HD Tracks

[Thing Fish]

You all probably already know about this site but just in case you don't here it is. It allows downloads in various formats including flac.

It looks pretty cool...:)

https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php

[dave2010]

I've just been told about this site too - http://www.theclassicalshop.net/ - which seems to be good for some classical downloads. At least one doesn't have to be stuck with MP3s. I think the HD Tracks site probably has more formats, but the Classical Shop site does get away from Amazon's MP3 downloads and iTunes aac.

[morris_minor]

You all probably already know about this site but just in case you don't here it is. It allows downloads in various formats including flac.

It looks pretty cool...:)

https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php

I've had some good stuff from HDT. But you have to watch out for the sample/bit rates with hi-res files - some are not what they seem. Also outside the US you need to use PayPal, as UK credit cards are blocked :rolleyes:.

[AmpCity]

I've had some good stuff from HDT. But you have to watch out for the sample/bit rates with hi-res files - some are not what they seem. Also outside the US you need to use PayPal, as UK credit cards are blocked :rolleyes:.

^This. I've also bought a couple of albums. There does seem to be a lot of controversy regarding the hi-res stuff. Some albums have high levels of compression; dynamic range is not indicative of a 24-bit recording. Most likely just upsampled versions of the original 16-bit offering. Though it's not necessarily the fault of HDT, the labels themselves are the ones who do this.

Can't believe they can get away with it though, especially seeing as some of the albums are so much more expensive. I think there should be sample waveforms on each product page so you know what you are getting....

[Ali Tait]

To be fair, a lot of the 24 bit albums are hi rez copies of the original master tapes.

[oldson]

cant download from this site anymore (uk) anyone know why?

[Stratmangler]

cant download from this site anymore (uk) anyone know why?

There's been a territorial clampdown on downloading from this site.
The site is legal in the USA, but there might be legal implications in other countries, and they're not taking any chances.

It's shit, isn't it?

[oldson]

There's been a territorial clampdown on downloading from this site.
The site is legal in the USA, but there might be legal implications in other countries, and they're not taking any chances.

It's shit, isn't it?

we always get shafted in the uk:steam:

[MartinT]

I use my sister's address in the USA. Worked last time I used it.

[Stratmangler]

I use my sister's address in the USA. Worked last time I used it.

I wonder if doing a Blues Brothers would work?
Giving 1060 West Addison, Chicago, Illinois as an address might be interesting :eyebrows:

[oldson]

I use my sister's address in the USA. Worked last time I used it.
wos the address?:)

[MartinT]

;)

[Giubanix]

Ariama.com is another cd quality download site that doesn't want our UK money.

"Your classical music store is open", it proudly proclaims across the top of the screen... Until you try to look at something, then you're told "Sorry, search results are currently unavailable in your territory. We are always expanding, so check back soon!". :doh:

[morris_minor]

Has anyone used HighResAudio (http://www.highresaudio.com/index.php) ?

The labels it covers offer a cross between HDTracks and Linn. Prices are marginally cheaper than Linn (with the current Euro exchange rate :eyebrows:), and all stuff looks to be 24bit. Sample rates vary from 44.1 to 352 or something (DXD?), but all rates have the same cost (though pricing across albums does vary a bit).

I've just got a couple of free tracks from them (from 2L in Norway) and they're nicely tagged too.

With HDTracks sticking their fingers up at us sites like this deserve to do well IMO . . .

Edit: I haven't actually tried to buy anything yet from them, but when registering with a UK address I wasn't told to sod off, either . .

[mwheelerk]

HD Tracks does not own worldwide distribution rights to the titles they offer. It is as simple as that. They cannot sell product in markets they do not have license to do so.