What's with the weak MP3 format downloads they give you with records?
echoofformless
Posts: 28
It seems that with many new record purchases the company offers you a free MP3 download of the album.
Would it be so difficult to include a CD quality copy either as a disc or a download? I don't mean to be a snob but I do find it rather frustrating to think that after spending a good amount of money to get a vinyl copy of something, a company would insult me by offering only a compressed digital copy as an add-on. Is it not obvious that a person buying vinyl might be somewhat of an audiophile? Would it really cost anything to burn me a CD and shove it in the package, or to offer a choice of formats to download?
There is a reason why I don't buy stuff from iTunes.
And it's the same reason why I buy vinyl, CD, Blu Ray and SACD.
Would it be so difficult to include a CD quality copy either as a disc or a download? I don't mean to be a snob but I do find it rather frustrating to think that after spending a good amount of money to get a vinyl copy of something, a company would insult me by offering only a compressed digital copy as an add-on. Is it not obvious that a person buying vinyl might be somewhat of an audiophile? Would it really cost anything to burn me a CD and shove it in the package, or to offer a choice of formats to download?
There is a reason why I don't buy stuff from iTunes.
And it's the same reason why I buy vinyl, CD, Blu Ray and SACD.
Post edited by echoofformless on
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I guess some clarification on the MP3 would help, for some studies have shown that an MP3 ripped at 320Kps can rival original sources, but Itunes offers 160Kps and Amazon has 256Kps so your concern or disappointment is understandable.Family Room HT 7.2/i]:Vizio Oled55h1 Pioneer Elite SC-LX502 Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD Eversolo DMP A6 Panamax M5300-EXSpeakers Fronts Fluance XF8L Center Polk Audio S35 Side Surrounds Fluance bipolar Rear Surrounds FluanceXF8 Bookshelf Subs SVS PB4000 x2 Living room 2ch: Crown Xli 1500 amp x2, Teac EQ MKII FX Audio X6 Mk II DAC Squeezebox Touch Polk Audio R700 Speakers Panamax M5100-EXOffice media room:Vizio M50Q6 50" Pioneer Elite VSX LX301 Eversolo DMP-A6 Polkaudio R600 Towers Polkaudio Center R350 Panamax M4300 Monoprice 12" subMaster bedroom:Vizio M55Q7 Pioneer Elite VSX LX302 Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD Squeezebox Touch Fluance Signature Bookshelf fronts, Rears Fluance Signature Bipolar Polk Audio CS10 center Monoprice 12" sub Panamax M5300-EX
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Valid points, though I do feel that even at 320kbps an MP3 is not CD quality. There are certain subtleties and dimensions in a recording that simply can not be reproduced once the data has been thrown away. The MP3 process just throws out huge chunks of data even at its highest bitrate. So sure it might sound like a CD, but it will lack a certain sense of presence and definition.
As for ripping from vinyl, that is a taste thing and a listening environment thing. Personally I like both analog and digital formats so I try to have copies of both. There are things that the digitization process will pick up from the masters that the vinyl will not, and vice-versa. Vinyl definitely gives a more complete sound due to the enormous amount of data it contains, but it also has a higher rate of distortion and is mixed at a lower amplitude than the master in order to prevent the needle from jumping. So in the end I still want a proper digital copy of things...preferably in SACD or Blu Ray, but I am happy enough with the CD. I just refuse to accept an MP3 download after I spent big bucks on a record. Offer me a FLAC download. Show me some respect!
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IIRC, the whole purpose of MP3's was related to storage? I don't understand why we still have them? I've got 700+ songs stored on a 32gb sd card, and more than half of those are WAV's.I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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It's a free thrown in bonus...
I'm not TOO concerned with bit rates while I drive down the road or mow my lawn.
Besides, lossless formats are not usually universally played. It's a simple way to let people listen on the go. -
Probably because record companies still do not really support lossless files that can be copied indefinitely. By giving MP3s, Amazon, and others, do not have to deal with either implied, or real, threats from the record companies. Obviously, the record companies themselves will never give away lossless files.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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Posted in another thread, picked up a record yesterday and had mp3/flac download included. Was QOTSA/Matador. Hopefully other record companies pick up on it.
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That's great to hear!
