HD or high resoslution downlopads?

[sandyK]

alain_online
Now that you have a DAC of the calibre of the Buffalo, have you tried reripping a couple of your highest SQ discs to .wav, and doing a comparison with the .flac version ?
I find reconstituted .flac to .wav files to have lost a little of their sparkle.
SandyK

[alain_online]

Sandy,
I've not yet compared, but I'll do that shortly.
Alain

[alain_online]

After converting some FLAC to WAV and WAV to FLAC, I've made some listening with 24/192, 24/96 and 16/44, playing successively the different files. Of course, this test setup does not allows me to draw solid conclusions.
I was expecting no difference, and I was wrong.
The music seems to be slightly improved in many ways: less sparkle (yes Sandy), a more analog presentation, better dynamics, ambiance feeling more there, better timbre accuracy, a more involving music. I can't say the difference was bigger with HD tracks.
Does anyone has same results, and even better, an explaination ?
Before ordering bigger hard disk drives, I'll repeat the tests after making some upgrades.
All the best,
Alain

[sandyK]

Alain
To keep it simple, I only mentioned "sparkle" Your other findings are in line with mine, including also a less diffused location of the vocalist. The other differences that I have mentioned to you in a PM, have also been confirmed by a friend in the U.K. who also uses a Buffalo DAC, but with SOA Paul Hynes regulators.
SandyK

[gainphile]

Plenty of evaluation tracks here:

http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html

You can even download 24/358.5kHz if 192kHz is not enough for you (cd is 44.1kHz)... if you have the DAC that is

I think this is the future of format. 1GB per song, ultra hi-res and will be better than LP

[sandyK]

Paul
It appears that since HD Tracks updated their software, that I am again able to download 24/96 using my existing (genuine) membership details and Paypal.
Alex

[sandyK]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by alain_online
[B]Promitheus,
I currently use a fanless PC only for music:
Foobar2000 ---> ASIO ---> RME HDSP9632 ---> SPDIF ---> Buffalo DAC + IVY I.


I don't have a dedicated fanless PC for music, but I get good results with the use of temperature controlled fans, and the use of a roll and a half of self adhesive felt, (AU$5 a roll) strategically stuck inside the side covers, as well as on the support metalwork for the CD/DVD drives to help reduce vibration effects. It would be nice to have an analogue PSU to supply the CD/DVD drives though.

SandyK

[sandyK]

A warning to non U.S.A. residents.

Do NOT register then use a Visa Card. My Visa Card was rejected previously when I attempted to pay with Visa.
A friend tried to pay using his Visa Card today. The transaction failed , but it shows on his Visa statement.
He was unable to start a download, despite the payment showing. Correct email details plus your password does still appear to work IF you pay with PayPal. I am presently 70% through a download. In their terms and conditions, item 11 clearly states U.S.A. residents only.

SandyK

[spzzzzkt]

Sandy,

thanks for the confirmation and caution...

cheers
Paul