Wi-fi music player for audiophiles DAC used compared to Minidisc.

[Guest bmn38]

Hi,

Was reading about wf-fi music player developed for audiophiles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5212396.stm

In the article, it talks about the DAC used is of a higher quality even in expensive cd players.

Ok how about MD decks, like even the entry level JE440? Isn't a 24-bit DAC being used here as well?

Any comments?

[netmduser]

Sony should come out with a product like that.

Can't get any better than 24-bit for music.

[ZosoIV]

More bits doesn't necessarily equate to more quality, and likewise, not all DAC's that claim to be 24-bit produce 24 bits of resolution in reality. The fact is, 16 bits has more than enough dynamic range (96dB; ~110 dB with dithering) and S/N ratio (96dB) for the end-user, especially considering that CD's are 16-bit and most modern, compressed pop recordings have about 6dB of dynamic range.

Many of Sony's decks came with 24-bit hybrid-pulse DAC's and ADC's, but in practice, the effects from ATRAC probably result in greater differences in sound quality between the CD and MD than there would be from one deck's DAC to another DAC. A good DAC offers an imperceptible noise floor and doesn't color the sound.