QuestionQUESTION: How is it that I can compile CD's with my sony W100 CDR (using both the analogue & digital methods)which are of CD quality when played on my HI FI separates system (Rega), but CD's compiled by ripping and burning (at all rates) through my laptop and windows media wav files are definitely not of CD quality. Surely the CDR method is a form of ripping and burning via computer memory files.
This is now bugging me - a real mystery.
ANSWER: Totally expected results. Ripping from a CD or Analog inputs will always sample Wav at 44.1K. There is only one codec that can match that high sampling rate and that is any lossless compression format. You usually able to set up the sampling rate within the computer software. The default setting is generally a low bit rate like computer audio downloads (128kbits). Chose something higher like 256 VBR. There are thousands of possibilities. You need to experiment with what sounds good to you. If you use lossless compression files you can be sure that they will sound as good as the Wav. Don't try to upload them because they are too large. Ripping CD's it will take longer but worth the effort.
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QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply.
Just a couple more queries - is it not possible for a software program to rip CD's into wav files with a 44.1k sample rate?
I presume the windows media wav sampling rate is lower than this. I understand that the bit depth is also important here. So, in truth, wav files are not always 'loss-less'
Robert
ANSWER: Depending on the ripping software you are using, you may have the ability to rip in Wav. Even a lossless file will not contain anything not present in a Wav file. The two major differences between Wav and lossless are that lossless played on a computer will not have any clock pulses (present in a mechanical CD player) and the Wav will not contain ID information. The Wav will only show it's information through TOC data available from third party databases. Lossless contains the data within the file as does any codec.
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QUESTION: Hi again Rob,
The thing is, I have already ripped CD's with windows media (via my laptop) into WAV files, and also into lossless compression files at a VBR of 470kb/s and above, and still find that Cd's burned (at all burn rates)from these files lack CD quality sound, and are not as sharp/clear as CD's compiled with my Sony CDR. Do you have any suggestions as to why this is? I really appreciate having access to your expertise.
Thanks again,
Robert
AnswerUsually this is not a function of the processed file. It is the electronics that are coming into play. If you are not using a high quality DAC that the D to A converter in the Sony is probably superior. The only way you can really A/B is if you were using the same electronic processing in the DAC. We spent years perfecting our own system understanding that problem.
