Hi-Res Download News (HDTracks, ProStudioMasters, Pono, etc.) & Software/Mastering Part 11**

Has anyone heard the Specials HD Tracks and is willing to give an opinion? Thanks.

 

This bothers me on a number of levels:
LEVEL 1 - I was happy enough with the previous HDTracks VH stuff. Now they re-release it.
LEVEL 2 - If this is a mistake, it's inexcusable. These HD DL's are wayyy to expensive for the customer to be a victim. If it's a marketing test, it's equally it's inexcusable to use the customer as a test subject at those prices.
LEVEL 3 - If it's intentional, that's disturbing because the info was not revealed. DR's should be posted on these sites. The buyer should know what they're getting.
LEVEL 4 - If it's intentional, and ultimately revealed...that's the most disturbing scenario of all. I'm a 24/96 guy. For numerous reasons (cost - storage space - file size). As a musician who's done a lot of recording, I'm convinced sampling rates above 96khz are in the dog-hearing league. Anyways... To think we may intentionally be finding ourselves strong-armed into buying the larger (IE: more co$tly) files is beyond unfathomable.
But we're dealing with the record companies here - so nothing would surprise me.

 

Anyone here have a good rapport with HD tracks who can get a an answer from them beyond the usual "this is what the label gave us?"

Do they even watch threads like this and care what THEIR customers think? I often wonder...

 

I wonder in the 24/192 are the old files.

 

It's not on HD Tracks, only on HRD and Qobuz. Weird because you are correct, HDT usually has a good selection of ECM titles. Not this one, however, at least not yet.

It's a great album.

 

I recently wrote to highresaudio.com, telling them that I would feel more comfortable buying from them if they offered more information on the recording, like for example the name of the mastering engineer or the DR-values. Guess what they answered: DR-values are overrated as an indicator of the quality of an audio file and I should just trust in their excellent quality control.

I declare, sometimes I feel I am not a customer but some beggar who should be greatful that these people are willing to take my shabby money a-tall.

 

You could download the audio samples and analyze the waveforms for clipping, if you're ever unsure what the DR is like.

 

I'm so utterly confused by this thread. So we have new versions of the Van Halen albums that are different from 2013 but there is even a difference between the 96/24 mastering and the 192/24 mastering? Is that what I'm reading? How does the 2015 192/24 compare to the 2013 192/24 Just curious.

 

Correct, sir!

Mij says the "2015" 192/24 is less harsh in the high end with a bit more bass compared to the "2013" release.

 

I agree with that as well.

 

Agreed. I'm really enjoying the 192/24 version of the 2015 remasters. They are not slammed like the 96/24 version but the EQ is not as anemic as the 2013 HD releases.

 

Wow so you guys are telling me I have to buy Van Halen again?

 

It boggles the mind the 2015 VH 96 and 192 offerings could be different...this is absurd.

 

As others have said I think it's a mistake by Chris Bellman or whoever sent the files to HDtracks from Grundman Mastering. I think that they sent over the cd/Mastered For iTunes file over instead of the one identical to the 24/192.

 

That is just nuts!!!!!

Can anyone post any waveforms???

 

Yes!

 

Acoustic Sounds has Alan Parsons Project - The Turn Of A Friendly Card available as a DSD download. I haven't seen or heard of this before.

They also have a sitewide 10% off downloads proomo code: SITEWIDE

 

10%? Yippee. They better get with the program.

 

Stupid glitch on the HDT site. Can't sign in. No matter how many times I tried I get a screen saying "Incorrect Captcha".

Did Jay Z hack them?

 

Even though I have no interest in Van Halen anything, I applaud the members in this thread who have uncovered this issue.
This isn't the first and it won't be the last time that we owe you.
You are doing a great job of keeping things as honest and factual as can be.
Thank you.

 

Is this a simply a guess..?

 

Yes, hence the words "I think".

 

Check here in a day or so...
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...s-superhirez-com.327549/page-24#post-12121658

 

Wow, this is a first (re: VH 192/24 vs 96/24 SQ debacle). Why didn't HDTracks inform customers?

The stance that HDTracks simply puts out what the label gives them doesn't hold water in this instance. Folks should have received fair warning prior to buying the 96/24 if there was an unbrickwalled version available.

It makes me think HDTracks doesn't give a **** about us hires customers. Just put it out on the racks and let the customers sort it out...

 

What makes you think HDTracks knew there was anything to warn people about? They, like us, would assume that the 96 and 192 versions were the same mastering. I don't think they have people that sit around doing DR comparisons or even critical listening to make sure there are no differences.

No conspiracy, just putting out what the label gives them.