AUDIO FORMAT

PCM 24-bit / 96 kHz (Hi-Res Studio Standard)

PCM Lossless

Specifications

FamilyPCM
Bit depth24
Sample rate96,000 Hz
Bit rate4.608 Mbps stereo
Lossless?yes
Extensions.flac, .wav, .aif
SpecificationAES3
Developerindustry standard

Overview

24-bit / 96 kHz PCM — the working studio standard since the late 1990s. Theoretical dynamic range is 144 dB (well beyond the human ear’s noise floor + threshold of pain span), bandwidth covers 20 Hz – 48 kHz.

The minimum threshold for the ‘high-resolution audio’ marketing label in most jurisdictions. Practical benefits over CD-quality are primarily in mastering and processing chain headroom; the audible delta in playback is small to nonexistent on most material.

Apple Music’s lossless tier delivers this rate natively. See PCM 24/192 for the next-step up and DSD64 for the SACD alternative.

Typical use cases

  • studio masters
  • hi-res streaming
  • audiophile downloads

Supported on these devices

DEVICE

Reference Portable Digital Audio Player (Dual ES9038Q2M)

Dap

DEVICE

Mid-Tier Compact Balanced DAP (ES9219C)

Dap

DEVICE

Desktop Reference DAC (Dual ES9038Pro)

Desktop Dac

DEVICE

USB-C Dongle DAC with Dual CS43131 and Balanced Out

Portable Dac

DEVICE

Desktop Integrated DAC + Headphone Amp (ES9039Pro)

Dac Amp