On-line Stores & Sellers

Brian · May 14, 2025, 03:05:33 PM

The ArkivMusic USA store is now tended poorly enough that Ondine is still on sale...even though the advertised endpoint of the sale was 34 hours ago...

Daverz · May 14, 2025, 04:03:18 PM

Quote from: Spotted Horses on May 11, 2025, 08:29:03 AMI've bought FLAC downloads from Presto, Qobuz, eClassical. Are there other good options? Looking for a download of Maconchy String Quartets which I can get from amazon in MP3 format (Treasure Island label), but I don't see a FLAC (or ALAC) option anywhere.

Presto has the Unicorn set on CD only. This was also on the Regis/Forum reissue label at one point.

Here's another site selling the Unicorn CDs:

https://www.heritage-records.com/shop/chamber/unicorn-chamber/elizabeth-maconchy-complete-string-quartets/

Spotted Horses · May 15, 2025, 09:03:55 AM

Quote from: Daverz on May 14, 2025, 04:03:18 PMPresto has the Unicorn set on CD only. This was also on the Regis/Forum reissue label at one point.

Here's another site selling the Unicorn CDs:

https://www.heritage-records.com/shop/chamber/unicorn-chamber/elizabeth-maconchy-complete-string-quartets/

Thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that Unicorn was a re-release of the Regis release, but looking at the Wikipedia page for Uniforn, Regis was a budget re-release line from Unicorn.

I did see the CD set on Presto (and on amazon.com) but I think it is more than likely that they are the same CD masters, with the defective track. (It's not in my imagination, I found an amazon customer review with complaint about distortion in the same track). The Regis is the one on my shelves, I don't like to idea of purchasing the Unicorn version and finding the same problem.

The Unicorn wikipedia page also mentions the Treasure Island label as re-publishing Unicorn recordings. The Treasure Island version of Apple Music has the problem fixed. If only Treasure Island sold its own CD set or lossless download. (There is a Treasure Island download on Amazon music, but it is MP3.)

Daverz · May 15, 2025, 09:40:08 AM

Quote from: Spotted Horses on May 15, 2025, 09:03:55 AMI did see the CD set on Presto (and on amazon.com) but I think it is more than likely that they are the same CD masters, with the defective track. (It's not in my imagination, I found an amazon customer review with complaint about distortion in the same track). The Regis is the one on my shelves, I don't like to idea of purchasing the Unicorn version and finding the same problem.

Which discs/tracks are the defective ones? I can check the files I have, but they are also from the Regis issue.

Spotted Horses · May 15, 2025, 09:57:28 AM

Quote from: Daverz on May 15, 2025, 09:40:08 AMWhich discs/tracks are the defective ones? I can check the files I have, but they are also from the Regis issue.

It's the final track on Volume II, String Quartet No 8, final movement. No hint of noise during silent intervals, but a sort of crinkling noise when the instruments sound loudly. Not super obvious, but heard clearly during headphone listening. I think it has to be data error in the mastering procedure (rather than physical defect in the pressing) because it affects the entirety of that track, with no sign of it on any other tracks. The Treasure Island Music version on Apple Music Streaming is unaffected by the problem.

The Treasure Island Music web site is exasperating. They list 2 of the 3 volumes of the Maconchy Quartets, but they don't make it available on CD or download, and give no indication of where it can be purchased. They are just taunting me, "we have it, but we won't sell it to you, because we don't like the idea of making money."

Daverz · May 15, 2025, 10:07:29 AM

Quote from: Spotted Horses on May 15, 2025, 09:57:28 AMIt's the final track on Volume II, String Quartet No 8, final movement. No hint of noise during silent intervals, but a sort of crinkling noise when the instruments sound loudly.

Yes, I hear it on my copy, which was ripped accurately according to Cuetools..

Spotted Horses · May 15, 2025, 11:03:03 AM

Quote from: Daverz on May 15, 2025, 10:07:29 AMYes, I hear it on my copy, which was ripped accurately according to Cuetools..

It's 3 minutes of music out of a ~3 hour set, so I should get too bent out of shape. I guess I should be content to stream it, and maybe get the MP3 version from Amazon to have as a failsafe if for some reason it disappears from the streaming sites.

Spotted Horses · Reply #1787 - Re: On-line Stores & Sellers

I tried to make a purchase through Qobuz and got a message that the transaction was canceled due to a security violation. I called my credit card company and customer service told me they approved the transaction, but it was refunded by Qobuz. I looked at my credit card statement and it showed the payment processed, then refunded (three times as I tried several times).

I sent a message to the Qobux chatbot and it said something to the effect that there is a problem in their payment processing system.

Anyone else have problems with Qobuz' payment system lately?

It seems like I won't be purchasing from Qobux anymore.

JBS · Reply #1788 - Re: On-line Stores & Sellers

Europadisc's weekly newsletter opened up with this today.
[Newsworthyness is what's in the first paragraph]

As many of you will be aware, Hyperion were sold to Universal a couple of years ago, who have slowly been making changes to the way in which the catalogue is handled. One of the major developments has been making the recordings available via streaming services (nothing wrong with that, we're all for it!) but, whilst the CD distribution has so far been unaffected, changes are being made from June that may alter this.

We are not yet aware to what degree the changes will affect us so have agreed with their current distributor to offer the complete catalogue at a special discount while we still can! You will therefore find every available title from Hyperion reduced by 25% until midnight (BST) on Monday 26 May.