re: #281 A Cranky One

Yup. mp3 is a lossy algorithm. I as an ex-audiophile, I still have some nice toys to listen to and there is a difference. My point was simply that with most speakers/headphones, the majority of folks don’t notice the difference.

The science behind analog to digital conversion is well established, and the CD standard, when properly used, will provide a wider frequency range than almost anyone can hear. And the output signal will match the input signal exactly within the specified ranges in the standard.

Higher sampling rates can capture higher frequencies, but is that an advantage? Truth be told, when you start talking about frequencies above 16kHz, studies have shown that unless you’re a young girl you aren’t going to hear them (CD provides up to 20kHz). Back in my serious audiophile days my ex was an audiologist. So of course I used her equipment to try, no joy. Still bought better audio stuff though. Ah, happy days. (I seem to recall that gender differences were a function of exposure to high sound pressure levels).

Could some listeners, using very high quality playback equipment hear a difference between the new standard being pitched by Neil and the CD standard? Yes. But over time, exposure to high pressure levels takes it’s toll on all of us, and most of us can’t hear it.

Sadly. (Sigh)

My dad’s best friend tested equipment and wrote for Audio magazine. This was well before the digital music revolution. His testing booth in his home was soundproofed, so ambient noise couldn’t affect his listening. He had high-end speakers and headphones, and with them he could hear the difference between direct-to-disc (vinyl, yo) and the usual tape-to-disc process. But, he said, you had to listen intently in a very quiet room to hear the difference.

The vast majority of music listeners do not listen to their tunes in soundproofed rooms, so the Pono’s supposedly superior audio quality will be lost to them. It’s a gimmick, and old Neil should stick to making music, not shilling for equipment manufacturers.