Does DVD-A and SACD make a difference? (1 Viewer)

[MikeSHU]

I listen to all my music through my computer. I own Diva Swan M200 studio monitors and a Sound Blaster Audigy. I am thinking of getting an M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 so I can Listen to DVD-A's and SACD's on my computer and so I don't have to use that shitty Radio Shack 2-RCA to 1/8" Stereo mini jack converter which probably kills some signal (right?)

Is there a reasonable (audible) difference between CD, DVD-A, and SACD on my setup and in general? I'n not concerned with DTS 5.1 just stereo.

Can PC DVD/CD-ROMS play SACD's?

Is there a significant difference between 24-bit 96KHz and 24Bit 192KHz?

 

[MikeSHU]

Thanks

 

[ElevSkyMovie]

I would guess not. I don't hear any difference between cds and dvd-audio discs I have. Computer speakers generally suck, and many times I can't hear much difference between 192K mp3s and cds. Go figure.

I suspect that's why the masses will never go for anything hi-rez, they don't hear any difference.

 

[Jack Briggs]

Guys, the Music area is for discussing the music itself -- and the recordings thereof. This is more of a format discussion involving hardware. For that, A/V Sources is where you post.

 

[Rob Kramer]

On a computer system, I cant see the difference either. However, on a [decent quality] 5.1 surround system, there is a big difference between 2-channel sources (CDs) expanded to multichannel (via DSPs) and true multichannel sources (DVDA/SACD) played in multichannel.

 

[MikeSHU]

I can definitely hear the difference between 192K and CD's and 256K it becomes a little harder but the difference is there. I'm asking about the 192KHz vs 96KHz because the sound card I plan to purchase only supports 96KHz (its a recording card). I want to know if it's worth coughing up extra $$$ for one that can handle 192KHz. These aren't really PC speakers that I have, they're studio monitors. Ever since I upgraded from my Altec Lansing ACS 48 Power Cube Plus I can hear how much 128K MP3's suck. Also, ever since I got these I hear audio detail on my CD's that I never heard before. I'm hoping 24-bit audio will make an even bigger difference.

 

[MikeSHU]

I would post you links to the speakers I won, they are not cheap PC crap, but I have to make 15 posts first :frowning:

 

[Doug_H]

Mike

The lower the system the less difference you can hear. I have a DVD-A player in my car and hear only a slight difference.

At home however there is a huge difference between CD and DVD-A/SACD. It really comes down to how revealing your system is. I have friends with home systems that don't reveal the difference at all.

 

[MikeSHU]

I think i'll try to hook up these speakers to my Toshiba DVD player and try it for myself. Can any DVD player with a 24-bit DAC play back DVD-A disks in 24/96?

 

[John Garcia]

No, not any DVD player. The player must specifically say DVD-A. Most DVD-As have video content and DD/DTS tracks that will play on a DVD-V player, but they are not the same as the hi-res tracks.

 

[MikeSHU]

In my audio options menu I have an audio output choice and one of them is 24/96 PCM, still no?

Please excuse the stupid questions i'm new to this.

 

[MikeSHU]

Here are the links to my speakers:


Swan M200
Audioholics Review
3D Sound Surge Review


And this is the sound card I plan to buy:


Audiophile 2496

 

[Rob Kramer]

That soundcard cannot decode SACDs or DVD-As. Actually, I dont think that *any* sound card is capable of decoding those two formats.

 

[MikeSHU]

The sound card doesn't decode or encode anything. It's a mixing-recording card. The decoding would have to be done in software (which exists) which is fine since my PC is running at 2.1 Ghz with 512MB ram. This card is capable of accepting a 24-bit 96KHz PCM stream and decoding it into analog. Another card that does this is the Uadigy 2 but is not as good quality as the Audiophile 2496

SACD would have to be decoded in software as well but none exists since there is no DVD/CD-ROM that can read SACD's, unfortunately.

 

[ScottCHI]

no

you've got to have a player (home system) or dvd/cd-rom/soundcard combo (computer) made specifically for sacd and/or dvd-a to read and decode either of those formats

 

[MikeSHU]

i guess there's no cheap way out

 

[EricRWem]

Never is my friend. Not when you want to do it right.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

You also need a *drive* in your PC capable of reading and being able to do something with DVD-A and SACD info. I don't personally know of any drives like that, let alone PC cards...