For those of you who are interested in just how much of a golden ear you truly are: download Harmon's "How to Listen" software for Windows or Mac OS X http://harmanhowtolisten.blogspot.com/ (scroll down).
Harmon requires its trained listeners to pass tests based on this software before participating in juries to evaluate Harmon products. It doesn't directly address the sample rate/bit depth issues discussed in the linked article, but it does address a lot of the issues brought up in the HN discussion, so you can have a chance to see how much those characteristics really matter.
Harmon requires its trained listeners to pass tests based on this software before participating in juries to evaluate Harmon products. It doesn't directly address the sample rate/bit depth issues discussed in the linked article, but it does address a lot of the issues brought up in the HN discussion, so you can have a chance to see how much those characteristics really matter.
You may be surprised.