Is DSD 11.2 MHz "required" for recording taiko drums and Japanese stringed instruments?
www.phileweb.com
Original article in Japanese
"The powerful and deep ultra-low sound of Japanese taiko drums and the penetrating treble of Noukan and Hichiriki are important listening highlights that audiophiles should pay attention to. Ezaki talks about the difficulty of recording and playback: "Japanese taiko drums contain deep ultra-low sounds that can only be recorded at DSD 11.2MHz, so please challenge yourself to reproduce them accurately. The sound pressure was too high, and if I recorded at a normal level, it would all be over, so I put in a minus 20dB pad to suppress the over-level.
Incidentally, the sound pressure of the Noh tube is almost unheard of in Western instruments, and is comparable to the bang of a large drum. Its sharp and powerful treble is also likely to be one of the most difficult challenges for audio systems."
Is there any truth to this?
No idea. We weren't there at the time of recording, but we can run some indirect experiments.
We do know that the theoretical quantization noise of SACD is horrible beyond 20 kHz but the dynamic range in the bass region is actually are pretty good. So DSD isn't worse than PCM in this regard.
source: attached document
EXTON Studio TOKYO
The album was mixed at EXTON Studio TOKYO. Opened in 2012, the studio was "thoroughly particular about the power supply environment, and in addition to installing a pole transformer dedicated to power sharing, it is a studio that pursues sound quality from the power supply side, such as the burial of ground rods, high-quality sound quality wire rods, and the specifications of parts."
The studio uses the Pyramix DAW system which can keep everything in DSD 11.2MHz except for crossfades when DXD is brought into the chain. So at least the studio involved could benefit from DSD 11.2 MHz recordings.
At least from their 2012 equipment list, they've got Accuphase electronics and speakers from B&W, KEF, and even the Sony SS-AR1!
But... it seems that this album is only available on physical Hybrid SACD...
There's no 11.2 MHz DSD digital album to purchase. Admittedly, the recording engineer didn't say that you needed to *listen* to this at DSD 11.2 MHz -- just that it needed to be recorded at DSD 11.2 Mhz.
This creates the scenario for our test. The recording engineer took the trouble to work with DSD 11.2 which is more difficult than PCM. Is there anything that carries to the finished disc?
Does DSD 2.8 MHz offer anything above 16-bit / 44.1 kHz for this album?
I chose Track #11 which is a re-arrangement of Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition with traditional Japanese instruments which has some nice drum activity.
SACD layer
CD layer
The dynamic range of the LEFT channel is 0.4 points different compared to the dynamic range of the right which is just 0.1 points different.
Test parameters
@pkane's DeltaWave v2.0.8
DSD converted to "DXD" 352.8 kHz, with 50 kHz cut frequency and a transition BW of 5000 Hz. Auto Upsample turned on.
DSD and CD layers extracted digitally.
Accuracy of the match:
Delta Waveform (left channel)
You definitely see "spikes" in regions of the music. These aren't drum hits but the stringed instruments. The same is seen on the right channel delta waveform.
The spectrogram does show some changes dipping down as low as 700 Hz, but the changes are very subtle. The biggest changes are above 6 kHz. The biggest transient is also associated with changes in the high frequencies. (Note that the X-axis is slightly shifted when comparing the above and below images)
The "global" spectra looks similar, which makes sense, since it's only the transients that might show differences.
The PK Metric is very low though (suggesting no detectable difference)
LEFT / RIGHT
Discussion
There is no way to test if DSD11.2MHz is required for recording, as claimed by the recording engineer but it does seem that the DSD layer offers something slightly different. We have slightly higher dynamic range by the measurements, and the waveforms do show the biggest differences when the stringed instruments are really being used.
Based upon this test, though, delivery of the finished piece in both CD and SACD format is excellent. The PK Metric suggests that "rms" you're going to find both layers similar. When looking at the null waveform, the transients do seem to have differences of ~12 dB over the noise difference, but it's pretty subtle. The question though is if the noise is just all ultrasonic noise while the signal is actually audible.
ABX Testing: Yes, it's definitely audible. It wasn't the drums but the stringed instruments.
Sennheiser HD820 and Sony TA-ZH1ES at -31.5 dB volume. Estimated in-ear volume for the peaks are 65-70 dB based upon putting a microphone to the open headphone driver. I was easily able to detect the higher noise on the CD layer as opposed to the DSD layer in the beginning of the tracks. This was absent once the music started.
Looking at the volume matching of the DSD vs CD waveforms, you can see that they're pretty reasonable
RIGHT channel
0.008 vs -0.006 dB peak
-19.098 vs -19.096 dB rms
LEFT channel
-0.002 vs -0.040 dB peak
-18.768dB vs -18.767dB rms
I did my ABX testing by specifying the region between 1:27 and 1:40 seconds since that's where we saw the biggest waveform differences were. Here the difference was that the CD layer actually had more HF energy and felt like it was "tickling" the ear more with the plucks of the stringed instrument. It was an ASMR like effect. The SACD didn't generate that result. I didn't appreciate any difference in the bass between the two.
This makes sense numerically from the global spectra which shows that the higher HF energy above 17 kHz on the CD track, although I cannot hear 17 kHz test tones that well. Again, note that I'm listening at -31.5 dB on the TA-ZH1ES.
Final thoughts
Musically, this is an interesting album. It's a blend between traditional Japanese and Western instruments with uniquely Japanese interpretations of even classics like Holst's Jupiter. It's not a frenetic or dynamic album -- it's more pensive despite the choice of typically energetic compositions.
While we cannot "prove" that there is a need for DSD 11.2 MHz, there was a difference between the DSD and CD layers even though they were volume matched RMS and peak at baseline very well. I was able to ABX test the two different layers, but it's also unclear how much of this is mastering choices (though the waveforms look virtually identical) nor can I explain what "tickling the ear drum/ASMR effect" actually means when I can't hear above 17 kHz on a sine wave test tone.
I can imagine some listeners would prefer the CD layer for the "tickling the ear drum/ASMR" effect but I personally preferred the SACD layer based upon the musical content and its slower pace. I did my ABX testing with the Sennheiser HD820 and Sony TA-ZH1ES. There could be an interaction with the recording and hardware and generation of IMD.
@pkane I wonder why the PK Metric is so low, yet I could detect a difference. Happy to send you a copy of the digital files for your evaluation.
@amirm For your consideration for a frontpage pin.
川井郁子の新作アルバム『響 -HIBIKI-』。和楽器と西洋楽器を組み合わせた録音アプローチを探る - Phile-web
川井郁子の新作アルバム『響 -HIBIKI-』。和楽器と西洋楽器を組み合わせた録音アプローチを探る
"The powerful and deep ultra-low sound of Japanese taiko drums and the penetrating treble of Noukan and Hichiriki are important listening highlights that audiophiles should pay attention to. Ezaki talks about the difficulty of recording and playback: "Japanese taiko drums contain deep ultra-low sounds that can only be recorded at DSD 11.2MHz, so please challenge yourself to reproduce them accurately. The sound pressure was too high, and if I recorded at a normal level, it would all be over, so I put in a minus 20dB pad to suppress the over-level.
Incidentally, the sound pressure of the Noh tube is almost unheard of in Western instruments, and is comparable to the bang of a large drum. Its sharp and powerful treble is also likely to be one of the most difficult challenges for audio systems."
Is there any truth to this?
No idea. We weren't there at the time of recording, but we can run some indirect experiments.
We do know that the theoretical quantization noise of SACD is horrible beyond 20 kHz but the dynamic range in the bass region is actually are pretty good. So DSD isn't worse than PCM in this regard.
source: attached document
EXTON Studio TOKYO
The album was mixed at EXTON Studio TOKYO. Opened in 2012, the studio was "thoroughly particular about the power supply environment, and in addition to installing a pole transformer dedicated to power sharing, it is a studio that pursues sound quality from the power supply side, such as the burial of ground rods, high-quality sound quality wire rods, and the specifications of parts."
The studio uses the Pyramix DAW system which can keep everything in DSD 11.2MHz except for crossfades when DXD is brought into the chain. So at least the studio involved could benefit from DSD 11.2 MHz recordings.
At least from their 2012 equipment list, they've got Accuphase electronics and speakers from B&W, KEF, and even the Sony SS-AR1!
But... it seems that this album is only available on physical Hybrid SACD...
There's no 11.2 MHz DSD digital album to purchase. Admittedly, the recording engineer didn't say that you needed to *listen* to this at DSD 11.2 MHz -- just that it needed to be recorded at DSD 11.2 Mhz.
This creates the scenario for our test. The recording engineer took the trouble to work with DSD 11.2 which is more difficult than PCM. Is there anything that carries to the finished disc?
Does DSD 2.8 MHz offer anything above 16-bit / 44.1 kHz for this album?
I chose Track #11 which is a re-arrangement of Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition with traditional Japanese instruments which has some nice drum activity.
SACD layer
CD layer
The dynamic range of the LEFT channel is 0.4 points different compared to the dynamic range of the right which is just 0.1 points different.
Test parameters
@pkane's DeltaWave v2.0.8
DSD converted to "DXD" 352.8 kHz, with 50 kHz cut frequency and a transition BW of 5000 Hz. Auto Upsample turned on.
DSD and CD layers extracted digitally.
DeltaWave v2.0.8, 2023-04-06T09:16:49.8591744-07:00
Reference: 11 - _Bonus Track_ Ikuko Kawai_ Excerpt from Pictures at an Exhibition.dsf[L] 49188864 samples 352800Hz 24bits, mono, MD5=00
Comparison: 11. Track11.wav[L] 6149304 samples 44100Hz 16bits, stereo, MD5=00
Settings:
Gain:True, Remove DC:True
Non-linear Gain EQ:False Non-linear Phase EQ: False
EQ FFT Size:65536, EQ Frequency Cut: 0Hz - 0Hz, EQ Threshold: -500dB
Correct Non-linearity: False
Correct Drift:True, Precision:30, Subsample Align:True
Non-Linear drift Correction:False
Upsample:True, Window:Kaiser
Spectrum Window:Kaiser, Spectrum Size:32768
Spectrogram Window:Hann, Spectrogram Size:4096, Spectrogram Steps:2048
Filter Type:FIR, window:Kaiser, taps:262144, minimum phase=False
Dither:False bits=0
Trim Silence:False
Enable Simple Waveform Measurement: False
Resampled Comparison to 352800Hz
Discarding Reference: Start=0s, End=150s
Discarding Comparison: Start=0s, End=150s
Initial peak values Reference: -0.002dB Comparison: -0.04dB
Initial RMS values Reference: -18.768dB Comparison: -18.767dB
Null Depth=14.973dB
X-Correlation offset: 1551 samples
Drift computation quality, #1: Excellent (0.09μs)
Trimmed 0 samples ( 0.00ms) front, 0 samples ( 0.00ms end)
Final peak values Reference: -0.002dB Comparison: -0.042dB
Final RMS values Reference: -18.768dB Comparison: -18.769dB
Gain= 0.0027dB (1.0003x) DC=0 Phase offset=4.396549ms (1551.103 samples)
Difference (rms) = -59.9dB [-83.82dBA]
Correlated Null Depth=61.4dB [79.66dBA]
Clock drift: 0 ppm
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0.61%) at 16 bits
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0%) at 24 bits
Files match @ 49.9977% when reduced to 9.42 bits
---- Phase difference (full bandwidth): 0.499160200574147°
0-10kHz: 0.22°
0-20kHz: 0.39°
0-24kHz: 0.41°
Timing error (rms jitter): 1.9μs
PK Metric (step=400ms, overlap=50%):
RMS=-87.4dBr
Median=-87.8
Max=-76.6
99%: -82.2
75%: -86.56
50%: -87.81
25%: -89.4
1%: -96.47
gn=0.99969121573486, dc=-2.98660917164619E-09, dr=0, of=1551.102620714
DONE!
Signature: 1074f525b750623839bbee49b51d5194
RMS of the difference of spectra: -286.583287535641dB
DF Metric (step=400ms, overlap=0%):
Median=-42.2dB
Max=-9.8dB Min=-49.7dB
1% > -49.23dB
10% > -47.82dB
25% > -45.69dB
50% > -42.19dB
75% > -39.13dB
90% > -34.15dB
99% > -14.6dB
Linearity 23.3bits @ 0.5dB error
Reference: 11 - _Bonus Track_ Ikuko Kawai_ Excerpt from Pictures at an Exhibition.dsf[L] 49188864 samples 352800Hz 24bits, mono, MD5=00
Comparison: 11. Track11.wav[L] 6149304 samples 44100Hz 16bits, stereo, MD5=00
Settings:
Gain:True, Remove DC:True
Non-linear Gain EQ:False Non-linear Phase EQ: False
EQ FFT Size:65536, EQ Frequency Cut: 0Hz - 0Hz, EQ Threshold: -500dB
Correct Non-linearity: False
Correct Drift:True, Precision:30, Subsample Align:True
Non-Linear drift Correction:False
Upsample:True, Window:Kaiser
Spectrum Window:Kaiser, Spectrum Size:32768
Spectrogram Window:Hann, Spectrogram Size:4096, Spectrogram Steps:2048
Filter Type:FIR, window:Kaiser, taps:262144, minimum phase=False
Dither:False bits=0
Trim Silence:False
Enable Simple Waveform Measurement: False
Resampled Comparison to 352800Hz
Discarding Reference: Start=0s, End=150s
Discarding Comparison: Start=0s, End=150s
Initial peak values Reference: -0.002dB Comparison: -0.04dB
Initial RMS values Reference: -18.768dB Comparison: -18.767dB
Null Depth=14.973dB
X-Correlation offset: 1551 samples
Drift computation quality, #1: Excellent (0.09μs)
Trimmed 0 samples ( 0.00ms) front, 0 samples ( 0.00ms end)
Final peak values Reference: -0.002dB Comparison: -0.042dB
Final RMS values Reference: -18.768dB Comparison: -18.769dB
Gain= 0.0027dB (1.0003x) DC=0 Phase offset=4.396549ms (1551.103 samples)
Difference (rms) = -59.9dB [-83.82dBA]
Correlated Null Depth=61.4dB [79.66dBA]
Clock drift: 0 ppm
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0.61%) at 16 bits
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0%) at 24 bits
Files match @ 49.9977% when reduced to 9.42 bits
---- Phase difference (full bandwidth): 0.499160200574147°
0-10kHz: 0.22°
0-20kHz: 0.39°
0-24kHz: 0.41°
Timing error (rms jitter): 1.9μs
PK Metric (step=400ms, overlap=50%):
RMS=-87.4dBr
Median=-87.8
Max=-76.6
99%: -82.2
75%: -86.56
50%: -87.81
25%: -89.4
1%: -96.47
gn=0.99969121573486, dc=-2.98660917164619E-09, dr=0, of=1551.102620714
DONE!
Signature: 1074f525b750623839bbee49b51d5194
RMS of the difference of spectra: -286.583287535641dB
DF Metric (step=400ms, overlap=0%):
Median=-42.2dB
Max=-9.8dB Min=-49.7dB
1% > -49.23dB
10% > -47.82dB
25% > -45.69dB
50% > -42.19dB
75% > -39.13dB
90% > -34.15dB
99% > -14.6dB
Linearity 23.3bits @ 0.5dB error
DeltaWave v2.0.8, 2023-04-06T09:45:01.1545896-07:00
Reference: 11 - _Bonus Track_ Ikuko Kawai_ Excerpt from Pictures at an Exhibition.dsf[R] 49188864 samples 352800Hz 24bits, mono, MD5=00
Comparison: 11. Track11.wav[R] 6149304 samples 44100Hz 16bits, stereo, MD5=00
Settings:
Gain:True, Remove DC:True
Non-linear Gain EQ:False Non-linear Phase EQ: False
EQ FFT Size:65536, EQ Frequency Cut: 0Hz - 0Hz, EQ Threshold: -500dB
Correct Non-linearity: False
Correct Drift:True, Precision:30, Subsample Align:True
Non-Linear drift Correction:False
Upsample:True, Window:Kaiser
Spectrum Window:Kaiser, Spectrum Size:32768
Spectrogram Window:Hann, Spectrogram Size:4096, Spectrogram Steps:2048
Filter Type:FIR, window:Kaiser, taps:262144, minimum phase=False
Dither:False bits=0
Trim Silence:False
Enable Simple Waveform Measurement: False
Resampled Comparison to 352800Hz
Discarding Reference: Start=0s, End=150s
Discarding Comparison: Start=0s, End=150s
Initial peak values Reference: 0.008dB Comparison: -0.006dB
Initial RMS values Reference: -19.098dB Comparison: -19.096dB
Null Depth=13.05dB
X-Correlation offset: 1551 samples
Drift computation quality, #1: Excellent (0.09μs)
Trimmed 0 samples ( 0.00ms) front, 0 samples ( 0.00ms end)
Final peak values Reference: 0.008dB Comparison: -0.008dB
Final RMS values Reference: -19.098dB Comparison: -19.098dB
Gain= 0.0019dB (1.0002x) DC=0 Phase offset=4.396333ms (1551.026 samples)
Difference (rms) = -59.95dB [-83.98dBA]
Correlated Null Depth=61.68dB [77.53dBA]
Clock drift: 0 ppm
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0.62%) at 16 bits
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0%) at 24 bits
Files match @ 50.002% when reduced to 9.42 bits
---- Phase difference (full bandwidth): 0.455286117579634°
0-10kHz: 0.22°
0-20kHz: 0.36°
0-24kHz: 0.38°
Timing error (rms jitter): 431ns
PK Metric (step=400ms, overlap=50%):
RMS=-88.2dBr
Median=-88.2
Max=-82.8
99%: -84.42
75%: -87.11
50%: -88.2
25%: -89.81
1%: -95.9
gn=0.999783269216895, dc=-1.33039044914503E-06, dr=0, of=1551.0264145405
DONE!
Signature: 5bf9e4568681ac4a5d47df182c2df300
RMS of the difference of spectra: -288.232023821114dB
DF Metric (step=400ms, overlap=0%):
Median=-41.7dB
Max=-11.6dB Min=-50dB
1% > -49.3dB
10% > -48.12dB
25% > -44.75dB
50% > -41.71dB
75% > -37.61dB
90% > -33.28dB
99% > -16.3dB
Linearity 23.2bits @ 0.5dB error
Reference: 11 - _Bonus Track_ Ikuko Kawai_ Excerpt from Pictures at an Exhibition.dsf[R] 49188864 samples 352800Hz 24bits, mono, MD5=00
Comparison: 11. Track11.wav[R] 6149304 samples 44100Hz 16bits, stereo, MD5=00
Settings:
Gain:True, Remove DC:True
Non-linear Gain EQ:False Non-linear Phase EQ: False
EQ FFT Size:65536, EQ Frequency Cut: 0Hz - 0Hz, EQ Threshold: -500dB
Correct Non-linearity: False
Correct Drift:True, Precision:30, Subsample Align:True
Non-Linear drift Correction:False
Upsample:True, Window:Kaiser
Spectrum Window:Kaiser, Spectrum Size:32768
Spectrogram Window:Hann, Spectrogram Size:4096, Spectrogram Steps:2048
Filter Type:FIR, window:Kaiser, taps:262144, minimum phase=False
Dither:False bits=0
Trim Silence:False
Enable Simple Waveform Measurement: False
Resampled Comparison to 352800Hz
Discarding Reference: Start=0s, End=150s
Discarding Comparison: Start=0s, End=150s
Initial peak values Reference: 0.008dB Comparison: -0.006dB
Initial RMS values Reference: -19.098dB Comparison: -19.096dB
Null Depth=13.05dB
X-Correlation offset: 1551 samples
Drift computation quality, #1: Excellent (0.09μs)
Trimmed 0 samples ( 0.00ms) front, 0 samples ( 0.00ms end)
Final peak values Reference: 0.008dB Comparison: -0.008dB
Final RMS values Reference: -19.098dB Comparison: -19.098dB
Gain= 0.0019dB (1.0002x) DC=0 Phase offset=4.396333ms (1551.026 samples)
Difference (rms) = -59.95dB [-83.98dBA]
Correlated Null Depth=61.68dB [77.53dBA]
Clock drift: 0 ppm
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0.62%) at 16 bits
Files are NOT a bit-perfect match (match=0%) at 24 bits
Files match @ 50.002% when reduced to 9.42 bits
---- Phase difference (full bandwidth): 0.455286117579634°
0-10kHz: 0.22°
0-20kHz: 0.36°
0-24kHz: 0.38°
Timing error (rms jitter): 431ns
PK Metric (step=400ms, overlap=50%):
RMS=-88.2dBr
Median=-88.2
Max=-82.8
99%: -84.42
75%: -87.11
50%: -88.2
25%: -89.81
1%: -95.9
gn=0.999783269216895, dc=-1.33039044914503E-06, dr=0, of=1551.0264145405
DONE!
Signature: 5bf9e4568681ac4a5d47df182c2df300
RMS of the difference of spectra: -288.232023821114dB
DF Metric (step=400ms, overlap=0%):
Median=-41.7dB
Max=-11.6dB Min=-50dB
1% > -49.3dB
10% > -48.12dB
25% > -44.75dB
50% > -41.71dB
75% > -37.61dB
90% > -33.28dB
99% > -16.3dB
Linearity 23.2bits @ 0.5dB error
Accuracy of the match:
Delta Waveform (left channel)
You definitely see "spikes" in regions of the music. These aren't drum hits but the stringed instruments. The same is seen on the right channel delta waveform.
The spectrogram does show some changes dipping down as low as 700 Hz, but the changes are very subtle. The biggest changes are above 6 kHz. The biggest transient is also associated with changes in the high frequencies. (Note that the X-axis is slightly shifted when comparing the above and below images)
The "global" spectra looks similar, which makes sense, since it's only the transients that might show differences.
The PK Metric is very low though (suggesting no detectable difference)
LEFT / RIGHT
Discussion
There is no way to test if DSD11.2MHz is required for recording, as claimed by the recording engineer but it does seem that the DSD layer offers something slightly different. We have slightly higher dynamic range by the measurements, and the waveforms do show the biggest differences when the stringed instruments are really being used.
Based upon this test, though, delivery of the finished piece in both CD and SACD format is excellent. The PK Metric suggests that "rms" you're going to find both layers similar. When looking at the null waveform, the transients do seem to have differences of ~12 dB over the noise difference, but it's pretty subtle. The question though is if the noise is just all ultrasonic noise while the signal is actually audible.
ABX Testing: Yes, it's definitely audible. It wasn't the drums but the stringed instruments.
Sennheiser HD820 and Sony TA-ZH1ES at -31.5 dB volume. Estimated in-ear volume for the peaks are 65-70 dB based upon putting a microphone to the open headphone driver. I was easily able to detect the higher noise on the CD layer as opposed to the DSD layer in the beginning of the tracks. This was absent once the music started.
Looking at the volume matching of the DSD vs CD waveforms, you can see that they're pretty reasonable
RIGHT channel
0.008 vs -0.006 dB peak
-19.098 vs -19.096 dB rms
LEFT channel
-0.002 vs -0.040 dB peak
-18.768dB vs -18.767dB rms
I did my ABX testing by specifying the region between 1:27 and 1:40 seconds since that's where we saw the biggest waveform differences were. Here the difference was that the CD layer actually had more HF energy and felt like it was "tickling" the ear more with the plucks of the stringed instrument. It was an ASMR like effect. The SACD didn't generate that result. I didn't appreciate any difference in the bass between the two.
This makes sense numerically from the global spectra which shows that the higher HF energy above 17 kHz on the CD track, although I cannot hear 17 kHz test tones that well. Again, note that I'm listening at -31.5 dB on the TA-ZH1ES.
foo_abx 2.1 report
foobar2000 v1.6.12
2023-04-06 10:33:15
File A: 11 - _Bonus Track_ Ikuko Kawai_ Excerpt from Pictures at an Exhibition.dsf
SHA1: 8b0235a944d775a2eba760a8e090d62ab2e20917
File B: 11. Track11.wav
SHA1: 06d1a7a29a3b284378440143d76e0e74c0c2d0c1
Output:
ASIO : Sony Headphone Amplifier Driver
Crossfading: NO
10:33:15 : Test started.
10:34:21 : 01/01
10:36:29 : 02/02
10:36:41 : 03/03
10:36:50 : 04/04
10:36:58 : 05/05
10:37:07 : 06/06
10:37:24 : 07/07
10:37:32 : 08/08
10:37:41 : 09/09
10:37:47 : 10/10
10:37:54 : 11/11
10:38:06 : 12/12
10:38:13 : 13/13
10:38:28 : 14/14
10:38:35 : 15/15
10:38:42 : 16/16
10:38:42 : Test finished.
----------
Total: 16/16
p-value: 0 (0%)
-- signature --
1dd3718348e0b371bb665fa84488db04713b6695
foobar2000 v1.6.12
2023-04-06 10:33:15
File A: 11 - _Bonus Track_ Ikuko Kawai_ Excerpt from Pictures at an Exhibition.dsf
SHA1: 8b0235a944d775a2eba760a8e090d62ab2e20917
File B: 11. Track11.wav
SHA1: 06d1a7a29a3b284378440143d76e0e74c0c2d0c1
Output:
ASIO : Sony Headphone Amplifier Driver
Crossfading: NO
10:33:15 : Test started.
10:34:21 : 01/01
10:36:29 : 02/02
10:36:41 : 03/03
10:36:50 : 04/04
10:36:58 : 05/05
10:37:07 : 06/06
10:37:24 : 07/07
10:37:32 : 08/08
10:37:41 : 09/09
10:37:47 : 10/10
10:37:54 : 11/11
10:38:06 : 12/12
10:38:13 : 13/13
10:38:28 : 14/14
10:38:35 : 15/15
10:38:42 : 16/16
10:38:42 : Test finished.
----------
Total: 16/16
p-value: 0 (0%)
-- signature --
1dd3718348e0b371bb665fa84488db04713b6695
Final thoughts
Musically, this is an interesting album. It's a blend between traditional Japanese and Western instruments with uniquely Japanese interpretations of even classics like Holst's Jupiter. It's not a frenetic or dynamic album -- it's more pensive despite the choice of typically energetic compositions.
While we cannot "prove" that there is a need for DSD 11.2 MHz, there was a difference between the DSD and CD layers even though they were volume matched RMS and peak at baseline very well. I was able to ABX test the two different layers, but it's also unclear how much of this is mastering choices (though the waveforms look virtually identical) nor can I explain what "tickling the ear drum/ASMR effect" actually means when I can't hear above 17 kHz on a sine wave test tone.
I can imagine some listeners would prefer the CD layer for the "tickling the ear drum/ASMR" effect but I personally preferred the SACD layer based upon the musical content and its slower pace. I did my ABX testing with the Sennheiser HD820 and Sony TA-ZH1ES. There could be an interaction with the recording and hardware and generation of IMD.
@pkane I wonder why the PK Metric is so low, yet I could detect a difference. Happy to send you a copy of the digital files for your evaluation.
@amirm For your consideration for a frontpage pin.
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