DVD Audio rip not as good as CD rip

Posted by: Kage on 20 June 2012

Can someone shed some light on why I am experiencing better sound with a CD rip vs a DVD-A rip?

 

I've downloaded the DVD-Audio Extrator and set about ripping a copy of The Beatles 'Love' album. The settings within the program were:

 

DVD source: [/dev/rdisk2] HL-DT-ST-DVDRW GA32N (KC08)

 

MLP (96kHz 24bit 6ch)

 

Output format: WAV--PCM Uncompressed Wave

 

Setting details

Sample rate: Same as input

Channels: Stereo

Bits per sample: 24 bits

 

In comparison the DVD rip compared to my CD rip loses some details. It sounds smoother and less 'hard' but misses clarity and effects that the CD rip has. Could this be due to the 6ch (5.1) compression down to stereo 2 channel? If so, there isn't a stereo version selectable within the program, but there is on the DVD.

 

Shall I assume that DVD-A discs are best left to be played by a dedicated DVD player that supports the DVD-A format?

 

Thanks

 

Kage

 

ND5 XS, NAIT XS, SYNOLOGY DS212J

Posted on: 20 June 2012 by Mr Underhill

K,

 

I certainly can't explain it, but I am not automatically surprised.

 

I have about 20 ripped DVD-A, including Love; I ripped it a few years ago and can't remember specifically which software I used.

 

I think the tracks sound good, but don't have the CD to compare.

 

My personal view is that HiRes != better all the time.

 

I have some HiRes that sound great, others that disappoint.

 

Last year Rush released a DVD-A of Moving Pictures, which also came with a CD.

 

I compared DVD-A (9624) to CD (1644.1) to LP rip (9624).

 

There were different aspects of all three that I liked, and no clear automatic winner.

 

My daughters preferred the CD. I preferred the LP rip - but the bass on the digital copies was better.

 

M

Posted on: 20 June 2012 by Kage

Thanks M

 

I've just ripped LA woman and it gave me the option to rip the 6ch version on the DVD or the 2ch version. I've gone for the 2ch. Updated the metadata and now ready to play. I'll let you know how it sounds. Although a direct comparison will be hard as the DVD-A's in the perception boxset were remixed.

 

Here goes... 

Posted on: 20 June 2012 by Kage

Yep. That sounds great. Different mixes but alot more open. Only problem is I can't get the Band name to show on the ND5 display. Instead it shows the title of the track twice? I use itunes to edit the data. Should I try something else?

 

Regarding the 'Love' album. I tried to see if I can find the 2ch option, but it wont give it to me. Why cant Extractor see the different option on the disc (PCM stereo, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1)?

 

Thanks

Posted on: 21 June 2012 by Foxman50

kage I use a free app called mp3tag to edit my flac data. Must be lots of free ones out there though

Posted on: 21 June 2012 by tonym

In my experience, ripping the multichannel tracks on DVD-As into two-channel is definitely not a good idea.

 

I've never understood why DVD Audio Extractor won't always identify the two-channel (or, in the case of the Pet Sounds DVD-A, the mono) track.

Posted on: 22 June 2012 by jonnaim
I have ripped the DVD audio of the Beatles Love from 6 to 2 channels it sounded fine to me through my ndx.
Posted on: 23 June 2012 by tonym

The standard CD sounds better though...