256kbps

[mwhouston]

Just bought a new Cowon S9. It will take line in at 256kbps. How does this compare with red book. Is redbook 44.1kbps and is 256kbps is a lot better rez. Am I too simplistic?

 

[Massive Master]

You're confusing things - 256kbps (kilobits per second) mega-data-compressed MP3 data vs. 44.1kHz (kilohertz / kS/s / samples-per-second) uncompressed PCM data.

Strictly as a data-transfer, the MP3 is around 1/5th the information of the PCM data (a 16-bit, 44.1kHz stream is a little over 1,400kbps).

Once you start jumping up to 320's with a really, really good MP3 converter (and a really, really good DA on the end), you can kick out some good sounding (compared to the PCM data they were created from) MP3's.

But long-story-short, 256kbps MP3 is only a small fraction of the resolution of the 16/44.1 PCM data from which it would've been written.

 

[mwhouston]

Thanks for the explanation. The Cowon saves the file as wma. But yes still compressed. It amazing how good they sound though when matched with good mics and preamp. Now I know.