Computer Audio Asylum

Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

Return to Computer Audio Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

cd's versus downloads

196.210.191.172
Posted on January 24, 2015 at 06:35:36
jazz1
Audiophile

Posts: 2891
Joined: October 30, 2000
 About 5 weeks ago I started going the PC route, using JRiver
Until now I copied about 1000 cd's and downloaded a doz or so.
All the downloads are from labels like BIS/Linn etc and a few others.
What did strike me is that the copied cd's in general sound better than the downloads.
Maybe I just made bad choices, but I am even comparing 24/192 downloads to std 16/44 copied cd's
Any comments??

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: cd's versus downloads, posted on January 24, 2015 at 07:30:30
Roseval
Audiophile

Posts: 1846
Joined: March 31, 2008
 It is a bit unclear what you compare to what.
An obvious one is that the quality of the recording is far more dominant than the file format.
Unless you are comparing a downloaded CD with a ripped one, I do think the comparison flawed.
In case of a downloaded and a ripped CD you might do a binary comparison to check if they are bit identical.

The Well Tempered Computer

 

RE: cd's versus downloads, posted on January 24, 2015 at 10:10:04
audioengr
Manufacturer

Posts: 6017
Location: Oregon
Joined: April 12, 2001
 Same thing I have found with older tracks, particularly from the 70's. Very few actually sound better than the native 44.1 track.

 

RE: cd's versus downloads, posted on January 24, 2015 at 21:38:27
jazz1
Audiophile

Posts: 2891
Joined: October 30, 2000
 The downloads I did are all from so called audiophiles labels and you could buy the physical disc as an SACD, my comments are just saying that I was expecting higher audio quality from the high res downloads
which to me sound very ordinary. Most of my std cds I copied do sound better. Sure I should compare apple with apple, but I was just relying my impressions.

 

I don't download older stuff, posted on January 25, 2015 at 07:38:16
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8491
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 I have not heard a download of older tracks that are better than ripping the CD. But downloads of newer music mastered into higher Rez can be great. Linn and Bluecoast tracks are usually good, if you can find content you like. As many have already said recording engineering and mastering quality seem to be the biggest factor.
Gsquared

 

RE: cd's versus downloads, posted on January 25, 2015 at 10:17:51
Goober58
 I only download what I can't buy on CD or vinyl and at this stage haven't any reason to pay for any download. There's a boatload of high quality recordings (limited selection of artists) available legal and for free at the Internet Archives. The best sounding live recordings I own are downloads.

 

RE: cd's versus downloads, posted on January 25, 2015 at 10:54:58
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 It all starts with the FILE and MASTERING.

Try a download of something you already HAVE and KNOW. I suspect the quality could go EITHER way.
Download better OR the CD could be better. Kind of depends on the MASTER, who DID the deed and if they brickwalled it to death or NOT.

24/192 is NOT guarantee it's gonna' sound better. Just maybe more resolution to the awfulness.
Too much is never enough

 

Page processed in 0.021 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]