New releases

[PJPJ]

I tried to buy some 24 bit recordings from qobuz - it appears they have the rights only in France (and perhaps Lux, Suisse.....?)

Ben Grosvenor's Decca recording is available at 24/96.

Perhaps Linn will supply these soon.

[Bryn]

Hmm, HD, have you compared the 24 bit download with the CD (16 bit, 44.1kHz sampled PCM), or on the amazon 256kbps ABR mp3? If the latter, it's not a fair comparison. Over half the non-redundant data from the CD version is junked by the data reduction process.

[Bryn]

Slightly puzzled about this one. Where would qobuz.com get a 24/44.1 version? I looked to see if there's a SACD or other hi-res format and can't spot one. OK - they might have an arrangement with the studio or distributor, but on the other hand they might simply do some other process to get some fake bits with 24 bit resolution. For example, they could upsample to 176.4kHz, then interpolate or do other processing, and then downsample back to 44.1kHz. The result could then be 24 bits "resolution", but have no more information than the original. Is this the sort of thing which persuaded you to go for the regular CD, Bryn? On the other hand HD does report that the so-called Studio Master sounds better - or at least that's what I think he's trying to convey.

I simply thought that the convenience of the CD option, and the effectiveness of modern bit mapping algorithms, made that the version I would be happy with. Yes there will be some loss of dynamic accuracy, but it would probably be pretty marginal to my sexagenarian ears.

[HighlandDougie]

Bryn

My comparison is indeed unfair - Amazon MP3 vs 24 bit - but it has proved to me that the extra 5 euros for the 24 bits is well worth it. Throwing all common sense to the winds, I should now buy the CD, although I could simply download the CD-equivalent from Qobuz (onef the great advantages of using them rather than, say, Amazon or i-Tunes is that you can go back and download files multiple times - and to different computers).

HD

[Stunsworth]

Slightly puzzled about this one. Where would qobuz.com get a 24/44.1 version?

From a 24/88.2 master? Easier to resample than a 24/96 recording.

[PJPJ]

I doubt that - it is more likely it was recorded originally at 24/44.1. For one thing, were it downsampled it would no longer be a "studio master".

[jayne lee wilson]

Bit late to this discussion, as usual... some years ago there was a disagreement about BIS hi-res files on a major American download site (name escapes me), because it was found to be selling 24/44.1 files as 24/96. Robert Von Bahr of BIS calmly informed the site that his SACD masters were indeed recorded at 24/44.1, and should be priced accordingly.

With few exceptions, I've found the hi-res files, whether recorded at 24/44.1, 24/48 or 24/96 to be worth the extra outlay over CD, and of course you can usually make your own selections from the album.
The Classical Shop has a goodly number and you buy the right to the download "in perpetuity!" So there's a free backup! They've just included some BIS hi-res files for the first time - including Vanska's Beethoven 4/5. I've just bought the 4th and hope to find time for it later.
I must say the 24/96 BBC Phil recordings from Studio 7 are a revelation compared to CD, much fresher and more open with a walloping dynamic range.

It's good to have the chance to recommend Pristine Classical again, whose recent 24/48 downloads I've been enthusing about on the "What are you listening to now" thread. Just go on, go and get that Poulenc Gloria/Organ Concerto - I say again, the Gloria's just one of the finest Stereo recordings of ANYTHING I've ever heard. After that, there's Backhaus/Schmidt-Isserstedt/VPO (at their most 1958 glorious...) in Beethoven Cto 1 and the Diabellis to tempt you. (And generous whole movement excerpts at 320kbps to try).

Remember my set-up is simple - Macbook to DacMagic, albeit with glassfibre cable and upgraded power supplies etc...

I doubt that - it is more likely it was recorded originally at 24/44.1. For one thing, were it downsampled it would no longer be a "studio master".

[jayne lee wilson]

Another hi-res site which gets relatively little mention is eclassical.com, where most of the BIS 24-bit catalogue can be found. I've not bought from there yet but it looks very promising, and potentially bank-breaking too.

Why not make a list:
LINN
DaCapo
THE CLASSICAL SHOP
HDTT
ECLASSICAL
QOBUZ
2L...
HDTracks...

I think the Boston SO offer a limited hi-res selection of their concerts, and there's that damn USA thing I can't remember - ah, got it! HDTracks, though to use it you have to pretend to live in the USA and use paypal. So far I haven't bothered, IRS might come after me or arrest me at an airport...

[PJPJ]

Another hi-res site which gets relatively little mention is eclassical.com, where most of the BIS 24-bit catalogue can be found. I've not bought from there yet but it looks very promising, and potentially bank-breaking too.

Why not make a list:
LINN
DaCapo
THE CLASSICAL SHOP
HDTT
ECLASSICAL
QOBUZ
2L...
HDTracks...

I think the Boston SO offer a limited hi-res selection of their concerts, and there's that damn USA thing I can't remember - ah, got it! HDTracks, though to use it you have to pretend to live in the USA and use paypal. So far I haven't bothered, IRS might come after me or arrest me at an airport...

Excellent idea.....

I've sent you a private message!

P

[Stunsworth]

Why not make a list:
LINN
DaCapo
THE CLASSICAL SHOP
HDTT
ECLASSICAL
QOBUZ
2L...
HDTracks...

Gimell...

http://www.gimell.com/

Naim...

http://www.naimlabel.com/

[PJPJ]

Naim! Thanks - I didn't have them on my list.

http://www.naimlabel.com/catalogue.aspx?filter=Studio+Master

The Iona Brown recordings are tempting.....

[DublinJimbo]

I'm absolutely bowled over/knocked out etc etc by the new Isabelle Faust Beethoven/Berg release. [ ... ] I've also now downloaded it at 24 bits/44.1kHz (so-called 'Studio Masters' aka the most expensive option) and it sounds absolutely wonderful.

[ ... ]

As a bonus, to me, the performances fully justify the praise which has been heaped on them, especially the Berg where Isabelle Faust (and Abbado) have achieved a depth in the music which I've only ever rarely heard before in this piece (from Josef Suk and Leonidas Kavakos but there will be others, I'm sure).

If you like these works, I think that this really is a "must-buy".

My experience matches yours. As you say, the Berg is a quite revelatory performance, with Abbado over and over again bringing out orchestral detail which has never previously registered. Isabelle Faust is really rather special (her set of the Beethoven violin sonatas is well worth investigating), but Claudio Abbado really is going through the most glorious stage of what was already an illustrious career. His work with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra is unfailingly astonishing, and he's also doing wonderful things with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra Mozart. Not bad for an 80-year-old!

[DublinJimbo]

Another hi-res site which gets relatively little mention is eclassical.com, where most of the BIS 24-bit catalogue can be found. I've not bought from there yet but it looks very promising, and potentially bank-breaking too.

Yes, eClassical is well worth a look. Uniquely, they charge on a per-second basis, with MP3 and 16/44.1 lossless at a lower rate than 24/44.1 and 24/96. They're running a 50%-off Daily Deal right now, and have another promotion whereby new releases are priced at the lower rate for all qualities of download.

Why not make a list:
LINN
DaCapo
THE CLASSICAL SHOP
HDTT
ECLASSICAL
QOBUZ
2L...
HDTracks...

An essential addition to that list is Channel Classics, home of Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. In addition to 320k MP3s, this site also offers lossless CD-quality 16/44.1 and Studio Masters in both 24/96 and 24/192.

[HighlandDougie]

Ah Jimbo (adopting an Irish accent), you're a terrible man. Channel Classics = Ivan Fischer = the new Sacre du Printemps. Now downloading (which may take several hours as it's the evening when everyone locally is streaming God knows what). Many thanks for the heads-up about the CC studio masters downloads

[DublinJimbo]

Channel Classics = Ivan Fischer = the new Sacre du Printemps. Now downloading [ ... ]. Many thanks for the heads-up about the CC studio masters downloads

You're welcome. I too have downloaded the Rite (24/96). All I've had a chance to listen to so far has been the Scherzo à la Russe, which is wonderful. I'm sure the rest will be up to this combination's usual high standards, but I'll need to wait until tomorrow to listen at a reasonable volume level when the neighbour isn't around.