The Internet has come alive with cheers of audiophiles and jeers of audiophobes since CNN.com reported unconfirmed rumors that download services such as iTunes and Amazon MP3 would soon begin offering music files with 24-bit resolution. Technically, this is a step up from the 16-bit resolution available in most downloads. But predictably, non-audiophiles are criticizing this move as little more than a naked marketing ploy.
As a former marketing manager at Dolby Laboratories, one of the first companies to promote the idea of 24-bit music releases, I have lots of experience with 24-bit sound and with naked marketing ploys. With my in-depth knowledge of where the bits are buried, so to speak, I'm the perfect guy to sort out the fact from the fiction for you.
WHAT'S 24-BIT SOUND?
Two primary factors determine the quality of digital audio: the word depth (or number of bits) and the sampling rate. To produce digital audio, a device called an analog-to-digital converter effectively measures the level of sound many times per second, and outputs this level as digital data. The resolution of each measurement is the word depth. A word depth of 16 bits can resolve the level of each sample to an accuracy of 1/65,536, while a word depth of 24 bits resolves each sample to an accuracy of 1/1,048,576.
Each bit of word depth adds 6 dB of dynamic range, the difference between the softest sound and the loudest sound the system can reproduce. So a 16-bit recording has a dynamic range of 96 dB, while a 24-bit recording has a dynamic range of 144 dB.
Digital systems with a greater word depth usually also offer higher sampling rates. Instead of the 44.1-kilohertz rate used for CD, they offer rates of 48 kHz, 96 kHz or even higher. This increases the frequency response of the system, which is going to be a little less than half the sampling rate once all the necessary filters are added. So a 44.1-kHz sampling rate gives you a frequency response up to around 20 kHz, while a 96-kHz sampling rate approaches 48 kHz frequency response.
I grew up in the 70's and 80's, listening first to vinyl
records, then cassette tapes, then later on upgrading to CD's and
finally mp3 and other electronic music formats.
I can't fathom what possible advantage having a 24 bit music file would have over a 16 bit
file. I certainly wouldn't pay more for it.
Most of the time I listen to music in my car or while I'm in the gym, neither of which are ideal
music listening environments.
I'm just glad I don't have to worry
about scratched records that skip (and make other noise if they aren't
clean), or the hiss from audio cassettes.
There are occasional strange sounds from corrupted music files, but I can either rip it off the CD
again, or re-download it.
I do miss the ability to go to Best Buy, HMV, etc..and grab the latest SACD or DVD-A off of the shelf. The problem I have now Brent is no DSL/Cable where I live (Country Living At It's Best - My Townshiip's credo). I rely on a 4G "soon-to-be" LTE signal and a 9GB data cap (Canada, Eh? - I miss living in the U.S.A.). I used to have Point to Multi-Point Satellite based internet with no cap but a slow and unreliable (weather dependent) connection. The Cellular signal I have now is a great improvement over the Sat based signal but is more costly ($96 CDN +tx/month).
My point is it would be way too expensive for me to download say a 192kHz/24Bit (4.7GB/2 = 2.35GB - That's more than a quarter of my data plan for the month!).
Cheers
Fact is rudedog4, that what you describe does not benefit from any high resolution music, so why bother? Continue consuming music in a convenient form for those activities where sound is not important. However, when listening on quality equipment, in the comfort of your home or within quiet headphones, where high res can really deliver... that's when you will benefit from the extra bits and khz.
I have been an "America" fan since college. They came to my school when they released Homecoming. 37 years later, I still enjoy the album and Ventura highway stills sounds sweet on my trusty CD copy. I recently acquired an SACD copy and inserted into my Oppo.
My jaw dropped when I heard the iconic guitar intro. I played that song over an over for almost an hour discovering nuances that I had never heard. My wife, who is 25 years younger and should have much better ears than me, also remarked on how open and beautiful the guitars sound. She only knows this song from me, as she is an immigrant from Cuba with no access to high fidelity. However, she has musicians in her family and is very familiar with live guitar performances.
Bottom line-- Absolutely lets run toward 24bit 96khz/192khz!!!! I am now rediscovering sweetness in Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Dark Side of the Moon, Vivaldi Four Seasons and growing.