JA20ES transfer to RH10

[taper420]

I have a JA20 with optical out and i'll be transfering some legacy md's to my RH10 using PCM. The JA20 has a bit selector for the optical out: 16. 20 , and 24...what do I want this to be at to get the best recording?

[Qwakrz]

I think the Hi-MD's can only handle 16bit audio but can handle sample rates of 32, 44.1 and 44 KHz. However the unit will convert them to 44.1KHz internally so its usually better to stick to 44.1KHz

[MDX-400]

I think the Hi-MD's can only handle 16bit audio but can handle sample rates of 32, 44.1 and 44 KHz. However the unit will convert them to 44.1KHz internally so its usually better to stick to 44.1KHz

Well you can't change the sample rate anyway on MD... The word length/bit selection on some Sony MD decks is interesting. MDs, since the advent of "Wide Bitstream" many years ago, have been able to utilise 24-bit technology in recording and playback. For this reason you can set the digital output and input on some Sony MD decks accordingly.

However I know that recording PCM on Hi-MD is definitely a 16-bit, stereo, 44.1kHz (1411kpbs) recording process. So if you're using PCM I think it would be best to stick to 16-bit output on the JA20ES.

I wonder if portables can handle 20 or 24-bit signal inputs through their digital inputs though? I've never tried it to be honest, but I think they would be able to. Strange as it sounds, if the unit has no problems with the higher word length signal, then for standard MD format recordings I would use 24-bit; however for PCM recordings I'd use 16-bit.