File-based audio playback - compressed vs. uncompressed

[AlexM]

Thank you for taking the initiative Alex, hopefully this will confine the debate rather than continue random asides, and facilitate reasonable and productive discussion.
OK, perhaps a little too optimistic....
Ah, I see, perhaps not...

Whereas I agree with the article which is logically examined, I have trouble with where precisely timing comes into the process?

Bob,

I think the answer is different based on whether the the source device is producing a bit stream or using a packet-based interface, whether the DAC is buffering internally or not, and how/where the data is clocked out to the DAC, i.e. where does the data become synchronous.

Alex

[bobbasrah]

Since the decoding takes place in your computer, have you considered that to be the source of the problem?

Good grief Stan..... READ MY POST PROPERLY
For several hours, we tried, converting other albums and tracks, changing DACs, and even setting up his laptop to see if it was machine related, all to no avail

It was not my inadequate computer, and not my inadequate system.
Are you going to blame my ears next or the musician being tone deaf?

[StanleyB]

Good grief Stan..... READ MY POST PROPERLY
For several hours, we tried, converting other albums and tracks, changing DACs, and even setting up his laptop to see if it was machine related, all to no avail

It was not my inadequate computer, and not my inadequate system.
Are you going to blame my ears next or the musician being tone deaf?

Have you considered fatigue? If after trying for several hours, tiredness can creep in and play funny things on the mind. One's ears also becomes less sensitive over time if you listen to music constantly in a session.

[bobbasrah]

Bob,

I think the answer is different based on whether the the source device is producing a bit stream or using a packet-based interface, whether the DAC is buffering internally or not, and how/where the data is clocked out to the DAC, i.e. where does the data become synchronous.

Alex

Ok Alex, so with async DAC the timing control is from the DAC, that I understood, but does that mean that the data transfer method is changed from that which would apply say for a drive?
Sorry if that sounds a bit thick

[StanleyB]

I think the answer is different based on whether the the source device is producing a bit stream or using a packet-based interface, whether the DAC is buffering internally or not, and how/where the data is clocked out to the DAC, i.e. where does the data become synchronous.

I am not quite clear where a DAC comes into this, or why you jumped straight at it. What about the interconnecting cables? Maybe that some are more susceptible to sound variations when fed with FLAC or WAV?

[bobbasrah]

Have you considered fatigue? If after trying for several hours, tiredness can creep in and play funny things on the mind. One's ears also becomes less sensitive over time if you listen to music constantly in a session.

The tests were conducted fresh on weekends so even the Tsoika and beer could not have had an influence the experiment at the time. Later, both flowed, but the test was over....HIC
It was raining on both occasions too.... Could that have had an impact do you suppose?

[Rare Bird]

As i stand now i can hear a difference between the original & FLAC burn, with the streamer i use now i'm happy at that & have no desire to try others (less potential headaches) .I did however try different encoding levels when ripping, i couldnt detect any difference so chose to keep the Default level...

[StanleyB]

It was raining on both occasions too.... Could that have had an impact do you suppose?

It's funny that you mention this. I have long held the believe that differences in the atmospheric pressure can have an effect on the sound reproduced by a set of speakers. I also think that water droplets in the air can affect the sound at various frequencies. This is not as far fetched as it sounds, considering the speed of sound in water is different to the speed of sound in free air.

[Rare Bird]

Funny you say that Stan i find listerning to headphones in the snow makes them sound eerily different

[StanleyB]

You should try sleet. Nasty listening experience mate.