What does a high sampling rate result in for digital audio?

A high sampling rate in digital audio captures more samples of the sound wave per second, which leads to a smoother and more accurate representation of the original audio signal. This means that finer details and nuances in sound can be captured and reproduced, leading to improved clarity and fidelity. A higher sampling rate ensures that the audio can more accurately reproduce high-frequency sounds, making the listening experience richer and more immersive.

As a result, while a higher sampling rate may also lead to larger file sizes due to the increased amount of data being captured, the primary benefit is the enhanced representation and quality of the audio signal itself. Therefore, the reason a high sampling rate results in a smoother representation of sound primarily focuses on the quality enhancement it provides in audio reproduction.