[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Questions re 24 bit audio
Hello- I have recently found how to decode HDCD into 24 bit FLACs using dBpoweramp, and they sound very good, much better than the 16-bit, non decoded FLACs of the same CDs. Close to my SACDs, and I am done with that format, for reasons not worth getting into here. Based on this, I naturally want to get more 24-bit material. 96kHz is fine too, but 24 bits (20 really, for HDCD) made enough of a difference that 44.1/48/96 are all OK to me. Which leads to a few questions; any help appreciated: 1. Where can I get more 24 bit material? HDCDs, obviously. HDTracks downloads at 24/96, which I believe the Duet will downsample to 48 kHz using Sox, which would be transparent to me. Ripping DVD-A to FLAC is presumably the same in that regard. Are there other sources, especially for rock things not classical? I am confused by the various DVD standards, and do not want 5.1 surround. 2. SPDIF appears to be designed for 20 bit transmission, w/a non-standard 24 bit implementation (cf wikipedia). Should I care about this, or do all decent high end DACs (I run an external 24 bit DAC) accept some 24 bit non-standard (as in not IEC) standard here, and so it'll work fine? HDCD is only 20 bit anyway, so if the 4 LSB are being cut off I wouldn't know, whereas for real 24 bit material I presumably would. 3. If I got 24/192 material in FLAC, will the Duet downsample THAT to 48 kHz? Or will I have to find some other way to get that to my DAC? Any help appreciated, thanks! -- lork lork's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17438 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=68092 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] beginner audiophile setup?
You might consider headphones... especially as you say this is for mellow/bedroom listening. Before you blow this idea off, consider: 1) for the price of a still-low end (from an audiophile perspective) stereo you could get a very nice DAC with a headphone amp built in, or separates, plus great headphones. Total would be $700 - $1500 depending on what you got. 2) good headphones have much more bass feel than you'd ever expect, resolve as well as a very fine ( much more expensive) stereo system, and they don't bother anyone late at night and are easily portable if you move/want to take to the office/etc. The cost differential is also... very significant- like a factor of at least 5-10 for equivalent sound. You may not have ever heard what a good headphone rig can do (and no stores demo these, so you won't unless you find someone to let you listen to theirs)... it's well worth considering for a low-budget audiophile rig. Anyway, suggestions below if you want to follow this path. The DAC won't be a bad investment if you want to go higher end on your stereo either, though to realize the benefit of a $1k DAC you'll need a $4k (or more, probably) stereo unless you're very clever or luck out on the used lists. Enjoy. == Suggestions: Headphones: Look at AKG 701's, Sennheiser HD600 or 650's, or Grados. The AKGs and Sennheisers are more comfortable can be had new for ~ $250 on the internet. DACs: Look at the Benchmark DAC1 (you don't need the USB version with a Squeezebox), or the Lavry DA-10. Both these come with good headphone outs. I think Stello makes a separate DAC headphone amp that total about the same price- all $700 (used, check www.audiogon.com) or $1k-ish new. The Benchmark at least can be bought with a 30-day return policy/risk free demo, so it's, well, risk free. www.head-fi.org and www.headphone.com are good resources. headphone.com will let you buy (non-discounted) headphones return if you don't like them... so risk-free demos, a good thing since headphones are fairly personal regarding taste. head-fi has helpful boards and a used/for sale section, and www.audiogon.com can also be a good resource for that (stereo or headphones there). head-fi can link you into can-jam's, where people get together let each other listen to their headphone set-ups. A good way to check it all out if you're dubious, or if you want to get tips on how to set up a good (headphone) system. -- lork lork's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17438 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63242 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Timing Jitter question
Hello- A Slim Devices salesperson suggested I post this question, in hopes someone who knows ( has time- apparently their engineers are quite busy) can answer for all to read. The question is: does the Slimserver, or other Slim hardware/software, have a feedback chain from the hardware (that puts out the S/PDIF) to the server (which sends the music stream to the hardware)? Normal USB-DACs don't- they run asynchronously, with a PLL to keep the output bitrate at a speed that matches the incoming packet rate, so that the buffer never over- or under-runs. This results in timing jitter, as the PLL servos the output frequency back forth to accommodate the not-very-precisely-timed computer packets. It would appear that the Slim system could get around this, since they have their own hardware software. Hence there would be no real need for re-clocking equipment between the Slim device and your DAC, since the real culprit in timing jitter is that asynchronous feed PLL follower, not the inherent jitter on the oscillator (which is usually extremely low). Can anyone tell me if the Slim system works this way? If it does, I'll be in line with my $$ right away. I am particularly interested in the equipment other than the Transporter, since I already have an excellent DAC really just want a jitter-free S/PDIF output for it. Thanks to any who can post the answer (especially if it's Sean Adams, who the salesperson says reads this forum knows the answers)- Neil PS: if the answer is yes, Slim has hardware-to-software feedback so that they need no PLL, then you should put this in your product info/advertising- for audiophiles, it is a huge deal. If I knew this to be true, I'd already have ordered one (maybe more) be telling my friends. -- lork lork's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17438 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=47491 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Timing Jitter question
You are quite correct- I think the term I should have used was adaptive rather than asynchronous. Much appreciate both the very complete ( helpful) answer and also the lack of flaming over my ignorant/incorrect use of the term. Best- Neil -- lork lork's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17438 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=47491 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
