2. digital
  3. 189850-145382

Sound Quality

First off, I am pleading ignorance here, so my apologies up front, but I need some help on figuring out what this digital stuff is all about. It was simple, just to pull out a CD and play it, but with streaming and such, it seems to be a whole different ball of wax.

After finally finishing the remodel on my home, I've have had a bit of time to sit down and listen to my system. My Aurender N200 came with an SD card loaded with music. Most of it is ripped from hybrid SACDs or at 16bit- 44.1kHz "Original Mastering Recording" CDs, (some are DSF files some WAV files, but all sound the same to me). The music sounds flat and dull but when I play the equivalent song on Tidal in 16bit-44.1 kHz it sounds much better.

I have a second SD card  with some HD Tracks CDs at 24 bit-96 kHz that I which sound really good through the N200. Maybe understandable being hi-res, but some say they can't hear a big difference between the two, but I sure can in this instance.

I understand that up sampling, DSD and HQ Player can even bring better sound to the table, but I'm having enough trouble with just the basics here, that stuff is way over my head. 

I'd like to rip a couple of my own CDs to a new SD card and try it to compare with the SD card that came with the N200. What is the best method to do this?

As always, your thought & comments are much appreciated!

navyachts

Showing 6 responses by mclinnguy

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
776 posts
 

there really isn't the need to rip CDs, I guess. That is unless you have something rare that can't be found online. Any other benefits you can muster?

@navyachts that is pretty much my philosophy.

The onboard hardrive is not just for ripped CD's but for music bought online you want files for. For example I can stream Patricia Barber's Clique in hi-res through Qobuz anytime, but since I wanted the highest fidelity possible I bought the DSD512 version online. I have some a few dozen Native DSD albums in .dsf format but my current DAC doesn't yield a sonic advantage to these over regular redbook or hi-res versions streamed, and using an AES cable from my streamer I cannot play them anyway, so they sit on the hard drive unused. If one has a DAC that favours DSD files like T+A gear they may want plenty of .dsf files for critical listening sessions. 

 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
776 posts
 

@navyachts I’ll let @audphile1 answer the question as to whether DSD sounds better on the Bricasti or not, but looking at the specs these are your options:

Digital Inputs XLR: AES/EBU 24 bit Single Wire, BNC: SPDIF, RCA: SPDIF, Optical: Toslink 44.1- 96k, USB 2
Sample Rates AES, SPDIF, AUX in 44.1 kHz, to, 192khz
Sample Rates USB 44.1 kHz, to, 384kHz, DSD 64fs 128Fs 256Fs Native or DoP
Sample Rates Ethernet 44.1 kHz to 384kHz PCM, 64x 128x Native and DoP

https://www.bricasti.com/en/consumer/m1s2_specs.php

so yes, using USB (which you will) you can play up to 256DSD

edit: he already did answer this question: 

Few things based on my experience…it depends on the recording. Not all DSD files are by default better sounding than redbook or hi-res streaming. It also depends on the DAC. You will be able to feed the M1S2 a native DSD signal and take full advantage of the Bricasti DSD DAC.

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
776 posts
 

@navyachts Native DSD

20% off until May 17 😃

 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
776 posts
 

 

@navyachts 

Any good recommendations for a DSD 256 CD to purchase for a test drive, maybe something a little more obscure that the run of the mill "Top 40"?

Little Weevil

Yes, the above recording is definitely not top 40 😁 One guy, one guitar, recorded live non-stop in a small room.

I bought it, I like it, if you want a pure DSD recording this is it. Read the recording process, sample the tracks to see if it appeals. Looks like it is 15% off, and one more day for 20% storewide for Native DSD’s 10 year anniversary sale.

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
776 posts
 

@lalitk 

You are most welcome. 😊 Glad you are enjoying that unique recording. 🎸🎶

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
776 posts
 

@upstateaudiophile

funny, just before I read your post I read this one: you may find it interesting

cd vs streaming

edit: don't know if that link worked- it is the post by @jmeyers on June 1

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