ABX test please -- HI-SP @ 256 and 352

[1kyle]

I really like the 352 kbs option with SS. Seems a real shame SB only gives Hi SP @ 256. (Any chance of say SB 2.1 with the new RH1 supplying that option).

Has anybody done a decent ABX test with 352 compared to 256 staring with a WAV file to avoid multiple encodings.

My "gut feel" is that especially for some classical music in particular Organ passages (J.S Bach / Buxtehude etc. or if you want to let your Sound system off the lead try the organ piece in the last movement of S. Saens Symphony nr 3 known as the Organ Symphony) is that the 352 sound is a tiny bit cleaner than the 256 but I certainly wouldn't complain at 256. I'd also have to listen hard to detect the difference with most music.

Disk space is cheap enough these days. I've just purchased a new external 1TB disk (1000GB) for under 200 USD so storing large files on your computer shouldn't be the problem it used to be.

I was using the NH1 with Line out into the amp for listening. I'd assume that the line out of the NH1 would be a better test than the Headphone out of the RH10 although that is OK especially when the volume hack has been applied.

I'd certainly be interested if anybody could post some ABX test results. I'll have a go at this myself later after I've set up some test data.

Anybody else interested and using Windows you can get some ABX software (Free)

http://www.pcabx.com/product/index.htm

You'll also need the Winabx program

http://www.kikeg.arrakis.es/winabx/

I'd be really interested in seeing other peoples results from an ABX test.

Have fun

Cheers

-K

Edited March 18, 2006 by 1kyle

[NickyJay]

Any update on this? I would also be interested in the results.

[md user]

Quote: "Has anybody done a decent ABX test with 352 compared to 256 staring with a WAV file to avoid multiple encodings."

I've said it before on this forum (elsewhere), try here for the general public's view: URL is here.

Not ABX per se, but a general guide as to 'rating'.

I only ever put PCM on my Hi-MD's

.....

namely the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700, which are entry-range audiophile, and even 352kbps Atrac3+ didn't make the cut any more.

Why (out of interest)? Did you hear artefacts or didn't like the balance anymore &c.?

Regards,

mdmad.

[garcou]

PCM seemed more dynamic, more three-dimensional. A kind of richer sound. Not artefacts as such, no. It didn't feel distorted in Hi-SP, but lacking something. The lossless really had more depth. From then on, I didn't want to feel like I was missing on the sonic experience, and decided I wouldn't go below 1411kbps.

Had the same experience than you , Wizard, But only with fast(low quality) 352 kbps encoding ( try Miles Davis Concerto de Ajanguez) .

The sound with slow (high quality) 352 kbps encoding (only supported with cd ripping encoding) is very very very closed to pcm, even with those very difficult musics .

NB: To make a simulated cd ripping with Sonicstage and wav files, you can use SS CD burning function in addition with the software "virtual CD" . I think you also can burn an iso cd file of you wav files with Nero.