The 8300CDQ adds further flexibility by incorporating a dedicated direct-coupled headphone amp withcurrent-feedback circuitry. Accessed via a front-mounted 6.35mm socket, its gain bandwidth and high slewrate ensure a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.The final key feature introduced in the 8300CDQ is decoding of MQA (Master Quality Authenticated). Thebrainchild of Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, MQA is a digital audio format designed forhigh-resolution music streaming and is available via subscription to Tidal’s ‘HiFi’ tier (among other sources).The 8300CDQ unpacks MQA data – received via the USB input – at the original file’s full resolution and passesthe signal through its DAC and preamp stages, ready to feed a power amp or active speakers.

Audiolab’s MQA decoding solution was developed by John Westlake, one of Britain’s foremost digital audioexperts. There are various ways to enable MQA playback on audio devices, and not all are equal sonically.Westlake’s solution maximises the format’s potential, just as the 8300CDQ’s design draws the best soundquality from other audio codecs and, of course, CDs.