The Dark Knight Rises 96k and 192k @ HDtracks!

**lintweaker** · 07-20-2012, 05:50 AM

As a soundtrack fan I was thrilled to find out HDtracks offers Hans Zimmer's The Dark Knight Rises as a highres download. I am downloading the 192k version right now. After some hesistation I opted for the 192k version. I am not really sure if this is the best option. It al depends how it was actually recorded. I can't wait for the download to be finished (and compare it to the CD version which I have nonot even received yet :-) ).

**BdoUK** · 07-20-2012, 07:08 AM

Unfortunately the dynamic range compression on this release is pretty bad. Additionally an individual on HDTracks FB page is claiming that it appears the soundtrack doesn't have any musical information above the 20khz mark. I can't verify this, but I'd caution buyers in relation to the HDTracks version. You might be better off just buying the standard CD release (which is likely equally as compressed).

**lintweaker** · 07-20-2012, 08:06 AM

I have created a plot of the 1st song "A Storm Is Coming" to see what frequencies are there.

**Mercman** · 07-20-2012, 09:14 AM

I have the 192/24 version. DR is 7.

oobar2000 1.1.11 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2012-07-20 07:09:16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Hans Zimmer / The Dark Knight Rises: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Deluxe Edition)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR9 -0.66 dB -13.91 dB 0:37 01-A Storm Is Coming
DR11 -0.66 dB -19.24 dB 2:55 02-On Thin Ice
DR6 -0.69 dB -8.60 dB 4:08 03-Gotham's Reckoning
DR11 -1.70 dB -19.81 dB 3:27 04-Mind If I Cut In?
DR7 -0.60 dB -9.74 dB 3:12 05-Underground Army
DR8 -5.37 dB -18.14 dB 1:57 06-Born In Darkness
DR5 -0.60 dB -10.08 dB 5:33 07-The Fire Rises
DR11 -0.60 dB -16.93 dB 2:51 08-Nothing Out There
DR6 -0.60 dB -11.56 dB 3:14 09-Despair
DR6 -0.60 dB -10.77 dB 3:08 10-Fear Will Find You
DR6 -0.63 dB -9.88 dB 2:03 11-Why Do We Fall?
DR5 -3.42 dB -17.72 dB 0:23 12-Death By Exile
DR6 -0.66 dB -8.17 dB 7:25 13-Imagine The Fire
DR9 -0.66 dB -15.67 dB 3:16 14-Necessary Evil
DR7 -0.66 dB -12.60 dB 7:16 15-Rise
DR5 -3.56 dB -12.49 dB 5:50 16-Bombers Over Ibiza (Junkie XL Remix)
DR6 -0.63 dB -9.03 dB 5:20 17-The Shadows Betray You
DR7 -0.63 dB -11.12 dB 6:12 18-The End
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 18
Official DR value: DR7

Samplerate: 192000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 5237 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================== ==============================

**BdoUK** · 07-20-2012, 10:20 AM

It's sad to see orchestral soundtracks becoming a late entrant to the loudness wars. Batman Begins had a nice DR while TDK and TDKR each got progressively worse.

**Archimago** · 07-20-2012, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by BdoUK

It's sad to see orchestral soundtracks becoming a late entrant to the loudness wars. Batman Begins had a nice DR while TDK and TDKR each got progressively worse.

Agree, this is truly sad. I think HDTracks got wise to the ease of plotting spectra and now will let music like this out with some noise in the higher frequencies to make it *look* like real 24/96 or 24/192.

In fact, if you look at the spectrum analysis while playing the music, there really doesn't appear to be anything above 22kHz. Absolutely safe to downsample the 24/192 to 24/48 and save some space.

I wish there was some way to leave "review" feedback on HDTracks. I suspect they don't do this for a reason ;-). Until they do, I doubt I'll buy there again unless there's something really good and confirmed to be real hi-res.

Sucks... We really need an "Unlimited" edition. Ridiculous given that this is a soundtrack!

**Mercman** · 07-21-2012, 11:56 AM

I was very disappointed with this purchase. Next time, I'll be wary of 192/24 for new music pop/soundtrack offerings.

**Jay192** · 08-03-2012, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Archimago

I wish there was some way to leave "review" feedback on HDTracks. I suspect they don't do this for a reason ;-). Until they do, I doubt I'll buy there again unless there's something really good and confirmed to be really good and confirmed to be real hi-res.

You'll find this forum is littered with similar experiences. I've managed to never purchase anything from them for that exact reason.

**dne** · 08-13-2012, 03:18 PM

Shame, I do like Hans Zimmers work. =/

**No Disc** · 08-14-2012, 09:22 PM

Really a shame.

**AsSiMiLaTeD** · 12-06-2012, 07:22 PM

That's a real shame, got he email on this today and was very excited.

So there's basically no reason to buy this in hi Rez, do I have that right?

**jerry_rig** · 12-06-2012, 08:25 PM

Not to defend HD Tracks, but I am not sure what all the fuss is about with respect to this download. I have the 96K version and I like it very much (Note: I have never heard the Redbook version). True, there is not much happening in the ultra highs, but the bass outshines almost everything in my collection. In particular, Bombers Over Ibiza gives my Krell (through dedicated subs) a serious workout. And I really like relaxing to The End. Just my two cents.

**Boris75** · 12-07-2012, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by Archimago

I wish there was some way to leave "review" feedback on HDTracks. I suspect they don't do this for a reason ;-). Until they do, I doubt I'll buy there again unless there's something really good and confirmed to be real hi-res.

That's a nice feature of Qobuz that they allow comments and that, in my experience, they do not censor critical remarks.

**MikeJazz** · 12-07-2012, 05:59 AM

I wonder if we should also evaluate other parameters other that only the frequency extension.

In most music programs, there will be no content above 22 khz, or with such a low output that I doubt we could ear it...

From what I read, it seems that HD files should bring other benefits that are equally (or more) important, such as the more natural presentation, the tonal accuracy, the bass performance and, especially, the deep and natural spacial sense (if it's present in the recording in the first place) and the dynamic performance without feeling constrained/compressed.

The issue: all these parameters are less likely to be displayed in a graphic, how to measure them?
How to test and understand, that there is better performance from a HD file, even if the frequency response is just comparable to the redbook?

**Julf** · 12-08-2012, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by MikeJazz

I wonder if we should also evaluate other parameters other that only the frequency extension.

Dynamic range is another important, and easily measurable, criteria.

From what I read, it seems that HD files should bring other benefits that are equally (or more) important, such as the more natural presentation, the tonal accuracy, the bass performance and, especially, the deep and natural spacial sense (if it's present in the recording in the first place) and the dynamic performance without feeling constrained/compressed

There have been claims to that, yes. I don't think it has been proven in any conclusive way. I have done a bunch of listening tests, and found that people don't hear much difference between 16-bit and 24-bit material, and the same goes for 44.1 kHz and 96 kHz. Whatever small statistical preference I see for hi-res formats in my tests is completely dwarfed by how clearly a piece of music is preferred if it has been amplified by just 1 dB.

How to test and understand, that there is better performance from a HD file, even if the frequency response is just comparable to the redbook?

To judge the quality of the sound you still have your ears, but the measurements are more important in showing that the material really is hi-res, and not, as so often is the case, repackaged (resampled) redbook material.

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