[ted_b]

Bob Witrak, founder of high Def Tape Transfers (HDTT) the innovative online hirez download site that masters all their classical music from the vaults of master tapes today announced a major collection that is now FREE and 24/95 (derived from his enw 24/192's).  What's more, it's on my top ten HiRez classical selections.  YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT FREE!  Why??  Well, in light of the issues that were raised regarding possible "faux" and/or mislabeled hirez downlaods from HDtracks and others (growing pains in this new Hirez download industry) Bob thought he'd get ahead of the curve and offer a new 24/192 "redo" of a master he did in 24/96 that had some spikes originally (sounded good to me), and he wanted to make it good for everyone, not only those that ordered initially.  Here is his newsletter copy:

In light of a recent controversy on a popular high end audio forum where a well known high resolution download company was offering 24/96 resolution titles and they were found to be up sampled low resolution copies we somehow were mentioned in this controversy because a customer found a abnormality in one of our 24/96 titles this title is the Stravinsky-L'histoire Du Soldat Conducted by Robert Mandell - Ars Nova

We were accused of selling an up sampled copy but this was proved untrue (this could not happen because we do all of our mastering in house)  there was some high frequency spikes that were caused by either the tape, the tape heads, or in the analog to digital conversion, all that aside this has been one of our best reviewed and best received titles from audio professionals and customers especially for it's sonics.

We have recently re-mastered the title in 24/192 resolution and we are offering a free download of the Stravinsky-L'histoire Du Soldat these new files were derived from the new remastering.
Also if you have purchased this in DVD we can ship you a replacement disc at no charge you can e-mail us at admin@highdeftapetransfers.com just supply us with your order number and your e-mail used at the time of purchase and address.
Happy Listening
Robert Witrak
High Definition Tape Transfers

Below are the links to the new files:

http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_01-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_02-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_03-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_04-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_05-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_06-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_07-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_08-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac
http://c1784702.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/Historicdusoldat_09-p2p%2824bit96.0kHz%29.flac


 

Again, I want to emphasize that this Historic Du Soldat is one of my faves, so get out there and download it.  (Note:  the 24/96 files are pretty large so hopefully you have a good DSL speed or cable modem).  If not, schedule for overnight.)  The accompanying Respighi on the same disc is worth buying, btw. 

[Lyndon]

Thank you, ted
Man, they are taking a while on my DSL.

[funkmonkey]

 

Thanks Ted!  goes pretty quick with cable...  around 5 minutes for all files 

now, to figure out how to tag them and find and attach some art work.
Cheers

[mfsoa]

Just downloaded, Thanks Ted.

Curious, though - The filenames have 24 and 96 in them - Are these 24/96 or 26/192 as per HTTTs info?

-Mike

[mfsoa]

24/96

[ted_b]

Just downloaded, Thanks Ted.

Curious, though - The filenames have 24 and 96 in them - Are these 24/96 or 26/192 as per HTTTs info?

-Mike

24/96.  Edited the thread!       Sorry, Bob sent me an email and said it was confusing and apologized....., so i guess it was not just me..     .but sorry nonetheless!  They are 24/96 (and glorious).   

(Note: I have the new 24/192's and will compare this weekend.  Others compared and said they were very very close.  I'll try to do a blind somewhat.)

[ted_b]

Thanks Ted!  goes pretty quick with cable...  around 5 minutes for all files 

now, to figure out how to tag them and find and attach some art work.
Cheers

They are already tagged.  Here's the hirez album cover and booklet
http://c1376792.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/StravinskyHistoricduSoldat.pdf
or a low rez version of the cover

[funkmonkey]

Yes, they are...   thanks for the follow-up.  I'm a dork.

[mfsoa]

I gotta give myself a little pat on the back - I'm really new to the whole Touch / computer audio world and have never downloaded any hi-rez until the Stravinsky. I'd say I have intermediate computer skills.

But I was able to download the files to my laptop, create the folders on my external drive, copy from the laptop to the drive, did a complete rescan of the drive, and am now enjoying my first hi-rez (OK, I borrowed a SACD player once but that doesn't count) material through the Touch, with very little trouble 

I thought I might have to lean on you guys a bit but nope, not this time. Good to know you more experienced users are around, though.

I love this piece of music - Had it on an audiophile CD label years back (Delos?) but lost the disc somehow.

I only have the Touch going into my relatively lowly HT system as the 2-ch system is temporarily torn down, but I can clearly hear that this recording is special, even through the stock Touch analog outs.

Thanks again, Ted. Everyone's gotta scarf this up while they can!!

-Mike

[PeteG]

Thanks Ted! 

I'll give it a listen soon.

[rajacat]

I downloaded this and it sounds fine. Unfortunately I'm not set up yet for HiRez but high rez files generally sound better on my system even if played with sub optimal gear. Perhaps this is due to extra care taken by the engineers when mastering in a high rez. format.

-Roy

[Nick77]

My SB3 isnt playing the files, i thought it automatically downsized and still played them. Guess i am wrong

[ted_b]

My SB3 isnt playing the files, i thought it automatically downsized and still played them. Guess i am wrong

It should.  Squeeze Server uses SOX to downsample, so not sure why yours isn't working.  I'm not a SB user anymore so not so up to date, but I know it should work.  SB Touch, of course, plays it natively. 

[PeteG]

Using a SB Touch into an EE Dac, the recording is excellent, I enjoyed it a lot.

Thanks again.

[zybar]

Thanks Ted.

Listening to it right now and it sounds very good.

George

[firedog]

I was planning on buying this when my modded Touch arrives, but downloaded the free version and am listening directly from Foobar (kernel streaming) to SPDIF out of my PC soundcard to  my MF X-DAC (this is true 24/96 output).

This is a very good sounding version for anyone interested. I'm not sure how they miked it originally, but it almost gives you the feeling that you are a member of the ensemble as it is being played. In other words, you feel like you are very close to the music.

For something recorded in the 50's, it is especially good sounding. Don't let that put you off, it's a very enjoyable listen. Lacks a bit in extreme high and low end frequencies, but the "live" sound of the recording makes up for it.

[firedog]

My SB3 isnt playing the files, i thought it automatically downsized and still played them. Guess i am wrong

Are you getting an error message, or it simply doesn't play?

Make sure Sox is running on your SBS, it should downsample and play the files.

[Nick77]

Are you getting an error message, or it simply doesn't play?

Make sure Sox is running on your SBS, it should downsample and play the files.

No error just wont play. How do i make sure SOX is running? Thanks

[ted_b]

No error just wont play. How do i make sure SOX is running? Thanks

What version of SqueezeBox Server are you running.  SOX needs 7.3.2 or higher

[Nick77]

Version 7.5.0