2. digital
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I'm not even quite sure how to phrase my question, but here it goes...

So my DAC has LED's for 44, 96, 176 and so forth. I tried to get an understanding on how the different bit rates affect quality, but quickly became confused with bit depth, Flac files, Redbook and other terminology which all plays into the equation.
Can anyone point me to a dumb-down, digital for dummies kind of resource?
Thank you.
128x12861falcon

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
@audiomaze

They are different mathematical ways to deal with aliasing. For the most part, they affect the high frequency reproduction. Technically they each have their pros and cons but practically you should listen and decide for yourself which you prefer.
erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
Um, the question is do you hear an improvement? :)

So, usually, 44 means 44.1 kHz/16 bits. That's the Redbook standard.
96 kHz music downloads are almost always 24 bits or 96/24

However!! online radio has some variations. 44/20 (or 44/24?)  and 96/16 are some I have seen.


erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
Really like the pool/chlorine analogy!


Hah! I really thought that was my worst analogy ever.
erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
The sample rate means how many times per second a sample is taken. Say you measure your pool's chlorine every day.

So 1/day or 365/year.

44,100/second is the CD sample rate. 44,100 times a second a measure is taken and recorded. other common rates are 48,000 and 96,000.  Usually expressed in kilohertz, like 96 kHz.

The bit depth determines the precision of that measurement. How finely can we record the signal.  More bits, more resolution.

So 44/16 refers to the CD standard. I occasionally see online radio stations offer 44/24 or 96/16.

Honestly with modern DACs 44/16 sounds so good it gets harder to justify more.
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