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Do we really need anything greater than 24/96? Opinions?

It's really difficult to compare resolutions with different masterings, delivery methods, sources, etc. I have hundreds of HI-rez files (dsd, hi bit rate PCM, etc). I have to say that even 24/44 is probably revealing the best a recording has to offer. Obviously, recording formats, methods, etc all play a huge role. I'm not talking preferred sources like vinyl, sacd, etc. I'm talking about the recordings themselves. 

Plus, I really think the recording (studio-mastering) means more to sound quality than the actual output format/resolution. I've heard excellent recorded/mastered recordings sound killer on iTunes streaming and CD. 

Opinions?

aberyclark

Showing 1 response by andrei_nz

andrei_nz
192 posts
 
I note your question relates only to bit rate and not bit depth.  My answer is that no we do not need anything above 96Khz.  In fact it may be slightly deleterious - increased processing power and disc space.  
The main point is that there is no musical information beyond about 30Khz - the overtones of the highest notes music are now very low.  Also to be practical there are limitations on (1) recording microphones picking up this extra information; (2) tweeters being able to reproduce these frequencies accurately, if at all; to say nothing of (3) the limitations of our ears.
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