Listen to dithering algorithms used out there, "The Great Dither Shootout", link Options

[KikeG]

http://www.24-96.net/dither/

Here you can download examples of different dither types available at proffesional industry. The samples are amplified so that the dither noise is easily audible. You can also check using a FFT view the different noise shaping profiles used.

SSRC or FB2K dithering is not available, but If I had space enough to host the files, I could upload equivalent test samples to compare, when I had some time.

According to the available pool results, the best dither without doubt seems to be MegaBitMax Ultra. I fully agree with this, even when SSRC strong ATH noiseshaping would be among the best ones. The famous Apogee UV dithering would not

[tigre]

[EDIT]No more sample. Garf was faster than me [/EDIT]

From the ones I tested I tend to like MegaBitMax Ultra most, but I don't like the added high pitched tone (much more with fb2k). On the other hand I only notice it because I listen at 54dB higher volume than usual, so I think it's no problem in practice.

I think MegaBitMax' advantages are these:
- it's low volume flat dither until ~15.500 Hz, so it sounds somehow natural (like white noise)
- the additional high frequency noise has a steep highpass. It starts at ~15.5 kHz and reaches full volume at 18kHz, so it's almost inaudible and doesn't change the "natural white noise perception".

If you don't focus on annoyance but on volume caused by dither noise, there are other samples where noise seems to be a bit lower, but because it's high pitched and "unbalanced" it's perceived as more annoying.

These statements are my try to explain why certain samples sound better than others for *me* knowing their frequency view. No "objective" facts.

This post has been edited by tigre: May 8 2003, 17:34