FLAC Hi Res recording from Tidal and actual file format.
Hi, I tried support, but no response, so I wonder if anybody can comment in the community. I am trying to record in High resolution from Tidal. It is stated that FLAC Hi Res files recorded by Audials from Tidal are 24 bits and 96,000 Hz. I have found this to be true to an extent. Having played and analysed several files using my system and ears, MusicScope and SPL Hawkeye, the frequency range of recording from Audials is fine and approximates to the 96KHz spectrum of tidal purchased downloads. However, although the files are recorded at 24 bit, the top 8 bits are empty so in fact it is still only a 16bit recording from the point of quality. or am I wrong? I can usually hear more quality difference between 16bit v 24bit than I can between 44.1 KHz x 96 KHz FLAC files so I am concerned about my measurements.
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Thanks for sharing that.
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It sounds like you've done some thorough analysis of the recordings you've made from Tidal using Audials. Let's break down your observations:
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Frequency Range: It's good to hear that the frequency range of the recordings from Audials matches the 96 kHz spectrum of Tidal's high-resolution downloads. This indicates that the recording process is capturing the full audio bandwidth.
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Bit Depth: Your observation that the top 8 bits of the recorded files are empty suggests that while the recordings are technically saved as 24-bit files, they may not contain meaningful audio information in those upper bits. This would effectively make the recordings functionally similar to 16-bit files in terms of audio quality.
When it comes to bit depth, a higher bit depth theoretically allows for more dynamic range and finer detail in the audio signal. However, if the upper bits are empty or contain only noise, those benefits won't be realized in practice.
Given your experience and analysis, it seems reasonable to conclude that the recordings made by Audials from Tidal may not fully utilize the 24-bit depth. While the recordings may be labeled as 24-bit, the actual quality may be closer to 16-bit.
If you're concerned about the accuracy of your measurements or the quality of the recordings, you may want to explore other methods of capturing high-resolution audio from Tidal or consider reaching out to Tidal support for more information about their high-resolution streaming and download options. Kroger survey
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