Sony's ATRAC Type-R vs Sharp's ATRAC 24-bit

[Sony_Fan]

I've noticed that only Sharp MD recorders come with ATRAC 24-bit encoding, but none of the Sony models have this. Is there a difference in recording quality betweent Type-R and 24-bit ATRAC? Or are they the same? I remember when I had the Sharp 722 MD recorder, the recording quality was very similar to CD quality.

[sfbp]

I think most if not all Sony recorders store ATRAC as 24-bits.

Since Sharp doesn't let you get it out digitally, the only ways to get 24-bit ATRAC from the decks are

a. uploading with Sonic Stage from RH1

b. the MDS-JB940 which will actually output 24 bits to TOSlink.

[PhilippeC]

I think most if not all Sony recorders store ATRAC as 24-bits.

Since Sharp doesn't let you get it out digitally, the only ways to get 24-bit ATRAC from the decks are

a. uploading with Sonic Stage from RH1

b. the MDS-JB940 which will actually output 24 bits to TOSlink.

The JB980 has "1-Bit Sigma-Delta ADC (24 bit sampling)", so I hope my recordings are really in 24bits - 44,1kHz (sadly not 96)...

[sfbp]

The JB980 has "1-Bit Sigma-Delta ADC (24 bit sampling)", so I hope my recordings are really in 24bits - 44,1kHz (sadly not 96)...

Notice I say get FROM the decks. TO the decks is mostly 24-bits. Everything from JE530 onwards, I think. And a few high-end (ES) models before that, such as the JA50ES (the JA3ES is still only 20 bits).

[Sony_Fan]

I think most if not all Sony recorders store ATRAC as 24-bits.

Since Sharp doesn't let you get it out digitally, the only ways to get 24-bit ATRAC from the decks are

a. uploading with Sonic Stage from RH1

b. the MDS-JB940 which will actually output 24 bits to TOSlink.

Why doesn't Sony advertise 24-bit encoding like Sharp does? I just wanted know if Sharp's ATRAC 24-bit was superior to ATRAC Type-R.

[sfbp]

I doubt it. Sony made all the core technology, and merely licensed it to others. You will see how Sharp and Kenwood just "happened" to get 24-bit ATRAC right around the same time Sony did (or a little after). And I don't know of ANY deck except the 940 which has true 24-bit S/PDIF output.

Unless you can show me a service manual that shows different, I believe that most of the non-Sony improvements are cosmetic/marketing. That's one reason I have stuck 100% to Sony.

[PhilippeC]

That mean JB940 and hight-end decks like JA333ES have an analog output at REAL 24bits rate

But JB980 not ??

Is this something you know from reading only the specifications or from an electonic control ?

[sfbp]

Sorry my friend Analog is analog, bits = 0 or bits = infinity.

The input to the D->A converter is 24 bits, but that is the case anyway, since ATRAC is stored that way. The only externally available digital sound in 24-bits is from the 940 (and maybe a couple of others, 333ES and 555ES, the latter also permitting the unusual 20 bits output). I might guess that it would be possible to fix some other units to output 24-bits but way beyond my competency. Most people are buying the high end stuff for the ANALOG output, i.e. great D->A.

[Sony_Fan]

I doubt it. Sony made all the core technology, and merely licensed it to others. You will see how Sharp and Kenwood just "happened" to get 24-bit ATRAC right around the same time Sony did (or a little after). And I don't know of ANY deck except the 940 which has true 24-bit S/PDIF output.

Unless you can show me a service manual that shows different, I believe that most of the non-Sony improvements are cosmetic/marketing. That's one reason I have stuck 100% to Sony.

Has anyone done a test, or is there anyway to test whether ATRAC 24-bit is equal or better than ATRAC Type-R. The only reason I"m asking is because of my experience with Sharp MD recording, and how it was really very much like CD quality. I haven't heard anything even in Sony's line up that can produce the same quality unless you start messing with the EQ settings or changing earphones.