HDTracks 176k format Worth It?
saemark30
Posts: 146
I primarily listen to vinyl but wonder if anyone uses the HDtracks recordings at 96k and 176k and even 196k?
Post edited by saemark30 on
Comments
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I have several 96k recordings and they're very well done, worth it for as I have a DAC that'll handle those
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I just use a soundcard, then there is a choice of 96k or the highest 196k on a few recordings.
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The 96K is more universally supported. My soundcard will handle 196 but none of my DACs will, so I always purchase everything in 96K from them so that i have more options of where to play it.
I have compared 96 and 196 and on my equipment cannot hear a difference. -
HDtracks is as good as they come IMO for sound quality and availability for downloads. I usually try to stick to the 24/96 tracks as it is a bit rate that almost all equipment supports. I have noticed a small difference between 96 and 192, but not enough for me to regularly use that bit rate as it is not supported by as much equipment.
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I'm sure they can be down converted to 96k with relatively simple PC audio software.
My thoughts are to buy the best and let the equipment catch up. -
Then why did you ask?
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I know that for most tracks, there is a choice between 88.2 / 176 and 96 / 192. The SB Touch, for instance, downsamples 176 & 192 by 1/2. One thing I've noticed though, is that the bitrate tends to be pretty low in comparison to a native 24/96 track. For that reason, I either stick w/ the 24/96 tracks or I use dbpoweramp's ssrc downsampling plugin.
I'd say subjectively, I haven't been able to tell the difference b/t 96 and 192 tracks..ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place
Home Theater:
KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch
2 Channel:
Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs -
I can pick out the difference between redbook and 24/96 on most recordings on my gear, I can't hear the difference between 96 and 192, and I have a good ear.
Better equipment may reveal a difference, but I don't anticipate stepping into equipment in that price range in my lifetime, so it's a non issue for me.
If they were the same price I'd say buy the 192 and downconvert, but the 192 albums are around 40% more expensive, I'm not willing to pay that premium for something that I'll never hear. -
Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
What a bunch of s*** heads over on hdtracks for punting this garbage . Great article and it makes me now think there is no point buying old music above the 16 sample rates -
Thank you F1nut and other contributors. This is exactly the reason why I asked this question:
"And it gets worse when you think that customers can spend an additional $10 for the 176.4 kHz versions. Keith's conclusion, "the $10 premium for the 176.4 version buys you, effectively, nothing." -
Darn... I was hopping to buy one copy of Let It Bleed at 176k and not spend any more $$$ in the future. If all they do is upsample then I can do that myself.
