Based on sonics... which do you prefer ?

[Mooly]

Following on from my ultimate op-amp shootout, which you all seemed to enjoy, here is a little teaser for light relief. There is no right and wrong and answer, just have a listen to each clip and say which you prefer and why.

There are just two files, Ruby and Opal, each plays for around 80 seconds. These are the original files.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b216mtjkm621bka/Ruby.wav
https://www.dropbox.com/s/19yx47avl9pfzku/Opal.wav

Edit The following is a level matched file kindly provided by Pavel (PMA) for Opal. The full link reads Opal@Ruby so don't worry seeing ruby in the link.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtvr9nhpsudgke5/Opal@Ruby.wav

 

[PMA]

Hi Mooly,
good test

Here is my A-B-X result. Hope I am not asked to repeat it 16 times, it would be 100% then as well

foo_abx 1.3.4 report
foobar2000 v1.1.6
2013/11/19 13:05:10

File A: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Dokumenty\Hudba\Ruby.wav
File B: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Dokumenty\Hudba\Opal.wav

13:05:10 : Test started.
13:06:19 : 01/01 50.0%
13:06:48 : 02/02 25.0%
13:07:22 : 03/03 12.5%
13:07:57 : 04/04 6.3%
13:08:30 : 05/05 3.1%
13:09:03 : 06/06 1.6%
13:09:31 : Test finished.

----------
Total: 6/6 (1.6%)


P.S.: you must have a FM radio near when you are recording?
I have not voted which file I do prefer, I have just performed the strictly scientific A-B-X test

 

[PMA]

Richard,

I need your help here. I have no preference between these 2 files, but I have 100% success in ABX and I am sure I would have it even if ABX was repeated 20 times (boring and tiring, then). What does it mean, how do you translate the result? Like, YES, there is a difference? OK. But how much helpful is such information?

 

[Mooly]

Hi Mooly,
good test ............

Thanks

There was no FM radio or anything like that nearby (or even not nearby. I figured that this one might evade software analysis

 

[PMA]

Yes, I have made a software analysis AFTER I have finished my ABX test. I was curious what makes such a huge sound difference (I was really surprised how big the sound difference was). So I have made an analysis, but I am saying nothing else than that I found 19kHz pilot. 19kHz or 15.625kHz is quite usual and it indicates that immunity against RFI is not perfect. Unfortunately, you will find it at studio recordings as well and then, in studio record, it is IMO unacceptable.

I am not revealing more

 

[Mooly]

Yes, I have made a software analysis AFTER I have finished my ABX test. I was curious what makes such a huge sound difference (I was really surprised how big the sound difference was). So I have made an analysis, but I am saying nothing else than that I found 19kHz pilot. 19kHz or 15.625kHz is quite usual and it indicates that immunity against RFI is not perfect. Unfortunately, you will find it at studio recordings as well and then, in studio record, it is IMO unacceptable.

I am not revealing more

I'm not au fait with software analysis but I can well believe it shows as a huge difference. I'm no stranger to 15625hz line frequency (tv repair background).

Quote "I am not revealing more Go on, you know you want to

 

[PMA]

Oh no, listening shows more difference than software analysis, in this case.

 

[Mooly]

Do you want to change your vote

Our ears are good at spotting differences.

 

[PMA]

No, I do not want to change my vote. I am glad that I have found the difference with 100% success
Frankly, I did not like the sound.

 

[PMA]

New ABX, now with aligned files .... (more difficult to find a difference)

I believe even Jan Didden will find it as a statistically proven result

 

[PMA]

Mooly, you have to encourage others to vote . I have to leave now.

 

[Mooly]

Come on folks, we need your impressions on two audio clips. And for those of you that like looking at these in software... well go right on ahead

 

[chlorofille]

Opal - A little bit louder, more dynamic, richer with bloated bass. Huge differences between the two files.

 

[Mooly]

Thanks for voting. Yes there is a big difference between the files

 

[PMA]

I could provide you with a level matched file, if you are interested.

 

[Mooly]

I could provide you with a level matched file, if you are interested.

Thank you. Yes that would be great I'll add a note to the top of the thread.

 

[kgrlee]

I have no preference between these 2 files, but I have 100% success in ABX and I am sure I would have it even if ABX was repeated 20 times (boring and tiring, then). What does it mean, how do you translate the result? Like, YES, there is a difference? OK. But how much helpful is such information?

This is a perfectly valid & important result.

I have often had this from my true golden pinnae. The actual comments are usually valuable here.

The results to ignore are Chalk & Cheese comments from deaf Golden Pinnae that are inconsistent & unreliable.

 

[PMA]

Thank you.

 

[Mooly]

Pavel has very kindly produced a level matched file for "Opal" such that it is the same level as Ruby.

I'm going to put that file up as an alternative (but still leave the originals in place too).

It will just take a few minutes

And thanks again.

 

[PMA]

De nada, you are welcome