doublea71

All HDT has to do is not charge a premium when something is clearly upsampled, and be more upfront about the whole issue. I also think it is their job to decide what sounds good - they should compare what they're being given with the mp3 version and be able to discern whether they can sell the high-res version as high-res in good conscience or not. If they are unwilling to even do that, they should expect some unhappy customers. They can't have it both ways. Labels send their music to HDT because they know people are willing to fork over good money for a high quality digital file, so if they send something that isn't up to snuff, I could care less if a recording engineer gets some unflattering feedback. It's a business with paying customers who also have high expectations - if they don't like the terrain, they are more than welcome to sell chickens.

They want to have it both ways, which makes sense from a business perspective but none if you add ethics to the mix. They suggest that we continue to buy their products without knowing if it really is what they say it is (not in all cases, of course, but certainly some). Just trust them and fork over the premium for what may or may not be true high-res audio. Not knowing whether it is or not simply isn't their responsibility. However, when it isn't (as has already been proven in the case of Morning Phase), don't dare complain or you, the customer, will be to blame for tearing down the high-res music business. I think the best way to convince them to get their act together is to stop giving them money and make it crystal-clear why. It's on them to convince the labels to be more forthcoming. If they are unable to verify whether an album is up to their standards, which understandably can happen, don't sell the record as a high-res download and lower the price. Be forthcoming and alert the consumer as to why the price is lower. That is how you build a loyal customer base and avoid controversy. Treating them like a mouth-breathing atm machine is not.

Get a load of this: from another audio-related forum where HDTracks posted a response regarding their releases: Including post which they've responded to: Quote: Originally Posted by Dopaminer It`s not good enough and it`s more than a little bizarre. I`m also an HDTracks customer, or was, and I find their attitude completely unacceptable. This is an enthusiasts` market: we know what we want, and it`s often quite specific. I`m into the details. That one of the main sources of this content, that charges for their services, can be so blasé about their own lack of knowledge is really lame. I`ve been toying with the idea of undertaking the PS3 hack and it`s suddenly become much more appealing. . . We apologize if you find our attitude or responses unacceptable our intention is not to offend. The fact of the matter is, many times it is extremely difficult or impossible to discuss with all of the labels for all of our releases, have them track down the mastering or mix engineer or get the source information for them. That would take an army and we are not releasing one album a day. On every single release we do our due diligence and make sure it is the resolution the label is saying it is. Aside from that, it is very difficult to get information from them. We completely understand you are into the details, the details are great. But because we cannot get information from them, (and believe we have tried) should HDtracks not exist or should we not release these albums? We think it is pretty fair to say we are one of the pioneers of the hi-res digital download age and it is not easy, AT ALL to be the first. So maybe instead of complaining about what we can't offer compliment what we can offer and help bring the audiophile culture up, not down. The more people complain the more you make other people who have never had the pleasure of experiencing hi-resolution downloads afraid to try it. You make it seem like our intent is to deceive, withhold information and like it is not a great experience to hear one of your favorite albums in incredible high-resolution. You are hurting the movement that way. So if we would like to see this culture grow, which is the only way you will get your favorite artists to record and offer all of their albums, less compressed, better mixed and mastered and in hi-res formats we should start helping it grow not degrade it. Because if it doesn't grow, artists and engineers will just continue to over compress, poorly mix, and not give us information on any of it, because who cares why would they if its not helping them out or have any effect on their album sales. The main point is we are just starting with this, so we are sorry if everything is not perfect. But please believe we are striving everyday to bring this to the forefront and let people know that there is a better alternative to poorly recorded, crappy sounding mp3's and they should expect the best. Hopefully so that eventually our voices and demands are so loud that they will not have a choice but to record and offer the very best product they can.