Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Lesurf[_2_]
FWIW When I listen to a well-made CD, or indeed LP, or the BBC iplayer, I can often happily enjoy the music without being aware of such possible problems. So I don't advise losing sleep over this. :-)
The snag is that all too many CDs/LPs are *not* well made. So again, bypassing as many avoidable 'reprocessings' may be advisable as a general strategy.
But of course, many 'high rez' files prove to have flaws. e.g. have a look at Flac - Health Check!
In particular compare the sample probability plots for the 'My Sweet Lord' (96k/24bit flac) commercial download with the decca one of Britten's War Requiem. The Britten sounds superb - amazingly so when you realise how long ago it was recorded. The Harrison is perhaps less impressive in technical terms, despite being much more recent.
So the bottom line is always that those making and processing recordings do need to take care as well as use good kit. But once they do, one basic sensible principle is to simply avoid any needless process because entails a risk of some 'harm' to the final result. That doesn't guarantee a superb result, but it does dodge some possible landmines, so makes a better result more likely. |
Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.
I read your CD and FLAC Health Check webpages - makes me think there's little hope for decent quality recordings being commonplace. I can't bring myself to replace all the music in my current collection. Never minding the time and effort which would be required, I simply couldn't afford it financially. From what I've read on the web, recent remasters don't guarantee much anyway. At times I find myself wondering why I got into high fidelity at all, when the media is sometimes so blatantly naff. However, at some point I have to acknowledge my present setup is perfectly adequate and just be happy. It would be completely unreasonable not to be able to enjoy the quality of audio replay generally available today. Well, at least relative to what I grew up with. I'll follow your advice concerning conversions.
Thanks and best regards,
John.