Is 16/44.1 still a decent quality in 2020?

With all the hi-res options with streaming and such, I feel like I'm settling for less when I play a standard cd or a 16/44.1 flac file...thoughts and/or opinions welcome

 

Thank you for the feedback. I feel a little better lol

 

Yes

 

44.1 is of course decent quality. CD quality has always been decent.

But I'm also an audiophile and therefore a bit batty. So I want more better. The audible improvements with high-res over CD-res are there, but subtle. I'm still happy listening to CD, but will chose high-res if it's a better or same mastering. The benefits of high-res are audible down in the audible range below 20 kHz. And can be present in the sound of bass drum hits.

 

Absolutely!!!

 

Sure thing! There’s a lot to love about “CD quality” (not to mention the humble CD) and a lot that’s often overlooked in the quest for ‘hires’.

The crockery that a musical meal is served on (ie the format) has far less impact on the dining experience than the ingredients and work of the chef, kitchen, and waitstaff.

 

When the current standard for music delivery is lossy digital whether downloaded or streamed, lossless digital isn't inferior.

 

Surely, but "16/44.1" itself really indicates nothing about sound quality. Depending on mastering, could sound better than 24/96 or worse than .mp3. Does "CD quality" mean all CDs are quality? Nope.

 

Nicely put.

 

16/44.1 can sound amazing and high resolution can sound terrible. Its all in how its recorded and mastered.

 

16/44.1 will never be a factor in terms of sound quality.It officially offers the best possible sound quality.Other formats can match it.Such as 24-bit..No format has been proved to better it.Certainly not under controlled listening conditions.

 

Yes, it is. For a while, I thought that hi-res could be the key to getting good digital sound that would bridge the gap to vinyl. However, after finally getting a hi-res capable DAC, a Meitner MA1 which could also do DSD, I came to the conclusion that aside from the fact that the recording/mastering matters much, much more, the way the bits are served to the DAC also plays a much bigger role than whether the recording is hi-res or not. A good transport or an optimized streamer/computer is a must if you want to achieve good digital sound.

 

First get the fresher deli mean into the sandwich, before you think about changing the bun...

 

Yes it is. It is the same quality as it was in 2019, 2018, 2017, ..., 1882!

 

Depends on the mastering. I have CD's that sound lifeless where the Vinyl blows them outta the water. I have CD's that sound good where the Vinyl is lifeless. I rip all my vinyl to 24/192 not because I hear massive improvements from 24/96 etc... but more cause my Korg can do it so I'd rather archive the best possible version I can. A good recording at 16/44.1 is still a good recording. A bad recording at 24/192 is still a bad recording. Source quality is #1 and the reason I have some stuff on Vinyl, CD and Hi-Res download.

 

Don't forget, most Laserdisc's support digital 44.1K/16-bit, music concerts and films from back in the day can sound excellent

 

Most "high rez" audio streams are just upsampled 16/44 to be compatible with the format with a few true 24 bit recordings.. I've upsampled 16/44 to 24 bit in JRiver and I can't hear any difference.

 

Many high-resolution 24/96kHz files and discs are in fact not just upsamples. I don't think it is most and would characterize your comment as false.

 

What percentage of recorded music is available in native 24/96 or 24/192? Not much. Sure there are more available after the intro of HD Tracks and such, but I'm talking about everything going back to the beginning of CD's. Not dissing the HD streaming services here..just my opinion. Any 16/44 can show 24/96 or 24/192 in the streaming players. Funny, I was looking for the new Billie Eilish album as a download and saw it is available as a 24 bit/44.1khz. Thought that was interesting.

 

The question is not how many hi-res albums are available. The question is how many of the hi-res HD albums are simply up-res'd from 16/44.1? You stated that it is most.

 

Isn't the point of streaming services to play whatever I want to hear though? If I, for instance, want to stream Steely Dan's catalog, there is only 1 title available in 24 bit (Gaucho). I'm sure I will still hear Aja and Pretzel Logic songs with my request..am I wrong here? I'm no expert on this for sure. Just looking at it this way.

 

After talking about this I've been popping around HD Tracks website and there are a lot of titles remastered in 24 bit. a lot more than I realized from music I listen to. I guess I need to invest in one of these streaming services one day. Have always been skeptical. At any rate, your points are certainly valid.