HDtracks vs Qobuz – Hi-Res Downloads (not streaming)
 

Since my new SACD player (Marantz SA-10) has digital inputs, I now want to purchase (download) a number of high-resolution albums that are not available on SACD. (To play from a USB flash drive.)

I have found the identical albums, with identical resolutions, at both HDTracks & Qobuz, but HDTracks is selling them for more than double the price Qobuz is asking.

Are the HDTracks Hi-Res downloads so audibly superior to the identical resolutions on Qobuz that they are worth double the price, or should I just save some money & go with Qobuz? (I have no problem paying more if it actually gets me better quality...)

Thanks!


SOTA Cosmos TT (vacuum, Electronic Flywheel), SME V, Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Pass Labs XP-15 phono stage
Marantz SA-10 SACD player, Alesis ML-9600 mastering CD burner, Nakamichi 700 ZXE Cassette Deck
Pass Labs XP-30 (SS) & Hovland HP-100 (tube) preamps
Edge G8+ laser-biased monoblocks & Classé M-700 monoblocks
Rockport Atria & Infinity IRS Beta Speakers
Audience AU24 SX Phono cable, MIT Shotgun ICs, Shunyata Alpha SCs
Revelation Audio Labs 'Passage' CryoSilver Reference DualConduit DB-25 umbilical cables for Pass XP-30
Shunyata Denali 6000T power conditioner (on BBA platform), Shunyata Alpha NR, Delta NR, & Venom HC PCs. Also PS8 & 2 Venom Defenders.
Audio Magic Ultimate SHD Bees Wax Fuse, Synergistic Research Blue & Black fuses, Hi-Fi Tuning fuses
Klaudio LP200 ultrasonic RCM

Can’t say for sure but before you make that comparison, make sure the recording / issue which Qobuz and HD Tracks are selling is the same issue.

I used to use hdtracks some years ago, but these days most of my downloads come from Qobuz because of the big discounts offered as part of their annual subscription package. I have yet to be dissatisfied.

As long as they’re the same release/master version, there should be no difference. In most cases the music label or reissue label will distribute the same files to all the various outlets. I believe hdtracks is more expensive because they were the first in the US and could command a premium, and they don’t have any regular subscription revenue to subsidize download sales.

As Craig says, just make sure they’re the same release, label and year, etc.