MQA firmware update released for Meridian Audio Reference range and USB DAC

Meridian Audio will drop a firmware update tomorrow to enable MQA playback on its 808v6 Reference CD Player, 818v3 Reference Audio Core, Special Edition Loudspeakers range, Explorer2 (pictured above) USB DAC, Prime Headphone Amplifier and 40th Anniversary systems. Available from February 4, the update gives Meridian the most complete line-up of MQA enabled hardware on the market.  

The news comes as the MQA content picture brightens. Specialist label 2L had made its catalogue available in the compact new High Res Audio format, while streaming service Tidal has successfully concluded an MQA trial. MQA Head of Licensing Andy Dowell, told Inside CI that the beta test was “an important first step in making sure MQA files can be streamed and played back.”

John Buchanan, Meridian Audio CEO, says the commercial availability of MQA heralds an exciting time for Meridian and its customers. “Meridian has been a pioneer in the digital audio revolution for decades, MQA is the next evolution to our reference level feature set, establishing a new benchmark in superior audio performance.”

Barry Sheldrick, Director of Sales at Meridian notes the Explorer2 has been used by artists to sign off their master recordings – “this makes the fact that this product is available to buy for under £200 in the UK even more remarkable.”

Firmware updates for personal audio products will be available for download from the support pages on the Meridian web site, while updates for Reference Series products and loudspeakers will be handled directly by Meridian dealers and Meridian Customer Support.

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