File-based audio playback - compressed vs. uncompressed

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Originally Posted by AlexM

John,

I didn't rip to wav from the cd so I had to convert the flax to wav in order to do this test.

Alex

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First, oh yes you did assuming you are using Windows computer. ;)
Windows at default will only rip to WAV but I think I understand what you mean, you let the Flac compression run automatically.

If I wanted to carry out a meaningful comparison test between Flac and WAV then I would not want the WAV file to have undergone further processes, compression, decompression, before the comparison otherwise what I would have "tested" is just the ability of the decompresser to return the Flac file to a checksum identical WAV copy.

Given how we/you/us are listening for what are generally acknowledged as inaudible differences then any unnecessary processing of the WAV file renders the test invalid imo.

Just sayin mate, but no sweat if you're happy. :)

I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I have tried varying rips of WAV against the same in FLAC and have not been able to discern any difference between the two, so I'm sticking to FLAC. :)

Yay! Tim :)

Thought you had dropped off the edge of this flat planet we're on mate ;)
Dont spose you've got Mark (Reid) hid in yer skirts have you?

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Originally Posted by Welder

Dont spose you've got Mark (Reid) hid in yer skirts have you?

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Nope, not here .... I'll check behind the sofa and see if he's munching on my custard creams ;)

Had no tinternet due to a move John, it shows how much I depend on it really, as I have a pile of catching up to do now.

Oh,I see. I didn't know you had moved.
I hope it all went well.
Really good to see you back anyway. :)

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Originally Posted by Welder

First, oh yes you did assuming you are using Windows computer. ;)
Windows at default will only rip to WAV but I think I understand what you mean, you let the Flac compression run automatically.

If I wanted to carry out a meaningful comparison test between Flac and WAV then I would not want the WAV file to have undergone further processes, compression, decompression, before the comparison otherwise what I would have "tested" is just the ability of the decompresser to return the Flac file to a checksum identical WAV copy.

Given how we/you/us are listening for what are generally acknowledged as inaudible differences then any unnecessary processing of the WAV file renders the test invalid imo.

Just sayin mate, but no sweat if you're happy. :)

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John,

I take your point, but I think we agree that conversion before playback isn't the issue here as I agree that I could have just done a checksum and then called it a day. I was more interested in the possible effects of real time decompression of the flac stream on playback.

I confirmed that there was no audible difference, as have others, so all is well with the world.

Cheers,
Alex

FWIW I too have done a comparison with rips to FLAC and WAV from CD, and LP at 96/24.

Playing back from both a Squeezebox Transporter and a SB Receiver with a Metrum Octave DAC I couldn't tell them apart. So from my point of view, FLAC is just fine - especially given the tagging attributes of FLAC files.

How are you getting on with the dac Bob?

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Originally Posted by Ali Tait

How are you getting on with the dac Bob?

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Ah! I'm loving every moment. Higher, wider, deeper, clearer, and no doubt some more -er words I can't think of right now :eyebrows:.

I haven't got round to doing a head-to-head with my Transporter yet, as they're in different rooms, but I feel music is just that bit more involving with the Metrum. I'm going to be moving my living room rack at some point soon, so I'll probably move the Transporter out to my study (now the main "stereo" room) then and hook up both digital and analogue outputs so I can switch between them.

But, for me, the Metrum DAC is definitely a good piece of kit . . .:)

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Originally Posted by Welder

Oh,I see. I didn't know you had moved.
I hope it all went well.
Really good to see you back anyway. :)

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Yep, all went well John and I live a mile from work now, so walk everyday which is great. The place isn't as nice, but I had to move promptly as my landlady sold the last place 2 weeks after putting it on the market! Amazing really and she got the asking price of £250,000 too! There are still some folk with cash out there.....