Index

Hi-Res CD Brief Introduction
Hi-Res CD Sampler
Customer Reviews on Hi-Res CD Arrived!
[NEW!] 46 titles added on Oct 11 2018!
Pop & Rock Titles
Jazz/Fusion Titles
Classical Music Titles
[Updated!] MQA-enabled Hardware List
Frequent Question & Answer on Hi-Res CD
Detailed Explanation Video on Hi-Res CD

Hi-Res CD Brief Introduction

Hi-Res CD uses two key features to realize the high fidelity, capability, and compatibility.

The first key feature is MQA, which stands for Master Quality Authenticated.
By using this coding technology, large size high resolution audio files are capsulized while keeping their quality. If you play Hi-Res CD on MQA-enabled hardware/software, capsulized files will be decoded, and the full potential of the disc will be harnessed. For more details, visit MQA Technology in Detail (external link)

The second key feature is UHQCD format.
Even if you do not have MQA-enabled hardware/software, the disc can also be played on regular CD players in UHQCD 44.1kHz/16bit resolution, which is far better than that of regular CD. For more details, visit All About Ultimate High Quality CD

As the first batch of Hi-Res CD release, Universal Music Japan will be releasing three low-priced samplers as well as 100 popular titles listed below.
How about trying to listen to another dimension of the sound?

Hi-Res CD Sampler

Customer Reviews on Hi-Res CD Arrived!

Review on V.A. Hi-Res CD Sampler for Rock & Pop [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)] [Limited Release]"

A Hi Res music winner. (4 Stars)


I did a A-B comparison between the High Resolution (Hi-Res)and the normal CD included for precisely such purpose.
I did my test listening on the Yamaha CD S3000 SACD Player, as I do not have the MQA hardware.

The Hi-Res version gives more depth and wider staging. The sound is also fuller. The stand out track is Rod Stewart's Mandolin Wind for which I also have the SHM I did my test listening on the Yamaha CD S3000 SACD Player, as I do not have the MQA hardware.

While it is unfair to compare the Hi Res version to the SHM SACD which is by far the best version, it highlights the potential role of the Hi Res version to fill the void between Blue Book CD and SACD.

I can see this as the challenge for the Hi Res format in MQA since not many people have or likely to buy the gadget that plays MQA format. Perhaps, the sound is even better when played back in MQA. If the SACD format experience is any guide, it would require something special for the MQA format in the physical medium to take off.

2018/07/03 Eric, Australia AUSTRALIA

Review on Stan Getz "Getz / Gilberto [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)] [Limited Release]"

Hi-Res CD (5 Stars)


I was quite impressed with this release by Getz and Gilberto. This release compared very favorably with the SACD release a few years back. I think it would be very difficult to differentiate between the SACD and the MQA UHQCD release. Felt like Gilberto was right in front singing to me.

2018/06/22 Alvin Huck UNITED STATES

Review on Steely Dan "Pretzel Logic [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)]"

"the Pretzel is back, fresh as ever"! (5 Stars)


From the opening bars of "Rikki Don't Lose that Number" this listener was immediately transported to the beauty and wonder of Hi-Res (MQA x UHQCD). Firmly settled in front of my Regas. Disc spinning in the Technics SL-C700 I ask myself, "how do they do it?" This recording is from the mid 70's...but do it they have. The cost? What cost!! Worth ever cent. Will purchase more. Highly recommended!

2018/06/24 c. w. aldridge UNITED STATES

Review on Steely Dan "The Royal Scam [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)]"

Worth It? (5 Stars)


Here we go. Another proprietary playback technology. Doomed to fail? Beats me. I have the three Steely Dan releases that made it to SACD. I was eagerly waiting for more when Universal cancelled all future SACD's and DVD-A's. Bummer. I have an Oppo UDP-205 that can do the full unfolding of MQA CD's. Might as well give it a try.

Guess what? It sounds very, very, very good. Inner detail that rivals SACD. Excellent micro and macro dynamics. Just very musical and listenable. I have The Royal Scam on the original vinyl and the 1999 remastered CD. I like this best. My system is pretty resolving. Krell Class A power. Marin Logan Prodigies.

If this CD is typical of how they all will sound I'm a fan. Do I want to pay extra to cover their licensing fees? Of course not. But I want the best available version of all my favorite music so what are you going to do?

2018/06/24 brenro UNITED STATES

46 Hi-Res CD titles added on Oct 11 2018!

Hi-Res CD Pop & Rock Titles

Hi-Res CD Jazz/Fusion Titles

Hi-Res CD Classical Music Titles

MQA-enabled Hardware List (Aug 2 Updated!)

*This list was made in July 2018, and is NOT list all the MQA-enabled devices. You can check its compatibility with MQA logo or spec detail on each product's description.

DeviceCategory
ACTIVO CT10DAP
Audioquest DragonFly BlackRenderer Type DAC
Audioquest DragonFly RedRenderer Type DAC
Cocktail Audio x45Muti Media Player
Cocktail Audio x35Muti Media Player
Cocktail Audio x50DDigital Music Server & Transport
Cocktail Audio x45ProMuti Media Player
dCS "Vivaldi DAC"DAC
dCS"Network Bridge"Interface Device
dCS"Rossini"DAC
dCS"Vivaldi One"Universal Audio Player
dCS"Vivaldi Upsampler"Up Sampler
ESOTERIC N-01Network Audio Player
ESOTERIC N-05Network Audio Player
ESOTERIC N-03TNetwork Audio Transport
iFi micro iDACRenderer Type DAC
iFi micro iDAC2Renderer Type DAC
iFi micro iDSDRenderer Type DAC
iFi micro iDSD BLRenderer Type DAC
iFi nano iDSDRenderer Type DAC
iFi Nano iDSD Black LabelRenderer Type DAC
iFi nano iONERenderer Type DAC
iFi nono iDSD LERenderer Type DAC
iFi RETRO 50Renderer Type DAC
Kripton KS-9MultiActive Speaker
LG V30Smartphone
LUMIN The Audiophile Network Music Player(A1)Network Player
LUMIN The Audiophile Network Music Player(D2)Network Player
LUMIN The Audiophile Network Music Player(S1)Network Player
LUMIN The Audiophile Network Music Player(T1)Network Player
LUMIN U1Network Transport
M2TECH Young MkIIIDAC
Meridian 808v6CD Player
Meridian 818v3Preamplifier
Meridian Explorer2USB DAC
Meridian Prime Headphone AmplifierHeadphone Amplifier
Meridian Ultra DacDAC
Mytek Digital Brooklyn+DAC
Mytek Digital Liberty DACDAC
Mytek Digital Manhattan2DAC
ONKYO DP-X1DAP
ONKYO DP-X1ADAP
ONKYO GRANBEAT DP-CMX1Smartphone
ONKYO"rubato""DP-S1"DAP
OPPO UDP205Universal Player
PIONEER XDP-100RDAP
PIONEER"private""XDP-20"DAP
PIONEER"private""XDP-30R"DAP
SONY NW-A40 SERIESDAP
SONY NW-WM1Z 1ADAP
SONY NW-ZX300DAP
TEAC NT-505USB DAC/Network Player
TEAC NR-7CDNetwork CD Pre-main Amplifier
Technics SU-G30Network Audio Amplifier

Frequent Question & Answer on Hi-Res CD

1. Does Hi-Res CD have two layers of data like SACD Hybrid discs?

No, it has only one layer. Regular CD players are capable of outputting the audio only in 44.1kHz/16bit. However, when decoded the audio can be listened to 352.8kHz/24bit resolution on MQA-enabled audio players.

A very few titles (*) are not available in 352.8kHz/24bit resolution even when they are decoded. Please refer each detailed spec written on each product description.
*UICY-40190, UICY-40191 (As of April 25, 2018).

2. Is there more storage capacity on Hi-Res CD?

No, it is still a Compact Disc, fully compatible with regular CD players. UHQCD (as well as SHM-CD and Blu-spec CD) improves audio through the use of better materials, supposedly with improved optical characteristics. The audio is further improved through technologies to cutting data on the disc surface with higher precision and accuracy.

3. What is the format of the 352.8kHz/24bit audio?

It is in MQA-file format. You specifically need MAQ-enabled software/hardware to play it audio in this format. For more details, visit MQA official website where they detail how it works.

Detailed Explanation Video on Hi-Res CD by Techmoan