Computer Audio Asylum

OK, I just found out everything I think and hear isn't true.

76.214.238.65

oldmkvi

Or is it?
I've heard this before, even from an Audio Engineer!
https://gizmodo.com/lossless-audio-does-not-sound-better-tha (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

RE: OK, I just found out everything I think and hear isn't true. - Whell 18:39:58 03/20/24 (0)
This was the line that made me call "bullshit" on the entire article:

"Churnside uses lossless files for his technical work in audio production, but the reasons are more complex than just because it "sounds better." Audio engineers work very hard to ensure your MP3 sounds just as good as the original WAV."

Maybe they wouldn't have to work so hard if they stuck to the lossless source files. Besides, many times when some of those audio engineers "work hard" on those source files, they compress the shit out of it.
Storage is cheap.... - Rod M 13:18:26 03/18/24 (7)
I rip everything to WAV because I don't care about compressing the data.

MP3s vary a lot. At lower bit rates, they suck bad. Amazon Music uses a bit rate of 268kbps which is awfully close to CD sound. The compression is 81% which is a lot.

In any case, if I buy a CD from Amazon, usually I can download the MP3 to listen right away, but I then rip the CD after I get it. But I'll use the MP3s to copy over to an SD card for phone usage in the car or some other bluetooth speaker when traveling.

-Rod
- For some bizarre reason... - E-Stat 18:24:37 03/18/24 (6)
  The Apple CarPlay found on my 2021 Honda Passport is limited to playing external USB file content ONLY as MP3! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
  
  Fortunately, I have a Win app called dbPowerAmp which has a wonderful batch transcoder to create LAME VBR MP3 copies of my FLAC digital library.
  
  Good 'enuf for the car. Don't copy most classical content because there's too much dynamic range for that environment.
  - Not so bizarre for USB stick playback..... - AbeCollins 11:10:01 03/19/24 (5)
    I haven't used USB thumb drives for music playback in our cars for nearly two decades.
    USB stick music playback in cars has been around for a very long time and many haven't been updated to support more than the basic FAT filesystem and MP3 files with very rudimentary "library" navigation.
    My previous cars including my Honda Passport (which is older than your Passport) accept iPod / iPhone input over the Apple Lightning connector to USB straight into the car's audio system DAC in the digital domain. This is similar to using an outboard USB DAC like the AQ Dragonfly series on the iPhone. This supports uncompressed audio formats (WAV AIFF) as well as lossless compression (FLAC ALAC) at true CD quality and beyond including hi-res 24/96, 24/192, etc if you feel the need. These can be local files on the iPod / iPhone -or- modern hi-res streaming over the cellular network via Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Apple Music, etc.
    iPod under armrest in my 2008 BMW 135i M-Sport . No USB sticks.
    
    Album / artist / track info scrolls on the head unit display.
    
    2019 Honda Passport / Apple CarPlay with iPhone to the car's DAC for full hi-res music . No MP3 compromises.
    
    Plays local files from iPhone or stream Qobuz, Tidal, and even my music library residing at home on my NAS.
    IMHO playing music from a USB stick in a car is crippling and has been for many years. There are much more modern and better ways.
    
    Edits: 03/19/24
    - I enjoy - E-Stat 11:28:36 03/19/24 (4)
      random play to explore old friends. Or play SiriusXM.
      Rarely stream Qobuz.
      Better for what? Touting it's *modern*? Who cares?
      What's more valuable to me is being able to use the steering wheel controls to advance tracks, change station, etc.
      
      Edits: 03/19/24
      - RE: I enjoy - AbeCollins 15:44:47 03/19/24 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I enjoy posted by E-Stat on March 19, 2024 at 11:28:36
        
        "....random play to explore old friends. Better for what? Touting it's *modern*? Who cares?"
        
        If it's not obvious to you you missed the whole point.
        
        "What's more valuable to me is being able to use the steering wheel controls to advance tracks, change station, etc. "
        
        All that and more via Apple CarPlay to iPhone vs dinking with USB sticks and MP3 files.
        
        But whatever you're familiar with and works for you.....
        
        Perhaps the biggest difference is... - E-Stat 16:03:30 03/19/24 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I enjoy posted by AbeCollins on March 19, 2024 at 15:44:47
        
        you drive your Passport on a regular basis. I don't. And really don't fuss over car stereo. Nor do I have a collection of attachment and dash photos!
        For me, it's third in line following the ST1300 and S2000. With those, the engine provides the primary soundtrack. The Passport is great for hauling stuff, multiple someones, or for travel. :)
        BTW, the S2000 uses an even older tech - CD changer. The Horror !
        
        Edits: 03/19/24
        
        Probably not the biggest difference...... - AbeCollins 21:13:07 03/19/24 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Perhaps the biggest difference is... posted by E-Stat on March 19, 2024 at 16:03:30
        
        ....as my 2019 Passport will be 5 years old this August with less than 20K miles on it. I don't drive it all that much.
        I was simply pointing out the obvious solution to your USB thumb drive and MP3 madness in 2024. The solution is already built into your Honda Passport by way of Apple CarPlay and a Lightning to USB cable.
        I don't fuss over car stereo either. I simply plug-in the iPhone and ALL of my music is right there ready to go including hi-res.... no MP3's and thumb drives. IMHO MP3 music on USB thumb drives is so 1990's! Your 2021 Honda deserves better ;-)
        But like I said, if USB thumb drives and MP3's are in your comfort zone then go with it.
        
        Edits: 03/19/24
        
        Which vehicle do you drive the most? - E-Stat 05:46:58 03/20/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Probably not the biggest difference...... posted by AbeCollins on March 19, 2024 at 21:13:07
        
        Sold the Toyota truck, right?
        Does your phone connect with the CR-V ?
        
        Edits: 03/20/24 03/30/24 03/31/24
So maybe you'll be willing to join me now. . . - Chris from Lafayette 11:49:45 03/18/24 (0)
. . . in the lossy world of Dolby Atmos on Apple Music! (Of course, you'll have to invest in an Atmos system with discreet channels!)

Welcome to my world! I'll just reiterate my observation that, without Dolby Atmos, listeners are LOSING some of the sound field - and it's hard to get more "lossy" than that! ;-)

(BTW, as other listeners have remarked, the Apple lossy algorithms seem quite a bit superior to the older mp3 algorithms mentioned in your link - which, BTW, has some absurd observations to it, such as "you can't tell the difference between mp3 and lossless when you're using air pods". Well duh!) ;-)
No doubt true when... - E-Stat 08:59:41 03/18/24 (0)
Maxwell listens to his system, aka phone. ;)

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion