Hi Res Download recommendations

[mathias broucek]

Am considering getting a streamer (probably a Naim Superuniti) and will be auditioning later this week.

Any suggestions on Hi Res downloads that I could take along to audition?

I have some "CD quality" FLACs but nothing at higher res

My musical taste tends towards works for largish orchestra from the mid 19th to mid 20th century

Many thanks

[Dave2002]

There is a sampler "disc" available from HD Tracks I think. One or two of the tracks on that might be of interest.

This page has some further suggestions - http://www.digitaltrends.com/music/b...ding-hd-music/

I think there were some very good tracks available from 2L - Norway years ago. I tried them (free download) and they were good. However, I'm not sure that they are available now - and probably not free anyway. http://www.2l.no/ There is mention of a FLAC Test bench - might have some samples there, but I can't find them.

A couple of further points.

1. Are the streamers DSD capable?

2. Are the streamers also effectively Internet radios - or are they intended to be part of a home media system which provides that functionality?

I can see merit in having a one box solution, including Internet radio capability.

[mathias broucek]

There is a sampler "disc" available from HD Tracks I think. One or two of the tracks on that might be of interest.

This page has some further suggestions - http://www.digitaltrends.com/music/b...ding-hd-music/

I think there were some very good tracks available from 2L - Norway years ago. I tried them (free download) and they were good. However, I'm not sure that they are available now - and probably not free anyway. http://www.2l.no/ There is mention of a FLAC Test bench - might have some samples there, but I can't find them.

A couple of further points.

1. Are the streamers DSD capable?

2. Are the streamers also effectively Internet radios - or are they intended to be part of a home media system which provides that functionality?

I can see merit in having a one box solution, including Internet radio capability.

Thanks Dave, that's useful advice. Yes, it's a one box including everything you'd want including streaming, internet radio, Bluetooth, NAS, memory stick, iPod etc. And there's an imminent free upgrade to DSD.

I was originally going to get the Uniti2 but the SuperUniti has better amplification and having the CD player in a different box will be better :-)

[johnb]

Good luck with auditioning the Naim.

Others can better advise you on suitable HD music files but there are one or two things you might want to ask about:

If you build up a collection of music files on your computer/NAS/etc important aspects of a streamer are the software and means to access, select and search those music files. The screens on streamers are usually very frustrating to use once a collection grows. An ideal method is to use an app on an iPad or Android tablet, but its usefulness depends on how you can browse and search the music files.

If you want to use the internet radio to play BBC Radio 3 Live there are a number of things to consider:

Recently the BBC has moved their internet streaming over to HLS/AAC which took most manufacturers (including Naim) by surprise and very few devices are currently able to handle the new HLS streams - which leaves the 128 kbps mp3 "Shoutcast" streams that that the BBC provided as a fall back for those devices unable to play the HLS streams. (Those 128 kbps mp3 are transitional and are only expected to last for one or two years.)

Naim are working on their firmware to enable their boxes to play the new HLS streams but you need to get a guarantee that your new box will be updated to play those BBC HLS streams. (As far as I am aware the new firmware hasn't yet been issued.)

In the meantime the BBC has reinstated the old Radio 3 "HD" 320 kbps AAC stream (though it uses a new URL) for a temporary period - until the end of this year's Proms. You should be able to set up the Naim to play that stream - but it is much easier if your dealer sets it up for you. (If you need the URL let me know.)

[Edit] Another temporary solution that some Naim users have employed (until the firmware on their Naim boxes is updated to be HLS compatible) is to run "minimserver" on a computer and stream that to the Naim box.

I'm not sure whether the Naim plays BBC Listen Again streams but there are issues with those, as well. Currently the old style "RTMP/AAC" streams still exist (with Radio 3 at 320 kbps) but the BBC has recently made changes to the "XML" files which are used to access those streams, and that might confuse some internet radio players. (Those old style "RTMP/AAC" could stop at any time.) The new HSL streams are in place for Listen Again but very few devices can play them and some weeks ago the BBC withdrew the 320kbps options from the HSL Listen Again "mediasets", leaving a top bit-rate of 128 kbps. Nobody seems to know whether the BBC will restore the 320kbps HLS Listen Again stream or whether their intention is to force those listeners who want the 320 kbps streams to use their own browser based player.

I apologise for going into (probably) unwanted detail on the BBC streams, but I thought it better that you were made aware of the current problems rather than discovering them for yourself.

[mathias broucek]

Thanks John

That's one of my nervousnesses about the whole streaming etc. malarky!

The rate of change of formats and technology is VERY fast. Naim is a good company and seems to have a handle on upgrading firmware but given the cost of the product I'm nervous about the speed of its redundancy... On the other hand, the SuperUniti is "only" £900 more than the Supernait amp it's based on.

My dealer (Grahams) will install in my home and has good customer service

[Dave2002]

Thanks John

That's one of my nervousnesses about the whole streaming etc. malarky!

The rate of change of formats and technology is VERY fast. Naim is a good company and seems to have a handle on upgrading firmware but given the cost of the product I'm nervous about the speed of its redundancy... On the other hand, the SuperUniti is "only" £900 more than the Supernait amp it's based on.

My dealer (Grahams) will install in my home and has good customer service

To play devil's advocate, you could get a Mac Mini for less than £900, and it would be more resistant to future changes in streaming by broadcasters. You could control it by various means, including the cheapest iPad. There are other computer based methods - though not necessarily one box ways. I'm not suggesting changing the amplifier - assuming that it would take a digital input, but only the front end.

I had a look at the Supernait-2 amp details (https://www.naimaudio.com/product/supernait-2 )- seems to have a very odd set of input sockets, and it's not obvious that it accepts digital inputs.

I hope that you enjoy listening to the Naim kit though - it may be very good. Dare I even ask what price range it is in?

[Stunsworth]

Be sure to find out if you still have access to your music if you upgrade/stop using the Naim. It would be a great pity if you had to buy the music again, or re-rip it.

Personally I use a Mac Mini feeding my DAC (an Audiolab M-Dac). That gives me access to my music, R3 HD stream and Qobuz. That covers everything that I need on a day to day basis.

I haven't looked back since I switched from playing CDs to streaming. I find it much easier to find music than I did when I had CDs double stacked on bookshelves.

[johnb]

Be sure to find out if you still have access to your music if you upgrade/stop using the Naim. It would be a great pity if you had to buy the music again, or re-rip it

The device doesn't include a built in HDD but streams from computers or NAS boxes, etc (on the same network) that incorporate a UPnP server. So the music files will not be affected if he upgrades or stops using the Naim box.

[Stunsworth]

Thanks

[PJPJ]

Am considering getting a streamer (probably a Naim Superuniti) and will be auditioning later this week.

Any suggestions on Hi Res downloads that I could take along to audition?

I have some "CD quality" FLACs but nothing at higher res

My musical taste tends towards works for largish orchestra from the mid 19th to mid 20th century

Many thanks

There's an orchestral and recital sample from Chandos here:

http://www.theclassicalshop.net/24bit.aspx

Hyperion offer free tracks @ 24 bit and 16 bit (useful to compare to discern difference if there is one )

eg the first rack is free here http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68037

http://www.2l.no/ drop-down menu reveals "TEST BENCH" a large selection of files at various resolutions.

HDTT has sample 24-96 files on various pages..... eg

https://www.highdeftapetransfers.com/product.php?pid=8573

Less Loss free samples here:

http://www.lessloss.com/high-resolution-audiophile-recordings-c-68.html

[richardfinegold]

My understanding is that HD Tracks is now available in the UK. Start there. I personally have purchased a Byron Janis Rachmanioff PC 2/3 (Mercury original) and Eugene Istomin Mozart PC 21/24 that are breathtaking. Also check out web sites from Linn, Cedille and Channel Classics. Make sure your Internet connection is up to snuff, as High Res downloads can take quite a while to come down the pike.

[Stunsworth]

Also lots of classical downloads at Qobuz...

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/shop/classique/download-streaming-albums

[jayne lee wilson]

I've bought dozens of 24-bit albums from eClassical, Qobuz and TCS (TheClassicalShop), plus a few from Linn and Da Capo. eClassical and Qobuz are easily the best for value, and crucially for ease of use - they have the fastest, easiest-to-use download managers. Linn are good too, but only sell their own label for a premium. Problem with HD Tracks is a generally higher prices AND - unless they've changed recently - they don't give you free backup, the lifetime right to download your music again for free anytime you want.

eClassical, uniquely, allow you to select tracks from an album without financial penalty over buying the whole thing. You pay-per-second of music! So you can get the new Freiburg/Faust Schumann Vn. Concerto and leave the G minor trio behind if you want...


No time for a long list, but 2 recent highlights - the Linn 24/192 SCO/Ticciati Schumann cycle and JEG's Beethoven 2 & 8 (24/96 SDG). I ended up preferring Yannick Nezet-Seguin's COE Schumann but the 24/96 sound, whilst good, is less spectacular than the Linn...
More adventurous? Nothing's quite stunned me as much as the Ondine 24/96 Ligeti/Hannu Lintu album with Lontano and the Violin Concerto - a true demo-disc-download! (Unless it's Holmboe Chamber Concertos (Da Capo, 24/192).... )

[reinerfan]

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.

[Stunsworth]

First, how does one store, access, and playback the downloads?

I store/play mine in iTunes. I have the main machine backed up in Time Machine - I use a Mac - and I have a second copy of the music on another Mac I own.