I’m able to stream BBC radio 3 from 4 different sources but am confused as to the stated streaming quality. Is the bitstream rate, freq, or resolution more important?
Wiim Pro Plus 97 kbps, 24-bit, 48kHz
BBC Sounds via Wiim 256 kbps, 16-bit, 44kHz
Naim NDS 339 kbps, 48kHz (no stated resolution)
Roon into NDS 312 kbps, 48kHz (no stated resolution)
Bit depth the most important for me. so 24 bit better than 16 bit. After that then the bitstream figure. Generally 256kbps is going to be preferable to 97kbps, less gaps in the stream. The 48/44 khz is less as I don’t think most people will be able to hear that. Technically 48Khz is the most correct.
I don’t have a Wiim device but your ears should tell you whether 97kbps/24 bit sounds different to 256kbps 16 bit.
Hi,
On Naim devices for radio we aim to give the best quality streams.
In the case of the BBC that’s 320kbit/sec AAC for the HD stream once all the various non audio data payloads are subtracted (older products will show something like 339kbit/sec). The output of the decoder is 24bit, but it doesn’t mean the source material was 24bit and in radio the studio to listener audio processing chain can be long and complex.
The main thing to consider is compressed audio bitrate (kbit/sec and the codec used). If it’s reporting 96kbit then it’s using the mobile streams that are not up-to the same quality as the 320kbit one.
Best
Steve
Thank you Steve.
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