It will impress no-one that is the Diamond Wharfedale IV with a LM386 amplifier in mono. I can hear the difference. Also, over the ear headphones off the Samsung A53 mobile phone, or connected directly to the EZcap toy.
Even on a low end system I can hear differences. Most albums on You Tube are vinyl versions.
I never expected to hear what I am hearing.
Even on a low end system I can hear differences. Most albums on You Tube are vinyl versions.
I never expected to hear what I am hearing.
What headphones? What computer?
You probably need better headphones, a better DAC, and a better headphone amp. There is more to this stuff sounding decent than frequency response and THD+N.
Most of what you are hearing is likely to be artifacts of the equipment, not the recordings.
It's easy to hear differences, but not so easy to properly attribute them.
A high resolution system is necessary to hear component and recording differences reliably.
In test and measurement, the test equipment must be five to ten times "better" than the DUT.
Would you try to measure 1V with a meter having an accuracy of +/- 1V?
It's easy to hear differences, but not so easy to properly attribute them.
A high resolution system is necessary to hear component and recording differences reliably.
In test and measurement, the test equipment must be five to ten times "better" than the DUT.
Would you try to measure 1V with a meter having an accuracy of +/- 1V?
CDs could sound much better on better equipment, so could records. I will be listening to better equipment at first opportunity, let's see.
Whatever the equipment, it is making vinyl sound better and CDs sound worse. MP3s as well, but I think we can rule those out.
In any case, I have to decide if I am to buy a CD player or a turntable and associated hardware.
Whatever the equipment, it is making vinyl sound better and CDs sound worse. MP3s as well, but I think we can rule those out.
In any case, I have to decide if I am to buy a CD player or a turntable and associated hardware.
Unless you already have an LP collection, or can buy LPs at low cost, a CD player now makes more sense than a turntable.
Of course, you can have both. Libraries often have many CDs available to check out, for free, which you can copy.
However, streaming is the easiest and cheapest source at this point in time, and has by far the largest selection.
Sound quality must always take second place to music.
Of course, you can have both. Libraries often have many CDs available to check out, for free, which you can copy.
However, streaming is the easiest and cheapest source at this point in time, and has by far the largest selection.
Sound quality must always take second place to music.
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RIP CDs or copy the .wav files over? Does the computer hardware make a difference in this case since there is no AD conversion involved?
Audacity has no capacity to convert to DSD 256, searching for something that does.
CDs don't contain wav files. You need an extractor program (aka ripper). A good one is Exact Audio Copy: https://www.exactaudiocopy.de/en/index.php/resources/download/
A freeware program that convert PCM files to DSD256 files is available at: https://pcmdsd.com/Software/PCM-DSD_Converter_en.html
A freeware audio file player program that can play DSD or PCM files via WASAPI Exclusive Mode is available at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/playpcmwin/files/
There are also real-time PCM->DSD256 conversion programs such as HQ Player. However those are usually not freeware.
A freeware program that convert PCM files to DSD256 files is available at: https://pcmdsd.com/Software/PCM-DSD_Converter_en.html
A freeware audio file player program that can play DSD or PCM files via WASAPI Exclusive Mode is available at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/playpcmwin/files/
There are also real-time PCM->DSD256 conversion programs such as HQ Player. However those are usually not freeware.
Remember to search for "Victor" turntables and not just "JVC". The bargain of the bunch is the JL-B37R - same motor as the TT-81 with simpler/more reliable electronics and great tonearm, usually available on Yahoo! Japan for around US$120.
Otherwise get a Technics SL-5, SL-Q5, SL-6 or SL-Q6 - good, reliable, compact, fuss-free and stylish turntables, pay US$30-50 + freight. I buy them from Japan and service/modify them. I got a NOS/NIB SL-Q6 with (also NOS) P30 cartridge/stylus installed, for about US$120.
Cheers,
Mike
Then linux has a built-in extractor. IIRC they are CDDA files in reality.
If only linux could do the same trick with SACD files...
If only linux could do the same trick with SACD files...
I think I need to describe my playback chain:
Audio CD > copy .wav files to computer > copy .wav files to SD Card on smartphone Galaxy A20S > Musicolet music player > EQ > BT 4.0 > BT Receiver > LM386 amplifier > Wharfedale Diamond IV in series (mono)
Not sounding good
Vinyl rips on YouTube/USB Turntable mp3 > normalize > convert to .wav> copy .wav files to SD Card on smartphone Galaxy A20S > Musicolet music player > EQ > BT 4.0 > BT Receiver > LM386 amplifier > Wharfedale Diamond IV in series (mono)
Sounds very nice
It is not the digital format itself, but the source recording, and the stuff that comes on a CD does not sound good to me, however it could be my equipment.
Could it be that the dynamic range of the CD recording is causing distortion?
Is there any way to make CDs sound line vinyl? Reducing the output on high frequencies helps, but not perfect.
Update: Here are my EQ settings (Audacious) for a smoother, less harsh, 90% vinyl sound. (As I hear it on my headphones). I will have to EQ everything.
The 'problem' occurs on the loud sections of the music (Sade - Is it a Crime?).
Audio CD > copy .wav files to computer > copy .wav files to SD Card on smartphone Galaxy A20S > Musicolet music player > EQ > BT 4.0 > BT Receiver > LM386 amplifier > Wharfedale Diamond IV in series (mono)
Not sounding good
Vinyl rips on YouTube/USB Turntable mp3 > normalize > convert to .wav> copy .wav files to SD Card on smartphone Galaxy A20S > Musicolet music player > EQ > BT 4.0 > BT Receiver > LM386 amplifier > Wharfedale Diamond IV in series (mono)
Sounds very nice
It is not the digital format itself, but the source recording, and the stuff that comes on a CD does not sound good to me, however it could be my equipment.
Could it be that the dynamic range of the CD recording is causing distortion?
Is there any way to make CDs sound line vinyl? Reducing the output on high frequencies helps, but not perfect.
Update: Here are my EQ settings (Audacious) for a smoother, less harsh, 90% vinyl sound. (As I hear it on my headphones). I will have to EQ everything.
The 'problem' occurs on the loud sections of the music (Sade - Is it a Crime?).
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IIRC Bluetooth audio uses lossy compression. No wonder it doesn't sound good.
Mp3 is also lossy compressed, although mp3 at 256kbps can be sorta close to CD, but not quite. In some cases high bitrate mp3 can sound subjectively better than CD because the way it works is to throw away information not deemed essential to the basic music. That means it can sometimes throw away distortion and noise. The right way to do it is not to produce distortion and noise in the reproduction system to begin with.
The stuff on a CD can be astonishingly good. People can't believe they are listening to CD on my system instead of hi-res. Stop turning CD into garbage, would be the first step.
Part of it is most likely your equipment, and part of it is that you don't know what you're doing.
Get rid of the BT. Its for convenience, not for good SQ.
Mp3 is also lossy compressed, although mp3 at 256kbps can be sorta close to CD, but not quite. In some cases high bitrate mp3 can sound subjectively better than CD because the way it works is to throw away information not deemed essential to the basic music. That means it can sometimes throw away distortion and noise. The right way to do it is not to produce distortion and noise in the reproduction system to begin with.
The stuff on a CD can be astonishingly good. People can't believe they are listening to CD on my system instead of hi-res. Stop turning CD into garbage, would be the first step.
Part of it is most likely your equipment, and part of it is that you don't know what you're doing.
Get rid of the BT. Its for convenience, not for good SQ.
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CD is possible my most used option, wide open and spacious. with a GOOD player or transport and DAC I like no sharp edges accompanied by tons of detail and sound stage.
Vinyl rig consists of a TD160 for now.
I may try a switch to a W4S mDAC. With 00s totl Pioneer elite DV59avi SACD. Pioneer and Marantz are my go tos for CD spinning.
A good DAC and transport can make all the difference in the world in an upgrade.
Do check out wyred 4 sound, they pack humungous sound and options + DAC and sq into a DAC for not a whole lot on the spending end M-DAC Audionote is another sound option for around 1k. Again most of the usable connections plus , plus. The styling makes them look more expensive. For sound, its also there.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/spdif-dac-reviews/audiolab-m-dac/
If not for them it would be something in PS audio. Very respectable in digital land.
I never got out of the other, the two tended to merge into a good marriage.
Guys here build terrific DACs also, there are lots of kit options as well.
What kind of choices are you putting around?
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Well, my post #2 doesn't exist...ah ah!
But I Remember vaguely that my assertion was something like: Vynil and digital are two separate worlds, don't mix 'em.
The following Is absurd and truculent, as usual...
I mean, since early Eighties of the past century....40 years had passed and the perfect media had surpassed the old, it's called obsolescence, and It seems that we are Stuck in that era, I mean, it's a static time where nothing happens ...
A system I liked a lot consisted of 1977 Pioneer SX750 with a current DAC at the time, matrix and some others, I would play them plugged in aux. That might be apples to oranges comparing. I had an analog Pioneer record player of the same era, 77', in the phono.
It sounded to me like having the best of both worlds at the time (fivish years ago?).
It sounded to me like having the best of both worlds at the time (fivish years ago?).
Maybe I should listen to some of the free hi res tracks that are out there.
https://helpguide.sony.net/high-res/sample1/v1/en/index.html
Too bad I need to upgrade my equipment, you know true audiophiles never upgrade their equipment, they always have the best! 🙂
They hate to buy new stuff also.
This will be not enjoyable at all.😉
EDIT: The Hi-Res linked above is much better. I have some music to listen to while I upgrade, first HiFi showroom I find.
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An up to date DAC will enhance the CD's resolution. But well trained ears should be able to differentiate true HD and CD, and even SACD. Granted there are digital setups that can keep you guessing $0.02.
I can't follow what you're saying about CD. Post 179: "I listened on my computer with headphones, and again these sounded harsh, metallic at the high end, almost giving me a headache."
I assume this means direct playback of a CD placed in an optical drive. Anything else (ripped files, etc.) is not CD playback.
To go directly to the point, with no mention of the hardware, the main suspect here is the PC. They have to be optimized, often with external devices, to eliminate noise and provide the best conditions for high quality audio. And all software settings must be appropriate. Easiest alternative: use a CD player directly connected to an audio system.
RIAA equalization: has no purpose for CDs. It's for phono recording and playback. Applying an RIAA playback curve to CD will not give vinyl-like sound. Also, it's not normally a goal to try and get CDs to sound like vinyl in the first place. Again, easy alternative: listen to vinyl.
If I think about all the ground you've covered in this and a couple of other threads, you seem to be doing things the hard way, while also questioning or overthinking the formats themselves. They're both quite capable of reproducing music, and doing it well.
If you want to play CDs on a computer and improve on what you hear now, you could probably get the advice you need right in this forum (and the overall topic is computer-based audio, because it's the computer that's causing the issues). You'd have to reveal your hardware, software, settings, and anything else that might affect the outcome.
If you want to play CDs on a CD player, you can get advice on that.
If you want to listen to vinyl, you can get advice on that.
They're really quite separate topics though.
I assume this means direct playback of a CD placed in an optical drive. Anything else (ripped files, etc.) is not CD playback.
To go directly to the point, with no mention of the hardware, the main suspect here is the PC. They have to be optimized, often with external devices, to eliminate noise and provide the best conditions for high quality audio. And all software settings must be appropriate. Easiest alternative: use a CD player directly connected to an audio system.
RIAA equalization: has no purpose for CDs. It's for phono recording and playback. Applying an RIAA playback curve to CD will not give vinyl-like sound. Also, it's not normally a goal to try and get CDs to sound like vinyl in the first place. Again, easy alternative: listen to vinyl.
If I think about all the ground you've covered in this and a couple of other threads, you seem to be doing things the hard way, while also questioning or overthinking the formats themselves. They're both quite capable of reproducing music, and doing it well.
If you want to play CDs on a computer and improve on what you hear now, you could probably get the advice you need right in this forum (and the overall topic is computer-based audio, because it's the computer that's causing the issues). You'd have to reveal your hardware, software, settings, and anything else that might affect the outcome.
If you want to play CDs on a CD player, you can get advice on that.
If you want to listen to vinyl, you can get advice on that.
They're really quite separate topics though.
Try with different headphones first.
Even those will change the sound.
Enough brands and their followers out there to keep your mind occupied.
You can start another thread about those.
You seem OCD about the equipment, I would focus on the music, keeping in mind that most amps and speakers have a sweet spot for sound levels, a 100 Watts set run at 1 Watt may not be as clear and detailed as when running at 30 Watts, and you may disturb the neighbors at that level.
Even those will change the sound.
Enough brands and their followers out there to keep your mind occupied.
You can start another thread about those.
You seem OCD about the equipment, I would focus on the music, keeping in mind that most amps and speakers have a sweet spot for sound levels, a 100 Watts set run at 1 Watt may not be as clear and detailed as when running at 30 Watts, and you may disturb the neighbors at that level.
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