Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
Hi Alfie,



The bit in bold though is the million dollar question... Exactly how much NEW real music (not audiophile tinkly-tinkly pap) is available as high-res downloads, compared to the same on CD?

For me, no matter how good high-res downloads sound, unless I can obtain the same quantity of choice of new music, as is available now on CD (and/or CD and vinyl together), then I'd simply not be interested! Choice seems rather limited at the moment, and I'm not convinced it's likely to get better to the degree I'd require to wholeheartedly embrace the format.

As for the audio performance aspect of high-res downloads, I can't really comment as I've yet to hear any reproduced through a genuinely top-notch system (something I could actually live with), so until then I'll reserve judgement.

However, what I will say is that I'm sceptical of an entity which may well start its life as 'high-res', being diluted into something rather inferior, as it makes its way through the replay chain of (noisy, non-audiophile friendly) paraphernalia attached to the average computer streaming set-up, and its inherent sonic compromises.............

What use is there in sampling the finest claret after it’s been strained though a sweaty sock?

Marco.
Hi Marco,

I agree at present there is a limited amount of 'real' music available as Hi-Rez but the catalogue is growing slowly all the time https://www.hdtracks.com/ for one are starting to add some better stuff. We will have to see what happens long term but I remember this same point of view when CD was introduced & the hardcore vinyl lovers said the same about quantity of CD. With hindsight this turned out to be quite shortsighted of them. On the other hand I did own a betamax VCR.

As the streamers are getting better though Marco, The ModWright for one sounds as good as a lot of the better CDP even on 16/44.1 recordings. For me I'm just looking to add another source but the writing could be on the wall for CDP for me.

The file can be streamed from NAS so there's not even a need to have a PC in the playback chain so that may acount for the worry of added noise and can be checked for bit perfect.

Starting with a touch into a Dac is not a big investment & is adding to my largish collection of Records & CDs. No brainer for me!