by Avagadro1 » Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:22 am
Digital Music Files: 16/44.1, 24/88, 24/96, 24/192
I now have lots of CDs (16-bit 44.1kHz) ripped, in WAV format, onto the hard drive of my Windows 7 computer w Media Monkey. I finally got around to connecting, via 50-ft. Toslink optical cable, my computer’s optical output to the corresponding Toslink optical input on my Marantz SR 6003 receiver. (I am using the DACs in the Marantz receiver; I also own high-quality 2.1 speaker/subwoofer combo and an Oppo-83-SE CD/Blu-ray player.) The sound from the computer is very good, every bit as good as the CDs themselves
Now that that’s all set up, I have begun to visit websites that sell music downloads — 16-bit/44, 24-bit/88 and 96, and 24-bit/192 — all are FLAC. Some music (by no means all) is available in all three formats. The higher resolution digital files not only cost much more, but are MUCH larger in size.
Setting aside the debate whether WELL RECORDED material actually sounds better in 24-bit format over 16-bit Red Book, my question focuses on Media Monkey. If I purchase/download 24-bit/96 kHz or 24-bit 194kHz files (FLAC), will Media Monkey play them at full resolution without converting/compressing them to 16-bit/44.1 Standard Redbook? There is another media player for whcih I read that one must add a plug-in so that high-resolution files are not converted/compressed.
Separately, assuming Media Monkey can play high-resolution files without conversion/compression, has anyone clearly heard superior sound quality from 24-bit/192kHz over 24-bit/96kHz, or that over 16-bit/44.1kHz?
If this subject has been covered before (how could it not!), references to earlier threads also would be helpful.
Thanks.
Digital Music Files: 16/44.1, 24/88, 24/96, 24/192
I now have lots of CDs (16-bit 44.1kHz) ripped, in WAV format, onto the hard drive of my Windows 7 computer w Media Monkey. I finally got around to connecting, via 50-ft. Toslink optical cable, my computer’s optical output to the corresponding Toslink optical input on my Marantz SR 6003 receiver. (I am using the DACs in the Marantz receiver; I also own high-quality 2.1 speaker/subwoofer combo and an Oppo-83-SE CD/Blu-ray player.) The sound from the computer is very good, every bit as good as the CDs themselves
Now that that’s all set up, I have begun to visit websites that sell music downloads — 16-bit/44, 24-bit/88 and 96, and 24-bit/192 — all are FLAC. Some music (by no means all) is available in all three formats. The higher resolution digital files not only cost much more, but are MUCH larger in size.
Setting aside the debate whether WELL RECORDED material actually sounds better in 24-bit format over 16-bit Red Book, my question focuses on Media Monkey. If I purchase/download 24-bit/96 kHz or 24-bit 194kHz files (FLAC), will Media Monkey play them at full resolution without converting/compressing them to 16-bit/44.1 Standard Redbook? There is another media player for whcih I read that one must add a [u]plug-in [/u]so that high-resolution files are not converted/compressed.
Separately, assuming Media Monkey can play high-resolution files without conversion/compression, has anyone clearly heard superior sound quality from 24-bit/192kHz over 24-bit/96kHz, or that over 16-bit/44.1kHz?
If this subject has been covered before (how could it not!), references to earlier threads also would be helpful.
Thanks.