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.
"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
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
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The article you posted is the same article that gets continuously cycled around by flat earthers as proof that hi rez is voodoo. However, that article has been proven to be pure hogwash and written by someone who has an agenda. Research the Internet for debates regarding that article will reveal the fallacy of its content. |
As mentioned, it might be your DAC. But it could be the USB cable you’re using. A USB connection from computer to DAC can often cause undesired noise and jitter. What brand and length of cable are you using? A S/PDIF reclocking device might help reduce jitter and clean up noise generated from your Macbook. Also, if you are running other programs on your Mac, the performance of music files can be degraded. A computer which is dedicated to music files and playback is preferred for best SQ. |
Perhaps you can try 192/24 content from other sources other than the one you purchase from? I am also assuming you are using the USB input on your dacs from the Macbook. It could be noise from the USB port - perhaps you can try a USB isolater/cleaner. The Schiit Audio Wyrd is inexpensive and worked wonders for cleaning up the USB signal for me. |
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. |
OK, I don't mean to stir up trouble, but some people don't believe that music should be distributed in resolutions greater than a CD qualtiy (44.1k/16 bit). Here's an interesting article to review: https://xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/neil-young.html Having said that, from what I understand the upper end of the possible frequency response which a DAC can derive from a digital file is half of the sampling rate, so a 192k file can contain content at 96kHz. Though we humans can't hear above about 20kHz, the equipment you are running might be encountering content above 20kHz and what might sound as harshness is actually intermodulation distortion from your equipment attempting to reproduce this high frequency content. I agree with mapman, maybe a different DAC would be in order. I understand that DACs have "filtering" built into their design, maybe one which does this "filtering" better might be more pleasant to use. |