Complimentary High Resolution Downloads Courtesy of First Impression Music (24/88.2, 24/176.4, 32/352.8)

Anyone know the original recording from which this was derived (label, year, conductor, orchestra)?

Hi Harald - I checked the FLAC downloads you mentioned and had no problems playing the files via Songbird on my Mac.<br />

<br />

Also, it's my understanding, and the article states this as well, that the Carmen Habanera Fantasia is a 32/352.8 recording, not a 44.1 original. Hopefully Bruce Brown will chime in here and let us know for sure.<br />

<br />

<br />

<i>"Carmen Habanera Fantasia: Transfered from analog master tapes with a Digital Audio Denmark AX24 AD/DA converter at 32/352.8kHz into a Pyramix DSD/DXD Digital Audio Workstation."</i>

I have a Weiss DAC2 which I believe supports up to 24/192.<br />

<br />

Does it mean that the 32/352.8 version is of no use to me? Which DAC supports this sampling rate and bit depth?

Superb!

I am running a DAC that nominally handles up to 192 kHz, so I downloaded the 24/176.4 aiff files, and had no glitches on playback with iTunes or Amarra. Great sound on both cuts! Has anyone had success with the 32/352.8 files?<br />

<br />

I couldn't find the Super Sounds 1 info on the FIM site either, but on Amazon it appears to be performed by Northwest Sinphonietta, conducted by Harold Faberman.<br />

<br />

Thanks, Chris, for keeping us well-supplied with music and current information.<br />

<br />

Jeff<br />

<br />

MacPro 10.6.1<br />

G-Tech G-Speed fibre-channel RAID<br />

Sonic Studio Amarra 1.0.2<br />

Lynx 16e PCIe<br />

Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC

Yes, the Carmen Habanera Fantasia was Harold Faberman conducting the Northwest Sinfonietta. This arrangement was written especially for Mr. Ma by the conductor. <br />

<br />

Harald, how can it be a 44.1 recording if it came off my Studer A810?<br />

Maybe because the frequency responce is only 20k? Is that what you mean? <br />

<br />

The DXD files can only be played back on a DAD AX24 or a dCS 955 DAC. These were done in case anyone had the units so they could see the potential of hi-rez downloads. I know 2L has downloads available in DXD as well. The Weiss Saracon DSD will do a sample rate conversion of these file to any you want.<br />

<br />

For a review of "What A Wonderful Trio" you can go the below website and click on "Music" in the tab above. The reviewer said, <br />

"I was delighted with its almost unlimited dynamics and perfect resolution. It sounded like 45 rpm vinyl!" <br />

Guess you can't get much better than that!<br />

<br />

http://www.highfidelity.pl/@lang-en<br />

<br />

<br />

Regards,<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Hi Chris!<br />

<br />

I`ve downloaded the *.wav version of the "Happy Striker" track instead of the FLAC, problem "solved" <br />

<br />

Bruce (and Chris):<br />

<br />

I _think_ that the Habanera track might be based on a 44,1khz pcm recording, because it`s frequency response shows a fast and steep cutoff between 20 and 21 khz. If this is an analogue recording, shouldn´t the rolloff be way more gentle?<br />

<br />

<a href="http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=habanera01n4l3.jpg"><img src="http://www.abload.de/img/habanera01n4l3.jpg" /></a><br />

<br />

But this is only speculation from my side, and based on the sad fact, that a large number of "so called" high resolution material (on disc or as download) is only 44,1/24 or 48/24.<br />

There is nothing wrong with the sonic quality (in most cases), but to me these are no "real" HighRez recordings.<br />

<br />

Cheers<br />

Harald

I also must confirm that the Habanera File is limited due to a 44.1 digital sampling anyway in the signal chain. So if you get it from an analog Tape, than the way before it gets to the tape, must have been band limited. This sharp drop can’t be a microphone or a tape machine. So this high sampling rate is not necessary for this file, beside you do have a different sound due to different digital filter, but not due to higher signal contents or higher timing accuracy.<br />

<br />

Just one addition: I hope you do not get me wrong; my comment has nothing to do with the sound quality which is really great and wonderful: it’s only about the post high sampling rate which is similar to a good even number synchronous oversampling filter plus the addition of a fantastic analog Tape sound (PS: I also went through a Studer tape machine, to add some vivid back to the digital recorded tracks).<br />

<br />

Juergen<br />

It just happened that I also have the same CD so I did some test to it. I compared the so called master file with the CD 16/44 file and upsampled 24/176 file from CD using SARACON and POW-R3. The spectral analysis is shown here<br />

<br />

Original CD 16/44 <br />

<br />

http://upload.review33.com/images/200909/200909282025433404.jpg<br />

<br />

Master file <br />

<br />

http://upload.review33.com/images/200909/200909282026134558.jpg<br />

<br />

upsampled from 16/44 filw using saracon and pow-r3. <br />

<br />

http://upload.review33.com/images/200909/200909282026369913.jpg<br />

<br />

You can see that the 2 24/176 analysis are almost identical. So either the master is not really a master or SARACON is doing an perfect job in upsampling!

Your Master File is also a 44.1 sampled file, so no high sampling rate master, and the Weis Saracon is a relatively good SRC (it has some slight mirror image frequencies, because of a little bit too soft transition band) but no other distortions. But if you Master File is 24 Bit and is up sampled by a good SRC (even number) it will sound better as the 44.1 CD File and also different SRC do sound different.<br />

<br />

Juergen<br />

I guess I was more concerned with making it sound good than look good!<br />

<br />

<br />

Regards,

The master file I used for comparison is actually downloaded from this site<br />

<br />

Carmen Habanera Fantasia AIFF 24/176.4 (197.41 MB)<br />

<br />

The 16/44.1 is ripped from the CD that I have from FIM<br />

<br />

Arthur<br />

<br />

Good post. I think we all here agree that how it sounds it what counts and what involves us and what is driving us further. So I think you will also agree, that with the Habanera track, it is not the “higher” bandwidth, because there is no, but there are lot of other things, that take this recording and mastering a fantastic file.<br />

<br />

Juergen<br />

Thanks Chris for making this happen, and for free!<br />

<br />

The Fantasia recording was certainly one of the best I have heard.<br />

<br />

Not 100% sure ... but the Naim DAC should be able to play 32/352.8 WAV files loaded onto a USB Memory stick.<br />

<br />

Chris - do you mind if I point people asking (on the Naim Forum) for a demo of such files to here?

You can certainly direct people here, just don't link directly to the files. Otherwise I pay for the bandwidth without any increase in traffic :~)

Where can we buy/download these hires versions? I have been waiting for some of the real hires versions of their discs like the JUN FUKAMACHI/AT STEINWAY (TAKE 2) disc, which is available in over-priced CD with mastered in 384Khz label in front but "playable on regular CD players". <br />

<br />

Well when can get the real stuff? The CD stated above cost north of $40! We don't need over-priced CD treated with diamond dust or what knot. WE need the real stuff, and quite willing to pay for it.<br />

<br />

Just place them in HDTRACKS and they will sell a whole bunch.<br />

<br />

Be careful what you wish for ..... :~)

Well thanks for the hint. I figure they must have a reason to put these freebies out

I would like to thank Chris for providing us audiophiles this great service. Additionally, deepest thanks to FIM for reproducing albums that are closer to the master versions. I recently purchased the<br />

gold version of the jazz pawn shop, what a wonderful cd, and among others like Oscar petterson. I am anxiuosly waiting for more CDs to be released by FIM.<br />

<br />

Thank you Winston MA and chris.<br />

<br />

I've known Winston Ma for better than a decade now.<br />

<br />

He's been a wonderful mentor and friend in all things audio.<br />

<br />

All his component designs are wonderful and his recordings, perfection.<br />

<br />

I too give thanks everytime he has a release because it makes all the time and money I put into my audio system an investment than just a hobby.<br />

<br />

All his recordings are an amazing way to show off your system.<br />

<br />

BTW, his new release of "We get requests" and "Get Gilberto" are amazing, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Hi there,<br />

<br />

I was wondering about the 60 kHz peak when playing back the 24/176.4 FLAC of Happy Soccer Striker. Not that I could hear it ;-)<br />

<br />

Regards,<br />

<br />

Andrew

I don't understand the question.<br />

<br />

What do you want to know about the peak?

I ran SpectraFoo while playing back the files in my studio and there is a consistent peak at 60 kHz, slightly varying in level but always there.

That must be why my cats are clawing me, and the neighbors dog is howling!