Just started getting into high resolution audio - Blu-ray Forum

BluLobsta · 01-29-2022, 04:49 PM

I recently moved into a new apartment which gave me the opportunity to use a spare bedroom as a den. That gave me the idea of also setting up a music server as long as the room will be for personal work and relaxation. In the course of my research, through natural progression of delving deeper, I discovered a better approach to music quality. Being 24/96 resolution and higher. It seems really cool since I've always loved music since I was barely able to walk.

So, I got to thinking more and it seems that I have been wasting the true potential of my Peachtree Nova that I purchased quite some time ago, ironically because one of the benefits was a USB input for computer audio. I had it hooked up as the main amplifier to drive the front speakers in my HT but not anymore. Now that I have my den, I can set up a music section as well as my computer.

I bought a new USB cable so it will be long enough and a pair of Sennheiser 560S headphones. The Peachtree has a great DAC and a tube in the headphone amp with a little window where you can see it glow

Of course, there is a major blizzard today, so I hope I get the chance to listen.

Weird, though, when I downloaded JRiver I already had Norah Jones in M4A 16/44 and 24/96. I noticed the 3K bitrate and was like what? That really surprised me. I must have downloaded it in the past when I had the same idea. Totally forgot about it. Oops. I downloaded Linda Ronstadt in 24/96 FLAC as a sample last weekend. I know, my music tastes have really changed as I get older. I saw Santana Abraxas at 24 bit/176 KHz wow! My next sample. I'm so happy I rediscovered my Peachtree.

BluLobsta · 01-29-2022, 05:48 PM

Just hooked it up. Unbelievable. You can hear the guttural tones in her voice when she screams during Hurt So Bad. Nice

What have I been missing?

BijouMan · 02-10-2022, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluLobsta

Just hooked it up. Unbelievable. You can hear the guttural tones in her voice when she screams during Hurt So Bad. Nice

What have I been missing?

You currently do not have a Super Audio CD/DVD-Audio player. You can find them pretty cheap on eBay. Make sure to get one that can supply audio from Super Audio CDs over HDMI. To check this, read the player model's manual before buying.

mabuk · 02-26-2023, 05:22 AM

I've purchased a few hi-res tracks and couldn't tell the difference. The 44KHz sample rate takes you to 22Khz, and to tell the difference between 16 bit and 24 bit is impossible for me, but apparently you can loop tiny segments and compare fade outs and noise floors if you crank the volume to unlistenable levels.

So, the good news is, you haven't missed out on anything! I think 24/44 takes you beyond childhood hearing. Then there's ambient noise, and speakers and headphones not being able to resolve CD levels of noise/distortion. The advantage might be that hi-res files are sometimes taken from better quality masters. Although, if you're using a tube amp then you won't be anywhere near resolving 16/44. Many prefer the tube harmonic distortions, and preference is all that matters at the end of the day.

A good website for gear reviews is Audio Science Review, he uses state of the art devices to take definitive measurements. You can now get audibly transparent dacs and headphone amps for $100 each that measure better than any headphone at any price, or combined amp/dacs for double. There's good/cheap stuff by Atom, smsl, schiit, topping, sabaj etc. More money just gets more power, mostly not needed. Worth a look, and happy listening: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...x.php?reviews/

(Here's a dac/amp: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...dac-amp.36850/

A Peachtree review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...plifier.22795/ )

01-29-2022, 04:49 PM	#1
BluLobsta Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Rhode Island Home Theater Gallery:86 4K collection:63 Blu-ray collection:401 Blu-ray reviews:2	Just started getting into high resolution audio I recently moved into a new apartment which gave me the opportunity to use a spare bedroom as a den. That gave me the idea of also setting up a music server as long as the room will be for personal work and relaxation. In the course of my research, through natural progression of delving deeper, I discovered a better approach to music quality. Being 24/96 resolution and higher. It seems really cool since I've always loved music since I was barely able to walk. So, I got to thinking more and it seems that I have been wasting the true potential of my Peachtree Nova that I purchased quite some time ago, ironically because one of the benefits was a USB input for computer audio. I had it hooked up as the main amplifier to drive the front speakers in my HT but not anymore. Now that I have my den, I can set up a music section as well as my computer. I bought a new USB cable so it will be long enough and a pair of Sennheiser 560S headphones. The Peachtree has a great DAC and a tube in the headphone amp with a little window where you can see it glow Of course, there is a major blizzard today, so I hope I get the chance to listen. Weird, though, when I downloaded JRiver I already had Norah Jones in M4A 16/44 and 24/96. I noticed the 3K bitrate and was like what? That really surprised me. I must have downloaded it in the past when I had the same idea. Totally forgot about it. Oops. I downloaded Linda Ronstadt in 24/96 FLAC as a sample last weekend. I know, my music tastes have really changed as I get older. I saw Santana Abraxas at 24 bit/176 KHz wow! My next sample. I'm so happy I rediscovered my Peachtree.

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01-29-2022, 05:48 PM	#2
BluLobsta Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Rhode Island Home Theater Gallery:86 4K collection:63 Blu-ray collection:401 Blu-ray reviews:2	Just hooked it up. *Unbelievable*. You can hear the guttural tones in her voice when she screams during Hurt So Bad. Nice What have I been missing?

02-26-2023, 05:22 AM	#4
mabuk Active Member Member since:Sep 2013	I've purchased a few hi-res tracks and couldn't tell the difference. The 44KHz sample rate takes you to 22Khz, and to tell the difference between 16 bit and 24 bit is impossible for me, but apparently you can loop tiny segments and compare fade outs and noise floors if you crank the volume to unlistenable levels. So, the good news is, you haven't missed out on anything! I think 24/44 takes you beyond childhood hearing. Then there's ambient noise, and speakers and headphones not being able to resolve CD levels of noise/distortion. The advantage might be that hi-res files are sometimes taken from better quality masters. Although, if you're using a tube amp then you won't be anywhere near resolving 16/44. Many prefer the tube harmonic distortions, and preference is all that matters at the end of the day. A good website for gear reviews is Audio Science Review, he uses state of the art devices to take definitive measurements. You can now get audibly transparent dacs and headphone amps for $100 each that measure better than any headphone at any price, or combined amp/dacs for double. There's good/cheap stuff by Atom, smsl, schiit, topping, sabaj etc. More money just gets more power, mostly not needed. Worth a look, and happy listening: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...x.php?reviews/ (Here's a dac/amp: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...dac-amp.36850/ A Peachtree review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...plifier.22795/ )

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