I'm not even quite sure how to phrase my question, but here it goes...


So my DAC has LED's for 44, 96, 176 and so forth. I tried to get an understanding on how the different bit rates affect quality, but quickly became confused with bit depth, Flac files, Redbook and other terminology which all plays into the equation.
Can anyone point me to a dumb-down, digital for dummies kind of resource?
Thank you.
128x12861falcon
61falcon,

The Bluesound Vault app on tablet or mobile phone does not display streaming resolution. Your DAC LED light is a good indicator of that minus the bits info.

To elaborate ‘itjustnotme’ point, one mustn’t confuse the native high resolution file vs upsampled file from a low resolution. I would also check Vault audio settings and tweak the sound to your liking. I have my Vault’s tone controls turned off cause I only use Vault for its ripping capabilities.
If you have a really good DAC it doesn't matter as much. I have a Benchmark DAC and play HiRes 24/192 files, DSD files, Tidal / Tidal Masters and CDs and some 16/44 files and 24/96 files sound soundcbetter than 24/192 It depends on quality of initial recording. I have a Boston DSD FILE and it seems a bit more airy and better highs but not as warm as CD quality.  Also if you read any articles from Benchmark they believe you don't really need better than 24/96 with their technology and how good their DACs are engineered and how they eliminate jitter and other artifacts. They also think the process to do MQA degrades the signal and thus they do not offer as believe it does not make better sound. 
All in all I've found in my system it greatly depends on the quality of the recording and the bit rate and resolution matter less than the initial recording quality. 
All we need to remember is this:
"It depends on quality of initial recording."
Amen.  Most recordings/masterings stink.  I'll take a Mercury Living presence in 11 bits over some crummy rock/pop ( and this is from a rock guy) screechy recording any day of the week.
Sad to say but what we all really need is better recordings, better masterings and far, far fewer folks who think they can manipulate or "improve" the sound.  Set up the mikes, leave it alone. Voici.
- the cantankerous old engineer and pianist
I just purchased a topping d50s  dac that has 7 filter settings.  Can someone please explain what they do?
Uberwalz,  I have a Bluesound Node 2i.  Can you explain how I can see on the Bluesound ap what the resolution is.  So far, I am unable to see this information.  This would be helpful, but I don't think it is possible to see the resolution on the ap.