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Sorry but that's the 2nd post you've made which I consider garbage. (Your first comment suggests that I go outside for realistic sounds) Seriously, if you have nothing intelligence or remotely helpful to say don't say anything at all. I have no time for people like you....
Originally Posted by audioengr
MP3's
The first thing you should do is re-rip all of your CD's as .wav files or FLAC or download FLAC tracks, so that you have decent content to play. MP3 compression wrecks the content and there is no amount of DSP that will get it back for you.
Then you should consider an external computer converter, such as the UD-10. It is inexpensive and with some software mucking it can sound very good. Then you will need an inexpensive DAC, since the DAC-1 USB is probably out of range at $1K. I can recommend DAC's from dAck! http://www.ack-industries.com/dAck!.html, Hagerman Chime DAC kit http://www.hagtech.com/chime.html or CI audio http://www.ciaudio.com/.
The dAck2 is very good for the price and battery-powered. Maybe you can get a used one to work with the UD-10.
Steve N.
I'm not willing to spend money on extra equipment. I was just wondering if it's possible to get great sounding audio with the hardware I have. It appears I cannot from what you are saying so I will have to settle for the best I can get with my current setup.
I don't see the point in spending 1k on a converter, I have already heard holophonic sounds that give me the quality I desire at no extra cost so it is possible for me to have audio that has a fairly good attempt at sounding realistic.
Unfortunely I don't own a single audio CD. I download all mine (legally) People say CD quality is 192kbps in MP3 format, so how can ripping at a higher bitrate or a different format improve it's quality beyond what the CD has?
I have heard of FLAC but I didn't know it was such an improvement over MP3. I know MP3's are compressed but I didn't know that so much content was lost. I though a high bit rate would sound almost (or just) as good as a FLAC file.
I have had a few PMs suggesting free ways of improving audio. Combine this knowledge with your comment about FLAC and WAVs, I think I am ready to start considering moving away from MP3's.
Originally Posted by LeonvB
Instead of buying a DAC, amp or other things I'd recommend starting simple and cheap. Like Steve said, re-rip all your CD's using EAC to FLAC (you can find the latest versions of these programs using fi. Google). Modify your sound card using this link: Fs/t:Shure e2c iem
These steps will already give you quite an upgrade, and won't cost you a lot.
Is EAC exact audio copy?
Thanks for the link but I don't have the skills to solder and modify my card.
True lossless CD quality isn't quite 192 kbps. Some people can't hear the difference which is perfectly all right, it's just a matter of taste and opinion, or quality of equipment. Perfect CD quality is 1411 kbps.
If you've lived with MP3s till now, there's no reason for you to convert especially since a) you're looking to keep your equipment and b) you don't have any CDs. It seems like you're satisfied with the holophonic sounds your rig reproduces, so all you need to do is to look at the compilation of binaural files in the legally downloadable binaural thread to get close to realistic sounds.
Btw EAC is a CD ripping program, so you won't need to use it at all.
Sorry but that's the 2nd post you've made which I consider garbage. (Your first comment suggests that I go outside for realistic sounds) Seriously, if you have nothing intelligence or remotely helpful to say don't say anything at all. I have no time for people like you....
Well, you wanted information. rather than us answering the same damn question 50000 times, try using the search function. You are the one demonstrating the lack of intellegence, by not knowing how to search.
Sorry man, but jbloudg20's suggestion is a good one (even if he is somewhat blunt). You are asking many very fundamental questions and it would be helpful to you to use the search function a little more. All of the questions you have asked have been covered many times in these (and other) forums in good detail. Better still, you will pick up alot of additional info by searching too.
If you still have questions after searching, or are having trouble finding the answer to a specific question, people here are more than willing to help.
Try some of what has been suggested here for now (there are loads of things for you to try), and see what you think. Lossless audio will be a nice step in the right direction, that you will gain more benefit from in the future if you upgrade your system.
Well, you wanted information. rather than us answering the same damn question 50000 times, try using the search function. You are the one demonstrating the lack of intellegence, by not knowing how to search.
Thanks and have a nice day.
I was referring more towards your first comment... completely unhelpful and rather rude. Not the reply I expected from an audio forum.
I had many more questions which I didn't ask since I already found the answer out. You didn't ask if I used the search function, you just assumed I hadn't. You are right, I should of used the search function more but I did use it for a few of my questions.
Back to the topic... I have learnt a few things, so thanks for your comments all.
OMG. I do not want to TRY to imagine how bad their setup or ears are to make remarks like that...
If 192 is the best you've got, I suggest throwing some money on software. Buying a couple of good CD's will do you more good than anything else we've suggested.
OMG. I do not want to TRY to imagine how bad their setup or ears are to make remarks like that...
If 192 is the best you've got, I suggest throwing some money on software. Buying a couple of good CD's will do you more good than anything else we've suggested.
When did I say 192 was the best I have? I have MP3 files in 320 bitrate too and I now have some FLAC files.
deadman_uk you need to chill and stop arguing with everybody. You've got 20 posts and you're arguing with members who have considerably more knowledge and experience; you're building a bad reputation quickly.
The go outside comment refers to the endless pursuit of audiophiles to try to create the perfect reproduction of sound - often live sound. The irony is that you can listen to live sound everyday outside and by seeing bands etc.
The suggestion to search through this site is an excellent one, you could also choose to use google; both are excellent resources.
If you relax a little and take the advice, you head-fi experience will be far more enjoyable and you will benefit from the almost limitless experience of this community.
Ask questions, ignore comment you don't like, stop arguing with people (this is not some teenage board), but most of all enjoy your journey.
The go outside comment refers to the endless pursuit of audiophiles to try to create the perfect reproduction of sound - often live sound. The irony is that you can listen to live sound everyday outside and by seeing bands etc.
The irony is that there are so many factors involved in live aural perception that expecting a box of electronics to get anywhere near that is ridiculous.
Linear Mode
