AudioSmile simple ABX test

The test is simple, here are two samples of music. (The same two samples as the previous test, so no need to download again!)

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

Sample-X
http://www.mediafire.com/?glzqyk5eifz

Sample-XX
http://www.mediafire.com/?jujgtzx4m20

One is a direct rip from the CD, the other has been passed through an AudioSmile DEQ as a DAC and then in to another unit as an ADC. Two layers of conversion which in theory should make the sound worse.

Here is another sample, and it is exactly the same as one of the above - please tell me which! Is this a copy of sample X or sample XX?

Sample-Question (is it X or XX?)
http://www.mediafire.com/?q0jjtz1ioj2

 

Umm, I noticed the digital waveform of the new download is different to sample X & XX maybe that is why it took me longer to decide, nonetheless I made my decision based on as closely related to it as possible.

 

I made it just the tiniest bit different in length to stop someone trying to compare it on a computer by file size or something

I do hope people don't cheat by doing a computer comparison.

Thanks for taking part InZain!

 

I didn't notice that, what I noticed is, how the digital peaks differed in certain parts of the track.

 

are we not supposed to be just using our ears for this test or is every body scared to for fear of the ridicule by the golden eared.

 

Having not listened to this new ABX comparison, is it worth it as it sounds like you've just tampered with the copies.

Can you fully explain what you have done?

 

I think you quoted the answer - length.

Two of the files are 2.00 minutes long and the other is one sec shorter according to my player.

 

well that is nothing to worry about.

 

All I did was chop off 500ms from the end of one track to make file size comparisons impossible. I'm sad to see it was wroth it!

You can still put it in an editor like Audacity and check, but please don't until the results are all in. Believe me when I say that two of those tracks are exactly the same apart from one missing 500ms at the end.

The question is, can you detect it by ear?

 

Audacity is what I use now for comparing & looking at these internet downloadable files, this tells me quite a lot about volume level, digital distortion, compression etc & more importantly the playback quality is far superior than Windows media player.

 

Well I hope you didn't look at any of that before you cast your vote? Even looking at level meters as it plays might do something to bias!

 

They looked identical level wise so your safe there it's only the new sample that took my attention when I was selecting specific parts to listen to that's when I noticed it was not identical to the others.

I can assure you nothing other than the recording influenced my vote.... I was to busy trying to hear differences & being sure that what I heard was repeatable.

 

Will have to wiat till I get home to try this - for some reason mediafire website is blocked at work.

Dissapointing that only 3 people have voted so far...

 

Tenson

Which one was it then?

This test does appear to indicate that we can't tell the differences between the straight CD and the one that has been subject to additional DAC and ADC.

 

Eight is a very small sample, but yes.
Disappointing that so many people aren't confident enough to rely solely on their ears.

 

Yup, I agree. I can't remember which way I voted but I'm sure there wasn't much (if anything) in it.

As Rob says, it's a shame that more people didn't have the confidence to vote with their ears.

 

A feel a new thread coming on re the confidence issues and fear of the blind test

 

I'm sooo sick today Poor Simon!

It was sample XX.

 

A good night, unhealthy or sick of this topic?

 

Unhealthy sick :'(