Lets talk Sample rates.

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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,004
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    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    I'll do you all one better. What if I go buy some pure 6 AWG copper wire (used for electric ranges), shield it with aluminum foil, and then see if I can hear the difference over that vs 18 AWG RCA CCA speaker wire?

    There isn't an 'audiophile grade speaker cable' in the world that could match it in terms of conductivity, power transfer, and low resistance
    I'd like to buy some popcorn and watch, as you try to connect 6 AWG wire to speaker terminals and an amp.

    Chris, I appreciate your enthusiasm, and there is always the need to inject some youth into this hobby. But, I recommend that you slow your roll, and glean some knowledge from the old farts here. If you behave, you might even find yourself the recipient of some freebie equipment for your own personal experimentation.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,608
    edited October 2023
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    msg wrote: »
    Clipdat wrote: »
    I preferred the sound of these inexpensive ($320/8ft pair) silver coated copper braided speaker wires in my system vs regular copper.

    Which ones, Drew? I wasn't able to remotely activate your webcam at the time of your posting to see which ones you were talking about. I was able to later though. Side note: your cat's litter box needs attention, and those new sofa cushions are awful!

    Talked about them here: https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/195541/five-way-speaker-cable-comparison

    They aren't available anymore it looks like, but these are pretty similar: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255294394140

    They have gold plated spades/banana plugs vs the "rhodium" plated ones on my set, but the actual wiring looks to be exactly the same.

    Edit: Looks like it, or something like it, is available in bulk as well: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325726890719
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,466
    edited October 2023
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    Clipdat wrote: »
    msg wrote: »
    Clipdat wrote: »
    I preferred the sound of these inexpensive ($320/8ft pair) silver coated copper braided speaker wires in my system vs regular copper.

    Which ones, Drew? I wasn't able to remotely activate your webcam at the time of your posting to see which ones you were talking about. I was able to later though. Side note: your cat's litter box needs attention, and those new sofa cushions are awful!

    Talked about them here: https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/195541/five-way-speaker-cable-comparison

    They aren't available anymore it looks like, but these are pretty similar: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255294394140

    They have gold plated spades/banana plugs vs the "rhodium" plated ones on my set, but the actual wiring looks to be exactly the same.

    Edit: Looks like it, or something like it, is available in bulk as well: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325726890719

    Ah, nice. I remember that shootout you detailed. Great example of the kinds of differences one can experience with different cable designs in a resolving system. Thanks for the new links, as well.

    I've been curious about rhodium connectors from back when I was trying to choose connectors for my DIY builds.
    I disabled signatures.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,587
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    FWIW Rhodium doesn't make the top ten in conductivity, it is a very hard metal and many times it is used on items that get hard use with many plug-unplug connections. They also like to flash it over silver to keep the wear off the silver. Either way it DOES have a sound signature, I think that is where many people say silver is bright and brittle sounding, which I agree too much silver in ones system can be harsh/bright, but I think what many attribute to the silver may be the Rhodium over the silver.
  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 886
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    Hmm, so I've come to an epiphany.

    If cables (conductors) don't affect sound, then how on earth do capacitors affect sound (which I've personally heard the massive differences they do make)?

    They're both just conductors, yet ClarityCap PX, CSA, PUR all have a different sound to them. Perhaps some testing is in order. I wonder if some local audiophiles would have some gear I can use to measure sound signatures with. Would be a very cool experiment.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,587
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    Measure ? Why not use the best measuring device made, your ears?
  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 886
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Measure ? Why not use the best measuring device made, your ears?

    Because ears aren't reliable due to the brain. The brain is a very cool meat computer but it can get pretty messed up. Was it Monster who made people think their cables were better simply by turning the volume up a few decibels?

    Either way, the ears alone are reliable, but the brain isn't, and it can be subtly subconsciously tricked too easily for me to consider my subjective testing good enough to be fact.
  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,603
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    You’re contradicting yourself, aren’t you? How can you be sure you heard differences in the various caps, then?

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 886
    edited October 2023
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    bcwsrt wrote: »
    You’re contradicting yourself, aren’t you? How can you be sure you heard differences in the various caps, then?

    Good point. I suppose the only real argument I could give is that with cables I'm testing frequency response, the capacitors actually gave entirely new detail and let me hear parts of the song I genuinely couldn't before (I did do a comparison side by side with the old board).

    I can't necessarily say I genuinely did though, it really could be placebo. I do know that the parts needed replacing anyways because they were like 35 years old and would be drifting out of tolerance anyways. So even if it were placebo I can still justify the new high quality components.
  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,603
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    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    Hmm, so I've come to an epiphany.

    If cables (conductors) don't affect sound, then how on earth do capacitors affect sound (which I've personally heard the massive differences they do make)?

    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    Good point. I suppose the only real argument I could give is that with cables I'm testing frequency response, the capacitors actually gave entirely new detail and let me hear parts of the song I genuinely couldn't before (I did do a comparison side by side with the old board).

    I can't necessarily say I genuinely did though, it really could be placebo.


    Now you’re talking in circles.

    Carry on …

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,806
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    More like talking out his a$$.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 886
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    bcwsrt wrote: »
    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    Hmm, so I've come to an epiphany.

    If cables (conductors) don't affect sound, then how on earth do capacitors affect sound (which I've personally heard the massive differences they do make)?

    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    Good point. I suppose the only real argument I could give is that with cables I'm testing frequency response, the capacitors actually gave entirely new detail and let me hear parts of the song I genuinely couldn't before (I did do a comparison side by side with the old board).

    I can't necessarily say I genuinely did though, it really could be placebo.


    Now you’re talking in circles.

    Carry on …

    Yeah it's entirely contradictory, I've acknowledged that. I'm just saying that I'm open to the fact that it's placebo. I mean, hey, wouldn't it be funny if I was wrong?

    I hear a difference, yet it might be my brain playing tricks on me. Seems to make sense to me. My perception might be different than the objective truth. So what? I could have worded it better but you know what I meant.
  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,603
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    No, I massively, entirely, genuinely don’t know what you meant.

    You either heard with your own two ears (and, yes, brain) differences you described with those adjectives/adverbs, or it was placebo.

    Which one?

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
  • ChrisD06
    ChrisD06 Posts: 886
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    bcwsrt wrote: »
    No, I massively, entirely, genuinely don’t know what you meant.

    You either heard with your own two ears (and, yes, brain) differences you described with those adjectives/adverbs, or it was placebo.

    Which one?

    Having a little trouble are we? I believe I heard with my ears, but it also could have been placebo.

    If you need an analogy Id be happy to provide one
  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,603
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    No trouble here. I definitely got it. 👍

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,164
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    I’ve seen some piss threads here but this one has gots to be the yellowist mine eyes have laid their balls upon! 😳
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,279
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    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    bcwsrt wrote: »
    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    Hmm, so I've come to an epiphany.

    If cables (conductors) don't affect sound, then how on earth do capacitors affect sound (which I've personally heard the massive differences they do make)?

    ChrisD06 wrote: »
    Good point. I suppose the only real argument I could give is that with cables I'm testing frequency response, the capacitors actually gave entirely new detail and let me hear parts of the song I genuinely couldn't before (I did do a comparison side by side with the old board).

    I can't necessarily say I genuinely did though, it really could be placebo.


    Now you’re talking in circles.

    Carry on …

    Yeah it's entirely contradictory, I've acknowledged that. I'm just saying that I'm open to the fact that it's placebo. I mean, hey, wouldn't it be funny if I was wrong?

    I hear a difference, yet it might be my brain playing tricks on me. Seems to make sense to me. My perception might be different than the objective truth. So what? I could have worded it better but you know what I meant.

    Just buy a cheap system and tell yourself it sounds better than anything you've ever heard.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,346
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    jkluq64vtcas.jpg

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 16,926
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    They need more cowbell...
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,054
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    All gear actually sounds the same, it's just the sampling that makes the difference

    Ymmv
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,466
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    Yeah, but you can't hear the difference between 44.1kHz and AM radio.
    I disabled signatures.
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 725
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    "All gear actually sounds the same, it's just the sampling that makes the difference

    Ymmv"


    So on that note, I was looking for identical albums on HDtracks that I could get in different SRs. I got distracted when looking for music that I'm Familiar with and found this: https://www.hdtracks.com/#/album/5debab08f73cc8ae84d3332e . I'm a huge fan of Radiohead and lately cover tunes. It comes in two different SRs and bit depths.


    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,466
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    Interesting. I like a couple of those Radiohead tracks. A bit pleasantly-melancholy/haunting. Is that that singer's vocal style?

    When you buy music on HDTracks, if you buy higher resolution, do you also have access to lower resolution, or are those separate purchases?
    I disabled signatures.
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 725
    edited October 2023
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    msg wrote: »
    Interesting. I like a couple of those Radiohead tracks. A bit pleasantly-melancholy/haunting. Is that that singer's vocal style?

    When you buy music on HDTracks, if you buy higher resolution, do you also have access to lower resolution, or are those separate purchases?

    You know your question has got me thinking. Couldn't I Take an album in 192Khz and down sample it step by step? I'm thinking I could save some $$ by not having to buy the same album over and over, just make the devices do all the work?
    Post edited by HzTweaker on
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 725
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    My experience With downloaded hi-res is that it's only in the SR/BD that is downloaded in.
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,466
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    HzTweaker wrote: »
    msg wrote: »
    Interesting. I like a couple of those Radiohead tracks. A bit pleasantly-melancholy/haunting. Is that that singer's vocal style?

    When you buy music on HDTracks, if you buy higher resolution, do you also have access to lower resolution, or are those separate purchases?

    You know your question has got me thinking. Couldn't I Take an album in 192Khz and down sample it step by step? I'm thinking I could save some $$ by not having to buy the same album over and over, just make the devices do all the work?

    Yeah, you can. I wonder what they use to create lower resolution versions, and whether it matters. I'm sure somewhere there's an argument about this on both sides.

    I'm not familiar enough with this process. Are there music processing engines that are better than others?

    Would you be able to tell the difference if you just downsampled in Audacity or CoolEditPro? (is that even around anymore?)

    I suppose you could convert a track and then compare the waveform to a downloaded one for a visual sense as well as what you hear? Not sure any of those tools would be definitive.

    Reminds me of a discussion about cables some time ago. I came across a vendor or manufacturer a while back who proposed using a "difference" wave or file or something. I forget what it was called, but it involved taking a recording of playback output from a particular set of parameters, and overlaying that recording on another one, capturing the diffence data to a new track. In theory, this would give you an audio recording of what is different between a control and test track.

    I did this, and it actually, works, however there's a glaring question of timing, and how sensitive the ear is to offset.

    See, the tracks have to be overlaid at the exact same point of start. Audacity, I think, was only accurate to hundredths or thousandths of a second, so while there was difference data between recordings from two tracks, I couldn't be sure whether it was "missing" information, or simply delay offset data, or maybe both.

    It was interesting, though. I'll try to find that thread.

    (*written on stupid mobile. any typos are my fault, but I don't effing care anymore)
    I disabled signatures.
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,279
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    According to a study conducted by Aalto University and genelac, the human ear can detect timing anomalies to a half a millisecond.