Comparison FLAC vs CD

[Still-One]

I have spent a couple of hours this morning re-visiting a comparison that I had previously performed. My intent was to compare the sound of a CD played thru my MCD-500 and that same CD played on my MS-300 output digitally thru the DAC's of the same MCD-500.

I compared the sound in a few different ways. Method 1) I would start one unit about 10 seconds before the second, listen for maybe 10 seconds, then quickly switch inputs on the 500 and listen to the same passage. Repeat. 2) I would start both units about 3 seconds apart, and jump back and forth between the two units listening to for differences in the same lyrics 3) Listen to and entire cut from the 300, then the same cut on the 500. Swap which unit played first on the next cut.

Discs Used: Eva Cassidy "Live at Blue Alley" Faith Hill "Cry" cuts 'One' & 'Stonger' Nils Lofgren " Acoustic Live"

The results are consistent with my previous efforts. All of the songs sounded better direct from the CD on the 500. The drums seemed a bit tighter, a tad quicker. Everything that was saved as FLAC and played thru the 500's DAC's seemed to have a bit of leading and more trailing sibilance. This was pronounced on vocals.

More to follow.
Jim

[-E-]

I think you need to do this blindly.

Every test that I have ever done blindly to other listeners from CD, WAV, FLAC through DAC have never yielded consistent results. Even with the best ears.

It may also be the ability of the digital out of the MS300.

[wanderfowl]

Originally Posted by Vesuvius

I think you need to do this blindly.

Every test that I have ever done blindly to other listeners from CD, WAV, FLAC through DAC have never yielded consistent results. Even with the best ears.

It may also be the ability of the digital out of the MS300.

I'll second that. Have a wife or friend play the song or portion 12 times with you blindfolded, switching back and forth between FLAC and CD psuedo-randomly. If you've correctly IDed CD vs. FLAC more than six times, there's an effect, and I'll be pretty interested to hear about it.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Vesuvius

I think you need to do this blindly.

Every test that I have ever done blindly to other listeners from CD, WAV, FLAC through DAC have never yielded consistent results. Even with the best ears.

It may also be the ability of the digital out of the MS300.

The DAC's in the 300 feeding the analog outs generate a more identifiable sound. Even before the 500 I always fed the 300 into other DAC's , the Benchmark and the Musical Fidelity Tri Vista.

The digital cable has an impact too. The Kimber was a bit better than the Acoustic Zen, but my current Analysis Plus has a better low end to it.

I disagree on blind testing. Most of the time I did not know which input I was listening to unless I looked since you have to cycle thru all three.

I feel that FLAC, WAV and Apple Lossless all seem to round the sound, kind of what tubes do.

[jdandy]

Jim.......I have performed this exact same tests myself, comparing the MS750 output through the MCD500 DACS to the same CD playing in the MCD500. My findings were consistent with yours. My ears tell me the CD direct is the superior playback.

For fun, I will repeat this A/B comparison again today, and report back.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jim.......I have performed this exact same tests myself, comparing the MS750 output through the MCD500 DACS to the same CD playing in the MCD500. My findings were consistent with yours. My ears tell me the CD direct is the superior playback.

For fun, I will repeat this A/B comparison again today, and report back.

Jim / Dan,

Since you guys wrote on this, might as well share the truth. I am done with the MS750. CDs played thru the MCD500 and the same song ripped into the MS750, when compared, the MS750 always comes out slightly veiled!

My wife, a non audiophile made this comment - it sounded more like the radio you had before (referring to the MR85). And I made her do a "blind" test, using the remote control of the MCD500!

This is one reason why I am looking forward to trading/selling it off for the MR88 - when the international version is ready.

Moreover, most times, I am either playing the CDs (Redbook or SACD) thru the MCD500 or DVD/BD via the MCD500 DAC's.

Cheers!

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by JSCC

Jim / Dan,

Since you guys wrote on this, might as well share the truth. I am done with the MS750. CDs played thru the MCD500 and the same song ripped into the MS750, when compared, the MS750 always comes out slightly veiled!

My wife, a non audiophile made this comment - it sounded more like the radio you had before (referring to the MR85). And I made her do a "blind" test, using the remote control of the MCD500!

This is one reason why I am looking forward to trading/selling it off for the MR88 - when the international version is ready.

Moreover, most times, I am either playing the CDs (Redbook or SACD) thru the MCD500 or DVD/BD via the MCD500 DAC's.

Cheers!

Jerry
I am too lazy and jump around too much to listen only to the MCD-500. The MS-300 is great for 90% of my listening and it holds all my music that can be accessed by my SonoS for distribution to my whole house system.
JIm

[PHC1]

I've mentioned before that I've noticed a difference between the MCD1000 and MS300 feeding the MDA1000. The MCD1000 has more air up top, better bass. I did not find it to be a "drastic" difference though by any stretch of imagination. At that time having over 800 CDs a click away instead of rummaging through the shelves trying to find one at a time far outweighed the subtle difference that is audible but seemed not very significant in the grand scheme of things.

[Dj_AmTraX]

I've done some simular A/B comparisons between my MacBook 2.1ghz, 500GB HD, CDs ripped to AIFF (uncompressed) and Sony SCD-1 ($5K) CDP.
Both connected to Apogee Mini DAC, MacBook via Firewire and Sony via Coaxial Digital. McIntosh C2200 tube pre-amp & McIntosh MC602 solid state amp through JM Lab Mezzo Utopia speakers.

Don't get me wrong, the MacBook sounded pretty good and I love being able to access almost 500GB of music on the remote. However, the Sony playing CDs sound much more real, full of life, and 3 dimensional. The MacBook sounded a little compressed. For those reasons, it is hard for me to let go the Sony.

[MC352]

I also agree that the CD's sound better.

I also think the best part of the MS300 is the convenience of having all that music at your fingertips.

The MS300 through the DAC does sound good, just not as good as CD.