New decade, end of the CD?

does he even truly understand the difference between digital and analog and even the most basic implications?

"Why is there any sound degradation ? it all depends on signal quality. In USB-audio the computer sends the data to the USB-DAC in datapackets.
If the DAC receives error/missing packets there is only a very small timeframe during what the DAC can tell the computer to re-send the packets.
If this timeframe is passed, the music is played without these packets and this is degrading the soundquality. USB-Audio transfer is a completely different thing as USB-data transfer. If eg. a USB-harddisk receives bad packets, the disk asks the computer to resend until the missing/damaged packets are arrived or if the USB cable is bad
they reducing the transfer-speed.



Ferrite
Ferrite rings/beads have to be avoided, as they affecting the highs. Because they filter in same frequency areas as the transmitted USB-audio data.

USB signal quality
Just because it is a USB-signal, it is not automatically resistant against signal-alteration due to different influences! The trivial argument: that is digital, so 0 or 1, yes or no, there can nothing be wrong, is a statement in general only made by users who have no own experience in developing digital- or data-technology.
The development of best USB-cables requires appropriate measuring equipment, where signal-problems can be detected and on construction level and proper material selection nearly be eliminated.
Even here: the ear is also a development tool.


USB Signal Measurements
If we find the time, we will publish here some screenshots and measurement protocols of USB-signals. Professional USB-developers will explain the results in an understandable manner. We will compare and analyse standard USB-cables with AQVOX USB-cables.


To be honest: for our experience, the sonic differences between USB2.0 cables can be huge when it comes to audiophile standards. The AQVOX USB cable sounds very open, transprent and natural, without any harshness. Our customers can go sure, that the AQVOX highend USB cable is made of the very best materials, provides maximum soundquality and exceeds the USB2.0 design specifications. A good hifi set will reveal the advantages of a good USB connection. The sound improves over the complete frequency bandwidth and in all aspects.
Just try it ! "

Source:

http://www.aqvox.de/cable.html

Edited by oliverstoned - July 12 2011 at 08:11

No - the ear is not the best measure of accurate digital signal transmission.

Do they sell high-end silver-plated fully-insulated ear drums? That's what probably is making all the difference here.

Dean wrote: Catcher10 wrote: Bronsonia wrote: Also, do you think vinyl usually sounds better than CD or is that a myth too?    Yes they do sound better..(there I said it !!! ) and yes to many here it is a myth, since there is no natural explanation why it is so....     (I like vinyl) Vinyl has its good points and its bad points. Many will wax lyrical (pun intended) on the good points, so here are a few of the bad points:   they wear out they are susceptible to dust and scratches they are prone to manufacturing defects they have surface noise they warp when they get warm they distort if stored badly the hole in the centre is not that accurate, leading to weird pitch fluctuations (and that is difficult to fix) the channel separation is poor, seriously, it's very poor bass response can be bad dynamic range is adequate but not great unless you've a good turntable, some of what you hear is the turntable itself.   do they sound different? - sure they do, is that better? - no, it's a matter of personal taste.   The mastering and eq for vinyl is different to CD - for vinyl they have to limit the dynamic range and bass response to avoid having big grooves so they can squeeze 20 minutes of music into one side of a 12" platter (this is part of the reason why 12" singles sound better than 12" albums or 7" singles) - CDs do not have that restriction but do have other limitations that requires different mastering and EQ settings, so the same album will sound different, not better, different. Some people equate this difference to good and bad or better and worse, citing the CD as being harsh and brittle and other such sharp, edgy words that you would associate with nasty digital square waves... basically, it's pseudo-psychological word association and little else, CDs do not sound like any of those things, if anything they are less trebbly than a vinyl so therefore should be less harsh because they are not recorded with pre-emphasis to suppress the bass frequencies.   For me, I love vinyl because I like that style of mastering even if it isn't "fidelity", but then I love CD because I really like the huge dynamic range and the wonderful sound staging you get from having an unlimited channel separation.   But that's just me. Other people think differently.

Negoba wrote: I'm wondering, with so many home recorders out there now, if an artist would consider releasing and selling an entire multitrack process just so people can play with it. How much fun would it be to take a Devin Townsend song and see just what he did and twiddle with the levels and such?   It seems to me that would bring me closer to the music and the artist than worrying about vinyl vs. flac.

Edited by Mr ProgFreak - July 12 2011 at 12:59

Whatever an AquaNet is ... 

Mr ProgFreak wrote: Whatever an AquaNet is ...

Some more explanations about digital cables...


http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/digitalcables_e.html

Edited by oliverstoned - July 12 2011 at 15:41

Padraic wrote: oliverstoned wrote: Some more explanations about digital cables... http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/digitalcables_e.html Oh yay!  Another article claiming group delay across the audio band is somehow audibly perceptible!