• Registered: 2011-02-05
  • Posts: 36

Topic: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Just did a test on the Babyface S/PDIF by comparing playbacks of a song on a commercial CD. I compared playback of a commercial audio cd through a pc's cd drive and jukebox software to playback from an audio cd player connected via S/PDIF.

I found the S/PDIF playback to sound "better" - more detailed and clearer.  What might explain this?  Am I hearing the differences between the BF and CD player's DAC, or is there another explanation.

Thanks,
Steve

  • Knut
  • Knut
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  • Registered: 2007-04-06
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Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

If I understand you setup correctly you are playing an external CD player signal via the SPDIF input into the Babyface and play it back with the Babyface analog output? In this case both sources use the Babyface DAC, so the difference results from the different players and/or the used software.

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2011-02-05
  • Posts: 36

Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Hi Knut,

Yes, I am playing the external CD player signal via SPDIF input into the BF as one part of the test.  Let's call this part 1 of the test.  I expanded the test since I entered the question.  Apart from the playback that I just mentioned, I have three other types of playback:
2) directly from the pc cd via Windows Media Player.
3) from a FLAC played via Media Monkey.
4) recording of the material that was played in #1.  Playback was both through the DAW software and Media Monkey.

In all 4 test cases, the playback connections are XLR balanced out from the BF breakout cable to the same pair of audio monitors.

Since the BF DAC is used in all 4 test cases (right?), then are there other factors that could be determinants?  For example, something with the internal pc hardware/environment?  Or is this, as it sounds like you are saying, a matter of the softwares' abilities?  If this is the case, then can you suggest some software that can play back audio recorded via SPDIF so that one can hear it as well coming out of the pc as it sounded originally going into the BF?

Thanks,
Steve

  • Knut
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Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Since the BF DAC is used in all 4 test cases (right?),

Yes.

then are there other factors that could be determinants?  For example, something with the internal pc hardware/environment?

Yes. For PC playback the CD needs to be "ripped" by the software, which is a complex technological process, which depends on the quality of the CD player hardware and the used software (errror handling).

Or is this, as it sounds like you are saying, a matter of the softwares' abilities?

Possible. Signal Nr. 1 never left the Babyface, signals 2-4 were processed somehow by hardware and software.

If this is the case, then can you suggest some software that can play back audio recorded via SPDIF so that one can hear it as well coming out of the pc as it sounded originally going into the BF?

Check out Samplitude without processing the file (volume, dither ...).

best regards
Knut

5 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,599

Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

To proof that you are just not imaginating things you will have to do some measurements. Different signals paths and settings (even simple stuff like the WMP volume control) can change the sound.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2011-02-05
  • Posts: 36

Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Hi Knut,

Thanks.  I plan to test again with Samplitude.  I've been using Audition up to now - I've been happy with my results through the XLR inputs.

Steve

  • Registered: 2011-02-05
  • Posts: 36

Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Hi Matthias,

Thanks for your suggestions.  I will probably do some more testing over the weekend.  Just curious, since you suggested that I do some measurements...I use both Audition and Izotope RX2, which both offer spectral graphs.  Is there anything there that you think I should look for?

Steve

  • Knut
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Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

A louder signal sounds subjectively better so check the levels carefully.

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2011-02-05
  • Posts: 36

Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Hi Knut and Matthias,

I did some more testing.  I think that everything is fine, now.  Going through the toslink connection, this time, seems better than ripping with the cd drive.

The problem might have been related to a usb headset being connected at that time and the recording went through the headset mic.  Not sure, but I don't think this issue is worth much more time.

Regards,
Steve

  • Registered: 2011-02-05
  • Posts: 36

Re: Why does Babyface S/PDIF input sound better?

Check out Samplitude without processing the file (volume, dither ...).

Hi Knut,

Thank you for your suggestion.  I've had some time to test and while I was initially skeptical, Samplitude is a great program for recording.

Steve