I guess this really is program-dependent. Mike, my only interest in music is golden age analog recordings...lp. And new music, deep genre searches on prog, fusion, ambient electronica...rbcd and streaming (maybe). Very little non audiophile music is more than 16/44, maybe 24/96 at most.
Ok, there are a few artists that I love who've gone to DSD, Bill Frissell and Pat Metheny for example. But I love their earlier, "rougher" albums, not a great fan of their latter career audiophile recordings. Classical? I'm happy scouring EBay for bargains, Hi Rez modern stuff doesn't appeal.
I know WBF is populated w Hi Rez listeners. But 95% of music is lp or rbcd. And thus disc spinners still matter.
this is simple. at some future moment you will discover streaming. embrace it. it's inevitable. and most of streaming is for new music, and most of that has a high rez version you can access. every genre is represented in streaming. so this is just a timing issue.
sure; when you deep dive some artists with streaming lots of what you find is redbook only, but not always. so i will respect where you are coming from for now; knowing where you will end up. 24/96 is better than 16/44. sometimes lots better and makes a difference not just in the sound quality but in the flow and ease. less fatigue and digital signature.
Thanks Mike
As for your comments on hi res. Would you hold that even mainstream content remastered in resolutions as low as 24/96 and played through the likes of the Extreme are on average 'better' than well spun redbook of the same mastering?
the simple answer is an emphatic yes. but it's not really so simple, since (1) it depends on the native transfer resolution. they could be anywhere from 24/44 or 24/48 to 24/88, 24/96, or even higher. assuming it's 24/96 or higher, then yes the 24/96 is predictably better than a 16/44. and (2) whether the dac is bit perfect or up-sampling which can then have less predictable results, or (3) some people/systems prefer the signature of redbook.......very slightly more dense and overtly macro dynamic.....less finely rendered. it plays to certain set-ups. i find i need to play high rez at higher points on my volume control than the redbook and i'm rewarded with greater involvement. i melt more into the music. there is more going on.
in my system i really enjoy redbook, but compared to good high rez transfers it comparatively lacks refinement and textural and timbrel nuance. these are
not huge differences, but they are clear and musicially important to me. this is especially true when you get to 24/176, 24/192 and especially 24/352. some dsd native recordings are very good like this too, although overall i prefer the PCM.
what is very interesting is if you have a reference digital cut you use often to judge your system. you think you really know it. then search and see of you can find higher rez versions. this exercise will show you much about this. i have a few like that where i had a reference i used, and then i heard how it really could sound and it was eye opening.