Expired
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At US$55, this lands well below the US$80 25th percentile and far under the US$136 median for recent used comparables, so it reads as a strong bargain rather than a “wait and see” price. For a compact DAC/headphone amp that originally sat in a much higher bracket, that’s the kind of asking price that usually leaves room for a quick, low-regret buy.
The appeal here is straightforward: a small desktop or travel-friendly all-in-one with easy USB-C hookup, RCA outs, and headphone drive, which makes it handy for a secondary system, office setup, or a simple upgrade from onboard audio. At this price, the main buyer check is just the basics—confirm it powers up cleanly, all ports are functional, and any included cable/accessories are present—but there’s no need to overthink it if the unit is working properly.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
MQA emerged in December 2014 from the innovative labs of UK-based Meridian Audio, founded by digital audio pioneer Bob Stuart. As a proprietary codec—Master Quality Authenticated—MQA was designed to deliver studio-master sound quality through efficient encoding, folding high-resolution audio up to 192kHz into standard 44.1kHz files while addressing perceived timing inaccuracies in digital playback. Meridian, renowned for its high-res contributions like the MLP format for DVD-Audio, spun off MQA as an independent company, MQA Limited, to champion this streaming-era solution.
Unlike traditional hi-fi hardware makers, MQA focuses exclusively on audio technology licensing rather than physical products like amplifiers, speakers, or turntables. Its core offerings include encoders for labels, decoders integrated into DACs, streamers, and apps, plus extensions like the Arya Bluetooth codec (formerly SCL6/MQAir) for wireless high-res transmission. Bluesound, NAD, and PSB products have prominently featured MQA decoding, embedding the tech into high-performance streaming DACs and amplifiers.
Positioned as a high-end niche player, MQA garnered initial acclaim for promising authenticated artist-intended sound but faced fierce debate over its claims of superior fidelity and lossless efficiency, dividing engineers and reviewers. After administration in April 2025, Lenbrook Industries—owners of NAD, PSB, and Bluesound—acquired its assets, signaling potential revival and renewed integration into premium hi-fi ecosystems for discerning streaming enthusiasts.
See all MQA listings on RADAR.
