that's per channel. 24 khz left ear and 24khz right ear. 48kHz is standard frequency response rate for DVDs. 44 (22.05 khz per ear) is the standard for CDs.
Most of the non-library vinyl rips for which I have many hundreds, are usually ripped to 96kHz, the trend nowadays is 192kHz. 48kHz is hardly cause for alarm lol.
I think we're at cross-purposes I was referring to the human ear frequency range which is typically from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). It's the excessive bit rates used for simple listening purposes at home through, perhaps, an okay hi-fi system which puzzles me.
I understand what you meant, and what I meant was that 48khz you are complaining about is a stereo file and as such, it is 24khz per ear, which is not very far outside of that range you are quoting. Open it up in adobe audition or something, you'll see 2 separate waveforms each topping out at 24khz.
