Malcolm02

Mostly ripping CDs (new & used) and HDtracks downloads. Occasionally PCM downloads from other sites, SACD downloads and DVD-Audio rips. Can't rip SACD.

One thing a lot of people would like to see with downloadable digital files is provenance - a description of the origin of the file, which is sadly lacking with many of the existing sites. In the case of a transfer from analog tape, this would include the following, which I would summarize as how/who/when/where? How was the file made? Examples: - flat transfer from analog tape to 24/192 PCM - transfer from tape to 24/192, EQ down to 24/96 - transfer from tape to DSD, conversion to PCM - same as previously released DVD-Audio/SACD - same as previously released CD (which should then be clearly labeled as 16/44) Who made the digital file? (someone's name) When? (a date) Where? (a location, like the name of a recording studio) In the case of music that was recorded digitally, provenance might include the resolution of the recording of the individual tracks and how they were mixed to create the master. In terms of format, this has been discussed above. My preference is for FLAC in any of 24/88, 24/96, 24/176, 24/192; maybe give a choice of a couple of them like 24/96 and 24/192.

I am not normally much into demos and outtakes, but Led Zeppelin are one of my very favorite bands, if not my absolute favorite. So for me, yes, it is worth it. But it's a value judgement that you have to make for yourself.

Thanks Chris. I was going to post my impressions but you said it in much more detail than I was going to do and I am in basic agreement. I downloaded them at work and I am finally home listening to them with a couple of beers as we speak. Before hand I was a bit dismayed by the mediocre DR values, but on initial listening they sound great! I haven't done any A-B comparison yet with earlier versions but they seem to be more detailed than the Diament versions and not as harsh as the Marino ones. Maybe I will be more critical later but right now I am having a lot of fun with these new versions.

Hi-rez is now on HDtracks. $29.98 for each of the deluxe editions in 24/96, plus 10% off with the code LEDZEP10. It is late at night now; will download in the morning.

What? No DSD version, 5.1 remix, or Blu-ray audio with extra features?

I downloaded LZ IV from Qobuz that is supposed to be the same as the new CD release. It has a dynamic range of DR9 which is a bit down from the previous versions which were around 12, but not as bad as it could be. It does sound quite good though, as long as you are not expecting miracles.

It goes without saying that all those of you who have the old version and are willing to download the new version, do a detailed comparison and give a full report of your findings, I would be interested. But don't all rush in at once. For the record, I think the old version actually sounds very good, and I would be surprised if there was a substantial improvement.

This is interesting. Of course it happens all the time that you buy the latest and greatest, only to have it superseded by a better version shortly thereafter, both with software and hardware. But in the case of HDtracks, they claim to be "The World's Greatest-Sounding Music Downloads" and now they are telling me that what I bought is not the greatest. I kind of feel that I'm entitled to a free upgrade.

As usual, provenance is a closely guarded secret, but from the way they are phrasing it, it sounds like it is a new master. At least that's how I read it.

I just recieved the following e-mail from HDtracks: "At HDtracks we are committed to offering titles at the highest available quality. Occasionally we are provided a higher quality version of a title we already carry. While it's exciting to have a better-sounding version of a classic album, we understand it can be frustrating to purchase a similar product again. Because you purchased the 96/24 version of Eric Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard, we would like to extend the best discount we can so you can experience the new 192/24 version. Just use code <deleted> at checkout to receive 25% off the 192/24 version of Eric Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard." What do you guys think? While it's good that they are bringing a new version online and claiming that it is better, it would still cost me nearly $19 with the code, and I'm getting really tired of purchasing the same music over and over again (I'm old enough to have started with vinyl before the digital era). Of course, there is still no provenance information. Should they have offered more of a discount? Should I e-mail them and ask them what is better about this version?

I know. I meant to say that the Hoffman version is probably the best remaster, and if you want a better sounding version you have to get the Wilson remix. I have both, and while I may not go so far as to use the word revelatory for the remix, it is an improvement for sure, and is probably the one I would recommend.

I forgot that the AF version is a hybrid SACD, as I usually play the CD layer that I ripped to my computer, though my Oppo does play SACD. Steve Hoffman always does a great job with the remastering, but the problem is that it's just not an audiophile quality recording to begin with, so the result was not revelatory to me either. But it's probably the best that it's ever going to sound without remixing.

Well, it's more provenance than you get with the vast majority of HDtracks releases. You might also consider the Steve Hoffman version. It is exactly what you say - "a great re-mastered recording at 16/44". But I'd still recommend you go with the Steve Wilson.

I'm surprised nobody has posted the DR values of the topic of this thread - the latest HDTracks version of Tommy. Here you go. Not spectacular, but not too bad either, and it does sound pretty good. foobar2000 1.3 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1 log date: 2014-03-25 20:34:11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: The Who / Tommy (Remastered 2013) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR10 -0.19 dB -13.50 dB 5:20 01-Overture DR9 -1.17 dB -14.25 dB 0:39 02-It's A Boy DR10 -0.19 dB -13.21 dB 2:49 03-1921 DR11 -0.21 dB -12.89 dB 5:04 04-Amazing Journey DR10 -0.28 dB -12.97 dB 2:05 05-Sparks DR10 -0.23 dB -12.66 dB 2:14 06-Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker) DR10 -0.16 dB -13.44 dB 4:35 07-Christmas DR10 -0.63 dB -12.97 dB 4:07 08-Cousin Kevin DR10 -0.91 dB -13.93 dB 3:34 09-The Acid Queen DR11 -0.09 dB -13.22 dB 10:04 10-Underture DR7 -2.53 dB -12.72 dB 0:24 11-Do You Think It's Alright? DR10 -0.34 dB -13.02 dB 1:31 12-Fiddle About DR10 -0.19 dB -12.76 dB 3:01 13-Pinball Wizard DR10 -1.10 dB -15.09 dB 0:24 14-There's A Doctor DR9 -0.12 dB -10.75 dB 3:48 15-Go To The Mirror! DR10 -1.70 dB -14.43 dB 1:35 16-Tommy Can You Hear Me? DR9 -0.47 dB -12.35 dB 1:35 17-Smash The Mirror DR9 -0.31 dB -12.19 dB 2:28 18-Sensation DR9 -1.56 dB -13.38 dB 0:13 19-Miracle Cure DR9 -1.54 dB -13.08 dB 4:10 20-Sally Simpson DR9 -0.10 dB -11.99 dB 2:39 21-I'm Free DR11 -0.39 dB -16.20 dB 4:33 22-Welcome DR10 -3.77 dB -17.46 dB 0:57 23-Tommy's Holiday Camp DR10 -0.16 dB -12.41 dB 7:06 24-We're Not Gonna Take It -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 24 Official DR value: DR10 Samplerate: 96000 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 24 Bitrate: 3497 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================