Rockanroller, unfortunately you've been fed a load of hype from some folks who should know better. 1st of all, CDs store the digital information of 16 bits at a sample rate of 44.1KHz. Hi-res is generally considered to be 20+ bits (usually 24) at a sample rate of 48KHz or better, in many cases 96 KHz or 192KHz.
There is also a hi-res format called DSD that is 1 bit with *very* high sampling rates.
If the record companies go back to the master tapes and re-record to one of the hi-res formats this results in a truly hi-res recording. Yes, you can "upsample" CD quality, but you are basically trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear by doing so. Don't fall for the hype.
And, honestly, it isn't so much the bits and sample rate that are most important, it's the mastering. A properly mastered CD can sound absolutely phenomenal. I have CDs that can smoke most hi-res files. But hi-res holds the *possibility* for better quality.
Unfortunately, re-mastering is an expensive proposition and is done properly by a handful in the industry - folks like Bob Ludwig, Michael Bishop, Bernie Grundman, etc.
It really comes down to listening for yourself and seeing if the hi-res is up to snuff for you. You will probably discover certain labels have consistently excellent quality and you can generally rely upon them to give you the real goods. Some of those are Analogue Productions, 2L, Telarc, and AIX. There are others, investigate for yourself...
-RW-
There is also a hi-res format called DSD that is 1 bit with *very* high sampling rates.
If the record companies go back to the master tapes and re-record to one of the hi-res formats this results in a truly hi-res recording. Yes, you can "upsample" CD quality, but you are basically trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear by doing so. Don't fall for the hype.
And, honestly, it isn't so much the bits and sample rate that are most important, it's the mastering. A properly mastered CD can sound absolutely phenomenal. I have CDs that can smoke most hi-res files. But hi-res holds the *possibility* for better quality.
Unfortunately, re-mastering is an expensive proposition and is done properly by a handful in the industry - folks like Bob Ludwig, Michael Bishop, Bernie Grundman, etc.
It really comes down to listening for yourself and seeing if the hi-res is up to snuff for you. You will probably discover certain labels have consistently excellent quality and you can generally rely upon them to give you the real goods. Some of those are Analogue Productions, 2L, Telarc, and AIX. There are others, investigate for yourself...
-RW-