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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
electroslacker
375 posts
 
I tend to think 16/44khz is a product of scientists who knew what they were doing, and hi-rez is usually the product of marketers who know how to spin a tale.  If the hi-rez purveyors are not sampling from analog tape, they'll likely selling refried beans.

The counter-(oranges) argument is a test that claimed double-blind viewers preferred watching 8k on a 65-inch TV even though they could not see a difference. "Double-blind viewing"? 

Personally, I agree with Erik on DACs.  I can't hear a difference between 16/44  Blood-on-Tracks and the hi-rez offering on a top modern DAC.
allane's avatar
allane
64 posts
 
@erik_squires 
@electroslacker 
@plga

I totally agreed, 16/44 is awesome when mastered and played back properly.
junzhang10
252 posts
 
Agree well recorded and mastered 16/44 is very enjoyable. However 24/96 is better and 24/192 is even better. DSD is as good as 24/192.

jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,437 posts
 
I agree with so much that has been written above.  I do think that Redbook can sound amazing. But I also hear alot of 24/96 stuff sound a touch better than Redbook. Yet as someone said above it depends on the mastering too. 

I think erik_squires notes well how DAC and the implementation topology has improved a ton over the last decade. I think that is the biggest piece in all of digital. With a great DAC even Redbook is great. 
cheeg's avatar
cheeg
247 posts
 
@erik_squires
Good point on the importance of the DAC; which do you use in your system?
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