"Shouty" treble with hi res files


When listening to many of my purchased high resolution files, I have experienced what I can only describe as (1) strange 'shouty' treble coming at certain times (usually not very long - just for one part of a passage at certain frequencies) from my system, together with (2) very etched highs overall. I usually purchase the 192/24 FLAC format files. 

For example, this occurred on files of REM's Automatic for the People and Out of Time in the 192/24 formats, while my CD burn to FLAC of the same albums does not produce these sounds. I have tried two different DACS (Rega DAC and the Halide HD Dac) with the same result, and two different speakers (Tannoy HPD and Tekton Lore S).

This occurs on other albums I have purchased on high res formats as well, but I cannot make the comparison to the burn version from the CDs.

The etched highs I guess I can understand come from having an uncompressed full range file format that perhaps would sound better on a more expensive system. But the short but annoying episodes of the 'shouts' I cannot explain.

Any similar experiences and/or thoughts on how to remedy? 

My system is: Macbook Pro - Audirvanna - Halide DAC HD - Hegel H400 - vintage Tannoy HPD speakers.

Thank you  
128x128skoczylas

Showing 3 responses by mapman

Off teh cuff I would test with a different DAC if possible and see if the same issue.
What is your digital source (hardware/software) streaming the high res files and what kind of digital IC from source to DAC?

Assuming other source material sounds fine, I'd say DAC and these two things together form the most likely culprits.   Could be any one or combo of above.

Unfortunately I have not attempted to stream high res beyond CD yet sso no specific experience there, but I have found these things to matter most to-date in streaming CD res files and high res is basically more of the same except a harder taks that fewer devices might be up to snuff to do really well.


HI res format is better no doubt but format does not assure better sound in that bad recordings can still make their way into any good format.   So like records  CDs tapes radio stations whatever any thing is still possible.