What's the truth about compressed audio?????? very confused!!!!
Hi,
I'm an absolute beginner to HiFi, I've recently sold my B&O system and want to get a 'proper' system!
Apolgies if this has already been raised on this forum, but I'm getting mixed messages about mp3 etc.
I'm unsure whether to buy a CD player, or whether they are on their way out. I've been told that compressed music files are indistinguishable from CD quality if over 320kps. However the guy in my Hifi shop has told me that they need to be uncompressed to give CD quality. Other web sites state that in hearing test very few people can tell the difference between 128 and 320kps.
I'm more confused than ever now, can someone in the know enlighten me please!
Thanks in advance for your help
The 'truth' is that if you want cd quality music you need either cds or lossless files (Flac or Alac basically).
If you want to get 'a proper system' then you'll presumably want a 'proper' source. With the diminishing cost of 1Tb + NAS drives there isnt any real argument not to rip to lossless, Therefore making the argument about being able to tell the difference between MP3 320 and lossless mute. (I usually can't btw, but still rip lossless because...well why wouldn't you?)
Wether you want a dedicated cd player for your discs or something like a sonos / squeezebox set up to play your lossless files is the subject of much debate, but ultimately is a matter of choice as there wont be much if anything between them in terms of sound quality. (you'll still need to buy cds as there's not a lot of lossless music available to download just yet - but it will come in time)
Hope this helps
No expert like Andrew but I have recently bought an MP3 for the car. I am ripping my CDs to FLAC best quality to use in my HiFi (through my Seagate) and copying again for the MP3 player. No real hassle - once again recommending the excellent AVS software. I can certainly hear the difference between the HQ FLAC and the MP3 but its fine for the car.
The difference between the quality of different FLAC settings is less clear - dependant I am sure on the quality of all the components used in the rip process.
Hope this helps - I recon the MP3 through the car and the FLAC through the HiFi are superior to the original CD but this is just my subjective opinion.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Many thanks to you, really appreciate the advice. I'm thinking of spending £5k so am very interested to see what this new Cyrus Streaming thing is like.....
Many thanks to you, really appreciate the advice. I'm thinking of spending £5k so am very interested to see what this new Cyrus Streaming thing is like.....
If going the streaming route also look at Linn, Naim and Olive.
I take it that your budget covers amp + speakers as well.
At that the level you are spending, lossless is the sensible way to go....there is a difference.
If you need further advice, then details of room, type of music you enjoy and the way you like your music presented (bright, analytical, natural, smooth/detailed etc) can be helpful.
Cno
You guys are really helpful thanks. The guy in the shop suggested Linn, but you're never sure whether they're just trying to sell what earns them the most money.
I live in a barn conversion, the room is pretty big 20 x 30 ft and has oak floor. I like listening to a range of music but probably jazz mainly. I think I'm going to buy a streaming thingy an amp and speakers. Not sure whether my 5k budget is enough for a decent system or not?
I'll be most grateful for ideas on which systems/combinations work best, ill let you know how i get on!
You guys are really helpful thanks. The guy in the shop suggested Linn, but you're never sure whether they're just trying to sell what earns them the most money.
I live in a barn conversion, the room is pretty big 20 x 30 ft and has oak floor. I like listening to a range of music but probably jazz mainly. I think I'm going to buy a streaming thingy an amp and speakers. Not sure whether my 5k budget is enough for a decent system or not?
I'll be most grateful for ideas on which systems/combinations work best, ill let you know how i get on!
I apologize if this seems miserable, but can I direct you to a thread called "advice needed please: futureproof hifi for listening at low levels" by NK1982. Your needs are similar... and so would be my advice. It's just my typing is painful and slow (especially slow). 
If you have any questions as a result....just shout. Cno
Hi-Fi says it all. "High Fidelity" The reproduction of sound that is as fathful to the original as possible. Something that MP3 ignores for starters!
Sorry, but I've got to ask.
Are you the real 'Barry Chuckle' ?
Cliff.
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There's no sign that CD players are on their way out, although some people may choose to play their CDs on DVD or Blu-ray hardware to reduce the number of boxes in their system.
Some will tell you that they can't tell the difference between 128kbps, 160kbps, 320kbps MP3 and CD quality, while others will say they stick to CD-quality or lossless formats such as FLAC or Apple Lossless for the best sound.
Storage these days is cheap, so my personal advice would be that if you're thinking of switching over to a computer-based audio system, I'd stick to saving music in the best possible quality you can: you can always data-reduce it later if you want to play it on a portable device or whatever, but once you've saved it compressed you can't regain that quality without re-ripping it.
Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision/whathifi.com Audio Editor, Gramophone