AUDIO VIDEO NEWS

Oppo Adds MQA to UDP-205 4K Blu-ray Player

SV Staff  |  Nov 28, 2017

Oppo today announced the availability of a firmware update that adds MQA decoding to its UDP-205 4K/Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the $1,299 audiophile version of the UDP-203, one of Sound & Vision’s 2017 Top Picks.

With the update, the UDP-205 becomes the first 4K/Ultra HD Blu-ray player to incorporate the high-resolution Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) platform invented by Bob Stuart, co-founder of British high-end audio company Meridian. MQA enables high-resolution master recordings to be “folded” into a standard-size file that can be easily downloaded or streamed.

When a user navigates through music files using an updated UDP-205’s “Music” app, the player will be able to identify and decode MQA-encoded files. Oppo described the firmware update as the company’s first step in supporting MQA, with support for MQA-CD and MQA decoding for the player’s USB DAC and coaxial/optical inputs coming in the future.

Existing UDP-205 owners can update their players using Oppo’s online firmware update feature if the player is connected to the Internet. The firmware update is also available for download at oppodigital.com.

While all newly produced players will support MQA from the factory, Oppo says players from stores' existing inventory will need to be updated.

“Delivering reference audio performance has always been the core feature of the Oppo UDP-205 universal player,” said Jason Liao Oppo’s chief technology officer. “Our audiophile customers will enjoy the lifelike and engaging listening experience with the studio master sound quality provided by MQA.”

For more detail on the firmware update, visit oppodigital.com.

Related:

Onkyo Inks Hi-Res Music Deals with Japanese Labels

What Is MQA?

MQA-Enabled Smartphone, Sony Walkmans on the Way

Hi-Res Label Unamas to Release 10 MQA Recordings

MQA Comes to CD

Audio Statesman: Meridian Founder Bob Stuart; see page 2 of the interview for Stuart’s take on MQA

COMMENTS
brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on November 28, 2017 - 2:21pm

The main source for MQA music is Tidal. Before they started offering MQA I was using a BDP-105D to stream Tidal but was forced to use a different DAC when they debuted the MQA tracks. Now they're going to decode MQA but my understanding is you can no longer stream Tidal through Oppo. Anybody else confused by this?

pw's picture
Submitted by pw on November 28, 2017 - 3:02pm

Wow what a mistake to have the Sonica DAC with a substandard chip set that Can Never Support MQA..
Who OKs a Streaming Device these day without upgrade ability ??
On the High End who keeps their TV set and DVD player in the same room as their awesome Stereo setup.. No

pw's picture
Submitted by pw on November 28, 2017 - 3:12pm

Nobody..

pw's picture
Submitted by pw on November 28, 2017 - 3:14pm

It's like putting MQA into a Microwave Oven.. Useless..

true audio's picture
Submitted by true audio on November 28, 2017 - 6:36pm

That's great that they can do an update to enable 2/3's of MQA. Only hardware can decode full MQA. Basically it's like Tidal's desktop application which is better than nothing. I play the Tidal Master files through a Peachtree Nova 220 & Jriver and its sounds pretty damn good. But you can't keep running out every 3 months to buy new gear because Jay Z's brothers x wife created something new ! Have a new good year audioholics

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