High Resolution Downloads

I know what I'm getting from Linn Records or Reference Recordings when I order 24 bit /88.2/96/176.4/192 files. I'm getting studio master files that were recorded at these high resolutions. These two sites are very clear on the equipment and processes that they used to record their studio masters. But what about some of the other sites? How do I know if those sites are only upsampling their Redbook CD files to resell at a higher resolution? I would assume that any download from a previously issued SACD comes from a 24/88.2 or higher recording. But I learned the hard (expensive) way that many Blu-ray discs often just have 16/44.1 files and can sound awful or be a poor value if you are expecting 24/96 or better recordings. And I suspect that if these Blu-ray files were upsampled to 24/192 they would still be lacking.

I don't think we'll ever know the real deal behind many of these recording offered by other sites. It's just like buying CDs, DVD-Audio, or SACD discs. Some SACDs are rumored to be made from the 16/48 masters and the same I'm sure goes for downloads.

It would be too cool if all the sites detailed all the information we could actually use.

It seems to me that many high resolutions downloads are inverted polarity.

George S Louis

Hi George - can you give us an example?

It's my impression that every standalone duplicator including my RealityCheckCD Audiophile Grade duplicator inverts polarity when copying digitally from CD to CD.

George S Louis

After I ordered the free 2L sampler I was reviewing their website and I see that they have a HiRes Download - Test Bench that invites folks to evaluate future consumer delivery formats. It seems pretty interesting and I was just wonder if anyone has participated and had any feedback or results. For instance, I interested in the stereo tracks from the Divertimenti album that show the following:

Stereo - WAV - DXD - 24bit/352.8kHz - 344MB

Stereo - DFF- DSD 64 - 2.8224Mbit/s - 83MB

Stereo - WAV - 24bit/96kHz - 100MB

Stereo - FLAC - 24bit/192kHz - 106MB

Stereo - FLAC - 24bit/96kHz - 51MB

Stereo - FLAC - 24bit/48kHz - 30MB

Mr. Louis,

Please tell us what DAC and computer you are using to play back your high res files.

Thank you

I downloaded the WAV-DXD-24 bit/352.8kHz and the WAX - 24 bit/96kHz files from Divertimenti last night. They sound awesome! I really can't take full advantage of the WAV-DXD-24 bit/352.8kHz file as I have a new Mac Mini outputing to a Benchmark DAC 1 USB, so I am limited to 96kHz on USB but can go to 192kHz on the optical input. I spent an hour listening to the four downloads. I want to compare the two files to see if there is a difference.

I downloaded a few of the 24/96 and 24/192 files this weekend but I haven't played them yet. However I got the free 2L sampler disc and I thought it was awesome. I will definitely be buying some albums from 2L, I just have to figure out what format and their website is so confusing. If 2L offers buyers the ability to buy a Hybrid SACD or BluRay disc now with the ability for a free digital download of the same disc in equal or lesser resolution, I will place my orders now. Otherwise I have much experimenting to do and unfortunately, I don't have the audio gear to take advantage of the best 2L has to offer.

Hey Alan - The Benchmark will accept 192 on the optical input, but I don't think your Mini will output over 96 on the optical output.

Can you check the Audio Midi settings to verify what sample rates are available to you? None of my Macs go over 96 on optical and I'd be happy if you Mini actually did go to 192.

...and I know that, it just slipped my mind. I should have remembered that as I have been experimenting with the midi settings. That is one BIG reason to go with a Mac Pro! BTW, has anyone been able to determine whether the Audiophile 192 card is capable of bit perfect output?

I'm going to try to get one of those cards in for review, but if I remember correctly they are only PCI not PCI-Express.

As far as I can see about 90% of the High Resolution material in the Linn catalogue started life as 16 Bit or Analogue, so it's only the master that is actually 24 bit or whatever.

Whilst the appearance of full 24 bit recordings in increasing numbers is desirable, it doesn't guarantee a better sound sound. I have a 1911 recording of Sophie Tucker singing One Of These Days that was found in a dustbin in Birmingham and restored by JCBrum. Actually it had been an Edison Cylinder that had been transferred by a mechanical process to an 81 rpm record in 1926. To me, it sounds very much better than an Amy Winehouse track I was asked to play at the Bristol Hi Fi Show. There are many old but fantastic recordings of wonderful music around and we should revere them just as much and not assume that 24 Bit, which has a long way to go yet to prove its advantages, is any more important than the Music we already have.

Some of the 24 bit stuff I have is barely good enough to be used in a Lift.

Ash

Ashley - I agree 100%. Resolution by the numbers does not mean anything, just like the interface of a DAC (spdif, usb, aes, coax, etc...) by itself does not mean anything about quality.

I´m not sure if I´m getting this ?

Are you both saying that high rez files are of no importance when it comes to sound quality?

While I certainly agree that a lot of old,sometimes even really old, analogue material, sounds way better than most things recorded in RBCD, ie 16/44 , I can also clearly hear from SACDs and recently also on 24/96 downloads from 2L ,that all else being reasonably equal, numbers certainly seem to count!

Yes, there are crappy recordings made in, or falsely marketed as, hi res, sure!

But contrary to Ashley´s findings, my search at the Linn site showed all except a few of the classical recordings originated as masterfiles of 24/88 or 24/96 and none at 16/44.

Since I already own the ones I´m interested in as SACDs and also find their pricing ridiculous I haven´t bought anything from them yet.

Sure higher numbers as such are of course no absolute quarantee of better sound.

Just listen to the RBCD layer of an SACD compared to the higher res SACD layer ,and if your ears are not totally clogged , or your system really sucks ,you will hear the difference!

Provided that the actual music played and well recorded is ACOUSTIC , large scale symphonic or opera, there will be a clear advantage audible.

Maybe I should also add provided your reference point is again real live acoustic music.

I´m not at all surprised that with electrically amplified instruments and synthetic pop- rock material, a lot of people don´t hear any difference between RBCD and hi res !

The fine nuances, harmonics and dynamic range, the very things that really count when it comes to true HI FI, aren´t there in the first place with that kind of music!

So how could you expect to hear any differences?

With my new Grado GS 1000s , not only do the advantages of hi res stand out even clearer than before.

The limitations of RBCD also became even more evident.

Further listening via the portable little battery powered headphone amp also from Grado has revealed it to be not the equal of my still better Musical Fidelity headphone amp.

It can sound a touch overbright at times and is a bit lacking in the extreme bass.

But it is certainly good enough for travel.

And my former reference headphones Sennheiser 650s will be up for sale soon .

The Grado on the other hand, is simply one of the best headphones I´ve ever heard. And I can heartily recommend it to anyone intererested in true high end sound in a portable format.

They are very revealing,maybe even too revealing for low rez formats with digital artifacts and limited resolution !

all the best from Chrille ,

still waiting for much more real music as hi rez downloads.

"still waiting for much more real music as hi rez downloads".

It's a recurring point I know, but not much benefit sitting there listening to a 24/192 track of music you abslotutely can't stand! What if you tire of some obscure string quartet, or aren't really into jazz (sorry for heresy!) They could all be 48/384 for all I care....

Now 24/192 Floyd, Radiohead, or Zepplin....then you'd be talking.....

We need hirez choice for mainstream stuff as well!!!!!!!

Hi wappinghigh - Don't worry it's coming :-)

Please tell me this is one of your "hints" which is coming shortly......and not pie in the sky!

Neither :-|

It won't happen as quick as we'd like but I do know it's coming :-)

"High resolution digital audio --

can you tell the difference?" ...

http://www.hifi-writer.com/he/dvdaudio/dvdvscd.htm

Interesting article. Thanks for the link mpmct.