Can Rockbox improve sound quality?

[belushka]

I found this measurement:


How can the crosstalk be different if everyone here says the sound will stays the same on OF and RB ?

http://rmaa.elektrokrishna.com/Comparisons/Clip%2B%20-%20Rockbox%20Volume%200x16%20-%20Official%20build%2016%20Ohm.htm

other measurements like THD and noise are different too

[saratoga]

That's a comparison of different player volumes. Cross talk depends on volume to some extent.

[Julian67]

Surely Rockbox at 6dB with 16 Ohm load vs. Original Firmware at Max Volume with 16 Ohm load is a valid like-for-like comparison?

It looks like a very odd result though.  And how relevant it might be to real world use is uncertain because at maximum volume on easily driven earphones the possible differences in stereo separation may be masked by one's ears filling with blood.

[Llorean]

I don't think the maximum volume is the same on both. It often isn't, we allow the full range of the hardware to be used, which often allows distortion at the loudest end, where many original firmwares cap it at some point (either for safety or sound quality concerns).

[saratoga]

Surely Rockbox at 6dB with 16 Ohm load vs. Original Firmware at Max Volume with 16 Ohm load is a valid like-for-like comparison?

No the volume levels aren't the same.