Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Has anyone compared rip methods in Sooloos?

So the question is what does bit identical mean, - it appears that checksum isn't enough to say the files are identical?

I too have great respect for Martin and trust him to be accurate in what he's hearing (and I think he does admit he doesn't understand what's happening).

I wonder if file fragmentation is important here - I guess the more it's copied the more likely it is to be fragmented.

Anyway another yet more 'proof' that "bits ain't bits"

Chris

I note you put proof in quotes so I'll go easy

1) Fragmentation happens where there is not enough contiguous space on the disk for the file to be stored all in the same free space. For audio (even Video) data rates and file sizes you can discount any fragmentation issues.

2) The ripping process is variable as CDs are not perfect and read error can happen. wich is why ROM drives are better as they allow the data to be re-read and checked. However, once the validated ripped data is on a computer drive then bits are bits, there no question about this.


The transfer of this data in an asynchronous manner (copying the file, sending via LAN packet) is bit perfect, so again this is fine.

It�s only when we have to stream the data as bits that we start to running in to temporal issues ie jitter and it commonly agreed that jitter reduction is a large factor in improving AQ.

Regards,
Carl

Indeed. Multiple files can have the same checksum. That is where Jan Sloot got wrong ... however, in reality all files on you HDD will have a different checksum.

There can be no proof of that. If a file compare indicates the files are the same (thus all the bits are the same), then there will be no difference. If this would not be the case, computers could not function and we would not have this discussion.

Next thing you know, Meridian will be telling us that using their Drives and Storage Devices is Critical to performance............oh, wait a second..;)

However, there is some irony here, in that Meridian say that you can use whatever old computer you happen to have around the place to perform the CD Ripping.....but the actual Storage of those Files is critical

In other words, the probability of Martin having two files ripped from the same track which are NOT bit identical but which give the same checksum is vanishingly small.

My apologies. I only read Martin's first post and gave him the benefit of the doubt. The rest of the thread reveals that he is talking complete rubbish and should never be trusted as a hifi reviewer again.

Indeed. This sort of stuff from a "highly respected hifi reviewer" - that he can hear 20% difference (whatever that means) between two bit-identical rips played on the same kit undermines the credibility of hifi reviewing and reinforces the dictum "listen to your own ears". It has always been in the interest of hifi reviewers (and Russ Andrews) to promote the idea that all sorts of peripheral things affect sound quality, but as the holy mysteries of the turntable, tone arm and cartridge world recede into history, along with the real variations to be found in spinners they must be desperate to establish differences in the ripping and storage processes.

Begs the question was one listen before lunch and one after? Yet to test this previously published theory but have as yet not managed to stay awake. Is there a relevant "BS" publication on this.

Foo for the 21st Century...

What's next audiophile cat5e cables at �67 a metre!?!

Steve.

Shudder at the thought!

The Control:10 & 15 uses the Teac DW-224 drive which is considered to be one of the best drives for ripping. Here is a comparison carried out at dBpoweramp.com

Drives Compared

The same drive is used in the Ripnas and Naim products.

Steve - way too cheap! The connectors alone should be �67 each and then we need the cryogenic alignment of the crystals in the cable....I'm guessing thousands for a set and double up for two way digital communication (we don't want the "bits" colliding).