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    The Computer Audiophile

    HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience

    <img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/hdtracks.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left">Alright guys, I promised some good news so here it is! The HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience is now live. They are now offering an amazing complimentary, DRM-free, album download to help demonstrate how you can “hear the difference” with HDtracks, and provide a first-hand look at what makes HDtracks releases different from typical music download services. read more for all the details!

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    <b>*</b> Go to HDtracks.com to access The HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience compilation, featuring 8 tracks from some of the top audiophile record labels and independent artists. All you need is an active email address when you go to HDtracks.com to receive your copy.

     

    <b>*</b> Upon downloading your album, you will receive a promotional code for 20% off your entire next purchase at HDtracks.

     

    <b>*</b> HDtracks is the only digital music store on the web that sells CD quality uncompressed and losses albums, all without DRM, and always with complete album art and PDF liner notes. HDtracks downloads can be played on any virtually any device that support FLAC, AIFF or MP3 files.

     

    <b>*</b> HDtracks features more than 60 independent record labels, including respected INSERT MUSIC INFORMATION HERE, with the library of artists and albums growing every day.

     

    <b>*</b> The HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience compilation is only available for a limited time, and although there is no obligation to purchase, the 20% discount on your next purchase from HDtracks is only valid for a limited time.

     

     

     

     

     

    OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

     

    <b>Free HDtracks Album Promises Music Lovers the</b>

     

    “Ultimate Download Experience”

     

     

    CD-quality audio lets HDtracks listeners “hear the difference”

     

     

     

    New York City, May 20, 2008 – HDtracks.com, the new high-resolution digital music store founded by audiophile record label Chesky Records, today announced the limited availability of a free album download that encourages all listeners to “hear the HDtracks difference.”

     

     

    “The HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience,” free to visitors to http://www.HDtracks.com who register with only an email address, offers eight spectacular audiophile-quality recordings across different genres, all hand-picked to prove just how great music downloads can sound. Those who download The Ultimate Download Experience will also receive a promotional code for 20% off their next HDtracks album or multi-album purchase.

     

     

    HDtrack is unique among digital music stores for its combination of CD-quality music files unencumbered by digital rights management (DRM)*, the ability to download in any of three file types to match most playback devices, and a reliable, easy-to-use interface that makes browsing and downloading a pleasure. The site features thousands of artists representing 60 of the world’s best independent record labels, and all albums are priced at $11.98 and come complete with PDF liner notes (a first among digital music sites). Tracks may be downloaded as CD-quality uncompressed AIFF files or lossless FLAC files, or MP3 files ripped at 320 kilobits-per-second (kbps) — some 2½-times the rate of typical music-store downloads. Ultra-high-resolution 96kHz/24-bit downloads are planned as well.

     

    HDtracks features more than 60 independent record labels including respected audiophile releases from Reference Recordings, Chesky Records, Dorian, MDG, ASV and Alligator. The ever expanding library also now includes titles from The Orchard and IOTA distribution companies.

     

     

    “Musicians and sound engineers create incredible performances and amazing, lifelike recordings, only to have people download their work at 128 kbps from the popular music stores,” said HDtracks co-founder David Chesky. “This completely destroys the nuance of the recording and often introduces audible distortion. Our free “Ultimate Download Experience” album should prove to listeners once-and-for all that they can hear the difference between a CD-quality or high bit-rate file and a conventional download, even on an iPod®.”

     

     

     

    About HDtracks

     

    Founded by David and Norman Chesky of the respected audiophile-record label Chesky Records, HDtracks is a high-quality music download service offering a diverse catalog of independent music from around the world. HDtracks does not believe in DRM, and as a result, offers a selection of unencrypted files that play on any computer or portable device. HDtracks recognizes that while there are significant benefits to accessing music at the touch of a button in today’s computer age, preserving sound quality and the visceral experience of the live music performance should remain a priority. The HDtracks mission is to deliver the whole package: world-class music, unrivaled sound, files that play in any environment, and liner notes that enhance appreciation of the artist and album.

     

     

    HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience

     

    Livingston Taylor “Our Turn To Dance” (Chesky Records)

     

    David Johansen and the Harry Smiths “Well, I've Been to Memphis” (Chesky)

     

    Earl Wild “Mexican Hat Dance” (Ivory Classic)

     

    Holly Cole “Larger Than Life” (Koch Records)

     

    Mike Garson “Rumble” (Reference Recordings)

     

    Koko Taylor “Can't Let Go” (Alligator)

     

    The Minnesota Orchestra (Conductor: Eiji Oue) “Baba Yaga, from Pictures at an Exhibition” (Reference Recordings)

     

    Brio “Una Tarde de Verano” (Dorian)

     

     

    * Digital Rights Management encoding, or DRM, is a technology that limits the usage of digital media. HDTracks does not employ this technology, as the company believes that once its customers purchase music from its site, they have the right to play it wherever they wish on any device they choose.




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    Hi Bob - Yes, you misunderstood my post just a tiny bit :-)<br />

    <br />

    HDtracks offers the uncompressed AIFF <b>and</b> lossless compressed flac versions. nobody else is doing this. Small but significant difference to me.<br />

    <br />

    Glad to hear the DLIII arrived. Can't wait to hear your impressions!

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    Been waiting a while for this - am really interested to 'try before I buy'<br />

    <br />

    Thanks HDtracks & Chris for offering something that should benefit us all!

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    If only these tracks were available outside the USA!

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    Hey Poo, I've been talking to the guys from HDtracks for a while now. These guys know what they are doing and are fans of music and high quality sound to the Nth degree. They are very cool to work with as well. I hope everyone takes advantage of their offer and continues to support them. If all download sites follow the HDtracks lead we are in for some seriously great times ahead.

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    I'm in Australia and had no problems...<br />

    <br />

    Now that I have downloaded (pretty impressive BTW...), I have two questions (so far).<br />

    <br />

    First, how do I prove to "Mr. Downloading music is bad and I'm taking your computer away you bad bad man!" That my music is legit when all I have to show for it is a bunch of files? (like any other downloader or music; legal or not).<br />

    <br />

    Second, if I stuff up and wipe my collection, will HDTracks help out in any way (not that they should/shouldn't - just interested...)

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    Baxtus,<br />

    <br />

    As far as mean "Mr. Download" goes, HD Tracks will email you a receipt for your download purchase. Just keep that if you are concerned.<br />

    <br />

    If you lose your download, I don't think HD Tracks, or any other download service, will replace it. It is up to you to backup your files. I backup my music twice - once to a portable drive that resides next to my computer and is used as my primary PC backup and once to a portable drive that resides in a 'secret' place :-)) My philosopy is that I have too much time and money invested in music on my music server to take any chances. Storage is inexpensive today.<br />

    <br />

    Good listening,<br />

    Bob

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    Downloaded from Mexico with no problems... it seems the digital store is the thing not available outside the U.S.A.

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    ... interesting.... Don't quite know what to think of our foreign members' travails and worries about downloaded music. DRM via lawyers?<br />

    <br />

    I am PERFECTLY willing to submit my music library to the authorities for their inspection. Not that I believe that they would have the probable cause or the right to do it though....<br />

    <br />

    markr

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    Downloaded from Italy with no problems...ahemmm...16/44, this is "the problem" :P<br />

    <br />

    L.

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    Yeah I'd have to agree, I was expecting a little more than 16/44. Perhaps HDtracks would be better named CDtracks?

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    Yes, I'm excited about the prospect of 24/96 content. But on the other hand this site seems to offer a higher than average recording quality in their catalog. If I had to choose I would rather have well-recorded CD quality compared to indifferently recorded High Res. Of course I'm very much looking forward to getting both. <br />

    <br />

    But I wonder if the selections I'm buying now will be available later at 24/96? I don't really want to re-purchase and I'm hoping they'll offer some kind of upgrade where I just pay the price differential.

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    Hey flatmap - Two great points. I will check with HDtracks to find out if there will be an upgrade path or if they will only offer new content at 24/96 etc... I'll hopefully have an answer shortly.

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    Hi Guys - I just got word back from David Chesky that some of the content available now will be available in 24/96 resolution at some point in the future. The labels HDtracks will offer high resolution content from are Chesky, Reference Recordings, Dorian and MDG for now.<br />

    <br />

    HDtracks won't be able to implement an upgrade pricing model at this time for those who purchase the 16/44.1 version of an album that eventually comes out at a higher resolution. HDtracks is really working overtime to get the high resolution content up on the site and it hopes to have the content up there soon.

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    I haven't heard it yet too. I wonder if I hear the difference. It is interesting what we can say if to compare HDtracks, CD and vinyl plates. I've seen a comparison of CDs and vinyl plates http://www.tubestime.com/watch/vinyl-record-better-than-cd . It is strange to compare but interesting. I guess this depends on a person what he appreciates most. As for me, I like when the sound is pure and powerful, but somebody may just like vinyls because they remained from our past.

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    It's very nice to see more about HDtracks.. <a href="http://www.realthesiswriting.com/" rel="dofollow">thesis help</a> That's a very useful technology and play an important role in recrding <a href="http://www.realcourseworkwriting.com/" rel="dofollow">coursework writing</a> i also want to do experience and will pe purchase it soon <a href="http://www.realresearchwriting.com/" rel="dofollow">research writing</a> thanks<br />

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