[techen]

Hi all, Can someone explain to me what happens if I change my Sample rates and bit depth.
 
Now the computer sets it to something like 24bit, 48,000hz 
 
But I ramp it upto 24Bit, 196,000hz. What is this changing? Does this effect the type of sound files I can listen to IE, 192kps and 320kps.
 
Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hi all, Can someone explain to me what happens if I change my Sample rates and bit depth.
Now the computer sets it to something like 24bit, 48,000hz 
But I ramp it upto 24Bit, 196,000hz. What is this changing? Does this effect the type of sound files I can listen to IE, 192kps and 320kps.

24-bit/48Khz should be fine for music (even FLAC) and gaming, I leave mine at 24-bit/96Khz, but I doubt any audio I use takes advantage of 24-bit/96Khz.
Websites like HDtracks sells music files I believe take advantage of the higher sample rates.

 

[techen]

Is there a way to find out what my motherboard has sound wise?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Is there a way to find out what my motherboard has sound wise?

If you know the make and model of the motherboard, it's easy to look up.
Also the free program "PC Wizard" can ID your computer's audio hardware.

 

[techen]

All I can find is!
 

• Realtek ALC889 codec
• High Definition Audio
• 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
• Support for Dolby^® Home Theater
• Support for S/PDIF Out

 

[PurpleAngel]

  All I can find is!
 

• Realtek ALC889 codec
• High Definition Audio
• 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
• Support for Dolby^® Home Theater
• Support for S/PDIF Out

Average motherboard on-board audio.
If you spent $100 for the Creative Sound Blaster Z (SB1500) sound card, $100, audio quality would be improved, for both speaker and headphones.

 

[MaDD0G]

I do not think that human ears can pick out differences between 24-bit/96KHz and higher sample rates.

 

[techen]

Thanks all for the replies, I own Sennheisers HD 558s and do you think a amp or soundcard would be the best route to take?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks all for the replies, I own Sennheisers HD 558s and do you think a amp or sound card would be the best route to take?

Depends, you you just into music audio, an external USB/DAC/Amp is fine, if you need headphone surround sound for gaming and movies, then a sound card is better.

 

[techen]

  Depends, you you just into music audio, an external USB/DAC/Amp is fine, if you need headphone surround sound for gaming and movies, then a sound card is better.

 
You mean fake surround sound? Wouldn't a amp just be the same for a 2.1 headphone?

 

[cel4145]

You mean fake surround sound? Wouldn't a amp just be the same for a 2.1 headphone?

No such thing as a 2.1 headphone, as far as I know. The DSP in Dolby Headphone and Creatives's version takes multichannel input and artificially turns it into 2.0. Whether or not you would like that is definitely a personal thing.

 

[skylinedo]

  I do not think that human ears can pick out differences between 24-bit/96KHz and higher sample rates.

Mine can and I'm partially deaf! 
 
EDIT:
Someone just pointed out I don't have any files higher than FLAC 16/44100.  Currently trying to reproduce my earlier test results before I can confirm this 100%

  Thanks all for the replies, I own Sennheisers HD 558s and do you think a amp or soundcard would be the best route to take?

Your sound card will be sufficient until you find/hear a superior one using your same setup.  I would get an amp.