No, because, mp3 is already a lossy compression technique and info lost cannot be recovered. When you create flac from mp3, technically you aren’t losing anything but whatever is lost is lost.
Exactly right....
Yup I understand that - & that is what I am trying to point out.
where I have no idea of the source material, I can never be sure of whether or not that is actually a "real lossless file" - created from a "real lossless source". Then - my FLAC pride is pure placebo. True. You will have to undress (the file and not the model) to find that out. If it is mp3, then there will be lot of high end cut off. There will be a sharp cutoff at 20 kHz. Absolutely 0 content above 20 kHz. Lossless audio will extend above 20 kHz. You can use audacity to find that out. Also this utility here can help you figure that out - https://losslessaudiochecker.com/#detectionalgorithms
www.spek.cc
No such thing as a "true" lossless file. For compressed formats it's black or white - ergo, lossy or lossless. "True" does not figure in the equation here.
Correct! I was wondering when someone would point that out.
someone burnt those bits into CD tracks and they should have saved the true digital master correct? (16 or 24 bits). i think THAT is true lossless. everything else is just an approximation. CD can't be that for sure, it is just an archival format like tape. even CD retrieval has so many errors, EAC is a thing right? but then who guarantees that CDs were burned with zero erros? can any music label guarantee a bit perfect consistency between all CDs from the same digital master?
Errors may creep in:
I'd rather hold onto my CD player thenErrors may creep in:
1. When the CD is pressed.
2. As the CD ages and the reflective layer deteriorates / flakes off
3. The plastic CD disc is scratched and the laser cannot properly focus and read the data pits on the metalised layer.
A "Good' CD could have over 1 million bits of error!
CDs have rather robust error correction built into the way the data is written. Roughly 25% of the data written onto a CD is dedicated for Error Correction, to yield "Perfect" playback of the music.
CDs deploy Cross-interleaved Reed-Solomon Code.... Often referred to simply as Reed-Solomon Error Correction, named after the mathematicians than developed it.
Hence it not necessary to have a perfect CD to get 'perfect' sound.
so why we have dedicated ripping software like EAC if the system is so robust? i am here to learn. does it mean we need specialized hardware?Errors may creep in:
1. When the CD is pressed.
2. As the CD ages and the reflective layer deteriorates / flakes off
3. The plastic CD disc is scratched and the laser cannot properly focus and read the data pits on the metalised layer.
A "Good' CD could have over 1 million bits of error!
CDs have rather robust error correction built into the way the data is written. Roughly 25% of the data written onto a CD is dedicated for Error Correction, to yield "Perfect" playback of the music.
CDs deploy Cross-interleaved Reed-Solomon Code.... Often referred to simply as Reed-Solomon Error Correction, named after the mathematicians than developed it.
Hence it not necessary to have a perfect CD to get 'perfect' sound.
Strictly, Lossless (compression) is a process, based on a particular algorithm.
.... a 128 kbps Constant Bit Rate (lossy compressed) mp3 file, Throws Away (never to be recovered again) audio data bits & creates a mp3 file that is 90% smaller. A 40 MB .wav file is reduced to a 4 MB 128 kbps mp3 file.
The Reed Solomon Error correction is VERY Robust in principle.... Mathematically, I think it can correct for a drop out of upto 2.5 mm along the CD track. However in principle, there are other non perfections in the system...
)The Reed Solomon Error correction is VERY Robust in principle.... Mathematically, I think it can correct for a drop out of upto 2.5 mm along the CD track. However in principle, there are other non perfections in the system...
* Like CD mechanical wobble while spinning at a high speed,
* Imperfect laser focusing (amongst other reasons... due to laser power fading with age)
* Scratched CD surface etc
In practice, most, well designed, new CD players will yield upto 1 mm drop outs (not 2.5 mm) as in audible.
CD Ripping Software has the luxury of time to go back and re read a CD segment that the Reed Solomon code is unable to correct. The Ripping software also has to accommodate the imperfect characteristics of the CD Ripping Drive like CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) error.
I am personally convinced that each ripping software, yields its own distinctive sonic signature.
I find EAC rips have more 'flow' while dB PowerAmp rips have more PRAT. ( YMMV
To answer your question: "does it mean we need specialized hardware?"
YES!
Better hardware, for example, a better Ripping drive will yield better rips.
A better CD Drive (eg a Philips CDM Pro) provides audibly better sound, in a CD Player.
... and Yes, different CD Drives have their particular sonic signatures.... Most CEC Belt Drive CD transport users will swear that their CD transport sounds more 'analog' than other transports......
Of course, every thing I have said in the above 2 posts is my opinion and unlikely to be universally acceptable.
I am only sharing my take take on the questions posed, and since you mentioned " i am here to learn."
i didn't know, thanks for sharing!The Reed Solomon Error correction is VERY Robust in principle.... Mathematically, I think it can correct for a drop out of upto 2.5 mm along the CD track. However in principle, there are other non perfections in the system...
* Like CD mechanical wobble while spinning at a high speed,
* Imperfect laser focusing (amongst other reasons... due to laser power fading with age)
* Scratched CD surface etc
In practice, most, well designed, new CD players will yield upto 1 mm drop outs (not 2.5 mm) as in audible.
CD Ripping Software has the luxury of time to go back and re read a CD segment that the Reed Solomon code is unable to correct. The Ripping software also has to accommodate the imperfect characteristics of the CD Ripping Drive like CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) error.
I am personally convinced that each ripping software, yields its own distinctive sonic signature.
I find EAC rips have more 'flow' while dB PowerAmp rips have more PRAT. ( YMMV
To answer your question: "does it mean we need specialized hardware?"
YES!
Better hardware, for example, a better Ripping drive will yield better rips.
A better CD Drive (eg a Philips CDM Pro) provides audibly better sound, in a CD Player.
... and Yes, different CD Drives have their particular sonic signatures.... Most CEC Belt Drive CD transport users will swear that their CD transport sounds more 'analog' than other transports......
Of course, every thing I have said in the above 2 posts is my opinion and unlikely to be universally acceptable.
I am only sharing my take take on the questions posed, and since you mentioned " i am here to learn."
