What encoder are you using? Bit rates?

Actually, I tried a few different encoders at lots of different bit rates, but I really noticed that the problem seems to be present on the original CD when I listen to it on a CD player. However, I have no way of knowing whether I'm hearing a jitter problem from bad DACs or what, since all I've got hooked up now is my CD-ROM drives.

The problem I'm describing is a subtle one. It's not an obvious thing. It's more like a slight irritation. It's like the cymbals are going from the originally intended "smooth splashes" to some sort of not-so-perfect approximation of smoothness.

The HK system you described sounds like the proper test platform. Listen again at those time indices I mentioned, and compare the sounds of the ride cymbals at those moments with the sounds of the ride cymbals throughout the rest of the song. Do they sound harsh or slightly distorted to you, as compared with the rest of the song?

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Tony Fabris