juke
very active
Posts: 396
|
Post by juke on Jun 25, 2013 9:39:48 GMT
I just got a Jheena Lodwick CD marked 24/96. I presume this means the master was as it can't be the CD, most of the other writing was Japanese, where the disc originated.
I ripped it to Foobar initially using Foobar itself and installed the Foobar HDCD addon. I thought it would give some indication that HD was being decoded on playback, which it doesn't. Tried again with EAC, no different.
Is there anything else I should do or does Foobar not give an indication?
I looked around on Google and got a tip on how to check for HDCD on tracks in the library. It showed the Cd as -4db on every track. Strangely it showed the same message on a number of other CD Album tracks, usually recordings normally regarded as higher quality Brands but I didn't realise were supposed to be HDCD.
Any thoughts please Javier?
Syd
|
|
Javier
Administrator
Digital bytes
Posts: 986
|
Post by Javier on Jun 25, 2013 12:51:30 GMT
I'd say most probably those tracks or CDs showing -4dB and extra info such as are "Peak Extension" and/or "Transient Filter" are indeed HDCD. You can change Foobar status bar code to make it show all HDCD related info. Go to: File->Preferences->Display->Default User Interface and paste the following in the "Status Bar" box overwriting whatever you may have now:
%codec% | %samplerate% Hz | $if(%__bitspersample%,%__bitspersample% bits,'N/A') | %channels% | %playback_time%[ / %length%] | %bitrate% kbps | $if($info(hdcd),'(HDCD:',) $if(%__hdcd%,PE: %__hdcd_peak_extend% LLE: %__hdcd_gain% TF: %__hdcd_transient_filter%')')
Then play one of those files and whatch the text displayed on the status bar (lower left of Foobar) if you see the word HDCD then you can be sure they truly are HDCD encoded.
|
|
juke
very active
Posts: 396
|
Post by juke on Jun 26, 2013 10:04:39 GMT
I'd say most probably those tracks or CDs showing -4dB and extra info such as are "Peak Extension" and/or "Transient Filter" are indeed HDCD. Then play one of those files and whatch the text displayed on the status bar (lower left of Foobar) if you see the word HDCD then you can be sure they truly are HDCD encoded. Thanks Javier, that has worked great. Strange though the 'readings' on the bottom line differ from what the other utility was showing, but I'm happy. Foobar is an amazing facility so long as you have someone to turn to! The tracks that I mentioned, that were identified by the other utility, do indeed show up again as HDCD when played yet I don't recall them being so identified, must dig out the CDs and check. Syd
|
|
Dave
very active
Posts: 480
|
Post by Dave on Jun 26, 2013 11:26:30 GMT
Syd, Got a link to the Jheena Lodwick CD/HDCD please? I discovered her on the 'Best Audiophile Voices' series of CDs which (I don't really understand - sorry but Javier might) are said to be 44.8/16 but mastered differently such that the SQ is noticeably better than Red Book. If you're into that sort of music take a look at the 'Best Audiophile Voices' series - touch more expensive than the usual but well worth it IMHO. Cheers, Dave.
|
|
Javier
Administrator
Digital bytes
Posts: 986
|
Post by Javier on Jun 26, 2013 11:35:40 GMT
Many CDs that are encoded as HDCD aren't advertised as such in the case or even on the disc itself, I have a few of them. Anyway, even if encoded as HDCD they may actually play as regular CDs if HDCD main features lie "Peak Extension" weren't used at the time of encoding. Many studios had HDCD recorders or encoders that were used only as oversampling filters because they were thought to be one of the very best at the time but for whatever the reasons didn't like the extra capabilities and bypassed them, in this case the HDCD light in compatible CD players or the HDCD sign will turn on but there will be no difference compared to a regular CD.
|
|
Javier
Administrator
Digital bytes
Posts: 986
|
Post by Javier on Jun 26, 2013 11:45:11 GMT
The Foobar HDCD plugin will decode such discs to 20bit and add four additional 0s for a total of 24bit. HDCD files can be easily converted to 24bit WAV, FLAC, ALAc or whatever one wants (rmemeber the real theoretical resolution is 20bit, not 24 which is only used for the sake of standarisation and compatibility). Converted files enjoy the benefit of HDCD but can be played on any player and not only in Foobar or WMP (Microsoft bought Pacific Microsonic's HDCD system).
|
|
juke
very active
Posts: 396
|
Post by juke on Jun 26, 2013 12:33:13 GMT
Syd, Got a link to the Jheena Lodwick CD/HDCD please? I discovered her on the 'Best Audiophile Voices' series of CDs which (I don't really understand - sorry but Javier might) are said to be 44.8/16 but mastered differently such that the SQ is noticeably better than Red Book. If you're into that sort of music take a look at the 'Best Audiophile Voices' series - touch more expensive than the usual but well worth it IMHO. Cheers, Dave. Sorry Dave, it was a Father's Day present ex Ebay from Japan. I just checked the link and there are no more listed. Her Cds fetch ridiculous money, you just have to keep a regular check on the usual sources but you probably know that. Syd
|
|
juke
very active
Posts: 396
|
Post by juke on Jun 26, 2013 12:35:34 GMT
That's interesting stuff Javier. It seems to tie in with the tracks I have played so far. Linn seem to use it a lot on their CDs.
Syd
|
|
juke
very active
Posts: 396
|
Post by juke on Jul 21, 2013 12:21:14 GMT
|
|
Dave
very active
Posts: 480
|
Post by Dave on Jul 21, 2013 16:37:45 GMT
Hi Syd, Thanks for that - it looks very interesting. Whilst perusing the linked site I came across a few SACDs advertised as 24/192 and even one at 32/192, in the same musical genre so I might 'invest' in one or more of them when funds are refreshed at the month end just to see if I can perceive any differences. Cheers, Dave.
|
|