Audio formats: too much to choose from?

[@Camus376]

Those are the questions that I ask myself all the time and you have answered those questions. It is clear that you know what you're saying on your KZbin videos especially this video. When someone has a lot of experience and audio ecosystem it is clear that they know what to say. Keep on the good research you are doing a tremendous work.

[@johnvalatos4073]

Very good explanation of audio formats. Thank you.

[@gstanley75]

Thanks for your concise and accurate programs. You and Paul from PS audio do a lot of good helping undo the “value added” aspects of audio. I would live to see your 45 years of experience applied to ranking the higher resolution file formats, but realize there is much subjectivity related to equipment at that refined level.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, perhaps this video give the answers you seek: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZbEoHiqYp6JY9k

[@luisdaumas]

Excellent summary, thanks! As usual, a clear and balanced presentation :-)

[@jvrietveld]

Hi Hans, this video inspired me to have a better look at the ACC format on my car stereo. The problem is that I have with most of the mp3 files is a listening fatigue and skip tracks in the hope to find a better sounding on. Most files sound flat. After finding out the stereo does play mpeg 4 audio files as well next to the standard mp3 (360kbps) I converted a few albums from flac to m4a with the Dbpoweramp Batch converter. I have used the 400kbps CBR setting and transferred the files to a 16gb USB stick. Yes, file size a not an issue anymore. Well during a test drive I listened with my daughter to the converted files in my Renault Zoe. We both agreed the tracks sounded more enjoyable and had a better soundstage. Gone was the flat sound. So I will use the advanced audio coding in the future for mobile use. Cheers.

[@Dankzzz]

I try to enjoy the music, but it's difficult when there are so many informative videos on KZbin 😊 thanks!

[@jonass.4449]

Hans, l watch all Your videos, but for me this one is the best. Thanks for very informative explanation.

[@marcus1970]

Hans, another great video, obviously the ability to fully unfold mqa on relatively inexpensive equipment (such as my own Bluesound node 2) is something that I generally prefer, however with many external dacs, costing many thousands(even tens of thousands) of pounds more than what is contained within my streamer, how may sound quality compare with a non mqa dac (hence only first unfolding being performed)..... The Chord Qutest has my attention... Though I have yet to try it in my set at home.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have been a Chord fan for years but my Brooklyn outperforms it (I still have the Hugo) by far AND does MQA.

[@martinvanderleek583]

Thank you Hans for the good explanation of the different types of audio files!. (sorry for my bad english) I use AAC-512kbps! converted with Foobar2000 from my CD rips to use and listen music from usb-stick and did some blind tests compared with Flac/alac files I can`t hear any difference and the music is widely stereo an open as well. if i go to lower quality rips like AAC-256 or MP3-320 i can hear the difference then its sounds closer and backend. we did the blind test almost 1 year ago on my 2800€ setup with a seperate dac and an Raspberry Pi with the Allo Boss 1.2 card.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, that means that in your setup you can't hear no difference. That's fine as long as you enjoy the music.

[@rhadamanthys76]

Hey Hans, excellent video as always Just was left with a doubt at the end of it In the wrap up you mention that you prefer MQA where possible and if not you use FLAC for home use. However seeing the start of the video, I got the impression that DSD was higher quality. How come you don't bother with DSF format? Is it that you don't notice a difference in quality between FLAC and DSD....?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

DSD64 is about equal to PCM 384 kHz. DSF is the most popular file format used for DSD. What sounds better, PCM or DSD, depends on your DAC. Some handle PCM better while other work better with DSD.

[@davehorne7207]

Hans, I enjoy your videos though have a possible minor correction to pass on. The pronunciation of 'wav', as in wav file, should be wave and not waff. This is a very minor point and is given with the best of intentions. (I live in the Netherlands as well though was not born here.) All the best, Dave Horne

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks, appreciate the tip.

[@FungedeBagre]

Great video . please explain if a file played from the PC through a receiver using HDMI suffers any conversion.

[@85prp]

What about AIFF?

[@drewthfc]

Hi Hans. Keep up the good work on your channel. I do have one question you may be able to help me with even though its off subject for this video. After watching a lot of your other videos I've decided to get a Raspberry Pi with a DAC I haven't quite chosen yet but, I would like to know if there is any software (Rune, Moode etc,etc) that has a plug in or can natively connect to Tidal?? I've seen plug ins for Spotify but much prefer Tidal and would like to use that.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

There are several possibilities but I think PiCorePlayer is the simples. This emulates a Squeezebox on the Raspberry Pi and there is a plugin for Tidal. If you use a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 you can also run the SB server program called LMS on the Pi.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

See support.tidal.com/hc/en-us/articles/201871191-Squeezebox

[@drewthfc]

Thanks for your help. I'll certainly be looking into that. Again keep up the good work on your channel.

[@BDawgStudio]

In your opinion is there any reason to convert redbook CD to DSD? Ive read before that it sounds better.

[@PauloJMateus]

Why you compare with MP3 256 instead MP3 320 wich is more used? ! ! !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I should have, but the difference with 256 isn't that big. AAC 256 is better and smaller in file size than MP3 320.

[@marottajoe]

Why no mention of aiff?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

There is nothing wrong with AIFF but if I had mentioned that one, wouldn't I also had to mention WMF, OGG and so on.AIFF is like WAV but the metadata is supported far better.