Using the dragonfly red DAC reveals poorer streaming quality on my iMac than iPhone

[Lawrie1976]

Using Tidal on my iMac the Dragonfly Red is only green (44.1 kHz). When using Tidal on iPad or iPhone its purple (MQA). How come?

 

[Jimboo]

Do you listen to the music or watch the lights?

 

[Lawrie1976]

Wrong side of the bed? The colours indicate different streaming qualities from similar devices. I was merely curious.

 

[Jimboo]

Lol , no. I was just saying enjoy the sounds.

 

[TaffyinLA]

Make sure you've set up your mac to output 24bit/96khz to the dragonfly (max it supports). The setting is in the Midi app.

 

[manicm]

Using Tidal on my iMac the Dragonfly Red is only green (44.1 kHz). When using Tidal on iPad or iPhone its purple (MQA). How come?

These are the Mac settings Audioquest prescribe for Tidal MQA playback:

Click on your profile name (located in the top left corner of the Tidal desktop application)
Choose “Settings”
Select “Streaming”
Under “Streaming Audio Quality,” select “Master”
Make sure that your DragonFly is selected for Sound Output
Beside “Sound Output,” click “More settings”
Select “Use Exclusive Mode”
Make sure that “Passthrough MQA” is not selected