I appreciate the lengthy exposition; however, I've found that 320 kbs with cross channel bit sharing (or whatever it's called) is where I'm finally reasonably h

I appreciate the lengthy exposition; however, I've found that 320 kbs with cross channel bit sharing (or whatever it's called) is where I'm finally reasonably happy, at least with rock/pop. Perhaps as with eyesight and the "fourth type of cone", we'll eventually measure/document that not all listeners are equal. P.S. Also, pay attention to the subsequent analogue amplification stages, not to mention speakers. Your digital metrics will prove less important when your analogue pathway suffers.