Newbie here: Differences of DSF and WavPack

[mervan]

Hi, this is my first post here, and I am a newbie in this hi-fi world. I have several albums on my computer in different formats. Let's take Pink Floyd's album Wish You Were Here as the reference in this post. I have two versions of this album: the first is in DSF, 11289 kHz, 22579 kbps, 1 bit format. And the second one is WV, 384 kHz, 17554 kbps, 32 bits.

I don't have such good equipment; I just have my iPhone, Denon AH-GC30 headphones, and my laptop. I listen to music on my laptop, which has a Realtek ALC256 sound card. I don't have any DAC/amp yet.

My question is: Is it possible to hear a difference between these two versions of the album in my case? Just with my headphones and computer? I mean, I want to have the best version of the album in the highest possible quality, even if my equipment is not enough. Do you think it's nonsense? Which format is the best, and what are the differences between WV and DSF?

Thank you in advance, and I'm sorry if I have any grammar mistakes.

 

[Apesbrain]

My question is: Is it possible to hear a difference between these two versions of the album in my case?

Only you can answer this question. If you want to find out, install foobar2000 and its "ABX Comparator" component:

foobar2000 for Windows

foobar2000

www.foobar2000.org

foobar2000: Components Repository - ABX Comparator

foobar2000

www.foobar2000.org

 

[fieldcar]

Hey @mervan , Welcome to ASR!

As @Apesbrain said, your ears are the best way to convince you one way or another.

Here is an article worth checking out on the topic of hi-rez audio, and if it's worth it.

24/192 Music Downloads are Very Silly Indeed

people.xiph.org

It also ties into a great video on how to understand common misconceptions about digital audio.

 

[mervan]

Only you can answer this question. If you want to find out, install foobar2000 and its "ABX Comparator" component:

foobar2000 for Windows

foobar2000

www.foobar2000.org

foobar2000: Components Repository - ABX Comparator

foobar2000

www.foobar2000.org

Thank you. I did the test and here are the results:

foo_abx 2.1 report
foobar2000 v2.0
2023-04-30 16:14:54

File A: Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt. 1-5).dsf
SHA1: 05605f2f5bb06b60f41063e42660b7d3f691db45
File B: A1 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part 1-5).wv
SHA1: 25c177d5dbd76ee9e1e9c6271cfebaa41317af32

Output:
Default : Primary Sound Driver
Crossfading: NO

16:14:54 : Test started.
16:16:36 : 01/01
16:17:08 : 02/02
16:17:51 : 03/03
16:18:46 : 04/04
16:19:22 : 05/05
16:19:44 : 06/06
16:20:09 : 07/07
16:21:22 : 08/08
16:21:22 : Test finished.

----------
Total: 8/8
p-value: 0.0039 (0.39%)

-- signature --
f6986d1287683d282e83c9b29f8b16998b5f39b8

I can say that I felt a slight difference between the two tracks in terms of loudness and depth, but I'm still not sure if it's worth it.

 

[mervan]

Hey @mervan , Welcome to ASR!

As @Apesbrain said, your ears are the best way to convince you one way or another.

Here is an article worth checking out on the topic of hi-rez audio, and if it's worth it.

24/192 Music Downloads are Very Silly Indeed

people.xiph.org

It also ties into a great video on how to understand common misconceptions about digital audio.

Thank you so much. This article is awesome, I will read it twice in depth.

 

[Apesbrain]

Thank you. I did the test and here are the results:

I can say that I felt a slight difference between the two tracks in terms of loudness and depth, but I'm still not sure if it's worth it.

If the two tracks are not from the same mastering of the album, then I gave you some useless advice. Different masterings will sound different.

Anyway, which one is "best" will always be subjective. Keep them both if you have room.

 

[mervan]

If the two tracks are not from the same mastering of the album, then I gave you some useless advice. Different masterings will sound different.

Anyway, which one is "best" will always be subjective. Keep them both if you have room.

Maybe it's a silly question but, how can I be sure that they are from the same mastering?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Maybe it's a silly question but, how can I be sure that they are from the same mastering?

The only way is lots of research. When such a popular album, there will be an online discussion somewhere about the history of each version. Discogs and Steve Hoffman can be useful.

 

[mervan]

The only way is lots of research. When such a popular album, there will be an online discussion somewhere about the history of each version. Discogs and Steve Hoffman can be useful.

Thank you so much for your help.

 

[fieldcar]

Maybe it's a silly question but, how can I be sure that they are from the same mastering?

Musicscope is decent software for checking dynamic range and frequency response of the music.

More info:

XiVero Audio Tools are free now ( MusicScope, AudioRepair, XiSRC, AMTRA and HPEX)

Hello from France English Description: If you have been a customer of the former XiVero GmbH and if you own corresponding software then you are entitled to download the provided applications. It is not allowed to offer the applications on any other online platform. Use of the software is at...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[mervan]

Musicscope is decent software for checking dynamic range and frequency response of the music.

More info:

XiVero Audio Tools are free now ( MusicScope, AudioRepair, XiSRC, AMTRA and HPEX)

Hello from France English Description: If you have been a customer of the former XiVero GmbH and if you own corresponding software then you are entitled to download the provided applications. It is not allowed to offer the applications on any other online platform. Use of the software is at...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thank you, I will try it.