DOB,
I do hear a difference. WAV does sound better than Flac in a direct comparison. Especially if the FLAC file is heavily compressed. Flac files at zero compression sound much closer to WAV.
It has been suggested that it is decoding the envelope around the Flac file might cause software jitter that is sent to your DAC. Many have found that the newest i7 processors have much less trouble (if any at all) decoding Flac files This is all conjecture at this point as few know for sure.
Apparently there is more difference between the two depending on if you use Ethernet via DNLA vs USB. Most have reported less differences if the Ethernet via DNLA which is what I use. In most if these systems one can enable transcoding the Flac to WAV on the fly. I use this also.
So until you have tried streaming the files via both methods maybe you should be a little more open when deciding what I can hear.
I do hear the differences between Flac and WAV and they are much larger via USB than DNLA Ethernet. I have spent lots of money and improving my Ethernet system to minimize these differences.
In my system the difference though detectable have become smaller and smaller until I don't really care. Yes WAV still sounds a bit better as described above. I'm hoping that like others, upgrading my transcoding PC will finally make the differences between Flac and WAV undetectable.
At this point, WAV still sounds to just a little bit better. So close that I'd rather take a little hit in SQ rather than having lost tags and retagging again and again.
Hopefully you have learned some things about Flac and WAV playback systems. I'm always ready to learn a new trick. In audio, I have learned to never say never. Little things can make a big difference to the sound and all things have the potential to affect the sound of your system.
Would you believe treating the cd before it is ripped and using footers under your ripping drive during ripping could effect the SQ? Or that the quality and type of Ethernet cable can be heard? Many would say not, but my ears and system have been proven to be right by those who have kept an open mind and listened for themselves.
So long and farewell for now and someday I'll learn to keep my deaf ears to myself.
Sincerely,
Steven
I do hear a difference. WAV does sound better than Flac in a direct comparison. Especially if the FLAC file is heavily compressed. Flac files at zero compression sound much closer to WAV.
It has been suggested that it is decoding the envelope around the Flac file might cause software jitter that is sent to your DAC. Many have found that the newest i7 processors have much less trouble (if any at all) decoding Flac files This is all conjecture at this point as few know for sure.
Apparently there is more difference between the two depending on if you use Ethernet via DNLA vs USB. Most have reported less differences if the Ethernet via DNLA which is what I use. In most if these systems one can enable transcoding the Flac to WAV on the fly. I use this also.
So until you have tried streaming the files via both methods maybe you should be a little more open when deciding what I can hear.
I do hear the differences between Flac and WAV and they are much larger via USB than DNLA Ethernet. I have spent lots of money and improving my Ethernet system to minimize these differences.
In my system the difference though detectable have become smaller and smaller until I don't really care. Yes WAV still sounds a bit better as described above. I'm hoping that like others, upgrading my transcoding PC will finally make the differences between Flac and WAV undetectable.
At this point, WAV still sounds to just a little bit better. So close that I'd rather take a little hit in SQ rather than having lost tags and retagging again and again.
Hopefully you have learned some things about Flac and WAV playback systems. I'm always ready to learn a new trick. In audio, I have learned to never say never. Little things can make a big difference to the sound and all things have the potential to affect the sound of your system.
Would you believe treating the cd before it is ripped and using footers under your ripping drive during ripping could effect the SQ? Or that the quality and type of Ethernet cable can be heard? Many would say not, but my ears and system have been proven to be right by those who have kept an open mind and listened for themselves.
So long and farewell for now and someday I'll learn to keep my deaf ears to myself.
Sincerely,
Steven