Audacity Forum

Sorry if I took this off-track, but I found it a very interesting excursion. Many thanks again for your time and trouble, Steve (glad you enjoyed F&S!). I'll pursue the Win7 and hardware queries elsewhere to avoid further diversion from the OP's topic.

If I can turn this question around a bit, if the final destination for the recording is a computer playing back through a reasonable quality (Audiolab) DAC capable of 96k , what would the ideal sampling rate? (I am assuming of course that my Xitel Inport hardware is capable of handling 96k for recording.)

Whatever sounds best, but if they all sound equally good then you have a choice between saving disk space and using small number or showing off and using big numbers. Big numbers are not necessarily better, but they sound more impressive. If a device handles 24 bit 48 kHz superbly well and handles 24 bit 96 kHz moderately well, then 24/48 will be better.

Thanks Steve - what a great common sense response!