Classical Hi Rez downloads vs. Redbook CD

[audioguy3107]

Calling Tony, Bart, Kal and any other classical music aficionados out there....I have a question to see what your experiences are when it comes to comparing Hi Rez streaming/downloads vs. physical media. I wanted to limit this discussion to classical per se...and maybe more specifically some of the excellent sounding labels such as Hyperion, Harmonia Mundi, Channel Classics and BIS. There is SO much classical to choose from, a lot of times I'll get lost online looking for recommendations, reviews from Gramophone UK etc. Once I decide on a recording I'd like to explore, there are some choices to make.

I'll use Hyperion Records as an example since I really like some of their discs. Online you'll have the choice of a Hi Rez download or order the CD (they don't do SACD any longer). Even though they're not on Qobuz let's assume for a second that streaming was an option as well. Since I'm using my Ayre CD player as a transport into the DCS Rossini, Redbook sounds excellent. What has your experience been comparing Hi Rez downloads (24/96 or even 24/192) vs. the Redbook CD? I know with mainstream music the mastering can be all over the board but when comparing within a label such as Hyperion, I would think the recording quality across the board would be more uniform. Any experiences comparing and contrasting within one of the labels themselves???

- Buck

[GSOphile]

If you want some really good physical media, try the Handel Organ Concertos, Op 4 and Op 7 SACDs on harmonia mundi, Academy of Ancient Music, Richard Egarr. These are two of the best in my collection for both performance and recording quality. The Op 7 was absurdly expensive from US stores, but reasonable new from Amazon UK.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by GSOphile

If you want some really good physical media, try the Handel Organ Concertos, Op 4 and Op 7 SACDs on harmonia mundi, Academy of Ancient Music, Richard Egarr. These are two of the best in my collection for both performance and recording quality. The Op 7 was absurdly expensive from US stores, but reasonable new from Amazon UK.

Agreed. They even sound great played back as files.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Calling Tony, Bart, Kal and any other classical music aficionados out there....I have a question to see what your experiences are when it comes to comparing Hi Rez streaming/downloads vs. physical media. I wanted to limit this discussion to classical per se...and maybe more specifically some of the excellent sounding labels such as Hyperion, Harmonia Mundi, Channel Classics and BIS.

Over the years, I have compared the sound of the disc with the sound of the file playback and, frankly, prefer the latter. Downloads from reliable sources are equally good. Streaming from the Internet is another story since it involves many more components in the signal path and most are not defined or in your control. I use streaming to screen the music/performance.

Bottom line for me is that the only time I play a physical disc is if it comes in unsolicited and I want to see if it is worth ripping. If not, who cares?

[bart]

I haven't done downloads yet.
CD, SACD, Blu-ray audio, Tidal and Qobuz so far.

On my system, the stream often comes close, but is just beaten by the silver disc.

Recently, I compared both through a Grimm MU1, and there was no longer a discernible difference.

[nicoff]

I have done all of the above: physical discs (CD, SACD), streaming (Tidal, Qobuz), Hi-Rez downloads, and rips of both CDs and SACDs.

I much prefer streaming or playing ripped discs or downloads over physical discs.

Sound wise, Qobuz streaming sounds equal to my ripped files. In fact, often I find a remastered version in Qobuz that sounds better than my ripped CDs. So Qobuz is now my primary source.

As far as hi Rez downloads, I have found that most of the "hi Rez" downloads are available via streaming from Qobuz. So why bother paying extra?

Also, unless the recording was truly recorded in Hi Rez, it is hard to tell what get when you purchase a "hi Rez" download. I find that I can use a 16/24 version and upsample it (hQPlayer) to 352PCM or even 512DSD and get similar sound that those so called "Hi-Rez" downloads.

For me, streaming from music services or from files locally stored in my computer is the best way to go.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by nicoff

As far as hi Rez downloads, I have found that most of the "hi Rez" downloads are available via streaming from Qobuz. So why bother paying extra?

Unfortunately, they are still only in stereo.

Also, unless the recording was truly recorded in Hi Rez, it is hard to tell what get when you purchase a "hi Rez" download.

Right. You have to know your seller.

I find that I can use a 16/24 version and upsample it (hQPlayer) to 352PCM or even 512DSD and get similar sound that those so called "Hi-Rez" downloads.

No comment.

For me, streaming from music services or from files locally stored in my computer is the best way to go.

Agreed.

[Antonmb]

I haven’t had a disc player for a few years now. I found I preferred streaming from ripped discs or downloads to disc play. Could be I never had a good enough disc player, but I’m very happy with streaming (and vinyl of course).

I subscribed for a while to both Tidal and Qobuz but recently gave up on Tidal as I find most everything I want on Qobuz, and the sound is either equal or occasionally better. Also MQA doesn’t float my boat (for all the reasons other than sound quality). I do listen to Qobuz quite a bit and enjoy it, but often it’s like Kal, to screen things to see if I want to buy them. When I find something I really like, I buy the download, partly because I do think it sounds better in some cases (not all), but mostly because if it’s a beautiful recording, I want to make sure I can play it if Qobuz folds, or loses the license for that music.

Re downloads, I think the recording and sound quality are usually very good from reliable classical labels like Hyperion, or Channel Classics, Linn, BIS, Chandos, BPO, Harmonia Mundi, Naxos, PentaTone, Reference Recordings, Trptk, and a few others. The big labels like Sony Classical can be excellent as well, although not always - hence Qobuz, try before you buy.

I frankly tend not to worry too much about whether it’s hi res or not - if there’s a high res version available, I’ll spring for it, but in general I find 16/44 can sound just fine if done well.