Low-rez audio – how can it sound so good?

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  • bigburner
    Super Senior Member
    • May 2005
    • 2649

    Low-rez audio – how can it sound so good?

    You may have read my review of the “Transatlantic Sessions 5” DVD elsewhere in this forum. I enjoyed that DVD so much I wanted to get another one in the series. I decided on “Transatlantic Sessions 2” but was put off when I read that the only audio track on it is Dolby Digital 2.0 /192kbps (Sessions 5 is PCM / 1536kbps).

    Anyway, to cut a long story short, I ended up buying the Sessions 2 DVD and it sounds pretty damn good. This is quite confusing given that I’m so keen on hi-rez audio these days. I have narrowed the explanation for this down to the following three possibilities:

    a. The slab of granite I put under my OPPO BDP-95 has given it the steadiness it requires to turn ordinary recordings into exceptional ones.

    b. The ceramic risers I put under my speaker cables are shielding them from the nasty interference oozing out of my wooden floors.

    c. The BBC has done a really good job mixing and mastering the audio on this DVD. The mixing and mastering of a recording are the factors that contribute most to a high quality audio experience.

    I think that the answer is c. but I could be wrong. What do you think?

    Nigel.
    Attached Files
  • stuofsci02
    Super Senior Member
    • Nov 2009
    • 1241

    #2
    "C" for sure... I think we were having this discussion in the Hi-Rez thread. In my experience the recording and master quality contributes to the sound far more then the resolution.
    Main System:
    B&W 801D
    Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
    Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
    Oppo BDP-105
    Squeezebox Touch


    Second System:
    B&W CM7
    Emotiva UMC-1
    Emotiva UPA-2
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    Grant Fidelity DAC-09

    Comment

    • Chris D
      Moderator Emeritus
      • Dec 2000
      • 16877

      #3
      I agree with the mixing and mastering being important. Even the DTS-CD recording I have of the Police from several years ago isn't very good, because of the mastering.

      Another part of it is, that if it's good quality music, especially if it's something you enjoy, it's naturally a more pleasurable experience. That's one of the reasons I don't ever listen to my high-res Flaming Lips "Yoshimi" recording. It's pretty good quality, but I just don't like the music. I'm not going to sit and listen to it just because it's a good recording.
      CHRIS

      Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
      - Pleasantville

      Comment

      • madmac
        Moderator Emeritus
        • Aug 2010
        • 3122

        #4
        The answer is C. It's often too bad that an ordinary CD or DVD can out perform a hi rez recording but it happens often because of the mastering, microphones used (big one!!), and the overall care put into the recording process. If only the two could be always be brought together for consistent audio heaven!!. Some recording people have a good ear for this kind of thing and consistently produce great sounding material.
        Dan Madden :T

        Comment

        • bigburner
          Super Senior Member
          • May 2005
          • 2649

          #5
          Originally posted by stuofsci02
          I think we were having this discussion in the Hi-Rez thread.
          Which thread are you referring to please?

          Nigel.

          Comment

          • stuofsci02
            Super Senior Member
            • Nov 2009
            • 1241

            #6
            Originally posted by bigburner
            Which thread are you referring to please?

            Nigel.



            Wasn't called Hi Rez... But you did make it!
            Main System:
            B&W 801D
            Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
            Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
            Oppo BDP-105
            Squeezebox Touch


            Second System:
            B&W CM7
            Emotiva UMC-1
            Emotiva UPA-2
            Oppo BDP-83SE
            Grant Fidelity DAC-09

            Comment

            • bigburner
              Super Senior Member
              • May 2005
              • 2649

              #7
              Originally posted by stuofsci02
              http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthr...&highlight=Rez

              Wasn't called Hi Rez... But you did make it!
              Ah, THAT hi-rez thread!

              Comment

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