Bill D wrote: I have a number of recordings in FLAC, but they came that way. If you played them beside an MP3, I doubt I could decide.

You're probably right, Bill. Some years ago our (classical) music group acquired a new sound system for use in halls & a church. Other groups were also to use it and we had a session to try it out with all sorts of music - orchestral, chamber, jazz, opera.

I took the opportunity to compare 3 versions of a Beethoven symphony movement. Original CD, WAV file ripped from it and MP3 from that played from USB input. An audience of about 50, mostly over 50s, couldn't easily identify any difference. Most interesting, when I asked them to state a preference, the majority went for the MP3.

Make of that what you will. Apolgies for hi-jacking the thread.

Phil