khz question

[DutchBoy]

The way I have my setup right now is as a 3.1 system. My rears aren't set up yet (in an apt.) because of wall/distance issues, though I think I've found a way around that. Not your typical setup, but it should work. I digress...

Since I don't have all 5.1 set up, a lot of times when I'm using my receiver for audio I'll just use PCM (even though it's 2-channel) for obvious reasons, I guess. No need for discrete rear sound without speakers...

I typically use the PS3 settings given for that -- I think it automatically defaults to 2-channel, 48 khz unless I'm bad wrong.

I managed to snag a copy of my receiver manual from the web (it's a Pioneer, about 5-6 years old, I guess, if not older) to find its specs, and it will do PCM at 96khz as well.

Simple question: Will I notice any difference using 96 instead of 48 khz?

[Mr3dfx]

Well that depends on some variables;
1)speakers, weither it's even worth trying to send a 96k signal or not
2)Signal being sent to reciever, if it's not a true 96k signal then you can not get a "magical" 96k your stuck at your source material (44,48,96)
3)Your own ears, some people have more atenuated ears than others, or over time you can train to hear the difference, but what sounds good to some sounds grotesque to others, For me I used to tout Bose as aweseome untill I got educated... but remember you can not get prestine sound out of your basic HTIB speakers...don't get me wrong some sound good, just not WOW...

So, what speakers are you using and what is the source material? oh and reciever?

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by Mr3dfx

Well that depends on some variables;
1)speakers, weither it's even worth trying to send a 96k signal or not
2)Signal being sent to reciever, if it's not a true 96k signal then you can not get a "magical" 96k your stuck at your source material (44,48,96)
3)Your own ears, some people have more atenuated ears than others, or over time you can train to hear the difference, but what sounds good to some sounds grotesque to others, For me I used to tout Bose as aweseome untill I got educated... but remember you can not get prestine sound out of your basic HTIB speakers...don't get me wrong some sound good, just not WOW...

So, what speakers are you using and what is the source material? oh and reciever?

Well, the speakers are probably the weakest link. I've always been ok with them, but that's probably because I don't know any better. But they are HiTB speakers; they're Aiwa's (8 ohm, 150). I plan on upgrading my speakers around the holidays this year, and then the last link of my simple, yet satisfying, Home Theater system should be done.

As for the source, we're talking blu rays here, playing on my PS3. So the tracks would be the uncompressed PCM 5.1 codecs on the discs. The receiver is an old Pioneer VSX-D411. It'll do DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1. It'll do PCM 5.1 as well (it has the inputs) up to 96khz.

[Mr3dfx]

ok, so...I was looking at your manual...under your sound setting in the ps3 do you have 5.1 96 selected? Also I don't think at this time setting to 96, would make that much of a difference on your speakers. But check the output settings and unselect everyting except the 5.1 96 option and playback a movie, no sound means no go on that setting, that's where I would start.

[DutchBoy]

Well, I use an optical cable for sound right now, so I wouldn't get 5.1 lossless anyways, it's always going to be 2 channel PCM. Unless I'm bad wrong, 5.1 isn't even an option under optical...couldn't do it if I wanted to.

I just wondered if choosing 2 channel (96khz) instead of 2 channel (48khz) would make any difference sound-wise.

You're right, on my speakers it probably won't, but I figured what the heck...I'd ask just for curiosity's sake.

[Mr3dfx]

Well the cap on optical is 1.5Mbs so therotically you could do DTS core of the lossless, but then again you don't have 5.1 hooked up either. But yea what the heck select 2channel 96,, the worst that would happen is no sound would come out...but just to be safe turn down the speakers before trying it. and who knows you might notice a difference in clarity. -off to class now.

[NockNock]

so im curious what would happen if you used the wrong Khz, and what is the best

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by NockNock

so im curious what would happen if you used the wrong Khz, and what is the best

Unless I'm bad wrong, using a higher one than you can will cause speaker damage.

[dobyblue]

With most systems if you're using a higher sampling rate than the system is capable of it will only recognize the one it can handle.

For instance, if you have a 24/96 PCM track and your receiver can only handle 24/48, it will only read 24/48.

With dts if you have 24/96, the "96" part is an extension on the 24/48 core, so if there's no 24/96 decoder it will only read the 24/48 core.

If you're selecting that your output is capable of "96" and you take a 48kHz source, it's not going to upsample it to 96kHz. The only upsampling it does with audio is for CD, which would be 88.2kHz or 176.4kHz. If your receiver can't handle it you'll either get no sound or it will read 88.2 instead of 176.4

You're not going to damage anything.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

With most systems if you're using a higher sampling rate than the system is capable of it will only recognize the one it can handle.

For instance, if you have a 24/96 PCM track and your receiver can only handle 24/48, it will only read 24/48.

With dts if you have 24/96, the "96" part is an extension on the 24/48 core, so if there's no 24/96 decoder it will only read the 24/48 core.

If you're selecting that your output is capable of "96" and you take a 48kHz source, it's not going to upsample it to 96kHz. The only upsampling it does with audio is for CD, which would be 88.2kHz or 176.4kHz. If your receiver can't handle it you'll either get no sound or it will read 88.2 instead of 176.4

You're not going to damage anything.

Okey doke, I took the little blurb on my PS3 that said "selecting incorrect khz ... may cause damage to your speakers" to mean that it could do so...

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

Okey doke, I took the little blurb on my PS3 that said "selecting incorrect khz ... may cause damage to your speakers" to mean that it could do so...

Not likely at all; they're just covering their asses so that if some freak accident happened they have an out.

It has to get to the receiver before it gets to the speakers. I can't think of any reason why selecting the wrong output would cause any sound that can't be generated by a recording artist in this day and age.