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Sample Size
The more bits that are used to store the sampled value, the more closely it
will represent the source signal. In an 8-bit system, there are 256 possible
combinations of zeroes and ones, so 256 different analog voltages can be
represented. A 16-bit system provides 65,535 possible combinations. A 16-
bit signal is capable of providing far greater accuracy than an 8-bit signal.
Figure B
shows how this works.
Figure B. The more bits there are available, the more accurate the representation of the signal and the
greater the dynamic range.
Your Echo hardware’s analog inputs use 24-bit ADCs, which means that the
incoming signal can be represented by any of over 16 million possible
values. The output DACs are also 24-bit; again, over 16 million values are
possible. The S/PDIF inputs and outputs also support signals with up to 24-
bit resolution. Your Echo hardware processes signals internally with 24-bit
resolution to insure that there is no degradation to the audio signal as it is
processed through the system.
The number of bits available also determines the potential dynamic range.
Moving a binary number one space to the left multiplies the value by two
(just as moving a decimal number one space to the left multiplies the value
by ten), so each additional bit doubles the maximum value that may be
represented. Each available bit provides 6dB (see decibel section below) of
dynamic range. For example, a 24-bit system can theoretically provide
144dB of dynamic range.
