320kb Audio

[Lee H]

Try tuning into Linn Radio and see if you can suggest that it's anything other than excellent quality.

http://radio.linnrecords.com/

Dim question I'm sure. How do you play it on a laptop?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Dim question I'm sure. How do you play it on a laptop?

Well, at its simplest, you just stream it from the web-page, using the computer's built-in speakers or an external sound device.

 

[Lee H]

Dim question I'm sure. How do you play it on a laptop?

Well, at its simplest, you just stream it from the web-page, using the computer's built-in speakers or an external sound device.

Yes, but how? I click in "Tune in" and it downloads a playlist file

 

[The_Lhc]

Dim question I'm sure. How do you play it on a laptop?

Well, at its simplest, you just stream it from the web-page, using the computer's built-in speakers or an external sound device.

Yes, but how? I click in "Tune in" and it downloads a playlist file

Double click the file and it opens it in your default music player which starts streaming the music (although not entirely without interruption or skipping from what I can tell. Unless this is some REALLY way out jazz (man)).

 

[Lee H]

Looks like the work firewall gets in the way... again!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Looks like the work firewall gets in the way... again!

Same here – I know I've had it working before, running in iTunes' radio window among other programs

 

[Alec]

Does anything recorded very recently really sound that awful? Indeed does music recorded with less(?) dynamics really sound that bad?

Listen to Kerplunk or 1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours by Green Day, then listen to American Idiot. There really is a huge difference, and I'm not qualified to say what it is down to, but that bothers me more than the loudness wars.

Down with dynamics!

 

[bay24]

If you get the chance have a listen to an AVI Neutron Five 2.1 system which is has just gone down in price from £1300 to £900. If you like detail and accuracy then this is absolutely fantastic and sounds better than most £2000 systems.

Another great system for only £900 is an Arcam rDac, with a Marantz PM6003 amplifier and B&W 685 speakers. If you want a system that has attitude then this combo makes anything sound fun.

These are both great system but at the end of the day listen for yourself and go with whatever sounds good to you.

Sorry to jump n on the thread but where have you seen the 2.1 system for £900? It's still £1300 on the avi site. I would be interested if they would do a discount on the sub!

In terms of computer audio if budget is up to £2000 then why not the avi adm9t, sub and sonos/squeezebox?

 

[MajorFubar]

It'd also be worth going to a pro audio shop and listening to some active studio monitors too.

It is true that studio monitors can give a very detailed presentation. Many of them though are specifically designed to give their best while listening at close range: the opposite of domestic HiFi speakers. This could be a problem for the o/p if his speakers and seating position are at the opposite ends of his five metre room. I'm obviously not ruling these out; just adding a 'bear in mind...' to the mix.

 

[Lee H]

Listen to Kerplunk or 1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours by Green Day, then listen to American Idiot. There really is a huge difference, and I'm not qualified to say what it is down to, but that bothers me more than the loudness wars.

Budget I imagine. Kerplunk sold 50,000 copies first time round and 1039 was a re-release/re-titling too.

The story of Lookout records is quite sad actually with most of the original artists taking back the rights to the masters and re-releasing on their current labels after falling out over royalties. When Green Day did this it pretty much shut the label down for a while.

Your point is very true though. A quick listen to Ministry of Sound Electronic 80s shows what a remastering can do. Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel has had the same treatment and sounds wonderful.

 

[steve_1979]

Wholeheartedly agree with all who recognise that the original recording mastering/quality is the key. I have a Decca box set of Wagners Ring cycle recorded some 50 years ago and it knocks spots off all the competition even at 320 quality. Conversely some of my good lady's more recent mainstream pop/rock offerings are simply abysmal. Some of the blame lies with the peddlars of online tracks you can download as they know most people will be playing them pack via MP3 players etc so they don't give 2 hoots aout the quality. Sadly it seems to be a growing trend and does nothing for those wanting an audiophile experience.

Yes I completely agree with all the points you've made here nick. I'd also like to add that a CD ripped to 320kbps MP3 sounds (very slightly) better than the same track played on spotify.

And before anyone asks - This is what I've noticed when doing a quick AB comparison. I haven't ABX or blind AB tested it or anything scientific like that.

 

[steve_1979]

Sorry to jump n on the thread but where have you seen the 2.1 system for £900? It's still £1300 on the avi site. I would be interested if they would do a discount on the sub! In terms of computer audio if budget is up to £2000 then why not the avi adm9t, sub and sonos/squeezebox?

I found out about the discount on another forum. Apparently they've just stopped making them but they still have a few left and are letting them go for £900. For some reason they still have the old price on their website though. If you contact AVI by email I'm sure they'll confirm new price for you.

As you can see from my signature I've just bought one myself, which I'm very happy with.

 

[Overdose]

It'd also be worth going to a pro audio shop and listening to some active studio monitors too.

It is true that studio monitors can give a very detailed presentation. Many of them though are specifically designed to give their best while listening at close range: the opposite of domestic HiFi speakers. This could be a problem for the o/p if his speakers and seating position are at the opposite ends of his five metre room. I'm obviously not ruling these out; just adding a 'bear in mind...' to the mix.

This is definitely to be considered, but the price range at which the OP is suggesting, would buy very capable near or even midfield monitors. I would not recommend my monitors for a room larger than I have, for example, but a step up to the BM6As would do the trick nicely. At that price point, you also have Mackie 824HRs and some nice Genelecs, to name but a few. That leaves enough over for a nice DAC/Pre combo, a benchmrk DAC-1 HDR would do nicely if you haggle well.

There are other options, like using audio interfaces for a DAC/Pre for example, but that depends on how important asthetics are to you.

Aside from the AVI ADM 9.1 route, this would give you about as minimal box count as you could wish for and a sound quality very costly to better.

 

[Alec]

Listen to Kerplunk or 1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours by Green Day, then listen to American Idiot. There really is a huge difference, and I'm not qualified to say what it is down to, but that bothers me more than the loudness wars.

Budget I imagine. Kerplunk sold 50,000 copies first time round and 1039 was a re-release/re-titling too.

The story of Lookout records is quite sad actually with most of the original artists taking back the rights to the masters and re-releasing on their current labels after falling out over royalties. When Green Day did this it pretty much shut the label down for a while.

Your point is very true though. A quick listen to Ministry of Sound Electronic 80s shows what a remastering can do. Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel has had the same treatment and sounds wonderful.

I suspected budget too. But then I've heard debuts by then (and sometimes still) small bands that sound OK. Hmmm.

 

[natstick]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Regards the avi equipment, it seems a bit more specialised and not available at my local shops.

I'm also keen on something more "traditional" although think i've now decided on a simple amp, dac, floor or shelf speakers system as I'll use my pc to stream audio.

Regrds the DAC-1 HDR or similar it sounds impressive but above my price/appreciation level I think.

I'm going to take steve_1979 and MajorFubar's advice and audition a few, although as a newbie that feels a little uncomfortable as though i would owe them a sale if you know what i mean.

I'm sure there are many bargains to be had on a certain auction site if I was well enough informed/new my requirements a bit better.

I've been to Sevenoaks and Audio T in Southampton and had a little look. Hoping to get a demo slot on Saturday.

One things for sure, I'm expecting big improvements over the 10 year old Panasonic micro system i'm currently using, so exciting times ahead!

 

[steve_1979]

I'm going to take steve_1979 and MajorFubar's advice and audition a few, although as a newbie that feels a little uncomfortable as though i would owe them a sale if you know what i mean.

Hifi shops know that auditioning is a key part of the selection process and will be happy to let you listen, so there's no need to feel obliged to buy anything.

Another thing to be aware of is that some systems that sound 'forward' or 'bright' can be impressive when listened to for a few minutes in a shop but may become fatiguing when you listen to it for several hours at home. So when auditioning anything ask yourself the question "Is this something I could comfortably listen to for long periods of time?"

Have fun.

 

[krazy_olie]

320kb ogg is very high quality. You'd be getting a full frequency spectrum, you might lose a little bit of dynamics/soundstage I would guess as that's not the priority of lossless compression.

I'm listening to the 160kb Roger Water - Amused to death on my audioengine a2s right now ( after reading above ) and even hear the quality of the recording and even the q sound is working!

 

[Rethep]

iTunes (256k AAC) is very good to me. I have much music bought there with no quality more to ask! And i have good hifistuff with a tube-amp in the heart of the system and even Airport express analog which is not bad at all. Most of the "digital" sound comes from the recording itself.

 

[CJSF]

Dim question I'm sure. How do you play it on a laptop?

Well, at its simplest, you just stream it from the web-page, using the computer's built-in speakers or an external sound device.

Yes, but how? I click in "Tune in" and it downloads a playlist file

Double click the file and it opens it in your default music player which starts streaming the music (although not entirely without interruption or skipping from what I can tell. Unless this is some REALLY way out jazz (man)).

I've just had a brief listen . . . I'm going to be doing a lot more While I was there I had a brows through the 'albums for sale' list. The new Carol Kidd sounded nice, that lady just cant do any wrong IMHO I had a listen to the snippet sample of 'Stormy Weather' in the various quality options offered . . . from MP3 to Studio Master Quality . . . Subtle but there is a 'reality' in the studio master that is not apparent in the MP3 version . . . Standard CD quality was pretty impressive as well.

This thread has answered a question I posted yesterday re 320 streaming.

My simpleton mind has seen the light down load quality . . . anything else, listen and enjoy for the sake of it, and no need to pay (much)?

Thanks for the Linn Radio link . . . I feel like I'm getting back to my roots, within this new and complicated adio hifi world? Things are beginning to come into focus. Thank you once again, from an old and grateful, 80's audio file . . . CJSF