Which High Res releases are worth buying?
A number of A'goners have said they'd like to start a running database of releases that are worth buying. We've all discovered High Res downloads and discs that don't even live up to Redbook standards. Others are a definite improvement. Here's your chance to weigh in on the winners as well as the dogs. Inevitably, you may post a recommendation others may disagree with. Debate is good, but let's keep it clean and courteous. If we do, this could provide everyone with a great resource.
Showing 6 responses by 2chnlben
This is a great thread and I do hope "we" can get some good suggestions here, because I agree that many of the 24/96 releases leave much to be desired. I must agree that the Blue Coast Records stuff is always very good (some of the best). I especially like the Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kia releases from Blue Coast and all solo Keith Greeninger efforts (he is an excellent acoustic guitar/singer song writer "folk-type" artist). The 24/192 DVD release of Muddy Waters Folk Singer" (you can get it at Acoustic Sounds here) is outstanding, but I must say that the Reedbook version is also very good and some may feel that the $25.00 going rate for the 24/192 file isnt such a bargain. HDTracks does have some good choices and, for me, one of their very best recordings is the 24/192 version of Jen Chapins revisions: Songs of Stevie Wonder, here Anything produced by Kent Poon is done exceptionally well look for his Jazz Prologue releases learn more here The hi-rez stuff by Sara K at HDTracks is a little dark-sounding, but the sound staging is really good (and her music is great)...Look her up. Heres some more: here here here here here |
07-21-11: Levy03 It's easy to do isn't it...!!? In response to the OP's question, my suggestions are based primarily on the sound quality. I hope the style of music is to your liking. If you like acoustic jazz (piano trios), then here is another nugget. Its only 24/88, but it sounds good. _Ben |
Alas, I cant give a hearty thumbs-up to the recent HDTracks hi-res release of The Doobie Brothers, Captain and Me. I nearly forgot what a great recoding this is. Unfortunately, while the dynamics are there, the detail and clarity are there in abundance, there simply is no semblance of the warmth, dimensionality and air that the original vinyl version offered. While analog/vinyl comparisons may be a high standard of reference for digital, some hi-res releases have come close to duplicating air, warmth, three-dimensionality and sound-staging (Blue Coast Records recordings come to mind). I will be anxious to hear from someone else who has downloaded this otherwise excellent (album). |
Does anyone know exactly what HDTracks does when processing/converting old releases to hi-res? I went ahead and downloaded the Deep Purple, Machine Head 24/96 release even though I wasnt that thrilled about the Doobie Brothers, Captain and Me 24/192 release. Hey, its Machine Head, I had to try it. Any way the thing sounds like its been remastered (i.e.: altered). Theres a definite audible difference in clarity the 24/96 being quite a bit more resolving than the 16/44 version that I ripped from the hybrid layer of the Machine Head SACD (which is truly a very good 16/44 file). That said, I dont know that the 24/96 version is better. During the first guitar solo in the song, Lazy, the 16/44 release portrays Blackmore in between the speakers (good central image albeit slightly to the right), but during the same solo the 24/96 release has his guitar planted firmly in the right channel only Odd...?? The snare drum sounds more realistic via the 24/96 release and Gillans voice is definitely more pronounced, but the 16/44 version, on the other hand, just has a better overall balance. Its as if someone has literally remastered some of the original settings. On a positive note, Blackmores guitar is audibly clearer via the 24/96 version. I wonder what it is that the HDTrack guy(s) do during the process ?? |