In order to accurately digitize a waveform, the sampling rate has to be at least twice the frequency of the waveform. Since the highest audio frequency is 20kHz, the sampling is done at 44.1kHz which is a bit more than double.
get this,
one of my lectures recently told us of a possible move to a new cd recording standard of 48khz sampling rate,apparently some ppl can hear the difference...
have you heard anything of this , or is it just speculation?
john.