davewantsmoore Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 2 hours ago, MLXXX said: You are referring to the fact that most studies looked at the outcome from reducing both the sample rate and the bit depth, and not just reducing the bit-depth in isolation? Yes... the meta analysis didn't include enogh studies where it was tested as an independant variable. Quote Most studies focused on the sample rate, so the ability to discriminate high bit depth, e.g., 24 bit versus 16 bit, remains an open question.
davewantsmoore Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 3 hours ago, muon* said: Did they get it wrong? Or did they just prefer 16bit? I read it as just what they preferred rather than trying to pick the 24bit tracks. That's right. They preffered the 16bit version (60 to 40) .... although most people also said that they could not hear any clear difference. That's why I put "wrong" in quotes (they were just asked what preffer) .... in theory 24bit should do nothing but improve the quality (if anything at all.... 'cos theory also says it should be inaudible). Results like this (5050, 6040, whatever) tell us its inaudible.
Dave the Rave Posted June 29, 2023 Posted June 29, 2023 Just my 0.02 cents Experience starting from tapes, playing phono then moving to mp3, playing extensively with RB then discovering re-mastered CDs then drawn to high res (24/96, 24/192), streaming from 320kbps to CD quality. - In general, any medium/resolution sounded great if recorded properly. - After trying everything, RB 16/44.1k is my preference. Sounds excellent, optimal file size, adequate streaming options. - Some CDs sound terrible esp movie soundtracks (aaargh!!)... then the re-mastered versions definitely helps. - I really liked some Hi-Res downloads as they sounded really airy and well rounded. - But over time I realised these were probably due to the re-mastering (when I did an A/B comparison of RB vs Hi-res of the same album without re-master - Hi-Res sounded slightly more detailed but I felt i might not like the extra crispiness over time). - Tried resampling at higher freq but realised its again placebo warm-feeling effect at first. In fact it brought no benefit. - I understand MP3 is a sin but I found lots of songs sounding better than the CD equivalent (I attribute this mainly due to the poor recording of the CD.). So I still listen to MP3 where the track sounds glorious. Streaming with a good service such as Deezer also highlights 320kbps is really close to CD quality. - To conclude, RB with good recording still rules . What really matters to heighten the listening experience is the usual audiophile never-ending pursuit (equipment synergy, speaker+positioning and quality equipment, etc...). 2
georgehifi Posted June 29, 2023 Posted June 29, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, Dave the Rave said: I understand MP3 is a sin but I found lots of songs sounding better than the CD equivalent (I attribute this mainly due to the poor recording of the CD They're all taken from the same master, just look at what happened to Yellow Brick Road over time, compression got worse and worse the later (newer release), and they were all from the same master. https://tinyurl.com/2m7h4elt Cheers George Edited June 29, 2023 by georgehifi
Dave the Rave Posted June 30, 2023 Posted June 30, 2023 16 hours ago, georgehifi said: They're all taken from the same master, just look at what happened to Yellow Brick Road over time, compression got worse and worse the later (newer release), and they were all from the same master. https://tinyurl.com/2m7h4elt Cheers George Really interesting. No wonder I started not liking this song since I first listened years ago ..... damn to the culprits
georgehifi Posted June 30, 2023 Posted June 30, 2023 (edited) 19 hours ago, Dave the Rave said: damn to the culprits They were guys like Phil Spector that introduced, and were responsible for "wall of sound" compressed music that had greatly reduced dynamic range, as everything was recorded loud, great for when there's a bit of background noise going (in the car, walking outside with iPod, in a shopping mall, lift music etc etc) as you can still hear the quite bits. All this compression reduces the "aural space" between musical notes, which reduces "depth perception", who want's the triangle up the back of an orchestra to sound like it's down the front with the 1st strings and wood winds Phil Spector always listened to his final masters while driving in the car before releasing them, that should tell you something (road/engine noise). And now he looks like this, deaf as a post 2 x hearing aids and in jail for murder and dead at 81. Cheers George Edited June 30, 2023 by georgehifi 1
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