I did a compare with the Linn recording (requiring a reboot to 192kHz this time) and it's incomparably better than the mp3 from a sound quality perspective. I don't much like this cellist's heavy breathing and he's clearly not as good a player but the instrument sounds much more real.
My 1st system is a creative titanium HD which is PCM1794A and I have modified it with a variant of a battery powered Sen discrete I/V with balanced I/O (the loopback of which I posted earlier). This is connected to the tube amp I built which is pretty good above 1kHz but has a bit of mains hum below -90dB at low frequency. It's quiet if you put your ear right to the speakers though.
My 2nd system which I'm listening on now is another creative titanium HD which is unmodified so has a PCM1794A with an OP-AMP I/V and buffer. I'm using B&W C5 headphones with non standard rubber bits because I lost one yesterday and had to buy a replacement pair from a street vendor.
My 3rd system would be my mp3 player which is a colorfly c3, same headphones.
My 4th system would be my laptop which is reasonably OK. Not sure on the sound chip and same headphones.
The cello of the Linn recording sounds much more like a real thing than the one in the mp3 file.
Have you done the comparison yourself yet?
How have a couple of limited-experience participants with distinctly plebeian listening equipment have had their status elevated to the GEB such that their opinions are relied upon to influence the design and structure of comparative equipment testing?
Can we resume normal programming?
Can we resume normal programming?
Is that your opinion about the CD or some sales person's opinion?
So, I don't play a musical instrument and therefore do not play cello and don't really know how a cello ought to sound but it's easy for me to say comparing that mp3 with the Linn recording that the cello in the mp3 is softer and the sound of the bow on the strings is less well defined. I know what a hair looks like under a microscope - it has lots of little layered plates. In the Linn recording I can imagine the little plates on the hairs on the bow biting into the strings. In the mp3 I don't get that impression. The mp3 is softer and smoother and the sound is more like you are listening from further away in a concert hall rather than close up to the instrument.
Can you hear that?
I am specifically comparing with track 11 suite no 2 in D minor BWV 1008 - V Menuet 1 2 if that helps. Some of those tracks are better than others.
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Well, I have to sleep. It's funny to invite someone to do a fun test and then insult them when you don't get the answer you wanted.
I did say I was just a DIYer and interested in building better amplifiers.
I find the Linn recording much more involving than that mp3 snippet which is just smooth and bland.
I've been free with my opinion, what's yours?
There is no point. Curious as to how you feel insulted.
This thread has so lost its way I'm sure it will be closed soon.
This thread has so lost its way I'm sure it will be closed soon.
Hi sorry, i either don't agree on everything but still learned a lot and have fun. maybe 😴 on it.
DF, Conrad Hoffman and heb1001 were right. MP3 is MP3. But there's nothing wrong with using MP3 for blind test. We still be able to capture most information.
Cheers everyone, we should assume we don't know who the true gps are so we just accept all opinions 🙂
Cheers everyone, we should assume we don't know who the true gps are so we just accept all opinions 🙂
I've actually tested my ability to hear differences where both low level signals below my threshold and high frequency signals beyond my hearing abilities were mixed with music. Couldn't detect a bit of difference. If it's inaudible without music, it's just as inaudible with music. I'm such a happy pig in s*** not having to worry about such things.
I was thinking about this review that was posted and on my first reading, earlier, I thought it was glowing but I've. given it a bit more thought and now think I can interpret it for you: Yo Yo Ma's rendition of J.S. Bach's Six Unacompanied Cello Suites (CBS Masterworks M2K37867), captures the timbre and resonance of the cello [you can tell it's a cello]. It includes a multi-language booklet discussing what is known about the history of these early 18th century compositions. No other details about the recording are provided except that this two-CD set was digitally recorded[I have a word quota but not much to say about the music so I'll put in some waffle to fill space]. I have used this CD in several equipment reviews because of its good sound, detail, and ambiance[I need to say something good because I'm being paid for the review]. On a personal note, I have had the good fortune to have had my daughter grace my listening room with her cello, playing some of these same suites[I do actually know what a real cello sounds like]. Although a live rendition in one's listening room puts a hi-fi system in perspective [this recording doesn't sound like a real cello], this recording comes off pretty well in comparison [my daughter's live playing is better]
What a great review.
What a great review.
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