[gbaby]

^ thanks for the clarification. I was actually replying to zoom's earlier post, but he's busy comparing wav and flac under 1001 diff conditions   

 

[gbaby]

This is good, zoom.
But methinks you are right about all this being
- system-dependent
- mood dependent
- musik dependent (slow, fast, classical, blues, etc)
- room specific
etc

like trying to hit a moving target   

True post My point of reference on the sound of the difference codecs is the BDP-3, which can also sound different using the different rear USB inputs, and sound different depending on using AES, optical, coax or USB inputs. But, I have consistently found that the music I import on dbpoweramp, always sound better than any of the 100 or more sound downloads I have purchased from HDTracks. I no longer buy downloads but I still purchase CDs from Amazon and import them without ever playing them on a CD player.

[CanadianMaestro]

I no longer buy downloads but I still purchase CDs from Amazon and import them without ever playing them on a CD player.

 

[gberger]

Tsk, Tsk.  You need to hire a music Reference Librarian!

[CanadianMaestro]

Tsk, Tsk.  You need to hire a music Reference Librarian!

Nonsense. More like a psychotherapist.

[gberger]

I was being polite

[CanadianMaestro]

I was being polite

I wasn't.

[undertow]

I am also still forced to order a CD or find one for cheap at a used store if its critical enough if not offered on the only real download FLAC site such as HD Tracks.

I can't really understand why Amazon has not offered FLAC downloads and only MP3 for way to much money considering the average MP3 cost is about 10 bucks an album anyway, and the same or 11.99 for a CD.

And again seems people are hung up on format because they read something on paper as to be a superior spec. which in real playback is so minor .wav, .ALAC, .FLAC etc... all can work just fine. With the right playback equipment and configuration its honestly nearly impossible to decipher any serious SQ difference with todays software.

Believe me there are also 20 year old used 800 dollar amplifiers that sound as good and some cases better than a brand new 4000 dollar amp today so truth is you need experience, and having multiple sources over the years to arrive at your own conclusion on this topic.

For a newbie I would not get to caught up in this. Use the current dominant and available file format FLAC forget about the rest it just complicates matters 99% of the time in reality.

It's like when I tell people not already into Vinyl. If they want to become a collector fine, but don't expect much from it unless you want to spend a lot more on some type of Ultrasonic cleaner, correct storage method with sleeves, and don't forget thousands on proper table, cartridge, and setup to really get your system to a level in order to take real advantage of that format.

Unlike digital and trying to attempt ripping a CD or getting a remaster, you can drive yourself crazy trying to find 200 physical copies of vinyl for albums "You must have" in good shape, and sound.

[gbaby]

Canadian Maestro, is this your collection?

[tomchr]

I haven't performed a comprehensive comparison. But I did recently try TIDAL as I needed it at the Florida Audio Expo to demo my HPA-1 headphone amp.

The only album I've found so far on TIDAL that sounded significantly worse than my original CD is the remastered version of Dire Straits, "Brothers in Arms". I don't know who remastered that CD, but it is unlistenable (both in the remastered CD format and in the remastered version on TIDAL, which is included in some of their playlists). It is insanely compressed. The original 1986 release of the same CD is fantastic, albeit recorded at something like -20 dBFS to prevent clipping, which is probably why it ended up in the compressor for the remastered version.

I'm pretty sure if you dial up the album on TIDAL, you'll get the album art for the remastered version, but the bits from the original CD. I have no idea why they would have both the remastered and the original version stored, though.

Unfortunately Qobuz is not available in Canada, so I can't give them my business. Their loss...

Tom

[CanadianMaestro]

Canadian Maestro, is this your collection?

gbaby, the mountains here are beautiful but can be boring.
we must do what we can to keep amused. 

[gbaby]

gbaby, the mountains here are beautiful but can be boring.
we must do what we can to keep amused. 

I am very impressed with this collection, and the way you have it stored. It is a beautiful room. If I were you, I'd get me a hard drive, and spend every waking hour importing those CDs. However, I would only use dbpoweramp. I use to use iTunes to import my CDs. But, on a trial basis, I imported some CDs using dbpoweramp, and not only did I get covert art, the sound compared to iTunes exhibited better stereo imaging, weight and and body. I spent every day while at home re-importing my entire library using dbpoweramp due to the improve sonics and the cover art. I put the music on a two terabyte Toshiba hard drive. The music from the hard drive is imported to individual 256 USB drives. This is how I access my music using either my MacBook Pro, which is always next to me, or my iPhone 6s. I have my entire music collection at the touch of my finger. I tried downloads, but sonically, they don't compare to the sound I get importing my own music using dbpoweramp. Your music collection is beautiful. Mine are plentiful, but they are all stored in a chaotic manner in cases and crates. But thankfully, dbpoweramp alphabetized them so it dosn't matter if you have them order. Again, I am impressed with your room.
 

[topside3]

I prefer Qobuz to my ripped CDs.

[CanadianMaestro]

I imported some CDs using dbpoweramp, and not only did I get covert art, the sound compared to iTunes exhibited better stereo imaging, weight and and body. I spent every day while at home re-importing my entire library using dbpoweramp due to the improve sonics and the cover art. I put the music on a two terabyte Toshiba hard drive.

I agree. Many CD rips sound better than the discs. Attached drives seem better too, for me. But the CDP still gets some "air" time around here.
cheers

[unincognito]

I think your cd's get more space then my stereo system 

[Pundamilia]

I think "his" collection gets more space than most stores that used to sell CDs do today.

[gbaby]

I prefer Qobuz to my ripped CDs.

You are definitely in the minority.

[gberger]

With my BCD -3 feeding a BP-17 cubed, I prefer just to spin the CDs. SQ!!

[gbaby]

With my BCD -3 feeding a BP-17 cubed, I prefer just to spin the CDs. SQ!!

I understand. I did not know you had the BCD-3.

[gberger]

And, the BP17 cubed feeds a 4B cubed amp, driving a pair of Thiel 2.7 speakers with a sub.