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Hi-rez downloads, any good?

I recently read an interview with David Chesky of HDtracks. He commented on complaints that some downloads were of poor quality by basically saying, that's what the artist wanted released. It was an artistic decision that he can't change and he can't tell the labels what to do. OK. But, he made the comment in regard to Nevermind by Nirvana. People had complained when they received the download that is was further compressed. I have the original CD and it has good dynamics as Cobain obviously wanted a loud/soft contrast in the recording. So, Cobains been dead for years. Obviously he didn't demand that his recording be further compressed. Chesky has a good reputation as an audiophile who cares about sound quality but this "excuse" doesn't seem to ring true. What's your opinion on hi-rez downloads adn their sound quality or lack thereof?
wildoats

Showing 2 responses by mlsstl

mlsstl
1,450 posts
 
One more comment concerning vinyl. Years ago I found that when I did my own conversions of my LPs and open reels to digital, the results sounded just like the original. I couldn't tell the difference. Over the course of the past 10 or 11 years, I've probably converted about 2,000 records & tapes to digital.

My conclusion? The primary reason that most CDs sound different from LPs is simple. When making a LP, the studio masters are processed differently than when making a CD. That difference doesn't exist on the material I've handled myself.
mlsstl
1,450 posts
 
Here's my take on hi-rez material.

First, I've heard Redbook CDs that are simply incredible. Unfortunately, the format is rarely used to its full advantage, particularly with the loudness wars still raging at full tilt.

Second, I've heard some excellent hi-rez material. But I've also experimented by doing my own resamples of hi-rez to Redbook and comparing the two back-to-back and level-matched. The difference, for me, is extremely subtle. (Often the profound differences people hear are due to differing masters.)

My conclusion is that I just can't get too excited about paying extra for a new format when record companies aren't even remotely close to making full use of the CD format.
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