As an audiophile, I was sold on EAC because it could create a bit for bit perfect copy of what was embedded on a CD. Likewise, I've been told that FLAC is a benign compression scheme because when decoded it yields a perfect bit for bit copy of the original. But what about Slimserver? In playing these digital files does it deliver a perfect bit for bit copy of the digital file or does it alter the bits before delivering the file to the DAC? I recently read a article in Positive Feedback online which raised concerns that not all digital playback software is created equal, and that certain programs such as Foobar alter the bits as the digital file is played through them, thereby degrading its sound. Specifially, Issue 41 online asked this question of a number of digital hardware and software designers, and I will quote the answer of Vincent Sanders of VRS Audio Solutions:
" Question: With regards to software there are also strong opinions as to some being vastly superior (or for that matter, inferior) to others; people clearly hear differences in how files are being played back and therefore prefer one over the others. There is also a growing opinion that Pro software is the only way to go and that using iTunes, WMP, MAX, or other free software playback programs (FooBar, JRiver, MAX, etc.) is not the way to go. That is, these are sonically and musically inferior to the Pro software because the Pro software (say for example Amarra, Izotpe, etc.) is simply "better" at playing back music files. What is your opinion on what is going on here? That is, why would any of these programs be superioror for that matter, inferiorto another with respect to say a .wav file in any resolution: 16/44.1, 24/96, or 24/192? Is it a matter of timing and jitter? Issues with the operating software and processing? The fact that some software runs "cleaner" than othersthat there is nothing running in the background to muck things up? Or as some suggest that the "math" is simply better in some software than in others?" " Answer: There are major difference in sound quality between audio players. We began to hear this difference five years ago, and began research to find out why, and to see if we could find a product that could do better. We found that it was about the math. Professional editing and playback software uses less math, and the math that they do perform is more accurate than what is being used in consumer media players. Most consumer player softwares were developed by mating a bunch of software modules together. For instance, the volume function is likely from a third party module, as is the sample rate converter, the cross-fade function, the track position function. The audio data passes through each of these modules as it's played (whether it's engaged or not in many cases). Passing the data through is itself a mathematical transform. In pro audio software, there are less of these steps, so the musical data comes through more accurately. Also, in quality pro software the mathematics for each of these transforms is much more accurateit is calculated to more significant digits and less rounding of results. The combination of inaccurate math magnified by many transforms can audibly affect the musical data." Slim Server obviously appears to have a number of the kind of modules Sanders talks about (eg Cross Fade, digital volume control, track positon, etc) so this raises the question. Is Slim Server capable of delivering a perfect bit for bit copy of the original recording which we take such pains to preserve through EAC and Flac, or does it alter and degrade the sound, and if so, can anything be done about it? Is there another program which can be used to play the Squeezebox, setting which will disable the potentially degredation cause by some of these modules. What's the thinking on this issue? -- Phoenix ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Phoenix's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=30484 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63646
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