patate91
Well-Known Member
ABX and objective listening
I would like to share with you a way to train your ears with different music quality files and to compare equipments*, mixing techniques* as well as undesired effects like clipping.
*I still need to source or produce those files. Help is welcome since I'll have to learn how to do it. I'll update this thread as soon as I can. Note that I have access to music files with the owner's agreement.
With the right tools and knowledge we could hope to have more quality music and gear.
You can first practise your ears with your computer and heaphone. With your speakers and complete system, you will have to deal with the acoustic properties of your room. Once your ears get used to hear what you want switch with your speakers. Please share your experiences with gear swapping and the impact with your results.
If you own the proper equipement you can record your gear : preamplifier, amplifier, cables, DAC, sound cards, etc. and share your files. It could help members to get an idea on what they want to buy. Also It could be a good idea to build a database for comparison purpose.*
*Help here is welcome, to build a procedure or for file sourcing
Feel free to add content and correct me if needed. This procedure can be copy, reuse and modify at will, share it with your friends.
What you will need to do your tests :
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/sm2clux7472z6/Music_files
See post #5 for more music samples
Note that I'll attached the procedure to this thread in case pictures are no longer hosted. Please rename the file ABX procedure 1.2.docx
I would like to share with you a way to train your ears with different music quality files and to compare equipments*, mixing techniques* as well as undesired effects like clipping.
*I still need to source or produce those files. Help is welcome since I'll have to learn how to do it. I'll update this thread as soon as I can. Note that I have access to music files with the owner's agreement.
With the right tools and knowledge we could hope to have more quality music and gear.
You can first practise your ears with your computer and heaphone. With your speakers and complete system, you will have to deal with the acoustic properties of your room. Once your ears get used to hear what you want switch with your speakers. Please share your experiences with gear swapping and the impact with your results.
If you own the proper equipement you can record your gear : preamplifier, amplifier, cables, DAC, sound cards, etc. and share your files. It could help members to get an idea on what they want to buy. Also It could be a good idea to build a database for comparison purpose.*
*Help here is welcome, to build a procedure or for file sourcing
Feel free to add content and correct me if needed. This procedure can be copy, reuse and modify at will, share it with your friends.
What you will need to do your tests :
- A computer or a laptop(more convenient).
- Foobar2000 + Converter pack plugin + ABX comparator plugin
- A high quality music file, like FLAC. Make sure your DAC fully support it. (You can rip it from a CD you own : https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-rip-your-music-cds-to-flac/ ) *Even easier with foobar2000)
- A usb DAC with a usb cable long enough to get to your computer
- An RCA to audio jack
- A preamplifier/ amplifier
- Headphone and/or speakers
- An open mind
- A friend can be useful for testing with speakers if your cables are not long enough to get to your sweet spot.
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/sm2clux7472z6/Music_files
See post #5 for more music samples
Note that I'll attached the procedure to this thread in case pictures are no longer hosted. Please rename the file ABX procedure 1.2.docx
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