Altmann Tera Player - Page 50  

http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/dac8552.pdf No need to swap files unless you need the space.

My solution is easy, convert to same quality WAV version then reconvert to Wav of the same amount. That usually fixes everything while preserving the data as best as possible. I usually just downconvert to 16 bit  depth with the same sample rate and in WAV and it usually works just fine.

I am running a Linux OS and trying to install a Windows program is a real hassle. Most of my rips are from my own CD's using XCFA and it also has also worked for my downloaded files. My problems were with HDTracks downloads. Others converted just fine.

I've had problems converting vinyl rips as well as unpacking them. Foobar handles it without problems.

Charles the creator of TP recommends XLD for the Mac format. I have not had a single problem with any file low or hi res to date. All files from HDTracks work fine. Super easy to use. For standard 16 bit files and iTunes, I simply drag the entire folder of the CD from the itunes database onto XLD and the conversion is complete with the correct folder structure required by TP.

He also recommends to keep the sample rate untouched but reduce the bit size to 16 if originally higher. Although TP can directly play 24 bit files there may be issues with the SDcard speed, space and drains more battery unnecessarily having to load the 24 bits from the card before dumping it anyway. My understanding is Charles recommends to drop the bottom 8 bits as done by XLD when converting from 24 to 16 bits since those bits are not audible and not to dither from 24 to 16 and loose audible bits.

This is what the creator of the Tera Player suggests. Feel free to disagree. :-)
Edited by flkin - 12/7/12 at 12:39am

So 24 bit is useless but 192k is good???? Altmann is an odd combination of good ideas and spin. Perhaps it is better on his player depending on how he does his filters etc but...

 

Downconverting sample rate is often a more noticeable change than bit depth but that's not the same as whats more important in an original file. Has more to do with the converters. It's easier to discard the least significant bits going from 24 to 16 than to do so on sample rate. There are optimized programs that work from maps like Wavelab's Crystal Resampler that sound better downsampling frequency than the more common programs.

 

Changing bit depth will prolong battery life, ease the processor load and likely noise of the player if done ahead of time judging from his comments.

 

I agree about XLD. Best consumer converter for MAC. I like DB for cheap and cheerful on a PC.

Edited by goodvibes - 12/7/12 at 5:28am

Take it from a programmers perspective. If I write a program where I need to intake values and discard a select portion, that seems highly inefficient over writing a small script to remove the data I dont need and then let the output by the input to my main program. This way I am not wasting time or energy or anything with retrieving excess data each and every time I listen to the song. If it's done ahead of time it's the same thing but now the Tera Player has less work to do and you can get away with using cheaper microSDHC cards (I have run into trouble with 24-bit on really cheap poor quality microSDHC cards) but getting the good ones these days is not a big deal in terms of cost and the cheap ones work fine for 16-bit/44.1kHz music

 

interconnects, pouch, manual, rubber feet, etc.

 

i'm not saying that i'm willing to pay more for the extra goodies. it's the reciprocal, tera player should have been priced way lower without the extra goodies. i admit this player is really impressive, but what's inside the box does not really justify the price he's charging.

 

To tell you the truth, i was quite in shock when my friend showed me the box of tera player.. it's just too horrifying to imagine this thing costs $1100. put a screen on it, maintain the same sound quality, then i can safely say this thing worth the $1100 price tag. i would not even hesitate to buy that player in an instance.. but as for this current product? the price is just insane..

You might be interested in the new AK100 Astell & Kern player then. I had a very quick listen on unfamiliar material. Sounded very decent. Shaped similar the Tera P with screen. Hires too. I wonder if anyone has compared the sound with the TP yet? Said to work better with high ohm phones.
Edited by flkin - 12/7/12 at 7:16am

OK? 16/96 needs 25% more speed than 24/48. If it was about that, he'd tell you to reduce both and not just bit depth. The bit rate is likely less the issue than the extra processing involved in reducing the bit depth.

 

lucky you.. i also happened to test the AK100 as well, the same time i auditioned tera player. while the AK100 sounded quite decent, its sound quality is still way below tera player.. both technicality and musicality

 

AK100 sounded more mid-centric, while tera player is flat across the spectrum.

Apparently so. He's chosen to use the Phillips 16 bit DAC as he obviously feels it can produce the best sound in a small package with enough battery life etc and it had proven to be the right compromise (bit rate vs sound quality) so there isn't much choice but to go with higher sampling rates if you want to go hidef. He explains his compromise in the link below.

http://www.mother-of-tone.com/cd.htm
Edited by flkin - 12/7/12 at 8:05am