2006-08-21, 18:56
I hope this is the best place to post this in the forums.
I wanted to share my recent experience with audio quality replay problems and the XBMC.
I use XBMC exclusively as a Digital Music Server. I have a 300GB hard drive installed on the Xbox. The Xbox feeds a Sony 1070 A/V receiver via digital audio output out to a high-end Sony speaker system (ok...so, Sony is not known for high end speakers...but, these speakers are designed for SACD and reproduces trebles to 100,000 hz!!). I rip CDs using Exact Audio Copy with a FLAC front end...and take the time to make really good copies. I spent hours on A/B comparisons before I went down this path of fully embracing digital audio. And, was fully convinced that this XBMC set-up was virtually indistinguishable from the sound quality of my Sony 300-cd Mega changer connected via optical audio. As a matter of fact using the digital audio settings and send stereo to all speakers, the sound, although not SACD quality, sounded better than the CD player (and the benefit of having the Sony's cool blue multi-channel surround sound light come on!!).
Then, I bought the new Madeleine Peyroux CD "Careless Love."
The flac files when replayed via the Sony stereo produced unbelievably poor sound and distortion that sounded like a speaker blowing out.
I first thought that I must have introduced some distortion into the media transfer process. I upgraded EAC...upgraded FLAC...checked all ripping settings....reinstalled my disc drive..and re-ripped the CD.
The distortion was still there. I then played the CD directly via the Xbox....distortion still there....although the CD played pretty well via a Bose Lifestyle system in my game room...
Hmmmnn.....mystery?
Then I searched around for problems with the disc and found this CD review by George Graham.
http://georgegraham.com/reviews/peyroux.html
The "excessive volume compression" issue explained the phenomenon. Click on the explanation within the review on excessive volume compression for some interesting background on the subject.
So, I searched on the forum here and read a thread where Mr. Jonathan Marshall suggested turning down the preamp gain.
I made some tweaks to the Music Settings and voila.....the sound is once more incredible!!
I changed the My Music settings as follows.
Replay Gain Mode - Enabled -- to Track Level Option (more on this setting below).
Pre-Amp Level Replay Gained Files - turned down to 80db.
Pre-Amp Level Non-Replay Gained Files - turned down to 80db.
Avoid Clipping on Replay Gained Files - Enabled.
Now....I don't know why the Replay Gain Mode toggle made a difference, as I never introduced "replay gain" into the media transfer process...but, it made a HUGE difference. Perhaps there is some default gain added on particular CDs??
I also noticed a significant improvement on Corrine Bailey Rae's recent CD....especially on the first track when strong bass kicks in.
ClearSong
I wanted to share my recent experience with audio quality replay problems and the XBMC.
I use XBMC exclusively as a Digital Music Server. I have a 300GB hard drive installed on the Xbox. The Xbox feeds a Sony 1070 A/V receiver via digital audio output out to a high-end Sony speaker system (ok...so, Sony is not known for high end speakers...but, these speakers are designed for SACD and reproduces trebles to 100,000 hz!!). I rip CDs using Exact Audio Copy with a FLAC front end...and take the time to make really good copies. I spent hours on A/B comparisons before I went down this path of fully embracing digital audio. And, was fully convinced that this XBMC set-up was virtually indistinguishable from the sound quality of my Sony 300-cd Mega changer connected via optical audio. As a matter of fact using the digital audio settings and send stereo to all speakers, the sound, although not SACD quality, sounded better than the CD player (and the benefit of having the Sony's cool blue multi-channel surround sound light come on!!).
Then, I bought the new Madeleine Peyroux CD "Careless Love."
The flac files when replayed via the Sony stereo produced unbelievably poor sound and distortion that sounded like a speaker blowing out.
I first thought that I must have introduced some distortion into the media transfer process. I upgraded EAC...upgraded FLAC...checked all ripping settings....reinstalled my disc drive..and re-ripped the CD.
The distortion was still there. I then played the CD directly via the Xbox....distortion still there....although the CD played pretty well via a Bose Lifestyle system in my game room...
Hmmmnn.....mystery?
Then I searched around for problems with the disc and found this CD review by George Graham.
http://georgegraham.com/reviews/peyroux.html
The "excessive volume compression" issue explained the phenomenon. Click on the explanation within the review on excessive volume compression for some interesting background on the subject.
So, I searched on the forum here and read a thread where Mr. Jonathan Marshall suggested turning down the preamp gain.
I made some tweaks to the Music Settings and voila.....the sound is once more incredible!!
I changed the My Music settings as follows.
Replay Gain Mode - Enabled -- to Track Level Option (more on this setting below).
Pre-Amp Level Replay Gained Files - turned down to 80db.
Pre-Amp Level Non-Replay Gained Files - turned down to 80db.
Avoid Clipping on Replay Gained Files - Enabled.
Now....I don't know why the Replay Gain Mode toggle made a difference, as I never introduced "replay gain" into the media transfer process...but, it made a HUGE difference. Perhaps there is some default gain added on particular CDs??
I also noticed a significant improvement on Corrine Bailey Rae's recent CD....especially on the first track when strong bass kicks in.
ClearSong