[geowak]

This maybe an old question but does HDtracks provide high quality music files? What are your experiences with the service?
I may try it for download of AIFF files to my mac for playback on my stereo. Any opinions would be appreciated.

[fiveoclockfriday]

I've downloaded some albums from there, though never any individual tracks.

Overall I find them to be really good. Some people have some qualms with mastering (ie HDTracks doesn't reveal the source of their files, who did the mastering etc) on certain titles, but in general I've found them to be excellent.

I purchased Michael Jackson's Thriller in 24/96, Apple Lossless format and it is probably the best sounding piece of music I own now.

The price can be a bit steep. For high res stuff you might be able to justify it, but for CD quality it's hard for me to justify $15 or more when you can easily buy the CD for less, sometimes much less, and rip it yourself.

[rooze]

If you're content with downloading music labeled 'Hi-res' then yes, they have Hi-Res music files for download.

If you're concerned over what exactly your premium money is being spent on, then it helps to dig a little deeper. This article explains that not all 'Hi-Res' is actually worth paying a premium for http://www.itrax.com/Pages/ArticleDetails.php?aID=32

I've recommended HD Tracks in the past, but recently suffered through an abysmal customer service / support issue. I run MAC 10.5.7 and after spending $20 on an album, I couldn't get their downloader to work. Emails to tech support went unanswered. Emails to billing the same. And of course, they're one of those faceless Internet companies who don't want you to phone them.....not a phone number anywhere on their website (that may have changed since, I don't know....this was just before the Holidays). Eventually I did a chargeback through PayPal, and guess what, a week after opening the dispute I got an email from someone asking what was wrong?
They then told me their system didn't work with my version of MAC and that I needed to upgrade my operating system.....I don't think so. I couldn't find a 'System Requirements' anywhere on their site, which would've saved a whole load of hassle. (again, that may have changed, so please check).

Your mileage may vary, I'm sure this isn't typical for most. 

[borism]

I have downloaded some 24/96 FLAC files from HDtracks and they sound good. My system is Mac/iTunes based so I converted the FLAC to AIFF myself. Does anyone know if the AIFF files directly from HDtracks are hi-rez or limited to 24/48? Otherwise, I have had no issue with the site.

[firedog]

Most of the hi-res stuff sounds pretty good, but always good to try and check in various Internet forums if a certain album you are interested in actually sounds good in the hi-res download.

HDT doesn't produce the files, they only sell what the labels give them. Usually the labels supply good sounding stuff for hi-res, but every once in a while they supply something that isn't better, or is even worse sounding, that what you already have. So always try and check first.

[rbbert]

The WAV and AIFF files are hires (or standard 16/44.1 as the case may be), whatever resolution you purchased.

[firedog]

BTW, they have a new downloader as of about the last 2 months. Made by the JRiver people. It works well eliminates most of the problems that the old one had.