Sample rate (kHz)
Sample rate is how many audio samples are captured per second, measured in kHz. 44.1 kHz = CD; 48 kHz = video/DVD; 96 kHz and 192 kHz = hi-res. Nyquist theorem: sample rate must be 2x the highest frequency you want to capture.
Sample rate is the number of digital audio samples per second, expressed in kHz. Governed by the Nyquist theorem: sample rate must be at least twice the highest frequency being captured.
Common rates
- 44.1 kHz – CD standard, captures up to 22.05 kHz (above human hearing 20 kHz)
- 48 kHz – video/DVD/broadcast standard
- 96 kHz – hi-res standard, captures up to 48 kHz
- 192 kHz – premium hi-res
- 384/768 kHz – studio, DSD-adjacent
Does higher rate sound better?
Debatable. In blind tests, most listeners can’t distinguish 44.1 kHz from 96 kHz on typical music. Higher rates help during recording/mixing (headroom) but for playback, CD rate is technically sufficient.
Compatibility
Most modern DACs handle up to 192 kHz. Some support DSD256 (11.3 MHz effective rate).
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