After securing licensing deals with Universal and Warner, high-resolution audio firm MQA has struck a multi-year agreement with independent label body Merlin.
The partnership will enable the number of independent labels represented by Merlin to encode their master recordings in MQA’s master quality audio technology.
MQA is currently available to exclusively stream on Tidal and is compatible with a growing list of hardware products.
Those include Pioneer, Technics, Onkyo, Bluesound, NAD, Meridian, Mytek, Kripton, Brinkmann, Aurender, Cary Audio and MSB.
Discussions with other delivery partners to enable streaming of master quality files are ongoing.
Merlin CEO Charles Caldas commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with MQA.
“From our own data, we know that Merlin members’ repertoire performs best on paid-for subscription tiers, and it’s to this high-spending consumer demographic that hi-resolution audio will have the greatest appeal.
“today’s future-facing agreement offers our independent label members a fast track entry point to an exciting segment of the streaming market.”
charles caldas, merlin
“Consequently, today’s future-facing agreement makes perfect sense – offering our independent label members a fast track entry point to an exciting segment of the streaming market, and ensuring they remain at its forefront.”
Mike Jbara, CEO of MQA, added: “MQA’s commitment is to provide exceptional sound quality from the studio recording all the way through to the consumer.
“We’re excited to work with the leaders of the independent community to further fuel the availability of master quality recordings for music fans.”
mike jbara, mqa
“We’re excited to work with the leaders of the independent community to further fuel the availability of master quality recordings for music fans.”Music Business Worldwide
