Difference between WAV and MP3 files

[cecilt]

Hi, I operate my squeezbox using through a high end ARCAM ampo and good speakers. All my music has been ripped from CD's on WAV files and are stored on an external hard drive. I used to be able to to hear a clear difference between my WAV files at 1411kbps and 160kbps MP3 files. I recently re-ripped alot of my music on to a bigger had drive but now I can't hear the same diffrerence and I notice my amp plays the WAV files at a lower volume than before and at a lower volumes than CD;s on the same amp.

When I check while the files are playing they are definatly comming through at WAV 1411kbps CBR and there is no difference to the MP3 160kbps CBR. Any suggestions?

[Skinny]

1. Please share some details about what ripping software and settings you are using, and if that has changed, what you used before.

2. Also, make sure you don't have bandwidth limiting set in the Server settings under Player.

3. How is your SB (which model, by the way?) connected to your stereo, analog / digital?

4. Is the volume setting on your SB at 100%?

5. Do you have volume adjustment enabled (ReplayGain)?

6. Can you hear a difference between the MP3 and the original CD?

To have the same sound from the SB as your CD player, both need to be connected digitally to the same DAC (or Amp with digital inputs), SB volume at 100%, no adjustment, and playing a lossless audio file. WAV is ok, but FLAC is recommended for tagging support. If using an analog connection, the different DAC:s of the CD player and SB come into play, as well as a likely difference in output power ("volume") on the analog outputs of different devices. Louder will generally sound better if the sound is otherwise similar.

I didn't mean for any of this to come out rude or arrogant, just trying to be efficient and helpful I'm by no means an audio expert (I'm learning a lot by hanging around here!), but I know my way around ripping and encoding, I've been doing that for as long as it has been around.

-Skinny

[MrSinatra]

imo, most people if tested would not be able to tell the difference between a wav/flac file and a mp3 at 256kbps, and prob not at 192 or 160 either.

however, it is proven that the ear prefers even slightly louder sources. so if a wav is played, and its not as loud as a mp3, b/c of say a RG boost, the ear will pick the mp3.