24/96 vs 24/192 Debate: Which Music To Test?
Posted by: nj451 on 28 July 2015
This may well be a dumb questions, since I can't find any previous threads on the subject, but now I've put together my Uniti2 and RP6 with Fono and a Synology NAS, the time has come for me to see if my old ears can tell the difference between the above sample rates.
So, which kind of music is the best way to tell the difference? I don't have any classical on vinyl and just one jazz LP: Kind of Blue (what else)!
I have several Stones, Doors & U2 LPs. In fact I have a lot of vinyl from the 60s & 70s, borrowed from my mother-in-law: Simon & Garfunkel, Procol Harum, The Who, David Bowie, Beatles, and so on.
If someone could give me some pointers, I'd really appreciate it.
Regards,
Neil
Personally I don't think you will be able to hear a difference with a uniti2 as source.
to test see if you can find something familiar with vocals in it from your digital vendor at both sample rates. Purchase. Place on separate memory sticks. Ask person to swap in/out source files. Have a guess in the hope of being lucky then admit defeat. Good luck!
Personally I don't think you will be able to hear a difference with a uniti2 as source.
to test see if you can find something familiar with vocals in it from your digital vendor at both sample rates. Purchase. Place on separate memory sticks. Ask person to swap in/out source files. Have a guess in the hope of being lucky then admit defeat. Good luck!
This is true in my case - I have a Uniti 2 and could not tell the difference between the above sample rates in all honesty. However, I suspect that even with top of the range Naim kit this test would defeat most people on this board - so it's not just down to the Uniti 2.
True, my 1st post was a little lazy, but I didn't want to get bogged down in a debate about what level of kit might bring dividends. I don't own it,that's for sure!
I would consider 24bit 44.1 worth it for some fave artists with a track record of attention to detail.
That's interesting- it hadn't occurred to me that it might be my kit rather than my ears that would be the reason I can't tell the difference.
Anyway, and to help others perhaps interested in this topic, I found a website...
http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html
...that has different sampling rates of the same tracks, including classical, so I'll give that a go and see what happens.
My secret weapon is the wife, as her hearing is amazing, so if she can't tell the difference, 24/48 or 24/96 it is lol
You would need music that was recorded and produced at 192kHz or better.
No analogue source would ever be capable of showing differences between 192kHz and 96kHz.
There are only a handfull of recordings that are recorded at 192 kHz or better and you would need to look for them at niche labels like the 2L.no mentioned above.
No regular commercial music will ever satisfy the requirements to show these differences.
Save your money stick to red book it's all a con 
Like mentioned before you will need source recordings on this level and they are rare as of yet, however I disagree with some of the sentiments, you will hear a difference. The already mentioned 2l label is a good source recent otger recordingas in 192. The new seasons Gideon Kremer, Ole Bull - Violin Concerto, but can't remember the artist anymore.
This may well be a dumb questions, since I can't find any previous threads on the subject, but now I've put together my Uniti2 and RP6 with Fono and a Synology NAS, the time has come for me to see if my old ears can tell the difference between the above sample rates.
So, which kind of music is the best way to tell the difference? I don't have any classical on vinyl and just one jazz LP: Kind of Blue (what else)!
I have several Stones, Doors & U2 LPs. In fact I have a lot of vinyl from the 60s & 70s, borrowed from my mother-in-law: Simon & Garfunkel, Procol Harum, The Who, David Bowie, Beatles, and so on.
If someone could give me some pointers, I'd really appreciate it.
Regards,
Neil
Unlike a lot of people on this site I am a great fan of 24bit music, I think it is far superior to 16bit and there are reasons for this. But to tell the difference between 24/96 and 24/192 is not gonna be easy because any differences could be swallowed up with differing recording qualities. Remember some LPs sound better than others for various reasons. But saying that some of my favourites are in 24/192.
So if I was you look to differences in 16 & 24bit files. You will have most success with classical recordings I think, some of the LSO Live recordings from B&W SoS are simply stunning and Harmonia Mundi is also a label producing beautiful recordings.
I have had less success with old analog recordings processed into 24bit, mainly from HDTracks it has to be said.
One of my favourite recordings though is the 24bit Peter Grimes recording by Decca (downloaded from Linn), with Britten conducting and Peter Pears singing Grimes. This recording is beautiful and stunning in its dynamics, especially when you realise it dates back to 1959!
Strange premise - I strongly believe that any worthwhile improvement will show up on the music you like - if it doesn't it's not worthwhile by definition. I am unfortunate in that I don't like classical, plinky plonky jazz (though I love late Miles Davis), and "sensitive" singer songwriters so I have a hard time of it at most hifi shows. Thankfully the Rega guy usually brings along some Grateful Dead. The problem is me, not the music.
I really don't give a rat's arse what my system sounds like playing music I don't like!
I'm a fan of 24 bit recordings where the production is of a suitably high standard but the quality of production really is the key. My very best 24/192 recording is beautifully produced and sounds awesome but others I can't tell apart from 24/96
For what it's worth Ryan Ulyate, who oversaw the Tom Petty HD remasters project, preferred 24/96 to 24/192 for the Tom Petty catalogue.
Strange premise - I strongly believe that any worthwhile improvement will show up on the music you like - if it doesn't it's not worthwhile by definition. I am unfortunate in that I don't like classical, plinky plonky jazz (though I love late Miles Davis), and "sensitive" singer songwriters so I have a hard time of it at most hifi shows. Thankfully the Rega guy usually brings along some Grateful Dead. The problem is me, not the music.
I really don't give a rat's arse what my system sounds like playing music I don't like!
Well said! As long as you enjoy The Dead then what more do you need? Dylan and The Foyd I suppose.
For what it's worth Ryan Ulyate, who oversaw the Tom Petty HD remasters project, preferred 24/96 to 24/192 for the Tom Petty catalogue.
Possibly the fact that the 192 files are twice the size of the 96 might have affected his decision. As I said before I think you would be pushed to tell the difference but saying that the few 24/192 recordings I have are all stunning.
Strange premise - I strongly believe that any worthwhile improvement will show up on the music you like - if it doesn't it's not worthwhile by definition. I am unfortunate in that I don't like classical, plinky plonky jazz (though I love late Miles Davis), and "sensitive" singer songwriters so I have a hard time of it at most hifi shows. Thankfully the Rega guy usually brings along some Grateful Dead. The problem is me, not the music.
I really don't give a rat's arse what my system sounds like playing music I don't like!
Long live The Dead, or what's left of them anyway.
I just recognised your little picture, I hadn't put 2 and 2 together before. I got the T-Shirt (a real beaut) in Moab, UT a couple of years ago and it's ma favourite. I do get some funny looks though, a big fellow with teddy bears on his T-Shirt!
For what it's worth Ryan Ulyate, who oversaw the Tom Petty HD remasters project, preferred 24/96 to 24/192 for the Tom Petty catalogue.
Possibly the fact that the 192 files are twice the size of the 96 might have affected his decision. As I said before I think you would be pushed to tell the difference but saying that the few 24/192 recordings I have are all stunning.
his preference was based on sound quality. IIRC he felt the 192 versions were too 'smooth' or words to that effect
For what it's worth Ryan Ulyate, who oversaw the Tom Petty HD remasters project, preferred 24/96 to 24/192 for the Tom Petty catalogue.
Possibly the fact that the 192 files are twice the size of the 96 might have affected his decision. As I said before I think you would be pushed to tell the difference but saying that the few 24/192 recordings I have are all stunning.
his preference was based on sound quality. IIRC he felt the 192 versions were too 'smooth' or words to that effect
I was being 'tongue in cheek' doncha know.
That's interesting- it hadn't occurred to me that it might be my kit rather than my ears that would be the reason I can't tell the difference.
Anyway, and to help others perhaps interested in this topic, I found a website...
http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html
...that has different sampling rates of the same tracks, including classical, so I'll give that a go and see what happens.
My secret weapon is the wife, as her hearing is amazing, so if she can't tell the difference, 24/48 or 24/96 it is lol
That's interesting- it hadn't occurred to me that it might be my kit rather than my ears that would be the reason I can't tell the difference.
Anyway, and to help others perhaps interested in this topic, I found a website...
http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html
...that has different sampling rates of the same tracks, including classical, so I'll give that a go and see what happens.
My secret weapon is the wife, as her hearing is amazing, so if she can't tell the difference, 24/48 or 24/96 it is lol
My pleasure, Destro! I downloaded the MAGNIFICAT FLAC 192 & 96 versions, and I could not tell the difference. Even the wife, with the best hearing I know couldn't tell the difference, so I shall be ripping my LPs in 24/96 format.
How interesting that there's an audible difference between 24/96 FLAC and DSD, but then again, that was some very nice kit that you had the chance to test! I've not jumped on the DSD bandwagon, as really to be honest, I don't have much interest in purchasing music online. Perhaps if the Uniti2 after an update can play I might get involved- doubt it though- I'm so happy with my ATCs and RP6 that I don't seem me changing that set up for many years.
Always enjoy the music, man...always!
Neil
If it's any help, I can't tell the difference between 24/192 and 24/96 on my SU. But I can tell the difference between these and lower res. Re the Britten Peter Grimes mentioned above. The (admittedly very good) analogue original may have been transferred to 192/24, but there isn't sufficient quality in the recording to differentiate between this and 96/24 - perhaps just enough to prefer it to 44/16. You really do need a digital 192/24 original to perform meaningful tests.