Fun With Digital Resolutions: Reel To Reel Dub and Needle Drop

[Andre Marc]

Hello Folks:

Time for some pre holiday digital fun.

Below are links to clips of two analog sources archived to 44.1 Khz, 16b bit, 96 Khz, 24 bit, and 192 Khz, 24 bit PCM,
as well as DSD64 with a Korg MR2. I did the reel to reel dub, and a good friend
did the LP needle drop. I did all editing for both in Audacity and Korg Audiogate.

This is NOT about analog vs digital, and PLEASE NO POSTS on this topic.

Post your impressions on the differences, if any, you hear on between the resolutions and formats. This not curing cancer,
just fun.

Source One:

Blood, Sweat & Tears self titled album, 7.5 ips Columbia pre-recorded tape.

Lineage: Sony 350 reel to reel>Kimber Silver Streak mini GQ cable>MR-2>Mac Mini>FLAC/DSF

And When I Die (clip)

44.1/16
https://db.tt/0ZePI8bj
96/24
https://db.tt/BZYMSv2M
192/24
https://db.tt/NXP7Ze6w
DSD64
https://db.tt/uhJvG4ti

You've Made Me So Very Happy (clip)

44.1/16
https://db.tt/uiP0vFsQ
96/24
https://db.tt/BqSuXdCU
192/24
https://db.tt/4llmzo5A
DSD64
https://db.tt/JMNfmjRv

Source Two:

Flamenco Fever! M&K direct to disc LP

Lineaage: Basis turntable>Manley phono stage>Kimber Silver Streak mini GQ cable>MR-2>Mac Mini>FLAC/DSF

Alguien Canto (clip)

44.1/16
https://db.tt/onYeuTGk
96/24
https://db.tt/JV2VVChr
192/24
https://db.tt/mjyCUjAD
DSD64
https://db.tt/z0wJ8SLg

 

[Andre Marc]

Updated links.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

This could have been interesting, but you labeled them.

Tim

 

[Andre Marc]

This could have been interesting, but you labeled them.

Tim

Yeh, no fun. heheh. Um, Tim even if I labeled them your DAC or playback software would have displayed the resolution.
Who wouldn't look?

 

[Andre Marc]

 

[Andre Marc]

 

[audioarcher]

Hi Andre, I downloaded Alguien Canto. 44k, 192k, and DSD64. Both 192 and DSD64 are clearer and have more detail than the 44k file. The DSD file seems to be more organic than the 192k file.

I'm sure different ADC's will show different results for the various file formats. The Korg certainly sounds very good with DSD. There may be other ADC's that can capture 44k better than the Korg. The playback DAC can also effect the preference as well. Interesting test none the less.

 

[Andre Marc]

Hi Andre, I downloaded Alguien Canto. 44k, 192k, and DSD64. Both 192 and DSD64 are clearer and have more detail than the 44k file. The DSD file seems to be more organic than the 192k file.

I'm sure different ADC's will show different results for the various file formats. The Korg certainly sounds very good with DSD. There may be other ADC's that can capture 44k better than the Korg. The playback DAC can also effect the preference as well. Interesting test none the less.

Hey double a:

Thanks for posting. Agree with your general notions.

I also made a 176.4 files from the DSD and I must stay it retains much of the "organic" characteristics you noted.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Yeh, no fun. heheh. Um, Tim even if I labeled them your DAC or playback software would have displayed the resolution.
Who wouldn't look?

Actually, my DAC wouldn't and I'd have to go out of my way to see it in my software. And no, I would reach my conclusions before I looked. Because that way the comparison would be much more interesting. But your point is well-taken.

Tim

 

[Andre Marc]

Actually, my DAC wouldn't and I'd have to go out of my way to see it in my software. And no, I would reach my conclusions before I looked. Because that way the comparison would be much more interesting. But your point is well-taken.

Tim

Hey Tim:

I see your points as well.

I can suggest using shuffle on playback. The files are not tagged with any indication of resolution btw.

 

[Andre Marc]

In the light of the good ol' digital resolution thread I see attracting the usual suspects, I figured I'd give this one a bump.

 

[MLGrado]

Does the Korg MR-2 use the Burr Brown PCM4202 ADC? If so, that is a true 1 bit converter. So, when comparing these files, keep that in mind. Meaning the PCM files are essentially converted from DSD whether you do this internally in the Korg, or externally with software. Meaning, that the DSD file is first generation and should sound the best.

 

[Andre Marc]

Does the Korg MR-2 use the Burr Brown PCM4202 ADC? If so, that is a true 1 bit converter. So, when comparing these files, keep that in mind. Meaning the PCM files are essentially converted from DSD whether you do this internally in the Korg, or externally with software. Meaning, that the DSD file is first generation and should sound the best.

Yes. I believe it does.

The PCM files and DSD files uploaded here are all separate recordings. I would love your opinion on what you hear.