Systemic Development > Digital Audio Devices
What are your thoughts on Hi-Rez v. NOS Redbook?
GDHAL:
I'm happy to go directly to the point and spirit of this topic, having to do with 16/44.1 (i.e. Redbook) and resolutions greater than that (i.e hi rez).
My thoughts are I prefer hi res and believe it sounds better....not a world of difference, but rather subtle.
If you have an opportunity as I do to collect/have multiple sources from the same artist's show or even studio mix, then "look out cause here comes some free advice" (Grateful Dead term, Bobby) and "do yourself a favor" (Grateful Dead term, Jerry) and collect/have both.
Bottom line is they are *different* from an objective perspective. Whether or not you can hear a difference, your system is resolving enough to reproduce the difference, or you simply have a preference, is irrelevant.
Best.
Hal
_Scotty_:
Now that you mention it I have about 1T of Redbook and 2.5T of Hirez recordings. I haven't chased after Hirez duplicates of my Redbook music. I have purchased non-Hirez remasters of Redbook albums that have resulted in welcome and sometimes dramatic improvements in resolution and enjoyment. The only problem I have in seeking out Hirez duplicates of my existing Redbook recordings is assuming that positive differences I might hear are solely due to the differences in captured data and frequency response limits between Hirez and Redbook. It too damn easy to tweek the recording to sound subjectively better in the studio. I am also something of cheapskate.
What is interesting to me that numerous recording artists have complained that the CD version of their
recording sounds like crap when compared against the the Hirez master and they weren't happy about the
fact that the recording to be released for public consumption didn't represent their artistic intentions.
This makes me wonder just how much of their dissatisfaction is due to the "failings" of the Redbook medium versus failings at the studio level regarding final mastering decisions for CDs.
When I mentioned difficulty in hearing the difference between 1411kps and 320kps this was
in the context of a aural training course. It strikes me now that comparing the two formats with the same music selection is also a good test of system resolution which also includes the listeners hearing acuity,
which, to a degree, can be improved by ear training.
The name of the online course escapes me at the moment, but I am sure that more than one such online course is probably available at this point in time.
Scotty
Folsom:
I'll let you know when I hear something better than my 1543 DAC. I'd like to hear some of the Abbas DAC's.
Sometimes high res sounds different but better is not the same thing.
mresseguie:
--- Quote from: P.I. on February 20, 2023, 03:49:56 PM ---
--- Quote from: mresseguie on February 20, 2023, 02:40:53 PM ---Hiya, Dave!
I'll <sort of> answer your question.
Much of my music listening is streamed. I use streaming to discover new music, and to enjoy 'found' artists' music. When I want to really get into the music, I listen to physical media. I've been worrying less about critical listening and more about just enjoying the music. My favorite DAC is limited to no higher than 96kHz, so I usually listen to Redbook quality.
--- End quote ---
Hi, Mike. Good to see you.
I've got several DACs (mega modified HRT Pro, Schiit Bifrost & Yggdrasil) and I stil keep going back to my hot rodded Tranquility DAC because it just makes music. That ancient TDA1543 with the mods Eric and I came up with are just my goto, could be my ego 😁. Of course I have 75 year old ears, but so what? I love me some toons.
Like TMAZZ says: It's all about the music.
--- End quote ---
Dave,
I must agree with you about the Tranquility SE DAC. I credit it with turning me into a NOS DAC lover. However, my addictive personality has led me to buy too many DACs :duh, so I may end up letting go of my Tranquility SE this summer (to be determined).
My in-laws' health is precarious enough now that Melody and I may end up moving back to Taiwan to oversee their care. It's turning out to be a repeat of what happened with my parents before they passed away - only this time I'm not the person who's being devoured by the stress.
mresseguie:
--- Quote from: Folsom on February 20, 2023, 11:13:07 PM ---I'll let you know when I hear something better than my 1543 DAC. I'd like to hear some of the Abbas DAC's.
Sometimes high res sounds different but better is not the same thing.
--- End quote ---
Jeremy,
Have you been following the Abbas thread on What's Best Audio?
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/abbas-dac-2-1-se.31754/#post-708536
Honestly, if I hadn't bought 2 DACs last year, I wouldn't hesitate to order a 3.21SE to compare against my SW1X DAC III+. Alas, even I have limits on how much excess gear I can buy.
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