Elnido Posted November 28, 2024 Posted November 28, 2024 Sound quality better than cd sacd?I think so and 2 audiophile friends agree. The high quality music videos were first identified using grado headphones an oppo dac and 1080p hd streaming. It is said that above 720p streaming youtube gives a higher quality sound algorithm. As an experiment I want forum members to stream my recommended videos through their hifi system and comment on the results. I will provide links if there is interest by forum members.Surprisingly many of these videos i have found sound very organic and digital harshness is vastly reduced indeed some sound like good quality vinyl.
Administrator StereoNET Posted November 28, 2024 Administrator Posted November 28, 2024 At first glance, this thread seems a bit "spammy", but I'll give benefit of the doubt and bite. I'm struggling to think this is a "thing" - but open minded. But for example, the audio stream for a video is encoded (seperately) at time of exporting the video, before it's even uploaded to YouTube who then apply their own compression (which I can guarantee as I watch the original exported video here and compare it to what's being shown on YT after upload - at least on the video side of things). The standard default settings for YouTube on export (from Premiere Pro, for example) encode the audio as: And the only audio choices are between AAC and MPEG. 3
aussievintage Posted November 28, 2024 Posted November 28, 2024 This thread may answer my questions and skepticism about youtube content that claims to be "audiophile", and also claim to be atmos etc. 1
Elnido Posted November 29, 2024 Author Posted November 29, 2024 Ok a piano arrangement an orchestra and a jazz funk drummer let me know what you think. 1
aussievintage Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 So, stats for nerds says they are using an Opus 251 codec. which is 251 WebM Opus (VBR) <=160 Kbps Stereo (2) Yes according to https://gist.github.com/AgentOak/34d47c65b1d28829bb17c24c04a0096f#dash-audio That doesn't seem that great. Lossy and <= 160Kbps. 2
Administrator StereoNET Posted November 29, 2024 Administrator Posted November 29, 2024 I downloaded and checked the properties of the Orchestra video, at best resolution offered which is 720p. There's certainly nothing special going on there with that lossy audio encoding (it's also possible that when "streamed", it's even more compressed and lossy). Haven't given it a critical listen on the hi-fi system as yet, but not expecting to hear anything other than a typical YouTube recording. 2
aussievintage Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 (edited) 2 minutes ago, StereoNET said: I downloaded and checked the properties of the Orchestra video, at best resolution offered which is 720p. Interesting. My youtube config is set to 1080p HD (and that's what it auto selects) Edit: oops sorry, wrong video, it's 720 Edited November 29, 2024 by aussievintage
Steff Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 (edited) Wouldn't a spectrum analyzer show quite clearly what's going on in these HD videos---to complement any ear-mind-impression testing? ps. just reading upwards, the codec information is plenty revealing. nuff said. Edited November 29, 2024 by Steff
Administrator StereoNET Posted November 29, 2024 Administrator Posted November 29, 2024 32 minutes ago, Elnido said: I don't think more videos is going to reveal anything other than what has already been established. 3
aussievintage Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 18 minutes ago, Steff said: Wouldn't a spectrum analyzer show quite clearly what's going on in these HD videos---to complement any ear-mind-impression testing? ps. just reading upwards, the codec information is plenty revealing. nuff said. What? Measure something instead of trusting your ears??? LOL, don't get me wrong, I think you may be correct, only more than just a spectrum analysis will be needed, but you'll find plenty who don't agree
aussievintage Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 So, still looking for an Audiophile experience from youtube...
rantan Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 Just now, aussievintage said: So, still looking for an Audiophile experience from youtube... Never-going-to-happen. 1
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted November 29, 2024 Volunteer Posted November 29, 2024 I’m guessing the OP is not claiming these are high resolution files, just that they sound better than the equivalent SACD version due to the encoding algorithm. I guess this could be tested if someone could listen to the two versions side by side.
wasabijim Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 I'm at the home office "work" station (yeah right - it's Friday wfh...). I stream Radio Paradise via WiiM (16b/44.1kHz if that's still lossless these days )into a Aune X1s GT DAC/HP amp combo, my cans are open-back Philips Fideflio 2xHR. Nothing fancy but I'd hope sufficiently revealing for an exercise to switch over to some of the YT clips, it's simple enough to stream the YT straight into the Wiim. I'm no golden ears so I try to also consider my overall engagement, here goes.... after a bit of critical listening I couldn't a an emotional connection to the music, but this could be a taste thing... Live for Ever did nothing for me. I thought being a drummer myself I'd like Lewis but that backing track sounded like a late 90s MIDI high-school project and he has a bit too restrained. there was no thump or leading tick to his stick. the cymbal work (although he never "went to town") was slick and splashy, nice shimmer especially to contrast all the different crash cymbal he has going. but overall lacking the 'grunt' or (prat maybe) you want to see/feel when it's a drummer front and centre track. On to Holst, I think while the other tracks were maybe nicely recorded and it's this production more than anything bringing a finish to it, this was clearly not. I'm not the biggest classical fan but I know dynamic range is where it's at with this genre. there was no "head up, rock back, smile on your face' impact in those standout passages we all know and love. I switch back on Radio Paradise to be meet by Nature Boy by Nick Cave and co. Even at a lower initial volume there's more detail, edge and engagement. I'm able to zone into a specific instrument or frq range, enjoy that then readily follow my ears onto something else.
Elnido Posted November 29, 2024 Author Posted November 29, 2024 Come on guys its fact youtube uses lossy compression but what about the sound?Does it please or disappoint-yep you have to listen with your stereo system.
aussievintage Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 4 minutes ago, Elnido said: Come on guys its fact youtube uses lossy compression but what about the sound?Does it please or disappoint-yep you have to listen with your stereo system. It is adequate. 2
Steff Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Elnido said: Come on guys its fact youtube uses lossy compression but what about the sound? To be fair, it was you who opened all this with the "better than SACD" comparison. Why not just ask instead how people are enjoying yt HD video sounds. But sure, I'll play. This here (max qual. is 480p) sounds like total crap: My mp3, my FLAC, my redbook CD, my SACD, and my vinyl, and my tape recording all sound "better": clearer, larger, more holographic, etc. etc.. Do many youtube tracks sound good? Sure. Is the codec a secret sauce? That's wishful thinking along MQA lines. If you want to control aspects of your sound output like adding subtle dBs of harmonic distortion or other aspects of EQ--learn how to DSP. Liked the Larnell Lewis video, love the Yamaha drum sound. 720p and 1080p sound identical. Same for the Bösendorfer video. Both videos heavily fetishize the musical instrument & brand. I hope you and your friends are not watching while listening. That'll skew your claims. /2c Edited November 29, 2024 by Steff
aussievintage Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 as does this - but it's more a content problem That aside, look at the claim - Hi End Sound test - Perfect Sound Edition
Satanica Posted November 29, 2024 Posted November 29, 2024 7 hours ago, Elnido said: Sound quality better than cd sacd?I think so and 2 audiophile friends agree. The high quality music videos were first identified using grado headphones an oppo dac and 1080p hd streaming. It is said that above 720p streaming youtube gives a higher quality sound algorithm. As an experiment I want forum members to stream my recommended videos through their hifi system and comment on the results. I will provide links if there is interest by forum members.Surprisingly many of these videos i have found sound very organic and digital harshness is vastly reduced indeed some sound like good quality vinyl. I've often thought to myself that lossy codecs that reduce some high frequencies can potentially be preferred by some on some hardware in some rooms. And I'm not surprised it reminds you of vinyl, another lossy codec.
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