DizRotus Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 What is your experience with the high resolution audio files offered by HDtracks? As I await the delivery (already late, I must add) of my Kickstarter funded Pono player, I'm curious about HDtracks and how those high resolution FLAC files will work with Pono. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Norton indicated that some files were malicious and did in fact screw up my computer. HD Tracks is expensive and had very little of the music I was looking for. Sound quality was very good IMO but not justified in my particular situation. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I have several in FLAC on my computer that I play using the Foobar2000 player. Works great. I plan to buy a pono once they become available after the preorders are filled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 I'm listening to the free HDtracks sampler in 96/24 resolution on my Samsung S4 mini through Klipsch S4 buds. It sounds very good. How much better will it sound in 192/24 resolution? I wonder whether playing the same files through Pono will be a noticeable improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talmadge Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I've never had any problems with HD Tracks. Always works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I have a few of there tracks, I would submit that you be careful in what you choose to buy because simply re mastering a poorly recorded album does not high SQ make example tons of the classic rock was mastered for quantity not quality, and hd tracks can not turn back time and change the original master Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tromprof Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I have been happy with all the albums I have bought through them. As mentioned above some of the older tittles are a little suspect, though I did get Band on the Run from them in 24/96 and it is very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I've bought a Muse album and a Dwight Yoakam album. Both sound phenomenal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincymat Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I've downloaded several albums from them over the last few months. Using ALAC at 96/24 files. All sound good on my system. No issues with HDtracks services. They could have a broader offering of albums, but they add new titles almost daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I like HDtracks... I assume Norman Chesky likes me too considering how often I've bought FLAC files from them. Their old site was flaky and so was the new one at first but they are working the kinks out I think. Searches were not the best but are working better now. It will also save your cart if it logs you out before you finish shopping. I wish they would say more about the master they use or at least some comments about the recording. You are really just hoping for the best but can't be sure. Some recordings don't benefit at all from high res. I only bought a few of the 192k/24bit downloads... now I stick to the 96k/24bit files since I simply can't hear the difference with my system and ears. Some recordings are worth it and better than the CD counterpart. Here is an example of Norah Jones "Come Away with me" The HDtracks version has a little better dynamics. CD: foobar2000 1.2.6 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1log date: 2013-10-23 19:34:41 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Analyzed: Norah Jones / Come Away With Me-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track--------------------------------------------------------------------------------DR9 -0.11 dB -12.97 dB 3:06 01-Don't Know WhyDR9 -0.64 dB -12.85 dB 2:25 02-Seven YearsDR11 -0.75 dB -15.20 dB 3:39 03-Cold Cold HeartDR9 -0.61 dB -12.12 dB 2:57 04-Feelin' The Same WayDR11 -0.63 dB -15.41 dB 3:18 05-Come Away With MeDR10 -0.61 dB -13.19 dB 3:57 06-Shoot The MoonDR10 -0.61 dB -13.65 dB 2:35 07-Turn Me OnDR12 -0.74 dB -15.76 dB 3:06 08-LonestarDR11 -0.61 dB -14.72 dB 4:13 09-I've Got To See You AgainDR13 -0.61 dB -17.22 dB 2:42 10-Painter SongDR11 -0.11 dB -13.93 dB 3:06 11-One Flight DownDR9 -0.11 dB -12.76 dB 4:12 12-NightingaleDR12 -0.75 dB -16.00 dB 2:45 13-The Long Day Is OverDR14 -0.96 dB -18.76 dB 3:08 14-The Nearness Of You-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 14Official DR value: DR11 Samplerate: 44100 HzChannels: 2Bits per sample: 16Bitrate: 618 kbpsCodec: FLAC================================================================================ HDtracks: foobar2000 1.2.6 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1log date: 2013-10-23 19:35:38 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Analyzed: Norah Jones / Come Away with Me-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track--------------------------------------------------------------------------------DR10 0.00 dB -14.22 dB 3:07 01-Don't Know WhyDR11 -0.43 dB -14.05 dB 2:26 02-Seven YearsDR12 -0.01 dB -15.17 dB 3:39 03-Cold Cold HeartDR11 0.00 dB -13.97 dB 2:58 04-Feelin' the Same WayDR12 -0.57 dB -16.78 dB 3:18 05-Come Away with MeDR12 -0.02 dB -14.97 dB 3:57 06-Shoot the MoonDR12 -0.05 dB -16.01 dB 2:35 07-Turn Me OnDR13 -1.36 dB -18.14 dB 3:07 08-LonestarDR13 -0.25 dB -16.52 dB 4:13 09-I've Got to See You AgainDR14 -0.12 dB -18.58 dB 2:42 10-Painter SongDR13 -0.10 dB -16.68 dB 3:06 11-One Flight DownDR12 -0.13 dB -15.95 dB 4:12 12-NightingaleDR13 -1.14 dB -18.19 dB 2:45 13-The Long Day Is OverDR15 -2.09 dB -21.33 dB 3:10 14-The Nearness of You-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 14Official DR value: DR12 Samplerate: 192000 HzChannels: 2Bits per sample: 24Bitrate: 5344 kbpsCodec: FLAC================================================================================ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 (edited) Let me add another perspective. Gov't Mule (probably my favorite band still going today) did their annual Mule-O-Ween show last night in Cincinnati. Every year at Halloween they page homage to an artist or band that they love. This year it was Neil Young. After their first set of their own songs, the played 29 Neil songs the rest of the night. The show ended in the wee hours of this morning. At 7PM tonight, I had a 24 bit, HD download of the show with cover art from their website to enjoy over a few bourbons this evening. The music download technology has become amazing. Tomorrow, I am hoping to download the HD version of the final Allman Brothers show from this past Tuesday night. That will be cool too. I love this HD download technology. Edited November 2, 2014 by TJIann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Now here is an example of not getting what I hoped for from HDtracks. I love my "All for You" CD by Diana Krall. I hoped to get an even better version of it when I bought the high res version. When played it not only didn't sound better... it didn't even sound quite as good. The Dynamic Range Meter tells me why: CD foobar2000 1.2.6 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1log date: 2013-10-23 21:50:21 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Analyzed: Diana Krall / All For You (A Dedication to The Nat King Cole Trio)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track--------------------------------------------------------------------------------DR12 0.00 dB -13.95 dB 2:56 01-I'm an Errand Girl for RhythmDR13 0.00 dB -16.28 dB 4:07 02-Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to YouDR14 -1.39 dB -19.33 dB 4:37 03-You Call It MadnessDR13 0.00 dB -15.43 dB 5:01 04-Frim Fram SauceDR13 -2.33 dB -18.54 dB 6:27 05-Boulevard of Broken DreamsDR12 -2.38 dB -18.16 dB 3:36 06-Baby Baby All the TimeDR12 0.00 dB -13.38 dB 4:17 07-Hit That Jive JackDR12 -3.36 dB -19.36 dB 5:33 08-You're Looking at MeDR12 -3.84 dB -21.25 dB 4:26 09-I'm Thru with LoveDR13 -0.14 dB -16.01 dB 3:32 10-Deed I DoDR14 -1.65 dB -19.79 dB 5:13 11-A Blossom FellDR13 -0.01 dB -17.28 dB 4:57 12-If I Had You-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 12Official DR value: DR13 Samplerate: 44100 HzChannels: 2Bits per sample: 16Bitrate: 635 kbpsCodec: FLAC================================================================================ HDtracks foobar2000 1.2.6 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1log date: 2013-10-23 21:49:40 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Analyzed: Diana Krall / All For You (A Dedication To The Nat King Cole Trio)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track--------------------------------------------------------------------------------DR11 0.00 dB -12.51 dB 2:55 01-I'm An Errand Girl For Rhythm (Album Version)DR12 -0.08 dB -15.09 dB 4:06 02-Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (Album Version)DR13 -0.66 dB -17.72 dB 4:36 03-You Call It Madness (Album Version)DR13 -0.03 dB -14.68 dB 5:00 04-Frim Fram Sauce (Album Version)DR12 -0.78 dB -17.16 dB 6:27 05-Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (Album Version)DR12 -0.85 dB -16.78 dB 3:33 06-Baby Baby All The Time (Album Version)DR12 0.00 dB -12.99 dB 4:16 07-Hit That Jive Jack (Album Version)DR12 -2.66 dB -18.67 dB 5:32 08-You're Looking At Me (Album Version)DR12 -0.73 dB -18.79 dB 4:26 09-I'm Thru With Love (Album Version)DR13 -0.04 dB -15.05 dB 3:31 10-Deed I Do (Album Version)DR12 -0.56 dB -19.00 dB 5:12 11-A Blossom Fell (Album Version)DR14 -0.04 dB -17.35 dB 4:53 12-If I Had You (Album Version)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 12Official DR value: DR12 Samplerate: 96000 HzChannels: 2Bits per sample: 24Bitrate: 2898 kbpsCodec: FLAC================================================================================ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 (edited) I use HD Tracks (Flac) and Amazon for most of my digital collection. In general the HD Tracks are good quality and maybe a hair better than the Amazon files. A lot depends on the the quality of the orginal file that was converted to high resolution. The 192/24 vs the 96/24 are pretty much the same on my system and are both good quality. There selection is limited and I like the Amazon download file are very good quality and the fact that they are 1/10 the size. Edited November 2, 2014 by derrickdj1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 This is all useful feedback. Thank you. Now if my pre-ordered Pono player would just arrive I could see how an HDtracks high resolution file sounds on the Pono player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 Pono arrived. It was worth the $$ and the wait. The sound of good vinyl with better bass and no surface noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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