Buckingham

Let me say it in even more understandable way. MQA is an elaborate coding/packaging technology where the goal is to make higher resolutions audio available in a progressive way. So that such audio can be protected from piracy. So that equipment and services can be sold. From MQA, CD quality does not require decoding, higher resolutions require proprietary decoders in a 3-step (meaning 3 price level) offerings. MQA quality is less than the originals in all of its resolution settings (including CD), but unless the users are alert with fancy equipment they probably won't notice it. It's a gamble. MQA is an audio packing technology to make money out of higher resolution recordings and associated equipment and services. Take the fear of copying out of producers, entice them with revenue opportunities. But of course owner of MQA takes a cut in everything. Just like Apple. But what do the buyers get?

Android plays audiophile music just fine. There are music player apps that can play high-res like Neutron. There are even DSD players for a price. You can output digital via Bluetooth. Many USB DACs work on Android but only on regular USB 2.0 ports, not the just released USB-C. But sure enough full accessory support of USB-C will come. Your problem arise because you want to use a USB DAC and charge at the same time. So you need to get a breakout box, just like Apple phones. So get a breakout box. Look I have done this more than 2 years ago without the hassle you went though. This what what most Apple people face once they exit the Apple econsystem. They have to start thinking. My app is Neutron music player and I configure it to output to the USB port where a DAC is attached via a data/power breakout box. The DAC is not Audioquest and it works like wonder. It a bit more expensive but it plays not only 24/192 but DSDx2. I feed the analog output from the DAC to headphones and to my big sound system. Sound quality is exemplary given the nature of this setup. This was done 2 years ago without so much as a hiccup. So what's all the fuss?

Yet another DAC, this one selling for $3250. Yes, $3250 just to convert from digital to analog. You know, we are not dealing with ultra high frequency satellite bands; we are just converting lowly audio frequencies. In 2014, everything are in chips. We have chips, very advanced chips for just about everything. All the major functions of DAC are fully implemented in fancy chips, which any OEM can buy at a rather low cost. No DAC OEMs make its own chips you know. Firmware, no matter how advanced, is even more of a commodity. Ultra low noise power supply, fancy caps and resistors, optical isolation, audiophile grade output op-amps (and discrete amps) surface-mount PCBs, gold-plated connectors, etc etc. These are all low cost commodities in today's world. Parts cost of an advanced DAC, including firmware, is measured in a few hundred dollars. Unless it is over-engineered deliberately to justify a high price. And many high performing DACs do sell for a few hundred dollars, less than a grand for sure. So why do we have DACs, like this latest from Ayre Acoustics, selling for $3250? Is it because they think they can make a profit of $3000 per unit? Or is it because they think, by claiming a performance that will surely create the next big religion, they can justify any price for such a 'spiritual' experience? Companies such as dCS make DACs that's sell for some $20k. At this level, it's not about the DAC or engineering. It's about the ego. Like all religions of the world, none would exist without the mass of fools.

Responding to 'Minsoo Pak': "Any idea why I'm not able to get full usb 2.0 24bit/192k? I'm using Fidelia as my playback software running 24bit/192k tracks I purchased off HD Tracks." My MyDAC does handle to full 24/192 materials using USB v2 driver supplied by Micromega (for Windows 7). You have to select the audio mode correctly at the back switch. Make sure your USB cable is v2 High Speed certified. You can test 24/192 operation under Windows>Control Panel>Sound>Micromega MyDAC USB 2.0 device>Properties>Advance> and select the audio bitrate you want to test. It will list the full bitrates from 16/44.1 all the way to 24/196. Note that when I tried this initially using an old PC that has a USBv2 port, testing Audio 2.0 crash Windows. For some reason such older port is not compatible with the Micromega USBv2 driver. But when I tried again with more modern PCs, they all worked. BTW, MyDAC sound quality at higher bitrates (24/96 - 192) using USBv2 input is completely wonderful. True audiophile sound.

Responding to 'junker': I do not hear any noise, even when volume is cranked way up, from the MyDAC. But then I have done the following: 1) Replace the supplied AC cable with a better one - #14 gauge, just long enough to connect power, to reduce pick up of noise 2) The AC cable connects to a decent EMI filter to get rid of any AC line noise 3) I glue a metal plate to the (inside) bottom of the top of the case, to shield any stray noise that might enter the electronics