AD Converter Options

a few more thoughts.... any time you manipulate a digital file (whether it is to apply EQ, change the bit depth or the sample rate. or filter or change the file in any way) you create artifacts such as pre-ringing, or post ringing, or phase anomalies, and/or other unwanted results. That is why a program like HQ Player offers many options for manipulating a file. Some are listed below.. they all sound different.  It is why DCS offers various options for applying digital filters. Why Ayre has a listen and a measure mode on some of their DACs. Why Roon has many options and settings when changing sample rates. 

My point being, taking a 32 bit file and converting it to 24 bits is not as simple as it seems. Recording at 24 bits and converting a 32 bit file to 24 is not the same thing.

The only difference may be the way Audacity saved the file, but it had to manipulate the data to do that. The sound will therefore be changed in ways you don't know.

Resampling filters:
‣ 42 linear phase

‣ 3 intermediate phase

‣ 11 minimum phase

‣ 4 impulse optimal

‣ 3 closed form

Dithers and noise-shapers:
‣ 4 dithers

‣ 5 noise shapers

Delta-Sigma conversion:
‣ 36 modulators

‣ 70 oversampling filters (64x – 2048x)

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Herman: "Of course, this is with my gear." YMMV. For my recordings, I have reduced the variables to the bare minimum: from the raw data in Audacity, Save As 24-bit or Save As 32-bit. Errors could still be present, but I am satisfied with the conclusion that 32-bit uncompressed music files sound better than their identically recorded 24-bit versions.

Audacity is set to record at 32-bit float, 384kHz. Windows saves as 32-bit Signed.

Maybe HQ Player has better rate conversion than Audacity/Windows, but I’ll leave that question for others to answer.

Thanks for your input.

you may want to consider the antelope audio Pure2 with a 10MX clock. 

excellent sounding and under your 10k price point. 

I use this combo feeding a DA-3000SD  with great results. 

Thanks, johnss. The Antelope unit is 24-bit 192kHz max. It might be superior to my RME at 32/384, and the price is comparable. I might give it a try. Thanks