Deezer partners with MQA to offer hi-res audio streaming

It’s been a big week for MQA-related announcements. At IFA 2017, we learned that the LG V30 would be the first globally available smartphone with support for MQA technology, and Sony’s two new Walkmans – the WM-ZX300 and WM-A40 – will further expand that growing number of MQA-supported devices.

Today we can report that Deezer is the latest music streaming service to sign up to MQA's audio technology. Although there's no official confirmation hi-res streaming is 100% coming to Deezer, you'd have to imagine this is the first step. MQA files are already available to stream from Tidal, and download from the likes of Onkyo Music (powered by 7digital) and Highresaudio.

The lossless music (presumably from Universal, Warner and Sony Music) will soon be available to subscribers of Deezer’s recently re-branded CD-quality HiFi tier (formerly Deezer Elite), which is no longer exclusive to Sonos.

As both companies share several partners, including Bluesound, LG, Onkyo, MOON by Simaudio and Sony, MQA technology will also be integrated into the service’s ecosystem of devices, such as the Bluesound system.

In related news, 7digital is also due to power a forthcoming hi-res streaming service, HDmusicStream, using MQA technology, and Korean-based streaming service Groovers also plans to offer MQA next year.

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Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

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