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16 bit vs 24 bit vs 35 bit vs 36 bit vs 64 bit DAC sampling

I have limited knowledge about DAC's, but as I understand it, a typical CD player used to have 16 bit sampling, and supposedly no one was supposed to be able to hear the difference between anything more than 16 bit sampling; however, I recently purchased an Esoteric K-01X, which has 35 bit sampling (why 35 bits? no doubt only to differentiate it from their then top of the line 36 bit sampled Grandioso series).  

Now I can hear a big difference between my old Musical Fidelity kW DM25 DAC with 24 bit sampling (circa 2005), and the newer Esoteric DAC with 35 bit sampling, although I'm not supposed to, although maybe there are some other electrical programs playing with the sound besides the sampling rate.  

Now, there are 64 bit sampling DAC's, and I'm wondering how much the ear actually does hear from the sampling, or if it's something else entirely that's making the digital sound better?  

Any insightful opinions or perspectives?  

Thanks.
drbond

Showing 1 response by larryro2

larryro2
137 posts
 
I doubt if anyone without a jug if moonshine could hear the difference between the levels of bit rate or sampling rates! Damage risk for an 8 hr time period is 85dBSPL- who is sitting through 120dBSPL!
before the game of bit and sampling is managed ?it would be nice is if companies would standardize measurements and present amp and speaker specs so a decent matching can be realized!
most of the terms thrown around are not fully understood nor are the parameters of the human hearing mechanism in its “normal “ or “abnormal “ status.
Many audio buffs have hearing loss either due to age, illness or trauma; these too complicate the listening experience!


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