Jump to content
  • The Computer Audiophile
    The Computer Audiophile

    By The Computer Audiophile •

    Van Halen Studio Albums 1978-1984 High Resolution 24 Bit / 192 kHz Download

    thumb.jpgI've been a fan of Van Halen since purchasing the cassette of 1984 as a nine year old budding audiophile. The album cover depicting a child with cigarettes was quite controversial back in the day. Soon after immersing myself in all the treasures on the 1984 album I purchased the previous five studio albums completing my collection of Van Halen cassettes. When the Compact Disc versions of the first six albums were released I purchased each one. As a Sophomore in high school I heard Pearl Jam and Nirvana for the first time and my taste in music immediately changed. I subsequently sold all my Van Halen CDs, with the exception of 1984, at the local used record shop. It's hard to believe I collected about a dollar for each of the first five Van Halen CDs, and walked out the door satisfied. The time had finally come to replenish my Van Halen music collection when I noticed HDtracks offering Van Halen's first six studio albums in high resolution at both 24 bit / 96 kHz ex.png and 24 bit / 192 kHz ex.png. I opted for the 24/192 download, containing 8 GB of FLAC files. Thirteen minutes later I had all sixty tracks on my desktop. I started listening to the albums in order of release, Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women And Children First, etc. Soon after the first click of the mouse I was hooked on high resolution Van Halen. The first six albums sound as good or better than any Van Halen release in recent memory. In fact I've had the entire Studio Album collection on repeat for several hours. Maybe I'll watch Fast Times At Ridgemont High tonight so I can see Mike Damone sell Van Halen tickets to two kids for a "sixteen" dollar profit.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    1-Pixel.png

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

     

     

    Van Halen Studio Albums 1978-1984 24 bit / 192 kHz

     

    I downloaded the Van Halen Studio Albums 1978-1984 from HDtracks at 24 bit / 192 kHz ($109.98). A 24/96 version is available for $79.98. As I said in the opening paragraph the sound of these albums is fantastic. You Really Got Me and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love both sound great. Eddie's guitar, Alex's drum & cymbal work, and Michael's bass all have great separation from each other throughout the entire two tracks. On disc 2 Van Halen II, I can't get over how great Spanish Fly sounds with its dynamic range score of 15. I only wish the track was 10:02 rather than 1:02. On Disc 3 Women And Children First the first two tracks sound better than ever. The long drum and guitar intro to Everybody Wants Some is worthy of some serious high volume. Disc 4 Fair Warning sounds good, but according to the measurement tools something is amiss with the album. I encourage readers to listen to the album first before making any judgement. The dynamic range values for all the tracks are very good. My favorites on this album Mean Street and Unchained both sound good. I can't definitively conclude this version of the album has been upsampled, but the frequency analysis appears to show upsampling from 44.1 to 192 kHz. On Disc 5 Diver Down tracks five through nine may be the best five tracks in a row on the entire collection. They all sound terrific. Eddie's guitars, electric and acoustic, sound as good as I've ever heard. Finishing up the Studio Album download is 1984. The album is full of hits and the all sound great. Many tech savvy readers will be surprised to see information near 30 kHz in the spectrum analysis for a few tracks. Nobody can hear this information, but it's a sign this is definitely a high resolution download.

     

     

     

    vh-tags-250px.pngThe downloaded files all contain embedded metadata also known as tags. All the albums are tagged correctly and the album art is embedded into each file. Some readers may dislike that the albums are tagged as Studio Albums 1978-1984 Disc 1, Studio Albums 1978-1984 Disc 2, Studio Albums 1978-1984 Disc 3, etc… rather than Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women And Children First, etc. However, the downloaded collection is labeled correctly. Each track has the Disc Number metadata tag entered properly. This enables users to sort by disc number. After importing the entire collection into JRiver Media Center I didn't have to change or add any metadata.

     

     

     

     

     

    Dynamic Range, Frequency, and Bit Depth Analysis

     

    All files were checked for true 24 bit content using Prof. Scott's 16 v. 24 bit checking tool. The results of this check are displayed HERE

     

     

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Analyzed folder: /Van Halen/Studio Albums 1978-1984/Disc 01 Van Halen

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Filename

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    DR12 -0.83 dB -15.82 dB 01-Runnin' With The Devil.wav

    DR12 -1.31 dB -16.16 dB 02-Eruption.wav

    DR11 -1.90 dB -15.55 dB 03-You Really Got Me.wav

    DR13 -1.80 dB -16.28 dB 04-Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love.wav

    DR12 -2.09 dB -16.14 dB 05-I'm The One.wav

    DR12 -2.59 dB -17.30 dB 06-Jamie's Cryin'.wav

    DR12 -2.70 dB -16.81 dB 07-Atomic Punk.wav

    DR12 -3.41 dB -17.42 dB 08-Feel Your Love Tonight.wav

    DR13 -2.78 dB -17.59 dB 09-Little Dreamer.wav

    DR13 -2.66 dB -18.54 dB 10-Ice Cream Man.wav

    DR14 -1.32 dB -17.25 dB 11-On Fire.wav

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    Number of files: 11

    Official DR value: DR12

     

     

    ================================================== ==

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5010[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5000[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5001[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5002[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5003[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5004[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5005[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5006[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5007[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5008[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5009[/ATTACH]

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Analyzed folder: /Van Halen/Studio Albums 1978-1984/Disc 02 Van Halen II

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Filename

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    DR12 -0.86 dB -16.45 dB 01-You're No Good.wav

    DR11 -1.46 dB -15.78 dB 02-Dance The Night Away.wav

    DR12 -0.80 dB -15.72 dB 03-Somebody Get Me A Doctor.wav

    DR12 -1.46 dB -16.10 dB 04-Bottoms Up!.wav

    DR13 -1.48 dB -16.11 dB 05-Outta Love Again.wav

    DR12 -1.29 dB -15.57 dB 06-Light Up The Sky.wav

    DR15 -1.41 dB -20.95 dB 07-Spanish Fly.wav

    DR12 -1.64 dB -16.24 dB 08-D.O.A..wav

    DR13 -0.93 dB -16.28 dB 09-Women In Love....wav

    DR12 -0.63 dB -15.53 dB 10-Beautiful Girls.wav

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    Number of files: 10

    Official DR value: DR12

     

     

    ================================================== ==

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5011[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5012[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5013[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5014[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5015[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5016[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5017[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5018[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5019[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5020[/ATTACH]

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Analyzed folder: /Van Halen/Studio Albums 1978-1984/Disc 03 Women And Children First

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Filename

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    DR13 -0.54 dB -16.80 dB 01-And The Cradle Will Rock....wav

    DR13 -2.19 dB -17.15 dB 02-Everybody Wants Some!!.wav

    DR12 -2.28 dB -17.29 dB 03-Fools.wav

    DR12 -2.85 dB -17.81 dB 04-Romeo Delight.wav

    DR13 -1.94 dB -18.72 dB 05-Tora! Tora!.wav

    DR13 -2.28 dB -17.13 dB 06-Loss Of Control.wav

    DR14 -1.84 dB -17.26 dB 07-Take Your Whiskey Home.wav

    DR13 -5.38 dB -20.99 dB 08-Could This Be Magic.wav

    DR13 -2.76 dB -18.38 dB 09-In A Simple Rhyme.wav

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    Number of files: 9

    Official DR value: DR13

     

     

    ================================================== ==

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5021[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5022[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5023[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5024[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5025[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5026[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5027[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5028[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5029[/ATTACH]

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Analyzed folder: /Van Halen/Studio Albums 1978-1984/Disc 04 Fair Warning

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Filename

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    DR12 -1.97 dB -16.78 dB 01-Mean Street.wav

    DR12 -1.46 dB -15.54 dB 02-Dirty Movies.wav

    DR12 -0.98 dB -14.76 dB 03-Sinner's Swing!.wav

    DR12 -1.50 dB -15.33 dB 04-Hear About It Later.wav

    DR12 -2.01 dB -15.80 dB 05-Unchained.wav

    DR13 -1.49 dB -16.64 dB 06-Push Comes To Shove.wav

    DR12 -0.35 dB -14.44 dB 07-So This Is Love.wav

    DR13 -2.01 dB -16.35 dB 08-Sunday Afternoon In The Park.wav

    DR12 -2.16 dB -15.32 dB 09-One Foot Out The Door.wav

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    Number of files: 9

    Official DR value: DR12

     

     

    ================================================== ==

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5030[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5031[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5032[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5033[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5034[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5035[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5036[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5037[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5038[/ATTACH]

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Analyzed folder: /Van Halen/Studio Albums 1978-1984/Disc 05 Diver Down

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Filename

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    DR12 -1.96 dB -15.95 dB 01-Where Have All The Good Times Gone!.wav

    DR11 -1.32 dB -14.46 dB 02-Hang 'em High.wav

    DR9 -5.00 dB -19.19 dB 03-Cathedral.wav

    DR13 -1.72 dB -16.82 dB 04-Secrets.wav

    DR12 -0.45 dB -14.94 dB 05-Intruder.wav

    DR11 -1.43 dB -14.08 dB 06-(Oh) Pretty Woman.wav

    DR13 -0.89 dB -15.42 dB 07-Dancing In The Street.wav

    DR12 -5.29 dB -20.80 dB 08-Little Guitars (Intro).wav

    DR12 -2.02 dB -15.58 dB 09-Little Guitars.wav

    DR12 -2.54 dB -16.86 dB 10-Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now).wav

    DR12 -1.53 dB -15.82 dB 11-The Full Bug.wav

    DR11 -3.70 dB -18.43 dB 12-Happy Trails.wav

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    Number of files: 12

    Official DR value: DR12

     

     

    ================================================== ==

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5049[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5050[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5039[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5040[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5041[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5042[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5043[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5044[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5045[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5046[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5047[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5048[/ATTACH]

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Analyzed folder: /Van Halen/Studio Albums 1978-1984/Disc 06 1984

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DR Peak RMS Filename

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    DR12 -3.34 dB -18.89 dB 01-1984.wav

    DR12 -1.60 dB -15.74 dB 02-Jump.wav

    DR12 -1.51 dB -15.39 dB 03-Panama.wav

    DR13 -1.31 dB -16.07 dB 04-Top Jimmy.wav

    DR12 -1.08 dB -15.03 dB 05-Drop Dead Legs.wav

    DR13 -1.00 dB -15.92 dB 06-Hot For Teacher.wav

    DR13 -0.70 dB -16.01 dB 07-I'll Wait.wav

    DR12 -0.67 dB -15.47 dB 08-Girl Gone Bad.wav

    DR11 -0.36 dB -13.82 dB 09-House Of Pain.wav

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

     

    Number of files: 9

    Official DR value: DR12

     

     

    ================================================== ==

     

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5051[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5052[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5053[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5054[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5055[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5056[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5057[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5058[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5059[/ATTACH]

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1-Pixel.png

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    The Computer Audiophile
    Can someone tell me exactly how big the 24/192 FLACs are? I want to make sure I have room!

    From the review, "I opted for the 24/192 download, containing 8 GB of FLAC files. Thirteen minutes later I had all sixty tracks on my desktop."

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    vigotone

    Thanks. Do you know offhand the exact download size? I'm squeezing here!

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Somsak
    I thought the gain on the HD Tracks was lower? I used the audio tools sound pressure meter on my iPad and listened to some of the HD Tracks vs. cd rips at 90 db. I'm pretty sure I needed to turn up the volume on the HD Tracks cuts to level match???

     

    If you are talking about the first album (Van Halen I) then maybe you are comparing against a rip from the 2000 remasters rather than against of a rip of the originally issued CD. What DR figures are you getting on your CD rip?

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    MarkS

    I don't know how to measure the dynamic range. I think I have the original cd and yes, it is VH 1.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    j20056

    Not to steal the thread, but what is the view about FLAC versus native WAV? Cookie Marenco is very strongly opposed to FLAC. Before HDTracks offered native WAV, I used to expand the FLAC permanently to WAV, but now I download WAV directly to hopefully avoid FLAC altogether.

    What is the view here?

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Somsak
    I don't know how to measure the dynamic range. I think I have the original cd and yes, it is VH 1.

     

    The "album" replay gain value for the original CD of Van Halen I is -2.26db. On the HDTracks version it is -2.50 db, meaning that on average the HDTracks version is 0.24dB louder. THat same roughly quater dB differential exists on every track.

     

    Probably the easiest way to measure the DR is with the plug-in for foobar2000. Another way to determine whether your CD is an original or a remaster is to check to see if it is HDCD enocoded. The 2000 reissues were HDCD encoded, earlier versions (including the 1998 DCC reissue) were not.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Somsak
    Not to steal the thread, but what is the view about FLAC versus native WAV? Cookie Marenco is very strongly opposed to FLAC. Before HDTracks offered native WAV, I used to expand the FLAC permanently to WAV, but now I download WAV directly to hopefully avoid FLAC altogether.

    What is the view here?

     

    Same beer in a different bottle.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Julf
    Not to steal the thread, but what is the view about FLAC versus native WAV?

     

    I don't think we want to have Yet Another Discussion on that. There are lots of threads with flame wars about it already. As a storage format, both are lossless and bit perfect. FLAC has better standardised handling of tags. When playing the files, there could in theory be small differences in the sound due to the processing work caused by the FLAC decoding, but I have not seen any verifiable test results showing any differences. I have seen some measurements showing differences in network streamers caused by the additional network load caused by the WAV.

     

    And, by the way, WAV is no more "native" than any other format.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Boris75
    I don't think we want to have Yet Another Discussion on that. There are lots of threads with flame wars about it already. As a storage format, both are lossless and bit perfect. FLAC has better standardised handling of tags. When playing the files, there could in theory be small differences in the sound due to the processing work caused by the FLAC decoding, but I have not seen any verifiable test results showing any differences. I have seen some measurements showing differences in network streamers caused by the additional network load caused by the WAV.

     

    And, by the way, WAV is no more "native" than any other format.

     

    You summed it up very nicely. I join you in hoping that we'll be spared another flame war on this matter.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    jmall

    Hi Folks,

     

    I have to preface this review with the fact that this is one release I have been waiting FOREVER for (so expectations and all that). I even asked HDTracks for it waaay back when. Yeah yeah, I know that some releases haven't been up to snuff. But I ponied up for the 24/192 version and here's my take...

     

    I have original CDs from the 80s, vinyl from the 80s and very recent vinyl (like 1-2 years) (my vinyl system being no slouch either) and after having time to listen to all of it, these are by far the best copies I have. To be honest, at first I thought these were kinda "light" and "thin". But after having listened for a few days I can truly say that they're more "correct" and even make me want to listen more. To me, I seem to hear more of what they were trying to convey with the recording and performance. Mind you, there is bias here. VH is my favourite band. So I will probably like anything. But I have been listened to (up to) 24/192 for almost 2 years now and I hear nothing here which makes me think this is a veiled copy.

     

    Now I'm not a measurement hound. I don't want to be (that's why I spend exorbitant amounts of my hardware - let the engineers figure it out). I use my faulty ears. And you guys might say that this doesn't mean anything. But as a FAN I can tell you they're great. And if you have a choice I'd recommend spending the dough for the highest res. You won't be disappointed.

     

    Best,

     

    Jeff

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Archimago

    I just got 3 albums the other day - VH, VH II, and 1984 in 24/192 - good memories of high school :-)

     

    In retrospect, I think 24/96 would have been enough and in fact likely preferable for a number of reasons.

     

    1. No need to have those high frequency spikes around 50kHz. These are old analogue recordings and the peaks are likely just tape bias.

    2. During playback, there's really no music-related frequency >35kHz.

    3. Most DAC's function better around 24/96 anyways.

    4. Nothing wrong with 50% storage reduction.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    MarkS

    I'm going to start a new thread about the above comment that "Most DAC's function better around 24/96"

     

    I don't get that statement, but it's not appropriate for this VH thread.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Lowlands
    ....I opted for the 24/192 download, containing 8 GB of FLAC files. Thirteen minutes later I had all sixty tracks on my desktop..

     

    That is some 'pipe' you have there Chris... 8Gb in 13 minutes ... That's over 10Mb/sec DL speed. I'm on 100Mb fiber and don't make those numbers......

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    That is some 'pipe' you have there Chris... 8Gb in 13 minutes ... That's over 10Mb/sec DL speed. I'm on 100Mb fiber and don't make those numbers......

     

    I have 105 Mbps copper. I can't live without it now. Here's a speed test from this morning.

     

    2640977851.png

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    stevebythebay
    That is some 'pipe' you have there Chris... 8Gb in 13 minutes ... That's over 10Mb/sec DL speed. I'm on 100Mb fiber and don't make those numbers......

     

    Speed is often more about the outbound server pipes and server usage than the receiving end. And for sites that live and die by delivering video in particular they'd sure a hell better have the bandwidth and server support (lots of processors, CPU threads, I/O platters, and network speed and bandwidth) to deliver the goods.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Julf
    And for sites that live and die by delivering video in particular they'd sure a hell better have the bandwidth and server support (lots of processors, CPU threads, I/O platters, and network speed and bandwidth) to deliver the goods.

     

    And I guess that is why many of them use dedicated content delivery networks such as Akamai or Limelight.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    FatherMurphy

    Hello.

    Just wanted to throw in my 2cents

    I grabbed these as soon as they came out (192kHz 24bit in AIFF)

     

    I did something I'm sure is the equivalent of sacrilege on this site...I imported those files into Adobe Audition and I resampled them at 48kHz 24bit (i know, i know). Then I imported them into my iPhone. This allows me to listen to 48kHz/24bit AIFF files while on the go,

    I have a pair of Shure sm535 earbuds, and this is how I have been listening to the albums constantly since downloading & importing them.

     

    So...keeping all the above in mind,

    I think these albums are Brilliant.

    At first I was taken back at the difference in sound between the HDCD remastered discs from 2000 and these.

    The site declared they struck these transfers from the original EQ studio masters, and being familiar with these albums, I knew these sounded very much like my original discs that I bought back in the 80's.

    But that worried me, mostly because I'm not overly familiar with HDtracks, and I worried, like some of you have stated, that these HDtracks were simply the sourced from the 44,100kHz, 16bit sound files and resampled at 192khz/24bit by HDtracks.

     

    I loaded every single track into Adobe Audition, resampled at 48

     

    I agree with one of the above comments who stated that Fair Warning is a bit suspect. It doesn't sound as crisp to me, as detailed. Especially when you compare it to the other albums.

     

    I also notice that the end of woman and children , right after in a simple rhyme...the audio fades out ...and it shouldn't.

     

    Otherwise, the high (and low) frequency present in these albums is incredible. I keep hearing vocals, instruments, little snippets of detail ....either Dave or Michael Anthony, or EDDIE rocking out....drum sticks being put down after a song ends, dialogue I never, ever heard before in these tracks...& no exaggeration, I've been listening to these tracks /albums on everything from the 45's of Jump/House Of Pain to vinyl (we used to call them records) tapes & cd's since 1984 when I was 10 years old.

     

    I know they officially remastered these albums, and I didn't realize they suffered from the loudness war until i compared them with these.

     

    These are beautiful sounding albums people, faithful to the original albums,

    I'm blaring Woman And Children First as I write this.

     

    Well done in my opinion.

     

    Ps

    This is a great site.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Boris75

    Here is an Adobe Audition spectrogram of House of Pain. There is what looks like normal HF content up until 96kHz, but it is mixed with strange peaks.

     

    Untitled-1.jpg

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Phil C

    I share some of the skepticism about the pedigree of hi-res downloads and believe in the adage "trust, but verify." Hoping for a new product tracking system and getting the music powers that be to participate would be nice but that is a long shot. What I rely on today are hi-res reviews from reviewers I trust, such as this review by Chris. Yes, it would be nice to know the pedigree, but it's also very important to know that a hi-res download is worth it because it sounds significantly better than the original.

     

    Unfortunately, there are too few of these reviews anywhere. I've seen some in Absolute Sound by Alan Taffel and others that are most welcome but represent a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of hi-res offerings going to market.

     

    A positive review by a trusted reviewer of a hi-res album of music you like, man that's like winning a trifecta. Just doesn't happen often enough does it? Let's encourage our favorite hi-fi editors to get busy by asking them for more hi-res reviews.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Julf
    A positive review by a trusted reviewer of a hi-res album of music you like, man that's like winning a trifecta. Just doesn't happen often enough does it? Let's encourage our favorite hi-fi editors to get busy by asking them for more hi-res reviews.

     

    That's why I like "Hi-Fi News & Record Review" - they have made it standard procedure to publish spectrum plots and a technical review along with the subjective revaluation of every hi-res download they review.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Eric Ventura

    Seems like some others felt the same way about Fair Warning (my favorite VH album)

     

    HDTracks: Fair Warning | Metal-Fi Rant

     

    I wanted to buy the HDTracks versions, as my old 80's vintage CDs are having issues playing lately...but I'm tempted to just save my money and pick up Fair Warning CD on eBay for $6.

     

    If HDTracks continues to put our questionable tracks, then I can't justify spending my money with them. I shouldn't have to research to see if my favorites albums are upsampled fakery.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    EuroChamp

    I cannot find the download on HDtracks anymore. But Facebook informed me about the next mastering version - I am curious, but unfortunately it will be all about the money :(

     

    Van Halen

     

    Van Halen and 1984 will come in the next version. Exactly those two are not available in 24/96 on Qobuz anymore ...

     

    we will see

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments



sonore

aurender

Lumin

HEAP

Schiit

SOtM

Mytek

mutec

uptone

jcat

sotm usa

audioquest

Taiko Audio

Teddy Pardo

Eversolo




×
×
  • Create New...