We are close enough, but save some clapping for a bit longer
.
You are now largely moving out of theory into practice.
But first, yes 96khz sampling rate will have frequencies up to 48khz. If there is any being produced with enough energy to be heard,even if human hearing were to reach those levels, which it doesn't.. And recorded of course, that is a valid point you have made too.
And for frequencies above 22khz, there is a steep rolloff on CD. No doubt. A
but will follow later
.
By the way, how come you missed the 16 bit to 24 bit part of this saga?
Where I disagree with you in theory is this:
There is more sampling data at 20khz. But it doesn't add a jot of extra " value". If I already have a sample of all the necessary information why do I need more? There would be no use of that extra data up to 20khz for anyone, from bats to Superman to Mr Golden Ears Audiophile. It also doesn't add any value to the playback system.
There is one other thing to remember about 24/96. I don't know the theory, and I haven't the experience of this - I can only recount something I have read. With that upfront admission, it seems that 24/96 can, in some cases, actually introduce distortion of some kind in the frequencies upto 20Khz. In practice then, it can be a possible loss/no audible win situation.
Now, to the
but I referred to earlier:
Other than the supposed distortion referred just above, all the theory about 24/96, even if 100% correct, means nothing - to me at any rate - if the difference between CD and Hi res cannot be distinguished in a level matched AB blind test.
The problem is that Hi res music is also often remastered with more care than the older CD, and usually this is done by the mastering studio A team. This remastering will sound audibly better, depending on how well it is done, and how lousy the original CD mastering was. To eliminate this variable, one needs to downsample the HD files to 16/44 or 16/48, and then still identify the differences in a rigourous listening test. If found, this is a validity of audible superiority of 24/96, mastering differences being eliminated. In the absence of audible benefits, this is poor engineering, being unnecessary use of resources.
Afaik, no one in the world has established such a difference in such a test.
By the way, you do know that people are talking about 24/384 now?