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As file resolution goes up sound level goes down?

I've downloaded files (e.g., HDTracks) in various resolutions and I've noticed something strange. I'm getting sound level differences between files of different resolutions.

For example, my Turntable front end has plenty of gain, but when I switch to CD I have to turn up the volume a little more to get the same level. If I play 96kHz/24-bit files I need to turn it up even more. Finally, I just got Marley's Legend in 192kHz/24-bit, and I have to turn it up even further.

This reminds me of when I play a Chesky record, I have to turn things up. What's up?
kennythekey
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Hmm, that sounds like even though you are not clipping the amp to a degree that is clearly perceptible as such, it still may be running out of steam, perhaps as a result of degraded linearity as it approaches its maximum power capability, and/or as it reaches the point of "soft clipping" that tube amps are noted for. So I'm still not certain that a gain increase would be a solution.

Regards,
-- Al
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Al, Let me give you a more accurate explanation. I don't like to clip my amp, so I had turned up the volume to 3:00 o'clock out of a max of 5:30. At this point, no perceived distortion but the gain was still mediocre.

From your comments, I decided to go further and at 3:30 it started to get louder but the noise floor went up. I decided to take it to 5:30 and the amp did not clip, it was playing loud at this point but sounded harsh.
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Thanks for the additional info, Kenny. I suspect that the harshness at 5:30 is the linearity degradation and/or soft clipping that I referred to, corresponding to the amp approaching or reaching the limits of its power capability. If so, along the lines of my earlier comment a gain increase would not help. It would result in the same thing happening, at the same perceived volume, but at a lower setting of the control.

Regards,
-- Al
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Thanks Al!

Looks like my focus should be on the speakers, and you know that "ain't" a bad thing.
wildoats
339 posts
 
Different volume levels are probably due to lack of compression. I've had uncompressed cd's in the car and you can't hear the quieter parts at the usual volume you listen at, while the cd sounds great on my main system. That is one reason why so many cd's are compressed, they are recorded for cars and boomboxes, not good stereos. Compression robs music of dynamics which is what makes music thrilling.
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