Hi all,
Just curious really, those of you with 8200s or M-DACs, which digital filter do you lean towards?
I'd be lying if I could tell any difference really, but that being said, I can't decide between Optimum Transient, and Optimum Spectrum...
Digital filters represent one of the most readily audible variables in digital audio. There is no free lunch, the 'perfect' frequency response will have an imperfect impulse response. This is why Audiolab are naming their slow rolloff filters as "transient" filters at the expense of frequency response. It's good that people have options, and can choose which one they prefer.
Digital filters represent one of the most readily audible variables in digital audio. There is no free lunch, the 'perfect' frequency response will have an imperfect impulse response. This is why Audiolab are naming their slow rolloff filters as "transient" filters at the expense of frequency response. It's good that people have options, and can choose which one they prefer.
Are you familiar with the concept of ceteris paribus?How do you know that what you like about the sound of those filters is due to their impulse response?
What about the impulse response of the filers used in the recording? Or any sample rate processing in between the master and the disc/file you buy?
In that respect the system needs to be taken as a whole.
Are you familiar with the concept of ceteris paribus?
So I was right, it was an unfounded assumption.
...........
Yes. (If that's the second OT filter- the 3rd one doesn't suffer) It sounds rolled off to me and less clean, which pretty much is what's happening.
More often than not I am on the optimal spectrum, however it's obvious that someone's preference will depend on the balance of the rest of their system.
In this context I cannot see any meaningful application of ceteris paribus. BE's point stands- how does one know that what one is preferring is an impulse response difference? Certainly using an OT filter will affect the impulse response, the frequency response and add spuriae. How are the ceteris to be made paribus (and paribus to what?).Are you familiar with the concept of ceteris paribus?
if it were possible, I would love to see the preferences of people who had not been told what the "right answer" was. Which would exclude anyone who has ever been on the M-dac thread.Interesting isn't it, I wonder as a percentage how many listeners prefer that particular filter?
Keith.
In this context I cannot see any meaningful application of ceteris paribus. BE's point stands- how does one know that what one is preferring is an impulse response difference? Certainly using an OT filter will affect the impulse response, the frequency response and add spuriae. How are the ceteris to be made paribus (and paribus to what?).
A minimum phase filter might more reasonably be compared with a linear phase filter of similar frequency response, but that's a whole different ball game, and may still depend on the (unknown) impulse response of the A/D filter.
Interesting isn't it, I wonder as a percentage how many listeners prefer that particular filter?
Keith.
Yes you consistently prefer the OT filter; but as BE pointed out that does not mean your preference is based on impulse response: you may be responding to the frequency response change and/or the distortion (leaving aside the undoubted persuasive force of John's recommendation).I'm afraid that the reference to ceteris paribus does not take it any further.When everything else is constant (ceteris paribus) that is the recording, amp, speakers, cables, listening position, etc and ONLY the Audiolab filters are considered as a variable I prefer the OT XD.
According to JohnW, IIRC, this filter is better in terms of Impulse Response namely because it has no pre-ringing and performs not as well in terms of Frequency Response.
I'd say it does not take a great effort to conclude that to me Impulse Response is more important than Frequency Response. QED.
Sorry but I can't explain it better than this.