Originally Posted by
Macca
I'm probably more of a wanky hi fi bollox type than you though
I've no problem with 24/96 becoming a standard for playback. It takes any argument beyond doubt, if nothing else. But it is still pointless for any recording not made at that resolution. For anything else if you have the CD you effectively have a copy of the master. Of course it might be a crappy master but that's a different story.
I hear ya.
Despite having different way's to do it I don't upsample digital in software for this very reason.
Having said that though, a 24bit relelease sounds better to these ears so I go with that, bearing in mind a lot of commercial recordings are downmixed to 16/44 for the distribution medium, but recorded in 24bit in the studio?
And this is where higher resolution at the recording stage makes sense to me...to capture as much of the performance at the time.
I spoke earlier about the early Ellingon recording being so musical, so the recording medium and techniques are potentially important, but there are albums that 'convey the message' just as well which were recorded on DAT, ADAT or even 4 track cassette?
It can just...depend.
Playing with Tidal and the 24bit MQA 'Master' versions of familiar albums, in hifi and musical intent terms they are just...'better'...so nowadays I dont sweat it and just enjoy the music.
Never black and white though, mastering is vital, though some of my favourite music is on 320k MP3, if theres a 24bit version of it I'll go with that as better.
I used to sweat this stuff, but I think digital bitdepth/samplerate isn't something to seriously hang your coat on?
It's just one of MANY aspects in the chain as to what hits your ears when you sit down to listen to your favourite music.
My ears my experience, anything over 24/96 (and certainly 384khz!) doesn't bring anything extra to the table and as Martin says, it can depend on how its recorded.
Personally I avoid upsampling at my side as I'd rather hear what the recording engineer put out.
CD Loudness wars/rack em up and make money notwithstanding, hearing your favourite album released in its NATIVE 24bit recording format and not downsampled, can truly be a real ear opener.
S'all good.
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