Hi Res Download recommendations

[mathias broucek]

Thanks to all for the very helpful suggestions.

I'm liking the sound of the Linn Schumann and the Ligeti. I'm a general fan of Ondine's sound so the latter should be very interesting.

Thankfully my internet speed is pretty decent - even downloading HD movies doesn't take that long

[Dave2002]

Thanks to all for the very helpful suggestions.

I'm liking the sound of the Linn Schumann and the Ligeti. I'm a general fan of Ondine's sound so the latter should be very interesting.

Thankfully my internet speed is pretty decent - even downloading HD movies doesn't take that long

Sounds a reasonable strategy, though maybe take some other material as well, if you have time.

I still have the impression, from many years ago, that some LPs sounded completely different on different kit - in some cases much for the better. I also had for a short while access to a CD player which I bought for my father. The sound was overall good, but it really brought out a better sound than my player at the time on some Bruckner CDs. Made relatively ordinary sounding (to me) CDs sound much more solid and special.

So my suggestion would be to take a selection of different styles of music, and different "record" labels - though you may not have time.

[richardfinegold]

I really would like to try Hi Res downloads, as I have the playback equipment to make the most of it. However, there are various factors which make it problematic. First, how does one store, access, and playback the downloads? Second, internet speed in this part of Spain is pretty slow, and there is little sign that this will be improved in the foreseeable future. Downloads of FLAC CD quality takes an age. Finally, where recordings are issued in SACD or BluRay audio formats, the physical discs are often cheaper than the downloads, even taking into account the delivery costs. I might add that, although being rather old, I can still hear the difference between standard CD and SACD or BluRay audio.

Per my previous post, I wouldn't be into downloading if I was you unless you can get a good Internet feed. Without, High Rez downloads are excruciatingly slow

[remdataram]

We have ripped most of our CD's to 'flac' format, supplementing with downloads.

Depending on the quality of your replay system hires downloads can sound slightly better, and sometimes no better at all. The media encourages us to 'go hires' and charge us premium prices for recordings that can be had for peanuts secondhand on Amazon, to name but one source.

Should you take the download route, decide at the outset what format you will rip and download in, flac or apple lossless are the likely contenders, and how you're going to 'tag' your library to achieve consistency of information display. Your Library can be navigated in iTunes, on your Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop or even on your Streamer. Whatever your choice no library system e.g. iTunes is particularly classical friendly and will require some manual tagging.

However you organise your Library you will need to 'Backup' your prized collection that will likely be 200-300Gb in size. Imagine the heartache of losing everything if your hard disk failed!

At the end of the day it is difficult to balance the investment cost against the sonic benefit. For us the sheer convenience of Streaming, along with the fantastic worldwide radio availability more than justifies the outlay, while preserving the ability to rip inexpensive CDs into our collection.

[mathias broucek]

At the end of the day it is difficult to balance the investment cost against the sonic benefit. For us the sheer convenience of Streaming....while preserving the ability to rip inexpensive CDs into our collection.

Pretty much my view

Also, Mrs B will be happier using the app on her phone to control music and/or sending direct from her phone via bluetooth.

[jayne lee wilson]

It's important to remember that it is the native 24-bit recordings - i.e. the ones recorded that way, which will be relatively recently - that you should hear to find out if you enjoy their special qualities. Older recordings remastered to 24/96 often sound better, but not necessarily because of the higher data rate on playback: the Decca Legends CDs usually outperform earlier CD issues on Decca Doubles etc... 24/96 allows for better mastering, but you're still hearing a CD!.

I'm surprised about the above comments on prices for 24-bit - they usually cost a little (not much!) more, but check out Qobuz and eClassical for the best prices & special offers - and I'd remind you again, eClassical uniquely allows choice of tracks from an album priced per-second. No penalty! You can often purchase a single track for no more than a dollar to try out, compare to CD etc.....

[remdataram]

I'm surprised about the above comments on prices for 24-bit.....

You're quite right of course regarding native 24-bit recordings.

I should have explained that while we're buying new 24/96 recordings, our favourite and/or classic recordings of the 1960-90's can often be bought for mere pence on CD, and some of those recordings are being remastered and sold at exorbitant prices with little, if any, gain in quality. Recent recordings are more expensive whether on CD or download, but the 24-bit download premium is quite small over the CD price.

[mathias broucek]

It's important to remember that it is the native 24-bit recordings - i.e. the ones recorded that way, which will be relatively recently - that you should hear to find out if you enjoy their special qualities.

Thanks for the tip on the Linn Schumann. It sounds amazingly transparent even on a portable device and some upmarket headphones. I assume it'll sound spectacular on some top-notch kit.

Have you tried the Linn Mahler 2 with Zander? I liked the sound on some of his Telarc recordings but Gramo was very lukewarm about the sound on this latest effort.

[Dave2002]

... the Decca Legends CDs usually outperform earlier CD issues on Decca Doubles etc... 24/96 allows for better mastering, but you're still hearing a CD!.

Some of the Decca recordings are analogue, which probably has less resolution than a digital recording (dynamic range, SNR etc.) but I have heard some very good analogue recordings in the past, so perhaps don't dismiss remastering at higher resolution. However, where the analogue recordings are on older tape, it is likely that the tape will have degraded, so very good remastering techniques may be needed, or indeed, just not possible, to achieve good results.

I did think some of the Decca recordings came up very well in their newer incarnations, and the same may apply to other recordings by other companies.

[mathias broucek]

Just to close the loop, my new Naim streamer/amp arrived yesterday (SuperUniti)

Am VERY impressed with the sound compared to my previous system (Naim CD player plus Naim pre/power amps).

I expected higher transparency but the enahnced depth of the sound is tremendous.

Lossless rips sound slightly better than CDs so part of the difference is the DAC. However the quality of the amplifier is, I think, a bigger factor as LPs also sound better.

A Chandos 24/96 download of some D'Indy sounded great. I wasn't quite so keen on the Linn/Schumann 24/192 sound-wise. I wonder if that's a function of me preferring Schumann with the SKD string section as opposed to that of the SCO.

Perhaps the best thing is the "library in your pocket" function of being able to pick music via my phone app and play it within a few seconds. The downside is that although 320kbps AAC rips sound OK in absolute terms, they sound dull compared to lossless which means some re-ripping....

[slarty]

Google High Definition Tape Transfers, they specialize in 24-96 and 24-192 transfers of some famous older analogue recordings.
I recently got the Dvorak Cello Co BPO Szell in the 24-192 and the sound is amazing.
Definitely worth having a look.

[mathias broucek]

Thanks slarty. I downloaded a sampler a while back and was impressed even though I lacked hi-res playback facilities then*. Must look again

* Does an LP12 count?

[PJPJ]

Just to close the loop, my new Naim streamer/amp arrived yesterday (SuperUniti)

Am VERY impressed with the sound compared to my previous system (Naim CD player plus Naim pre/power amps).

I expected higher transparency but the enahnced depth of the sound is tremendous.

I'm quite jealous, and really pleased to hear you're enjoying the sound quality. There may be a way of connecting the Naim CD player to the Uniti, using the Uniti's DAC.

[PJPJ]

Google High Definition Tape Transfers, they specialize in 24-96 and 24-192 transfers of some famous older analogue recordings.
I recently got the Dvorak Cello Co BPO Szell in the 24-192 and the sound is amazing.
Definitely worth having a look.

I have this as 24-96 and if you like this sort of thing, you'll also enjoy the superb sound.

http://www.highdeftapetransfers.com/products/the-sound-of-jazz

You can download a 24-96 sample from the link.

[mathias broucek]

I'm quite jealous, and really pleased to hear you're enjoying the sound quality. There may be a way of connecting the Naim CD player to the Uniti, using the Uniti's DAC.

Thanks PJ. Sadly the entry level Naim CD player didn't have a digital out facility when I bought it

CDs still sound good, however which is good because my upgrade budget is blown for a couple of years....