[marios_mar]

Hi,
I got a 20 bit and another 24 bit MINIDISC recorder. I started out sometime ago recording some Vinyls and I can say they sound pretty good.

Now the question is. Would those recording coming from analog source sound better than their counterpart CDs or is this 24 bit thing not real? And if it is real how could all this fit in 140 Mb disc when SACD and DVD-A require so much more space?

 

[jonesie]

I've heard the argument that MDs are technically capable of better sound than CDs. I'm not entirely convinced, but I'd rather concentrate on the experience of music, and therefore this is basically a question of your music, your equipment, and your ears. Recording in SP mode via an analog input onto gold minidiscs with my Type-R player yields a more pleasing recording than that offered by the original CD played through either my portable or my component CD player.

In any event, MDs are IMO the best source for portable audio, and a lot of fun to boot.

Jonesie

 

[mclaren20]

its all about the sound. atrac adds a certain flavor to some CD's, which make some people prefer the MD over CD. sometimes its the exact opposite though. its all up to your ears, MD is certainly capable though.

 

[PodMan]

I think 20/24-bit refers to the accuracy of the ATRAC encoder. The files are still stored as 16-bit 44.1khz on the minidisc regardless. Bitrates vary of course between SP (292kbps), LP2 (132kbps), and LP4 (66kbps).

ATRAC being a compression format for cds, obviously will not have the fidelity of the original cd. However, most portable minidiscs have better headphone outs and DACs then portable cd players so minidisc players end up sounding better. I bet if you were to decode the ATRAC data off a minidisc back into wav and then compare it side by side with the original on the same high-end equipment, the original cd would win. In any case, the compressed version will obviously not have the same accuracy as the original cd recording.

 

[Duncan]

I agree wholeheartedly with PodMans reply...

If the MD players have better specced components in the output stages (well, hey... all the way through) than what is put into modern PCDPs then the MD will sound better (as is the case of the N707 vs EJ1000 where the N707 is way better sounding... more power... more fidelity etc etc)

 

[egg]

I dont think md sound better than cd, but I do agree md sound very lovely and pleasent. Compare portable md and cd, md sound smooth and musical. Cd sound more accurate, detail but very often has harsh high, overall not smooth.

 

[bangraman]

It also depends on how you record your MD's. Those recorded on decks sound better than those recorded on portables.


Apart from that the difference is indeed in the output circuitry. To get similar battery life from having to spin a big old disc around I suppose discmans may skimp a bit on the output circuitry power, which may make everything sound a bit less dynamic. Also the fact that you are listening to 'on-the-fly' compressed sound (G-protection) on a discman is another way in which your CD experience might be degraded.