7digital adopts Meridian MQA for high-res streaming

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The deal means 7digital will use MQA for downloads and streaming, with high-resolution streaming services promised in 2015.

Meridan announced its new Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) format at the start of the month, a more efficient coding method which claims to allow for studio-quality files that require much less space.

The announcement promises to enable not only high-quality downloads that take-up less space but also allow for the possibility of high-resolution streaming services.

7digital, which powers a number of streaming and download services, has now confirmed it will adopt Meridian MQA.

This news follows recent announcements that 7digital will be powering "high definition" music services from Panasonic and Onkyo, Technics Tracks and e-Onkyo respectively.

Simon Cole, CEO of 7digital, said: "MQA is a revolutionary new development in the journey towards serving consumers the purest high resolution digital files.

"MQA, which will be available in early 2015, delivers the quality of original studio recordings so cleverly and efficiently that it can be conveniently streamed or downloaded. I truly believe MQA will become the standard for high quality streaming in the years to come."

Tidal and Qobuz have both upped the streaming standard to CD-quality lossless audio, while Spotify's CEO hinted the company might follow suit, but it seems high-res streaming could soon raise the quality bar once more.

MORE: High-resolution audio - everything you need to know

Joe Cox
Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).