32 Bit Support

Posted by: Wazza69 on 25 January 2013

Hi,

 

I notice the spec for some of the Uniti products now mention 32 bit support. Is this a theoretical support or are their actually files at this bit level?

 

I just bought a UnitiQute this week and it says 24/192 on the box. Not sure if it supports 32 or not and if not, wether I should return it for a 32 bit version. Any ideas on how to tell? 

 

Thanks

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by Poggy
I also have a 24/192 version and my understanding was that all of that spec could play 32 bit files - mine appears to, as I tried a 32bit file on a stick. Have to say though, it was a sample file and I had difficulty finding that so I'm not treating that ability as anything to worry about for the short/medium term - after all, not even really that much 24/192 mainstream music out there.
Posted on: 25 January 2013 by Wazza69

Cool. Will get on enjoying my Qute!

Posted on: 26 January 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I wouldn't worry, 32 bit is completely inappropriate unless it's part of a signal being being digitally processed within a DSP function where arithmetic precision errors are to be reduced whilst processing the samples. As a sample dynamic range 32bit exceeds the range of electrical nervous system noise in your ear drum and brain  ( that hiss you hear in extremely quiet places) whilst standing next to the exit thrust of a jet engine. (which would destroy your hearing in an instant).

 

Real measures:

Perfect human hearing is generally considered to be able to detect 140dB of range in extreme circumstances.

24bit audio can theoretically provide 144dB of dynamic range but is usually slightly less through digital noise.

In the early 1980s through subjective assessment i think i am right in saying Ampex determined that 108dB range in a dithered digital signal was the point at which no noise could be heard by a person listening to a quiet passage of audio.. Ie the dither noise was below the perceived listenable dynamic range of a quiet musical passage.

 

 

Simon