Explanation of terms

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec)

This is a codec for lossless audio compression method developed by Apple Inc. This codec can be played back on iTunes, iPod or iPhone. Data compressed to approximately 60 – 70 % can be decompressed to exactly the same original data.

DSD (Direct-Stream Digital)

One of the audio data recording methods, it is the signal aspect used to store audio signals on a super audio CD, and is Δ-Σ modulated digital audio. It is configured of an array of single bit values at a 2.8 MHz sampling rate.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)

FLAC stands for Free lossless Audio Codec, and is a lossless free audio file format. Lossless means that the audio is compressed without any loss in quality.
The FLAC license is as shown below.

Copyright (C) 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009 Josh Coalson

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3)

This is an internationally standardized audio data compression scheme, using the “MPEG-1” video compression standard. It compresses the data volume to about one eleventh its original size while maintaining sound quality equivalent to a music CD.

MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), MPEG-2, MPEG-4

These are the names for digital compression format standards used for the encoding of video and audio. Video standards include “MPEG-1 Video”, “MPEG-2 Video”, “MPEG-4 Visual”, “MPEG-4 AVC”. Audio standards include “MPEG-1 Audio”, “MPEG-2 Audio”, “MPEG-4 AAC”.

WMA (Windows Media Audio)

This is the audio compression technology developed by Microsoft Corporation.
WMA data can be encoded using Windows Media® Player.
To encode WMA files, only use applications authorized by Microsoft Corporation. If you use an unauthorized application, the file may not work properly.

Sampling frequency

Sampling involves taking a reading of a sound wave (analog signal) at regular intervals and expressing the height of the wave at each reading in digitized format (producing a digital signal).
The number of readings taken in one second is called the “sampling frequency”. The larger the value, the closer the reproduced sound is to the original.

Speaker impedance

This is an AC resistance value, indicated in Ω (ohms).

Greater power can be obtained when this value is smaller.

Dynamic range

The difference between the maximum undistorted sound level and the minimum discernible level above the noise emitted by the device.

Bit rate

This expresses the read amount per 1 second of video/audio data recorded in a disc. A larger number means higher sound quality, but also means a larger file size.

Protection circuit

This is a function to prevent damage to devices within the power supply when an abnormality such as an overload, excess voltage occurs or over temperature for any reason.

Linear PCM

This is an uncompressed PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signal. This is the same system used for CD audio but uses 192 kHz, 96 kHz, and 48 kHz sampling frequencies on Blu-ray Disc or DVD and provides higher resolution than CD.

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