Digital audio and misconceptions about hi-res audio, sample rates, and bitdepth

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by lm4der, Jul 16, 2016.

  1. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    You are using just part of the bits if total dynamic range provided by equipment is bigger than your hearing diapason.
     
  2. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    OK, slogged through some math and it's making sense now. Thanks @purr1n, you pointed me right enough to find the explanation. In short, you're using 'all the bits' given that the peak of the signal was matched to the reference voltage of an ADC (properly) operating at a given bit depth. Also reasonable listening levels will be eg: 110dB SPL peak and 30DB SPL noise floor of a quiet room, so you've really got like 80dB DR to play with. Which means you're burying 64dB of that 24-bit full range 144dB under the noise floor or your ears are blown.

    These were helpful resources:

    Understanding the Dynamic Range Specification of an ADC
    Deriving the 1 bit = 6 dB rule of thumb

    Math hurts like exercise.
     

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