Clipping on the X5...?

[Street_Samurai]

Hey,

First let me say that I absolutely love RockBox.

I've noticed a number of tracks seem to "clip" on the X5 under Rockbox. This problem doesn't occur with every track... but certain tracks are almost unlistenable. The "clipping" is a static-like noise usually with highhats and vocal sibilants. I don't have any EQs or any other strange audio settings on. I've tested with both Replay Gain on and off, Clipping Prevention on and off and it doesn't make a difference (and yes the tracks are Replay Gain'ed with tags).

I noticed this problem on a previous build (at least 5 weeks ago) and on a build I just downloaded a few days ago.

The same tracks in the X5 original firmware (as well as my stereo at home) play fine.

Any thoughts?

I'd be more than willing to upload an example track if that will help.

ss.

p.s. this is a regualr 30GB X5. Build is 060926.

[Llorean]

Give us some information about the file first:

File format/encoding, Sample Rate, Bitrate, at the very least.

[Street_Samurai]

Sorry,

The last one I noticed was a CBR 192kbps MP3.

ss.

[Llorean]

I notice that you left out the sample rate.

[Street_Samurai]

Sorry again,

44.1khz

ss.

[Street_Samurai]

I know that bumping is frowned upon but...

I'm wondering if I should post a bug on flyspray for this or not...?

ss.

[tvg]

Do you use the remote?

Look at http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=6397.0

[Bagder]

thread 6397 is about "clicks" but Street_Samurai talks about "static noise"

[tvg]

i can't feel the difference, english is not native for me. I can name 6397 "static noise" too.

[Street_Samurai]

No, I don't use a remote.

I'm somewhat shocked that no one else is hearing this on the X5. Although the problem is certainly not common to all or even more of the tracks I listen to... I do hear it across several different mp3s / albums.

ss.

[bk]

Can you create recordings showing the difference between Rockbox and OF output? Connect line out to your soundcard line in and post short WAV/FLAC clips demonstrating the clipping.

I've noticed no clipping on my X5 for properly encoded files. Two things I suggest trying are: a) different headphones, defective headphones can show artificial clipping-like distortion and b) load the files that show clipping into a sound editor and see if they were encoded/recorded with overdriven gain.