What is HD? What is high resolution? In the video world most people will say 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. They don't consider compression or the original format of a video. When it comes to music the term HD is tossed around very loosely and can include anything that's not MP3. The definition of HD is incredibly elusive. Do the letters even stand for something? One can say HD stands for High definition. However when the letters HD are used on a binocular lens coating, an automotive paint additive, and a wall-mount clay extruder all bets are off. The diluere of the letters HD continues. I'm willing to bet we'll see some 3D audio downloads if the past is any predictor of the future. AIX and iTrax President Mark Waldrep has a very clear idea of what constitutes HD and high resolution audio & video. In the following linked podcast Mark even mentions Sonic Studio's Amarra and the large role music servers will play in the future of high end audio.

Get your credit cards ready to inject your own personal stimulus package into the economy. Rhino Records now has lossless downloads from major popular artists. Just a cursory look at the Rhino site and one will see downloads from Bad Company, The Doors, Otis Reading, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, Van Halen, etc... FLAC, WMA, and Apple Lossless are are all available!

Most audiophiles are well aware of First Impression Music and the quality that is attached to the FIM brand. Everyone who has purchased an FIM compact disc can't help but appreciate the quality packaging, liner notes, and most of all the stellar sound quality. Now for the first time ever First Impression Music has authorized Computer Audiophile to offer two complimentary music downloads. These are not just any downloads. FIM has supplied Computer Audiophile with two tracks at several sample rates including 24/88.2, 24/176.4, and 32/352.8. These tracks have never been stored on optical media such as DVD or CD. Thus, we have avoided any ripping issues or problems related to the compact disc creation process.

The long wait is almost over. In less than two weeks The Beatles Remasters will be available to all of us "regular guys." Fortunately TONE Audio has people on its staff who are not "regular guys" and who receive things like the Neil Young Bluray box and the Beatles remasters long before they hit the streets. This afternoon TONE published a really thorough review of Please Please Me: The Beatles Remasters that I think everyone will be interested in reading. Before I read the review I was certain that the stereo version of the box was the one for me. Now I am leaning toward the mono version. I just hope I don't have a week moment and overuse the Amazon 1-Click ordering button to order both the stereo and mono versions. Read more for a link to the review.

I've long been touting the terrific quality of Reference Recordings' HRx releases. The HRx 24/176.4 albums provide some of my go-to material when evaluating audio components and insuring audio software is capable of true high resolution playback and is configured correctly. Computer Audiophile readers who've had the opportunity to listen to HRx albums have unanimously agreed that it's some of the best sounding material available today. One thing that should not be overlooked is the meaning of HRx. HRx is a trade name owned by Reference Recordings. HRx means so much more than simply a high resolution sample rate. HRx material is an exact copy of the digital master files directly from Reference Recordings. There is no upsampling from a lower sample rate. Think of HRx as a complete production process that in the end provides consumers exact copies of the master files. Reference Recordings is refreshingly transparent when talking about its production process and how the HRx files are created. This, when listening to an HRx track listeners are guaranteed they are hearing the real deal, true high resolution. Thanks to Reference Recordings Computer Audiophile is now offering two complimentary HRx downloads. Read more for the download links.

I recently received a package from Winston Ma at First Impression Music. Inside the box was six new FIM releases including one that is somewhat special to me (details below). Readers familiar with Winston and FIM are well aware that FIM releases are world-renowned for sonic quality, musical content, and physical packaging. Opening the six individual compact discs was like opening six special presents. Nobody packages discs like First Impression Music. The feel of the high quality, high gloss CD holder is the first thing one notices when opening an FIM disc. Inside, the liner notes are impeccable. A preface from Winston himself, short biographies of the artists, reprinted original liner notes, writings from industry scholars, and album production data are all included. Plus, the fact that each CD is held in a sleeve with a cloth backing is a true sign that nothing is overlooked on an FIM release. As I mentioned above one of the six albums is somewhat special to me. This specific release of Getz/Gilberto (LIM K2HD 036) not only sounds spectacular, but Winston's words in the liner notes ring very close to home. Read more to find out why.

Fifteen months after moving into a new house it's finally time to remodel my listening room. I've lived with the unfinished pine walls and hideous carpet long enough. I'm sure the previous owner loved the look, but it's not cutting it for me. I'd been researching options to make my listening room more aesthetically pleasing and acoustically acceptable. The first stage of the remodel will be mostly aesthetics with more acoustic considerations coming later this year. Needless to say I was gung-ho about getting the project underway. First the carpet was ripped up and the wood trim torn off the bottom of the walls. A little over one week into the project my listening room is in shambles, I'm listening to headphones only, but at least I'm discovering some great music while the room is out of commission.

B&W Society of Sound Giveaway

The B&W Society of Sound, formerly known as the B&W Music Club, has been very popular with Computer Audiophile readers who've signed up for memberships. I was hooked from the moment I signed up. In fact a rather funny series of posts about the experience can be read here. The forum post details my reluctance to join followed by my exuberance after joining and realizing how special it is. My exact words were, "This really is a complete experience with the video interviews etc... It feels like luxury music purchasing." Read more for information about the Society of Sound and a chance to win a free membership courtesy of B&W!

The recent release of Neil Young's Archives on Blu-ray Disc piqued my interest in the Blu-ray format. The audio on Neil's Archives is at 24/192 for the Blu-ray box compared to 24/96 for the standard DVD box and 16/44.1 for the CD box. I have no desire to purchase a dedicated Blu-ray player, but I am very excited about the possibility of ripping audio off Blu-ray discs that I legally own. Ripping Blu-ray content is not the easiest task and I was initially unsure if I could actually get the audio from a Blu-ray Disc. Instead of purchasing the whole Archives box for a few hundred dollars, I picked up the Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City Blu-ray Disc. This way I wouldn't have a box full of expensive unplayable discs if my little project went awry.

Hi everyone, I'm back from four days of laying in bed sick and I finally feel great! I just had to add that in here because I really am excited to feel normal again and ready to publish some articles and reviews! Anyway, on with the show...

Good music is good music even if it's played from a wax cylinder. The same can be said for good music released as 192 kbps MP3 files. Sure it's not the pinnacle of sound reproduction, but it's music nonetheless. Even better is the fact that Coldplay has released nine free tracks on what they are calling Left Right Left Right Left. I hesitate to call it an album rather just a release. Read more for the link, artwork, and a screenshot with track encoding data.