[
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2007, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]
208.58.2.83
In Reply to: RE: A shocking defense of MP3 (of sorts) -- "The Future Is LAME" posted by clarkjohnsen on July 02, 2007 at 11:14:10
Not surprising that MP3 encoded material can sound better. Some of the
references mention that it depends on the program material. I have
observed similar effects with noise reduction software when processing
cassette tape recordings.
The encoding process typically includes a low pass filter, e.g. at 20
KHz. So one way that there can be an audible improvement is if the
original program material has garbage in this range. Even if there
isn't garbage, signals in this range might tweak bad aspects of the
playback chain, resulting in audible distortion that can be eliminated
by filtering them out.
I tend to be suspicious of non-linear "improvements" in audio signals.
Some music may sound good on some equipment to some listeners, some
number of times, but the "improvement" may not stand up to repeated
listening. Dynagroove?
MP3 compression is an information losing process. It can't be undone.
This is okay for temporary copies of music, or as an optional playback
tweak. It is not something I would want on purchased music. And
something that I hope never gets done in the mastering process, so that
future generations of listeners are stuck.
____
It's easy to try. Download & go. But I wonder if these guys ever test on Classical. The reason being, there is music where a 320kbps works as well as no compression (1411kbps). I've listened to a solo lute recorded in an old church at only 128kbps & really could not tell the difference between 128kbps & the full CD at 1411kbps.
(You can try that at Rhapsody for free. 25 tracks/month free & they play at 128kbps)
The reason lies in that digital audio is an amplitude resolution design. Not frequency resolution as FM was vs. AM. Digital audio is AM with resolution in a very abbreviated way.
Now 320kbps may be all you need for most Jazz or Rock, even Classical that's not complex or dynamic. But with say, a full symphonic piece with a big choral contingent. I doubt any compression is unnoticeable. I was unable to compress at all on big material like that with any compressor.
The boys at FLAC maintain "lossless compression". The old Beecham Messiah with all the bells & trumpets on RCA Shaded Dog, converted to a CD, revealed immediately ANY compression regardless of CODEC. LAME, FLAC, none passed the test.
I know a lot of snobs wouldn't dare play Beecham but I liked how he fattened up the piece instead of usual subtle conducting changes so common to the work. I have an original instrument version too with Emma Kirkby & yes, she can't be beat.
But, Beecham's was cool. Like The Stones covering a Chuck Berry number. The piece to the power of itself.
Follow Ups:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2007, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]