spun off as a separate limited company in 2015 with Bob taking up the position of CTO.
MOON believes that nothing should stand between the listener and the authenticity of the original recording – that’s why its partnership with MQA is a natural fit. The result is a newfound closeness between listener and artist, edging closer to the ultimate goal: access to the purest sound. From concept to customer service, the entire team at MOON is dedicated to ensuring products stand the test of time. With a 10-year warranty on products, everyone at MOON has confidence in everything they make, and can take pride in the fact that almost all of their environmentally-friendly parts and products are impeccably crafted at Simaudio in Quebec, Canada.
Rotel audio products are known worldwide for their quality, reliability, value and exceptional sound reproduction. Since 1961, Rotel has utilised the resources of its formidable international design team and manufactured products in its own sophisticated production facilities.
Rotel proudly offers a complete range of electronics that have consistently received critical acclaim and won industry awards. With substantial investment in new technologies and manufacturing, Rotel is prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving specialist electronics marketplace. Its first range of MQA-enabled products, released in 2019, was the MICHI series.
Bluesound’s founders pioneered HiFi in the 70s – innovation and the pursuit of perfection in audio runs deep in their collective DNA. Bluesound’s sole mission is to create innovative wireless digital audio products and technologies that allow for the most true-to-life music
experience possible. Bluesound is an alliance of audiophiles, designers, engineers and passionate music lovers. The company launched the first wireless multi-room system to support MQA music, considering MQA’s technology “a natural match” for their hi-res music and wireless streaming platform.
Celebrating 10 years of Bluesound
Bluesound is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding with the launch of a limited-run product, the NODE X, and a digital campaign that celebrates and thanks the partners that have helped it become an award-winning, best-selling audio brand.
DALI (Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries) was founded in 1983 as an extension of Scandinavia’s leading audio retail chain. Now distributed in 70 countries, and with more than 35 years of experience and global recognition, DALI is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art sound, inspiring music and cinema lovers, and challenging the competition to catch up. DALI is driven by a passion for music and a desire to recreate the best sound for home listening. Continuous development and refinement of new technologies remain core to DALI’s quest to create the best loudspeakers in the world. DALI CALLISTO products installed with the optional BluOS Plug-In Module now support MQA.
JBL has brought music to life in a way people can feel for over 75 years. From recording studios to iconic concerts, and movie theaters to the world’s biggest sporting events, its award-winning sound has powered the world’s most epic musicians and venues. JBL unleashes the power of music so you can live life to the fullest whenever and wherever.
Founded in 1961 by influential engineer Raymond Cooke, loudspeaker specialist KEF derives its name from Kent Engineering and Foundry, the site of the British company’s original location. KEF’s mission is to deliver sound with as little intervention as possible. This belief, combined with innovative acoustic engineering, ensure its speaker ranges remain at the cutting edge of audio.
The award-winning LS50 Wireless II was the first KEF product to integrate MQA technology and was subsequently followed by the LS60 Wireless floorstanding speaker, launched in celebration of KEF’s 60th anniversary.
Meridian was founded by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd in 1977. The pair met in Cambridge, where they discovered shared interests and philosophies in audio equipment design. Their first collaboration, the Lecson hi-fi system, was deemed so innovative and ground-breaking that it forms part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. For four decades, Meridian Audio has been crafting innovative, elegant, high performance audio solutions. From its compact DSP loudspeakers with integrated amplification, to its user-friendly music management platform, Sooloos, Meridian delivers easy to install, high resolution audio systems for home cinemas and whole home solutions. In 2015, MQA, a technology developed within Meridian Audio, was spun off as a separate limited company in 2015 with Bob taking up the position of CTO.
Founded in 1972 by Paul Barton, PSB Speakers is Canada’s leading manufacturer of today’s top-performing headphones, loudspeakers and subwoofers. Through its pursuit of “true to nature” sound, PSB has become an award-winning company with a global following of music lovers and audio enthusiasts alike.
In under a decade, CH Precision has carved itself a firm position in the vanguard of high performance audio electronics. Leveraging the power of sophisticated software and highly evolved signal paths, the company has created a range of cutting edge digital and analogue components that offer versatility with unprecedented musical insight. Card cage construction and a modular approach ensure that products are both future-proofed and expandable, offering owners a clear upgrade path while protecting their investment.
Based in Korea, Novatron was established in 2003, with the aim of creating innovative hifi audio systems by combining the latest IT technology and premium sound quality.
In 2006, the first music server was launched under the cocktailAudio brand. Novatron now offers a wide range of products (all under the cocktailAudio and Novafidelity brands), from a pure digital music server with music database function, to a player & DAC, an all-in-one music player, as well as USB DAC.
In order to meet the needs of demanding audiophiles, TEAC launched the “ESOTERIC” brand in 1987 with the aim of delivering exclusively engineered and manufactured high end audio products. Esoteric’s corporate philosophy “The joy of the highest levels of musical elation” is embodied in a superb range of audio and video products.
Luxman was among the world’s first consumer electronics companies, founded at the dawn of the radio age in 1925. Over the years, Luxman audio components have become synonymous with timeless styling, exquisite fit and finish, and above all, uncompromising sound quality.
The first MQA-enabled product, the D-03X CD/digital media player, was released in spring 2020 and “embodies the timeless principles of Luxman’s precision chassis and circuit design.”
Meridian was founded by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd in 1977. The pair met in Cambridge, where they discovered shared interests and philosophies in audio equipment design. Their first collaboration, the Lecson hi-fi system, was deemed so innovative and ground-breaking that it forms part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. For four decades, Meridian Audio has been crafting innovative, elegant, high performance audio solutions. From its compact DSP loudspeakers with integrated amplification, to its user-friendly music management platform, Sooloos, Meridian delivers easy to install, high resolution audio systems for home cinemas and whole home solutions. In 2015, MQA, a technology developed within Meridian Audio, was spun off as a separate limited company in 2015 with Bob taking up the position of CTO.
Based in Korea, Novatron was established in 2003, with the aim of creating innovative hifi audio systems by combining the latest IT technology and premium sound quality.
In 2006, the first music server was launched under the cocktailAudio brand. Novatron now offers a wide range of products (all under the cocktailAudio and Novafidelity brands), from a pure digital music server with music database function, to a player & DAC, an all-in-one music player, as well as USB DAC.
Pioneer was founded in 1938 in Tokyo, Japan and has since grown to international stature as a manufacturer of audio and video products for use at home, in the car and in business environments. Headquartered in Long Beach, CA, Pioneer Home Entertainment USA is a leader in home entertainment products under the Pioneer and Elite brands. With an established reputation for innovation and quality, the company’s products are embraced by high-end custom installers and movie, gaming and music enthusiasts alike. The Pioneer XDP-100 was the company’s first portable digital audio player to offer MQA playback.
From its establishment in 1953, TEAC has developed products for every segment of the sound and music industry. From high-end audio professional in a major post-production studio to the novice or hobbyist at home, TEAC is everywhere. TEAC is a company committed to providing its customers audio/video solutions and tools that let them translate their creativity into reality.
Since 1965, Technics has been manufacturing hi-fi audio products (amplifiers, network audio players, turntables and speaker systems) to deliver the ultimate emotive musical experience for music lovers. “The rapidly growing music streaming industry needs essential audio technologies like MQA to deliver an authentic music experience to a mass audience and Technics is delighted to partner with MQA to help achieve this goal.”
Control4 is a leading global provider of home automation and networking systems for homes and businesses, offering personalised control of lighting, music, video, comfort, security, communications, and more into a unified smart home system that enhances the daily lives of its consumers.
Control4 unlocks the potential of connected devices, making networks more robust, entertainment systems easier to use, homes more comfortable and energy efficient, and provides families more peace of mind. The Control4 home automation platform interoperates with more than 13,500 third-party consumer electronics products, ensuring an ever-expanding ecosystem of devices will work together. Leveraging a professional channel that includes over 5,900 custom integrators, retailers and distributors authorised to sell Control4 products, Pakedge networking solutions and Triad speakers, Control4 is delivering intelligent solutions for consumers, major consumer electronics companies, hotels and businesses around the world.
Control4 OS 3 Home Automation
Control4 OS 3 is the first home automation platform to offer MQA technology and is available worldwide for new and legacy systems using EA Series controllers, as well as Triad® audio speakers and equipment such as the Triad One Streaming Amplifier. Paired with TIDAL Masters, homeowners can enjoy studio quality sound throughout the entire home.