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Hi-Res Audio: On the Rise in 2014?

Posted March 07, 2014 12:01 PM by Engineering360 eNewsletter

Audiophiles won't argue that what we've gained in convenience and portability, we've lost in quality when it comes to digital music. But experts, from the CEO and president of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Gary Shapiro, to major manufacturers and even music legends, agree that high resolution audio (HRA) is on the rise. Hi-res audio typically has a sampling frequency of 96 kHz or 192 kHz at 24-bits, but 88.2 kHz and 176.4 kHz files exist, too. There are a number of HRA formats, each with pros and cons. Choices ultimately come down to compatibility with readily-available consumer products. With smartphone and music player manufacturers releasing HRA-compatible devices, higher quality audio could hit the mainstream this year.


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Guru
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#1

Re: Hi-Res Audio: On the Rise in 2014?

03/07/2014 6:39 PM

Just found a music server that will support that a few minutes ago called Bluesound Node

.

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Guru

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#2

Re: Hi-Res Audio: On the Rise in 2014?

03/08/2014 6:54 AM

To support my thesis that audiophily is the last refuge of the pseud, I offer the following:
Which would you buy for your hifi setup?
1. an cable with an IEC connector @ £1.58, or
2. "This premium screened mains power cable is ideal for use with Hi Fi and Audio Visual equipment in the home. Double screened cable with tinned cross hatch copper braiding laid over aluminium foil and poly-layering is fitted with an IEC C15 'Hot Condition' type connector. A high quality MK-646CHA 13 Amp plug is also fitted ensuring a secure connection." @ £34.38 (both taken from genuine advertising)

HRA is simply a digital dosh extractor (High-quality Robber of Account)

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Guru
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Hi-Res Audio: On the Rise in 2014?

03/08/2014 8:16 AM

Yes and no.

High resolution audio does not make sense if your playback chain does not support it.

I simply buy the CDs and rip those, which is unquestionably better audio than MP3.

As for audio cables and AC cables, well, ignorance is a powerful force when it comes to marketing acoustic snake oil.

However, not all high end products are snake oil. The problem is educating ones self to know what is and isn't. For many they rather simply throw money at the problem.

The blind test that showed that coat hangers soldered together were sonically indistinguishable from expensive Monster Cable stands as testament to the power of ignorance.

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Power-User

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#4

Re: Hi-Res Audio: On the Rise in 2014?

03/08/2014 11:28 AM

I used to be an early adopter of new audio techniques. The first thing I noticed was that DVD sound on movies were higher quality than the CD sound tracks of same movie. So I started buying a few of the 5.1 DVD Audio albums, and found them to be really superior to CD's (higher sampling rate, more linear filters).

Then Super Audio CD's hit the scene, with acclaims from conductors like Stokowski. I bought a SONY player and a few SACD disks. I was very disappointed with the bass response, and blamed the SONY player. So I replaced it with a Yamaha player; same issue! I went back to DVD audio, which is still the best recording technique for the average classically oriented listener. Now I am really too old to worry much about it, since my hearing has rolled way off. But I can still tell the difference between CD's and DVD Audio.

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