jmall

Hi Folks, I have to preface this review with the fact that this is one release I have been waiting FOREVER for (so expectations and all that). I even asked HDTracks for it waaay back when. Yeah yeah, I know that some releases haven't been up to snuff. But I ponied up for the 24/192 version and here's my take... I have original CDs from the 80s, vinyl from the 80s and very recent vinyl (like 1-2 years) (my vinyl system being no slouch either) and after having time to listen to all of it, these are by far the best copies I have. To be honest, at first I thought these were kinda "light" and "thin". But after having listened for a few days I can truly say that they're more "correct" and even make me want to listen more. To me, I seem to hear more of what they were trying to convey with the recording and performance. Mind you, there is bias here. VH is my favourite band. So I will probably like anything. But I have been listened to (up to) 24/192 for almost 2 years now and I hear nothing here which makes me think this is a veiled copy. Now I'm not a measurement hound. I don't want to be (that's why I spend exorbitant amounts of my hardware - let the engineers figure it out). I use my faulty ears. And you guys might say that this doesn't mean anything. But as a FAN I can tell you they're great. And if you have a choice I'd recommend spending the dough for the highest res. You won't be disappointed. Best, Jeff

Hi Guys, All of this is well and good... I'm as scientific as the next guy. But how does it sound? Is it worth the purchase? I have a very good vinyl copy and love it immensely... I have to say that in almost every case the 24/192 version _does_ sound better on my Ayre QB-9 (so thinking of that version) as long as the copy is indeed done well. Which seems to be the case here. I will jump if the prospect is good Thanks! Jeff PS - I might just buy it to compare to the vinyl version!

Before I bought... I figured as much. May as well buy the vinyl Kudos for being honest! Jeff PS - I still love digital. But I hate getting gypped. PPS - and I'm glad HDT manned up... Good for them!

Anyone try the new Shinedown from HDTracks? Just wondering if it's as bad as BIA (before I try!)... Jeff

Hi Folks, So I was thinking tonight (always a bad thing) and I was wondering... FLAC is compressed. Lossless I agree but compressed nonetheless. Has anyone been able to compare a true fully uncompressed hires file vs. FLAC (how do you decompress FLAC?). I mean, in computer audio, this file would need to be uncompressed before play, right? So that means CPU/time applied to (probably some decompression library) before playing the song. In my experience with *any* software there are always... issues. Plus it has been shown (to me) that CPU processing does affect sound quality. Anyway... Just a question. Probably not simple. But out there Thanks! Jeff

Sorry Folks, My caveat emptor comment raised another quick comment. I have to say, we *did* get what we paid for. When I play a hires track it shows as 96/176/192. The problem is *expectation* vs *customer reality*. Anyone selling a product always has to deal with that basic fact. Jeff

I have to admit that the fact that we didn't get what was advertised when we bought some titles is just bad business... And in North America probably illegal. I know I have not been totally impressed. But I have a feeling that Mr. Chesky knows this and can't run *every* aspect of his business. We're "preaching to the choir" so to speak. I'll bet he's more interested in making music then selling it. That said, it does sound to me that instituting some basic corporate policies (and spending some money on technology) would mitigate that. I hope he understands that he/they have an opportunity unprecidented in audio. And now a responsibility Who knows for sure though. Maybe the money just isn't there. Maybe the effort just isn't worth it to him personally. Go ahead and *try* to fill the void... All that said, HD Tracks could be *the* place to get hires and UNCOMPRESSED music and be what iTunes is to the compressed (read - crap) music industry. As many of the tweens (and older) experience the difference I think they will care as they can afford better and get older. I know that's been my experience. Advice is cheap. I just gave some. The fact is though that we currently don't have *anywhere* else to get mainstream music from in an uncompressed format. And let's be real - we want music people can listen to every day. Not some stuff, that while artistically has merit, you don't want to hear everyday (or show others). We want mainstream. Music you are familiar with. Music you can bop to. Like The Eagles. Like Metallica (which I thought was quite good from HDT BTW). Etc adnausium... So here we are. I hope that they take the opportunity to tame this "dragon". I think they have the ability (as some downloads have certainly shown). I for one am hopeful. And good luck to us all who appreciate the sound of music! Jeff PS - I'm not done with HDT... Caveat emptor and all that. And the "In Session" re-release was sweet. Very enjoyable.

Hey Folks, First, let me just say that JPlay is THE BEST sound I have yet heard from a computer. Especially in DirectLink and Hibernation. It is very easy to use. All you need to understand is your own file storage structure for your music and you're set. I'm also not tossing my J River MC 16... There will still be times I want to "browse" and listen. Plus, it has the added benefit of being remote controlled. And let's be honest, it's not dreadful either. It sounds quite good especially on hires stuff. I also don't have an "amazing hi $$$" setup to be able to hear the difference. Pretty run of the mill actually. The Ayre QB9 (24/192) is the standout kit in my setup. My point is that JPlay took it to another (higher) level. And if it did it for me, I'm sure many others will benefit. I'd shout it from the rooftops if I could I'm so impressed. I personally can't wait to see what's next If you do Win7 x64 Computer Audio, especially through USB, you gotta try this! Thanks Josef and Marcin! Jeff

Hi Folks, So I sprung for the QB-9 and... Well... Compared to the 840C there is no comparison. In my system it's scarey good. I was concerned about spending that much but not anymore. In Love Jeff

First, thank you all for the responses! My apologies for not commenting earlier but work has been rather busy the last couple of days. I appreciate everyone's comment - and am interested in hearing what Chris has to say about the differences between the Halide and the V-Link (as long as it's something he wishes to do!). Given that everything is going USB these days I was curious as to what that could do to an existing DAC. Unfortunately my local MF dealer has dropped the MF products recently. And obviously the Halide is direct only. To be perfectly honest I have heard the Ayre QB-9/Mac and it was very impressive. It held its own against an Oracle Delphi MK VI (turntable) with Dynavector XV-1s and "some" arm but a very high quality one (probably SME Series V) all fed into Ayre hardware (MX series) and Harbeth Monitor 40.1s. Impressive indeed. And the most impressive digital I have ever heard is from the C-5xeMP - bar none (and I've heard some really expensive ones). So - all that said, I think I'm jumping for the QB-9... I'll keep my 840C for a while - at least until I'm comfortable that the QB-9 is indeed better. But it sounds like I'm either in for a penny (and get a penny's worth) or in for a pound (and get the cheese cake too!). Now to figure out what USB cable I need! Best Regards, Jeff

Thanks for the info Ron... Much appreciated. For the record I'm in Canada where the power, like the air and beer, is pretty clean (mostly) I did a bit of reading about galvanic isolation (something I hadn't considered before). It sort of sounds like why something like a Quantum QX4 works (and believe me, I have heard it work). I actually have purchased power isolation systems for both my computer and my audio system (one from Monster for my computer - more of an RF isolation - "softens up" the computer sound, makes it less harsh; my audio one is also a Monster but just a bigger better one. I'd love to try a Shunyata or something like that but I'm not sure I could justify the expense in my system). I any case, I will probably spring for the V-Link and give it a try. Regards, Jeff

I should have also said that the difference between iTunes and Foobar2000 are staggering in my opinion (Foobar kicking the crap out of iTunes with the exact same source material). I run Foobar2000 in WASAPI direct mode (hmmm, maybe I should try ASIO) and iTunes in "Windows" mode from the Quicktime audio config. So my setup is certainly good enough to tell the difference at this level. I am also fairly computer literate as I have worked in Systems Administrator for more then 15 years. If all I'm buying is ease of use from J River, I'm okay not having it. My Windows 7 version is Pro X64. I should also note most of my stuff will be redbook CD WAVs but I have started downloading music from HD Tracks (definitely better in 24/96). The problem is that much of the hi-res material is a bit esoteric for my tastes. I'm mostly a rock/heavy metal man (I laugh out loud when someone calls the Allison Krauss/Robert Page album "rock") but sometimes I have a hankerin' for acoustic/country/classical. So until it becomes more mainstream I have a feeling my downloads will be mostly to "show and tell" rather then enjoy thoroughly. Looking forward to responses Thanks, Jeff

Hi Folks, As the subject states, what's better? I am currently using the S/PDIF output of my motherboard (Gigabyte MoBo w/ Realtek AC888) to my Cambridge Audio 840C using Foobar2000 and an Audioquest 75 ohm cable (not sure the model). Certainly sounds better then the disk tray in the player. Especially with hi-res stuff from HD Tracks. But I'm betting I'm not getting the best out of this... I've asked about the "best" software in the software section and now am wondering about this as well. My experience tells me that adding more "layers" to the stream will just muddy things up. But I guess if the on-board clock of my motherboard is not up to the level of what's in the V-Link or Halide it'll be jitterful (new word?). I also couldn't find anything about how the V-Link compared with the Halide... Is the Halide worth the $200 extra bones? Finally, should I be using optical or electrical/RCA S/PDIF. My motherboard does have both and so does the 840C (and I think the V-Link does too). If optical should be better, how much should I spend on a cable? I remember, way back when, I tried optical and it sounded like crap but it was a cheapy cable thrown in with a DVD player I think and the config was probably way off as I didn't know then what I know now. Thanks! Jeff

Hi, I see that J River is on the "cash" list which bodes well for it but does it sound better then Foobar2000 (ie. free)? And if so, anyone know why? Thanks, Jeff