How to Download MQA from Tidal: A Complete Guide
If you are a music lover who cares about sound quality, you may have heard of MQA, a technology that delivers studio-quality music with high resolution and authenticity. MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated, and it is available on Tidal, one of the most popular music streaming services in the world.
In this article, we will show you how to download MQA from Tidal on your desktop or mobile device, and how to enjoy it on various devices. Whether you want to listen to MQA online or offline, with headphones or speakers, we have got you covered. Let's get started.
download mqa from tidal
What is MQA and why you should care
MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated
MQA is a method of digitally storing and streaming original master recordings without losing any quality or information. It uses a process called "music origami" to fold the high-resolution audio data into a smaller file size that can be easily streamed or downloaded. The file size of an MQA file is similar to that of a CD-quality file, but it contains much more information and detail.
MQA delivers studio-quality music with high resolution and authenticity
MQA not only preserves the sound quality of the original master recording, but also ensures its authenticity. Each MQA file has a digital signature that verifies that it has not been tampered with or altered in any way. When you play an MQA file on a compatible device, you will see a blue or green light that indicates that you are listening to the exact sound that the artist intended.
The sound quality of an MQA file depends on the resolution of the original master recording, which can range from 44.1 kHz / 16 bit (CD quality) to 192 kHz / 24 bit (studio quality) or higher. The higher the resolution, the more detail and clarity you will hear in the music.
MQA is available on Tidal HiFi Plus subscription and some devices
Tidal is one of the few music streaming services that offer MQA streaming and downloading. To access MQA on Tidal, you need to have a HiFi Plus subscription, which costs $19.99 per month. This subscription also gives you access to other high-quality formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
However, not all devices can play MQA files. You need a device that supports MQA decoding or rendering, which means that it can unfold or process the MQA file and deliver the full sound quality. Some devices are MQA-certified, which means that they have been tested and approved by MQA Ltd. Others are MQA-compatible, which means that they can play MQA files but may not offer the optimal performance.
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How to report bugs and issues with Tidal MQA app or website
How to request new features or improvements for Tidal MQA service
How to leave feedback and reviews for Tidal MQA service or app
How to get exclusive offers and deals for Tidal HiFi Plus membership
How to download MQA from Tidal on desktop How to download MQA from Tidal on desktop
You need a Tidal HiFi Plus subscription and a compatible device
To download MQA from Tidal on your desktop, you need to have a Tidal HiFi Plus subscription, which gives you access to the Tidal Masters library that contains over 70,000 MQA tracks. You also need a device that supports MQA decoding or rendering, such as a laptop, a desktop computer, or an external DAC (digital-to-analog converter).
You can use the Tidal desktop app or web player to stream MQA online
If you want to stream MQA from Tidal online, you can use the Tidal desktop app or web player. The desktop app is available for Windows and Mac OS, and it can decode MQA files up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution. The web player is accessible through any browser, and it can render MQA files up to 24-bit/48 kHz resolution.
To stream MQA from Tidal online, you need to follow these steps:
Open the Tidal desktop app or web player and log in with your Tidal HiFi Plus account.
Go to the "Explore" tab and select "Masters" to browse the MQA tracks, albums, and playlists.
Choose the MQA track or album you want to play and click on the "Play" button.
Look for the MQA logo or indicator on the bottom right corner of the app or web player. It will show you the resolution and quality of the MQA file. A blue light means that you are listening to the full studio-quality sound of MQA. A green light means that you are listening to a slightly lower quality but still high-resolution sound of MQA.
You can use a third-party tool like AudKit Tidizer Music Downloader to download MQA offline
If you want to download MQA from Tidal offline, you can use a third-party tool like AudKit Tidizer Music Downloader. This is a powerful and easy-to-use software that can download and convert Tidal music, playlists, and albums to MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, or other common audio formats with lossless quality. It can also preserve the ID3 tags and metadata of the Tidal tracks.
To download MQA from Tidal offline using AudKit Tidizer Music Downloader, you need to follow these steps:
Download and install AudKit Tidizer Music Downloader on your Windows or Mac computer.
Launch the software and log in with your Tidal HiFi Plus account. The software will load the Tidal web player interface.
Go to the "Explore" tab and select "Masters" to browse the MQA tracks, albums, and playlists.
Choose the MQA track or album you want to download and click on the "Add" button. You can also drag and drop the track or album to the software interface.
Click on the "Menu" icon on the top right corner of the software and select "Preferences". Here you can customize the output format, quality, bitrate, sample rate, channel, etc. for your downloaded MQA files.
Click on the "Convert" button to start downloading and converting MQA from Tidal offline. You can find the downloaded files in the "History" tab or in the output folder on your computer.
How to download MQA from Tidal on mobile
You need a Tidal HiFi Plus subscription and a compatible device
To download MQA from Tidal on your mobile device, you need to have a Tidal HiFi Plus subscription, which gives you access to the Tidal Masters library that contains over 70,000 MQA tracks. You also need a device that supports MQA decoding or rendering, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a portable music player.
You can use the Tidal mobile app to stream and download MQA online and offline
If you want to stream and download MQA from Tidal online and offline, you can use the Tidal mobile app. The app is available for iOS and Android devices, and it can decode MQA files up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution. You can also connect the app to other devices via Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast, or USB.
To stream and download MQA from Tidal online and offline using the app, you need to follow these steps:
Open the Tidal mobile app and log in with your Tidal HiFi Plus account.
Go to the "Explore" tab and select "Masters" to browse the MQA tracks, albums, and playlists.
Choose the MQA track or album you want to play or download and tap on the "Play" or "Download" button. You can also add the track or album to your favorites or playlists.
Look for the MQA logo or indicator on the bottom left corner of the app. It will show you the resolution and quality of the MQA file. A blue light means that you are listening to the full studio-quality sound of MQA. A green light means that you are listening to a slightly lower quality but still high-resolution sound of MQA.
If you want to download MQA from Tidal offline, make sure you have enough storage space on your device. You can also adjust the download quality in the app settings.
You can use a third-party tool like TuneCable Tidal Music Downloader to download MQA offline
If you want to download MQA from Tidal offline using a third-party tool, you can use TuneCable Tidal Music Downloader. This is a professional and user-friendly software that can download and convert Tidal music, playlists, and albums to MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, or other popular audio formats with lossless quality. It can also keep the ID3 tags and metadata of the Tidal tracks.
To download MQA from Tidal offline using TuneCable Tidal Music Downloader, you need to follow these steps:
Download and install TuneCable Tidal Music Downloader on your Windows or Mac computer.
Launch the software and log in with your Tidal HiFi Plus account. The software will load the Tidal web player interface.
Go to the "Explore" tab and select "Masters" to browse the MQA tracks, albums, and playlists.
Choose the MQA track or album you want to download and click on the "Add" button. You can also drag and drop the track or album to the software interface.
Click on the "Settings" icon on the top right corner of the software and select "Output". Here you can customize the output format, quality, bitrate, sample rate, channel, etc. for your downloaded MQA files.
Click on the "Convert" button to start downloading and converting MQA from Tidal offline. You can find the downloaded files in the "Converted" tab or in the output folder on your computer.
How to enjoy MQA from Tidal on various devices
You need a compatible device that supports MQA decoding or rendering
To enjoy MQA from Tidal on various devices, you need a device that supports MQA decoding or rendering, which means that it can unfold or process the MQA file and deliver the full sound quality. Some devices are MQA-certified, which means that they have been tested and approved by MQA Ltd. Others are MQA-compatible, which means that they can play MQA files but may not offer the optimal performance.
You can check the list of MQA-certified and compatible devices on the official MQA website. You can also look for the MQA logo or indicator on the device or app to confirm the quality.
You can use headphones, DACs, speakers, or players that are MQA-certified or compatible
There are many types of devices that you can use to enjoy MQA from Tidal, such as headphones, DACs, speakers, or players. Here are some examples of each category:
Type
Examples
Headphones
Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper, Sony WH-1000XM4, Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless, etc.
DACs
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt, iFi Audio xDSD, Chord Mojo, etc.
Speakers
KEF LS50 Wireless II, Bluesound Pulse 2i, Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation, etc.
Players
Astell&Kern SP2000, FiiO M11 Pro, Onkyo DP-X1A, etc.
To enjoy MQA from Tidal on these devices, you need to connect them to your desktop or mobile device via Bluetooth, USB, or Wi-Fi. You also need to make sure that the device settings are compatible with MQA. For example, you may need to enable the "Exclusive Mode" or "Passthrough MQA" options in the Tidal app or web player.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download MQA from Tidal on your desktop or mobile device, and how to enjoy it on various devices. We hope that this guide has helped you to experience the studio-quality sound of MQA with high resolution and authenticity.
If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you out.
FAQs
What is the difference between MQA and HiFi?
HiFi is a generic term that refers to high-fidelity audio quality. It usually means that the audio file has a resolution of 44.1 kHz / 16 bit (CD quality) or higher. MQA is a specific technology that delivers studio-quality audio with high resolution and authenticity. It usually means that the audio file has a resolution of 44.1 kHz / 16 bit (CD quality) or higher, but it contains much more information and detail than a regular HiFi file.
How can I tell if a track is MQA on Tidal?
You can tell if a track is MQA on Tidal by looking for the MQA logo or indicator on the app or web player. It will show you the resolution and quality of the MQA file. A blue light means that you are listening to the full studio-quality sound of MQA. A green light means that you are listening to a slightly lower quality but still high-resolution sound of MQA.
Can I download MQA from Tidal for free?
No, you cannot download MQA from Tidal for free. You need to have a Tidal HiFi Plus subscription, which costs $19.99 per month. This subscription also gives you access to other high-quality formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
Can I play MQA files on any device?
No, you cannot play MQA files on any device. You need a device that supports MQA decoding or rendering, which means that it can unfold or process the MQA file and deliver the full sound quality. Some devices are MQA-certified, which means that they have been tested and approved by MQA Ltd. Others are MQA-compatible, which means that they can play MQA files but may not offer the optimal performance.
What are the benefits of listening to MQA from Tidal?
Listening to MQA from Tidal has many benefits, such as:
You can enjoy the studio-quality sound of MQA with high resolution and authenticity.
You can stream or download MQA files with a smaller file size than regular high-resolution files.
You can verify the authenticity of the MQA files with a digital signature and a blue or green light.
You can access a large library of MQA tracks, albums, and playlists on Tidal.
You can listen to MQA on various devices that are MQA-certified or compatible.
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