What is HD? What is high resolution? In the video world most people will say 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. They don't consider compression or the original format of a video. When it comes to music the term HD is tossed around very loosely and can include anything that's not MP3. The definition of HD is incredibly elusive. Do the letters even stand for something? One can say HD stands for High definition. However when the letters HD are used on a binocular lens coating, an automotive paint additive, and a wall-mount clay extruder all bets are off. The diluere of the letters HD continues. I'm willing to bet we'll see some 3D audio downloads if the past is any predictor of the future. AIX and iTrax President Mark Waldrep has a very clear idea of what constitutes HD and high resolution audio & video. In the following linked podcast Mark even mentions Sonic Studio's Amarra and the large role music servers will play in the future of high end audio.

Get your credit cards ready to inject your own personal stimulus package into the economy. Rhino Records now has lossless downloads from major popular artists. Just a cursory look at the Rhino site and one will see downloads from Bad Company, The Doors, Otis Reading, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, Van Halen, etc... FLAC, WMA, and Apple Lossless are are all available!

Most audiophiles are well aware of First Impression Music and the quality that is attached to the FIM brand. Everyone who has purchased an FIM compact disc can't help but appreciate the quality packaging, liner notes, and most of all the stellar sound quality. Now for the first time ever First Impression Music has authorized Computer Audiophile to offer two complimentary music downloads. These are not just any downloads. FIM has supplied Computer Audiophile with two tracks at several sample rates including 24/88.2, 24/176.4, and 32/352.8. These tracks have never been stored on optical media such as DVD or CD. Thus, we have avoided any ripping issues or problems related to the compact disc creation process.

I've long been touting the terrific quality of Reference Recordings' HRx releases. The HRx 24/176.4 albums provide some of my go-to material when evaluating audio components and insuring audio software is capable of true high resolution playback and is configured correctly. Computer Audiophile readers who've had the opportunity to listen to HRx albums have unanimously agreed that it's some of the best sounding material available today. One thing that should not be overlooked is the meaning of HRx. HRx is a trade name owned by Reference Recordings. HRx means so much more than simply a high resolution sample rate. HRx material is an exact copy of the digital master files directly from Reference Recordings. There is no upsampling from a lower sample rate. Think of HRx as a complete production process that in the end provides consumers exact copies of the master files. Reference Recordings is refreshingly transparent when talking about its production process and how the HRx files are created. This, when listening to an HRx track listeners are guaranteed they are hearing the real deal, true high resolution. Thanks to Reference Recordings Computer Audiophile is now offering two complimentary HRx downloads. Read more for the download links.

B&W Society of Sound Giveaway

The B&W Society of Sound, formerly known as the B&W Music Club, has been very popular with Computer Audiophile readers who've signed up for memberships. I was hooked from the moment I signed up. In fact a rather funny series of posts about the experience can be read here. The forum post details my reluctance to join followed by my exuberance after joining and realizing how special it is. My exact words were, "This really is a complete experience with the video interviews etc... It feels like luxury music purchasing." Read more for information about the Society of Sound and a chance to win a free membership courtesy of B&W!

Hi everyone, I'm back from four days of laying in bed sick and I finally feel great! I just had to add that in here because I really am excited to feel normal again and ready to publish some articles and reviews! Anyway, on with the show...

Good music is good music even if it's played from a wax cylinder. The same can be said for good music released as 192 kbps MP3 files. Sure it's not the pinnacle of sound reproduction, but it's music nonetheless. Even better is the fact that Coldplay has released nine free tracks on what they are calling Left Right Left Right Left. I hesitate to call it an album rather just a release. Read more for the link, artwork, and a screenshot with track encoding data.

Ask and you shall receive! Do in part to the wonderful response to its three-hour-turn-around 24/96 download on April 10th, Blue Coast Records has begun to offer its Blue Coast Collection as 24/96 uncompressed WAV file downloads directly from its website. Three songs will be released each week from today until May 14, 2009. I suggest hitting up the Blue Coast site ASAP as early birds get a special discount of 25%. Again, I urge fans of great quality music and great quality recordings to support Blue Coast by purchasing these wonderful downloads. Read more for the link and details about the first three tracks available right now.

Wow, this is one of the coolest releases so far in 2009. I'm so impressed I couldn't let this one disappear into the forum black hole if nobody saw it in time. Thus, a front page story. Blue Coast Records founder Cookie Marenco assembled artists Keith Greeninger, Chris Kee, and drummer Bryan “Brain” Mantia for a performance and live recording last night (April 9, 2009). Three hours after the performance Blue Coast offered 16/44.1 and 24/96 WAV downloads of the recording! Blue Coast Records is known for great artistic talent, great sound quality, and its Extended Sound Environment (E.S.E.) recording technique. At Blue Coast Records sound quality and musical enjoyment are not mutually exclusive. Read more for details and a link to download two of the tracks.

In the world of music downloads the definition of "High Definition" or HD has never been more elusive. Most audiophiles agree that HD downloads are higher resolution than standard redbook Compact Discs at 16 bit / 44.1 kHz. Yet, many sites consider HD music to be anything better than the what's offered from the iTunes Store. Does anyone honestly think iTunes is the "Standard Definition" (SD) of audio and everything above 128 kbps lossy compression is High Definition (HD)? Unfortunately I have a feeling the answer is yes. Fortunately I was recently introduced to Acousence Records. Acousence appropriately calls it's much of its music High Resolution.* The High Resolution label leaves no doubt we are dealing with something better than 16/44.1. Acousence Records offers true 24/96 and 24/192 material in addition to its redbook CD offerings. Whether you prefer to download your music or purchase a physical disc Acousence Records has you covered.

Music downloads have been around for a while now. Apple has sold over one billion songs through its iTunes store. Amazon has recently joined the party by offering songs at twice the bit rate of typical iTunes downloads. Some of the traditional record labels are also vying for the remaining pennies of your disposable income by offering 320kbps DRM-Free downloads. These options combined offer most of the popular artists one would find in a local record store, but none of them are aimed at the audiophile community. Fortunately the best is yet to come for audiophiles seeking everything from 16 bit / 44.1 kHz material all the way to 24 bit / 192 kHz and everything in between. Let's take a look at some of the download sites Computer Audiophile readers will enjoy.