How to listen to high-end PCM reissues?

CrabbMan · 11-04-2011, 07:01 PM

So say I purchased the 24/96 wav versions of the reissue. What are some of the ways that I could actually take advantage of this higher quality?

Could I just plug headphones into my computer's 3.5mm jack? Does a typical soundcard's DAC decode that signal, or would it be downsampled, etc before leaving the computer? Are there affordable soundcards that would do this?

I have read something about this being the sampling and dynamic range of DVD-audio. Could I burn an audio-DVD of this and play it from my blu-ray? It would go blu-ray to TV via HDMI, and TV to stereo receiver via TOSLINK. Would it be downconverted in the process?

And if my current equipment isn't up to the task, what's the cheapest solution? And yes, I understand that the cheapest solution to high-end audio problem might not be cheap.

supermaid · 11-04-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabbMan

So say I purchased the 24/96 wav versions of the reissue. What are some of the ways that I could actually take advantage of this higher quality?

take it apart

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabbMan

Could I just plug headphones into my computer's 3.5mm jack? Does a typical soundcard's DAC decode that signal, or would it be downsampled, etc before leaving the computer?

i think you have to take it apart

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabbMan

I have read something about this being the sampling and dynamic range of DVD-audio. Could I burn an audio-DVD of this and play it from my blu-ray? It would go blu-ray to TV via HDMI, and TV to stereo receiver via TOSLINK. Would it be downconverted in the process?

i am sure that you have to take it apart

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabbMan

And if my current equipment isn't up to the task, what's the cheapest solution?

set it on fire

Shallowed · 11-04-2011, 08:00 PM

Possibly could use an audio interface with a digital out?

CrabbMan · 11-04-2011, 08:33 PM

Any suggestions as what the digital out should plug into? my headphones don't accept digital out. My receiver accepts TOSLINK and also can interpret DTS from the proper DVD player.

T&T · 11-04-2011, 09:01 PM

you should be able to burn dvd audio for your DVD/blue ray player and listen to it that way.

at some point you'll have to convert the digital signal to analog, whether your DVD/blueray player or receiver does that better then your computer's soundcard is for you to see.

I've got a Bryston DAC that I use for converting on playback. it sounds better then my motu soundcards that also support 2496. yet my soundblaster X-fi does a better job then my DVD player (that has been collecting dust for a few years). YMMV

redbull · 11-05-2011, 02:36 AM

the easiest way to do this is probably to burn a dvd-a disc

Shallowed · 11-05-2011, 05:20 AM

Why don't they ******* these hi-fi versions on a DVD if they expect everyone that's downloading them to just burn them to a DVD?

T&T · 11-05-2011, 05:25 AM

I'll be playing them from a PC. after I download them.

brendo_91 · 11-05-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta of Muppet

Why don't they ******* these hi-fi versions on a DVD if they expect everyone that's downloading them to just burn them to a DVD?

i think the expectation is that people who are downloading these files know what the fuck they are and what the hell ass shit to do with them.

darcy666 · 11-05-2011, 10:32 AM

I was simply going to listen to the WAV files via good quality headphones on my Cowon mp3 player.

Pizza Club · 11-05-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabbMan

My receiver accepts TOSLINK

This would work too

soniclovenoize · 11-05-2011, 11:58 AM

Encode them to 128kps mp3s, listen through iPod.

Ihaguitar · 11-05-2011, 05:22 PM

Play it through a digital output on your hifi grade soundcard into a top of the range DAC. Make sure you are using a very quiet computer (no noisy fans thankyou). Enjoy.

Alternatively, ask brendo91.

brendo_91 · 11-05-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ihaguitar

Alternatively, ask brendo91.

this is your safest option

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ihaguitar

Play it through a digital output on your hifi grade soundcard into a top of the range DAC. Make sure you are using a very quiet computer (no noisy fans thankyou). Enjoy.

this will work also.

see, the thing is, 24/96 wav is not a 'consumer' format so it's naturally going to be a bit of a pain for people who aren't set up for it.

essentially you need to work out which of your devices has the best sounding digital to analog conversion, and then somehow hook some headphones or speakers into it. and you know what? that's going to just have to be trial and error.

MstrGhost · 11-05-2011, 06:54 PM

Well, the format went to betamaxland land, but 96/24 PCM is supported under DVD-Audio specs. Many hi-fi dvd players support(ed) it, so you can just burn one in case you have such player. As this was mostly found on high-end stuff, DACs are probably more than enough for the task, or to simply optical/coax it out given the presence of a dedicated player.

CrabbMan · 11-21-2011, 10:36 PM

So according to Billy's interview with Zane Lowe the 96/24 files will be of the unmastered recordings. Sounds intriguing.

subzero · 11-21-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soniclovenoize

Encode them to 128kps mp3s, listen through iPod.

ewwwww

Reyngel · 11-22-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabbMan

So according to Billy's interview with Zane Lowe the 96/24 files will be of the unmastered recordings. Sounds intriguing.

Really? Wow...

Venom · 11-22-2011, 01:18 PM

I might actually have to get the 24/96 files afterall or wait until they leak on torrent sites, heh.

magikarp99 · 11-24-2011, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ihaguitar

Play it through a digital output on your hifi grade soundcard into a top of the range DAC. Make sure you are using a very quiet computer (no noisy fans thankyou). Enjoy.

Alternatively, ask brendo91.

If you're playing it via the digital output of your soundcard, by no means does it need to be 'hifi grade'. If you're playing it via the digital out, the signal should be no different than if you were playing it from some onboard digital out on your mother board. Unless of course your soundcard or motherboard alters the signal to 'enhance the sound quality' or something ridiculous.

magikarp99 · 11-24-2011, 03:33 AM

You should also make sure that if you're running XP still, that your audio bypasses Windows KMixer, or your audio will be resampled and all your efforts will be in vein.

brendo_91 · 11-24-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magikarp99

If you're playing it via the digital output of your soundcard, by no means does it need to be 'hifi grade'. If you're playing it via the digital out, the signal should be no different than if you were playing it from some onboard digital out on your mother board. Unless of course your soundcard or motherboard alters the signal to 'enhance the sound quality' or something ridiculous.

Jitter

Ihaguitar · 11-25-2011, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T&T

I'll be playing them from a PC. after I download them.

Me too.

Skradgee · 11-25-2011, 01:08 PM

Ask for one of these for Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=psnZmoNznpU

11-04-2011, 07:01 PM	#1
CrabbMan Amish Hoe Fighter Location: Humboldt, CA, USA Posts: 1,327	How to listen to high-end PCM reissues? So say I purchased the 24/96 wav versions of the reissue. What are some of the ways that I could actually take advantage of this higher quality? Could I just plug headphones into my computer's 3.5mm jack? Does a typical soundcard's DAC decode that signal, or would it be downsampled, etc before leaving the computer? Are there affordable soundcards that would do this? I have read something about this being the sampling and dynamic range of DVD-audio. Could I burn an audio-DVD of this and play it from my blu-ray? It would go blu-ray to TV via HDMI, and TV to stereo receiver via TOSLINK. Would it be downconverted in the process? And if my current equipment isn't up to the task, what's the cheapest solution? And yes, I understand that the cheapest solution to high-end audio problem might not be cheap.

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11-04-2011, 08:00 PM	#3
Shallowed Braindead Posts: 18,608	Possibly could use an audio interface with a digital out?

11-04-2011, 08:33 PM	#4
CrabbMan Amish Hoe Fighter Location: Humboldt, CA, USA Posts: 1,327	Any suggestions as what the digital out should plug into? my headphones don't accept digital out. My receiver accepts TOSLINK and also can interpret DTS from the proper DVD player.

11-04-2011, 09:01 PM	#5
T&T Socialphobic Location: montreal Posts: 11,677	you should be able to burn dvd audio for your DVD/blue ray player and listen to it that way. at some point you'll have to convert the digital signal to analog, whether your DVD/blueray player or receiver does that better then your computer's soundcard is for you to see. I've got a Bryston DAC that I use for converting on playback. it sounds better then my motu soundcards that also support 2496. yet my soundblaster X-fi does a better job then my DVD player (that has been collecting dust for a few years). YMMV

11-05-2011, 02:36 AM	#6
redbull Immortal Location: like liutenant dan i'm rollin' Posts: 21,016	the easiest way to do this is probably to burn a dvd-a disc

11-05-2011, 05:20 AM	#7
Shallowed Braindead Posts: 18,608	Why don't they ******* these hi-fi versions on a DVD if they expect everyone that's downloading them to just burn them to a DVD?

11-05-2011, 05:25 AM	#8
T&T Socialphobic Location: montreal Posts: 11,677	I'll be playing them from a PC. after I download them.

11-05-2011, 10:32 AM	#10
darcy666 Demi-God Location: London, UK Posts: 301	I was simply going to listen to the WAV files via good quality headphones on my Cowon mp3 player.

11-05-2011, 11:58 AM	#12
soniclovenoize Minion of Satan Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,595	Encode them to 128kps mp3s, listen through iPod.

11-05-2011, 05:22 PM	#13
Ihaguitar Apocalyptic Poster Posts: 2,359	Play it through a digital output on your hifi grade soundcard into a top of the range DAC. Make sure you are using a very quiet computer (no noisy fans thankyou). Enjoy. Alternatively, ask brendo91.

11-05-2011, 06:54 PM	#15
MstrGhost Apocalyptic Poster Location: Portugal Posts: 2,805	Well, the format went to betamaxland land, but 96/24 PCM is supported under DVD-Audio specs. Many hi-fi dvd players support(ed) it, so you can just burn one in case you have such player. As this was mostly found on high-end stuff, DACs are probably more than enough for the task, or to simply optical/coax it out given the presence of a dedicated player.

11-21-2011, 10:36 PM	#16
CrabbMan Amish Hoe Fighter Location: Humboldt, CA, USA Posts: 1,327	So according to Billy's interview with Zane Lowe the 96/24 files will be of the unmastered recordings. Sounds intriguing.

11-22-2011, 01:18 PM	#19
Venom Ownz Location: United States Posts: 859	I might actually have to get the 24/96 files afterall or wait until they leak on torrent sites, heh.

11-24-2011, 03:33 AM	#21
magikarp99 Demi-God Posts: 290	You should also make sure that if you're running XP still, that your audio bypasses Windows KMixer, or your audio will be resampled and all your efforts will be in vein.

11-25-2011, 01:08 PM	#24
Skradgee Boardcaster Location: reporting live Posts: 3,854	Ask for one of these for Christmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=psnZmoNznpU