Can mp3 quality be improved?
"bob" wrote in message
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On Dec 12, 11:07 pm, Audio Empire wrote:
They differ quite a bit when you DO conduct proper bias-controlled tests.
I
would know, having done so.
Our previous discussions of listening tests have revealed a that you
have at best an incomplete understanding of what "bias-controlled
test" means. Meanwhile, there have been numerous published reports of
well-documented such tests, and all have come to conclusions very
different from yours. They've found a few, easily explained
exceptions, but by and large humans can't distinguish between DACs
without their eyes.
This point needs to be underscored as many have been mislead to think that
there is some technical purpose to ultra-high-priced DACs.
If one compares the well-known thresholds of hearing for various technical
flaws to the measured performance of even inexpensive modern DACs, the
probability of audible flaws is put into a proper perspective.
At one time sonically-transparent DACs were *not* the rule. For example, the
DACs in the first generation CDP 101 could be detected by ear if one used
certain non-musical program material during the audition. With 90%+ of
commercial CDs, detection was very difficult or impossible. Even though
there were subtle differences, the lsight audible changes were not a
detraction from listening enjoyment. Thse are the result of
scientifically-conducted tests.
Audiophile lore is that the CDP 101 sounded *horrible*. I actually don't
necesarily doubt this characterization in every case as there is more to CD
player sound quality than just DAC quality. With the CDP 101, performance
with imperfect CDs (e.g. scratched) could include clearly audible flaws that
later technology overcame.
In 1983-85 the far more significant issue was serious mastering problems
that remain irritating characteristics of those specific discs to this day.
No DAC can *fix* a badly-made recording.
Fast forward to today, and one can find up to 6 sonically-transparent DACs
in SOC chips that sell for less than $15 along with a full-function computer
system.
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