AudioQuest Beetle - Page 11

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Why is “Format” important?
CDs operate at a sampling frequency of 44100.0 Hz. Compressed
MP3 and AAC music les and audio streams are typically
encoded at three dierent quality levels—128kbps, 256kbps
(iTunes Plus), and 320kbps—and are most often reconstructed
as 44100.0 Hz les. Similarly, many music downloads and CDs
ripped as Apple Lossless or FLAC les are reconstructed to
44100.0 Hz. If you have higher resolution les, it is important
to choose the correct higher sample rate in order to maximize
the benet of those les. 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 le should be played at
96kHz (i.e., 2 x 96000.0 = 192000.0).
Some programs (such as NPR) use 48000.0 Hz. These 24-bit/
48000.0 Hz les can sound amazingly close to higher sample-
rate les. Some “high-res” les use 88200.0 Hz because it is a
multiple of the CD standard sample rate (i.e., 2 x 44100.0 =
88200.0). Some “high-res” les use 96000.0 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 dierent colors to indicate status or
sample rate:
Red: Standby Green: 44100.0 Hz Blue: 48000.0 Hz
Amber: 88200.0 Hz Magenta: 96000.0 Hz
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Making certain that sound eects are routed to the computer’s
speakers and not to Beetle:
1. In the already open “Audio Devices” window, click rst to highlight
“Built-In Output.”
2. Click on the gear icon drop-down menu.
3. Check that “Play alerts and sound eects through this device” is
grayed out.
4. If it is not, click to select it so the
now appears next to “Built-In Output.”
Plug in earbuds, headphones, or use a cable to connect Beetle to your
powered speakers or amplier, and you are ready to listen!