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
OK here are the 3 big problems I see 👀 regardless of what format the disc is. Two of the problems involve vibration - structure-borne vibration, acoustic and other mechanical vibration (motors, CD transport, transformers, etc.), and vibration of the disc itself (!) whilst spinning, preventing the laser from staying on the nanoscale spiral track.

The third problem is produced by scattered laser light that fills up the entire inside of the CD transport and is picked up by the photodetector as real signal. I’m sorry to have to be the one to say this but you’re only hearing 50% of what’s on the CD if you’re listening to stock off the shelf systems. It’s no wonder differences among the various formats is oft indistinguishable. The systems aren’t resolving enough. Hel-loo!!
Comparing the Rolling Stones hybrid SACDs (Ludwig), I think the DSD/SACD sounds just a tad punchier and more airy mids. However, I'm not certain if the redbook layer is a straight downsample from the hi rez or each was mastered separately.
That reminds me. I have a bunch of the Abkco 2002 DSD Rolling Stones CDs. Are they really DSD mastering or something else? They do sound very good, I’ll say that.
Geoff, If the problem was lasers and optical discs, wouldn’t downloads and streamed music sound obviously better than CDs and SACDs?

That is not the case in my personal experience and what I’ve read on forums. For example:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-does-my-old-cd-player-sound-so-much-better-than-my-new-streamer?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid