I'd be far more likely to believe the word of a professional sound engineer
over that of a guy that regularly reads What Hi-Fi? I am including myself in that latter category.
( Kroney, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 11:09, 1 reply, 13 years ago)

A professional sound engineer listening through professional quality equipment would have a fighting chance at differentiating between the two
but the effects of compression are completely negligible when listening through a bog standard hi-fi separates system.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 11:13, Reply)

Yeah, I said something similar above.
Monty did say mp3 versus vinyl/reel to reel, though. Not mp3 vs CD.

Even so, if a guy that's spent however many years listening to sound for a living says there's a difference, I'd be inclined to believe him even if I personally can't hear it.
( Kroney, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 11:15, Reply)

Of course there is a difference, the technical specs prove that.
But the question is, can you hear that difference, and the answer is no. Unless, you are in a near perfect environment with a near perfect system. Since that situation will virtually never arise, the answer, to all intents and purposes, remains No.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 11:19, Reply)

I know a lecturer in acoustics,
and in his opinion, the difference in home quality cd/dvd/vinyl is so small, it's just not worth pissing about. It's only when you spend thousands, position your chair specifically, dampen the walls etc that you will notice a difference, but it all sounds a bit much effort.
(Bear Pookie The Frankly Challenged. Halloween is coming to town., Mon 2 Jul 2012, 11:24, Reply)

Exactly
which is why I have no respect at all for hifi aficionados that spend hundreds of pounds on equipment and cables for their house.
( Kroney, Mon 2 Jul 2012, 11:33, Reply)