I finally got a chance to sit down early this afternoon to listen to these. I spent about 30-40 minutes switching back and forth doing the blind test. The recordings do sound great, and I had a hard time telling the difference between them, if I noticed anything at all. I think I noticed the differences in the mix, and whatever other small variables come into play and may change from one week to the next, more than any differences from the sample rate.
(fwiw, I did all the listening with a Denon DVD player > digi coax > grace 901 > grado rs2 headphones)
then I uncovered the little sample-rate lights on the 901, so I know which is which now. I spent another hour or so critically listening to both of these and switching back and forth. The differences are very subtle. To me, it sounds as though the 96kHz show is
slightly more accurate. here's what I mean after listening to the 96kHz show for a bit, when I switched back to the 48kHz, I could hear a subtle difference. It's definitely not what I would call muddy, maybe just slightly more "smeared." with the 48kHz show, each individual note of the mandolin or banjo would start "now." with the 96kHz show, each individual note would start "NOW."
slightly more accurate, in a time sense. (and you can probably tell, I'm not very good at describing in words the musical characteristics I'm trying to describe)
Now, this is just what I'm able to put into words, and after knowing which is which. I had a guess (which was correct) of which was which before I looked. but it was just that, a guess. that's why I was so curious and looked at the grace lights
would I have had the same thoughts if I didn't look at the sample-rate lights? maybe, maybe not.
here's a question I have, can the Deva do this:
just use two mics, and record channel 1 & 2 at 24/96, and record channel 3 & 4 at 24/48. that way, it's the exact same signal, just one recorded at 24/96 and the other at 24/48. Can the Deva do that? have channel 3 & 4 only record every other bit
if so, that would be cool, and a better comparison.