AudioQuest Beetle Owner's Manual
27
Why is “Format” important?
CDs operate at a sample frequency of 44100 Hz. Compressed MP3
and AAC music files and audio streams are typically encoded at
three different quality levels—128kbps, 256kbps (iTunes Plus), and
320kbps—and are most often reconstructed as 44100.0 Hz files.
Similarly, many music downloads and CDs ripped as Apple Lossless
or FLAC files are reconstructed to 44100 Hz. If you have higher
resolution files, it is important to choose the correct higher sample
rate in order to maximize the benefit of those files. For the best
performance with sampling rates above Beetle’s 96kHz ceiling, files
should be played at a rate mathematically related to their native
resolution. For instance, a 192kHz file should be played at 96kHz
(i.e., 2 x 96000.0 = 192000.0).
and AAC music files and audio streams are typically encoded at
three different quality levels—128kbps, 256kbps (iTunes Plus), and
320kbps—and are most often reconstructed as 44100.0 Hz files.
Similarly, many music downloads and CDs ripped as Apple Lossless
or FLAC files are reconstructed to 44100 Hz. If you have higher
resolution files, it is important to choose the correct higher sample
rate in order to maximize the benefit of those files. For the best
performance with sampling rates above Beetle’s 96kHz ceiling, files
should be played at a rate mathematically related to their native
resolution. For instance, a 192kHz file should be played at 96kHz
(i.e., 2 x 96000.0 = 192000.0).
Some programs (such as NPR) use 48000 Hz. These 24-bit/48000
Hz files can sound amazingly close to higher sample-rate files.
Some “high-res” files use 88200 Hz, but Windows 7 is not currently
compatible with this sample rate. To play 88200 Hz music files,
Windows 7 users must select 44100 Hz, 48000 Hz, or 96000 Hz,
with 44100 recommended as optimal because it is a direct multiple
of the native sample rate (i.e., 2 x 44100.0 = 88200.0). Windows 8
will play all sample rates. Windows-compatible third-party music
players, such as JRiver and foobar2000 will play 88200 Hz files at
their native sample rate. For support or more information about
these music players, please visit jriver.com or foobar2000.org. Some
“high-res” files use 96000 Hz because it is a multiple of the sample
rates used on DVDs, Blu-rays and in the computer world (i.e., 2 x
48000.0 = 96000.0).
Hz files can sound amazingly close to higher sample-rate files.
Some “high-res” files use 88200 Hz, but Windows 7 is not currently
compatible with this sample rate. To play 88200 Hz music files,
Windows 7 users must select 44100 Hz, 48000 Hz, or 96000 Hz,
with 44100 recommended as optimal because it is a direct multiple
of the native sample rate (i.e., 2 x 44100.0 = 88200.0). Windows 8
will play all sample rates. Windows-compatible third-party music
players, such as JRiver and foobar2000 will play 88200 Hz files at
their native sample rate. For support or more information about
these music players, please visit jriver.com or foobar2000.org. Some
“high-res” files use 96000 Hz because it is a multiple of the sample
rates used on DVDs, Blu-rays and in the computer world (i.e., 2 x
48000.0 = 96000.0).
Beetle’s LED lights up in different colors to indicate status or sample rate:
Red: Standby Green: 44100 Hz Blue: 48000 Hz
Amber: 88200 Hz Magenta: 96000 Hz
Amber: 88200 Hz Magenta: 96000 Hz