quality to be unacceptable, and so avoid lossy compression.
It’s important to note that the quality lost with lossy
compression is gone forever - you can’t get it back.
Another important thing that you should know is that the
various lossy file formats have their own numbering schemes.
So, for example, a 256k MP3 has lower sound quality than a
44k CD quality lossless file. (However, a 256k MP3 file is about
the same as a 256k AAC file, and both are better than a 128k
MP3 file.)
High Resolution Audio
The term
high resolution
is generally used to refer to any
lossless audio file that is recorded at any resolution higher
than the 16/44k used by CDs. The most common formats for
high resolution audio at the moment are 24/96 and 24/192,
with the files themselves being either uncompressed WAV
files, or in the lossless FLAC or ALAC formats.
High resolution audio files exist for a very simple reason:
because most audiophiles agree that they sound better.
There are currently several online stores where you can buy a
wide selection of high resolution audio files.
What Do I Need To Play High Resolution Audio Files?
The easiest way to play a wide variety of high resolution
audio files is to use a computer. There are lots of player
programs you can use - although you do need to configure
them correctly to get the best results. You also need playback
hardware that can convert those superb quality high res files
back into analog audio at the best quality possible. Luckily
you have a Big Ego!
