Purchases Today

[Todd]

Bought as a 24/96 download since it was cheaper than going with physical media.

[71 dB]

Bought as a 24/96 download since it was cheaper than going with physical media.

Hi-res is a scam. 16/44.1 is all we need. In studio 24 bits is beneficial, because it gives headroom, makes life easier. For listeners optimally used 13 bits is enough. In comparison the best possible dynamic range of vinyl is about 60 dB (10 bits). Only children can hear up to 20 kHz and for adults 16 kHz is typical limit. So, higher than 44.1 kHz samplerate doesn't give anything unless you are a bat. Often these hi-res files don't really even contain any music-related above 20 kHz, maybe just noise. It's easy to think hi-res is more precise because Blu-ray is better than DVD and 4K is better than Blu-ray (on large screens), but sound isn't picture and 16/44.1 already is enough when standard definition video obviously wasn't.

[Madiel]

Hi-res is a scam. 16/44.1 is all we need. In studio 24 bits is beneficial, because it gives headroom, makes life easier. For listeners optimally used 13 bits is enough. In comparison the best possible dynamic range of vinyl is about 60 dB (10 bits). Only children can hear up to 20 kHz and for adults 16 kHz is typical limit. So, higher than 44.1 kHz samplerate doesn't give anything unless you are a bat. Often these hi-res files don't really even contain any music-related above 20 kHz, maybe just noise. It's easy to think hi-res is more precise because Blu-ray is better than DVD and 4K is better than Blu-ray (on large screens), but sound isn't picture and 16/44.1 already is enough when standard definition video obviously wasn't.

Well, um, maybe all of this would be relevant if Todd had said that he bought a 24/96 download instead of a 16/44.1 download?

But he didn't. He said something about price and you decided this was an opportunity to re-agitate a favourite topic of yours.

[vandermolen]

That Ben Haim disc was part of my order over the weekend from Arkivmusic.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the Ben-Haim, Bennett and Atterberg CDs. Hope you enjoy them.

[vandermolen]

They were very kind indeed - followed up to check I had received it, putting in a handwritten note of thanks as well as a promotional ICO cd in the packet.

Andre and Johan what is Kinsella's 9th Symphony like?

PS It's on You Tube. I can listen myself but would be interested to hear your views anyway.

[vandermolen]

I am very much looking forward to that, and the Kinsella as well.

It's been three weeks or more and my Lloyd CDs have not arrived yet. I have a bad feeling... Hope it turns up shortly...

I'll be v interested to hear your views of those works Paul.

[Que]

[...] my order over the weekend:

Love to hear your thoughts on that, in due time. 

Q

[71 dB]

Well, um, maybe all of this would be relevant if Todd had said that he bought a 24/96 download instead of a 16/44.1 download?

But he didn't. He said something about price and you decided this was an opportunity to re-agitate a favourite topic of yours.

He said download was cheaper than physical media. Even if 16/44.1 download wasn't any cheaper, hi-res is waste of bits without benefits for the listener.

[Madiel]

He said download was cheaper than physical media. Even if 16/44.1 download wasn't any cheaper, hi-res is waste of bits without benefits for the listener.

You don't even know that 16/44.1 download was an option, is my point. It simply wasn't part of the comparison on offer.

[Todd]

Hi-res is a scam. 16/44.1 is all we need. In studio 24 bits is beneficial, because it gives headroom, makes life easier. For listeners optimally used 13 bits is enough. In comparison the best possible dynamic range of vinyl is about 60 dB (10 bits). Only children can hear up to 20 kHz and for adults 16 kHz is typical limit. So, higher than 44.1 kHz samplerate doesn't give anything unless you are a bat. Often these hi-res files don't really even contain any music-related above 20 kHz, maybe just noise. It's easy to think hi-res is more precise because Blu-ray is better than DVD and 4K is better than Blu-ray (on large screens), but sound isn't picture and 16/44.1 already is enough when standard definition video obviously wasn't.

[André]

Andre and Johan what is Kinsella's 9th Symphony like?

PS It's on You Tube. I can listen myself but would be interested to hear your views anyway.

It's in the pile, so I can't predict when its turn will come. Three piles actually, if it was a single edifice it would be in danger of toppling 

[ritter]

Some recent acquisitions (from B&M shops here in Madrid):


I was exploring Jesús Guridi's music recently, and wasn't particularly impressed TBH. But, I do very much enjoy the one work of his I already knew, the Seis canciones castellanas. Actually, I only knew 2 of the 6 songs (in an earlier recording by Teresa Berganza), so it's good to have the complete set (with the same, extraordinary singer). The Granados and Toldrá songs are a nice bonus (but I don't really care much for the music of Joaquín Turina).


Mainly for Dawn Upshaw's Pamima.

[asin]B00000E56L[/asin]I had ordered this CD from an Amazon MP seller some 18 months ago. The order was not fulfilled, I got a refund, and gave it no more thought. Grabbed it now that I saw it again, and I'll finally get to know Lourié's music...

[flyingdutchman]

He said download was cheaper than physical media. Even if 16/44.1 download wasn't any cheaper, hi-res is waste of bits without benefits for the listener.

Utter nonsense.  Hi-rez has been proven to be better than standard resolution by numerous professional reviewers and audio professionals.  Further, I believe my own ears over yours ANY TIME OF THE DAY.

To you, even 320 Kbs is enough, and lossy is perfectly fine.

[JBS]

Love to hear your thoughts on that, in due time. 

Q

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the Ben-Haim, Bennett and Atterberg CDs. Hope you enjoy them.

When I get them, which is messier than it may seem!
Arkivmusic has been moving its warehouse, and the shipping process is still a mess, it seems. I received a package on Wednesday with what was supposed to my order, but in fact contained a completely different set of items. So now I am waiting for a return authorization to send the wrong delivery back, and for the correct stuff to reach me. At this point I am just crossing my fingers...

[Brian]

When I get them, which is messier than it may seem!
Arkivmusic has been moving its warehouse, and the shipping process is still a mess, it seems. I received a package on Wednesday with what was supposed to my order, but in fact contained a completely different set of items. So now I am waiting for a return authorization to send the wrong delivery back, and for the correct stuff to reach me. At this point I am just crossing my fingers...

Yikes. Did the mystery buyer of those items at least have good taste?

I am still counting out the six weeks on my backorder of various Alpha discs...all of which Arkiv now lists as being in stock.

All of this is not at all making me want to keep buying from them until they post some kind of banner saying "it's all cleared up now!"

[JBS]

Yikes. Did the mystery buyer of those items at least have good taste?

I am still counting out the six weeks on my backorder of various Alpha discs...all of which Arkiv now lists as being in stock.

All of this is not at all making me want to keep buying from them until they post some kind of banner saying "it's all cleared up now!"

He likes opera: they were all from the Sony Opera sale.

What concerns me is that they have sent me a few things but not charged my credit card. Ironically, this misplaced order was charged, the first in several weeks.

I did go ahead and place another order with them, smaller than usual

[NikF4]

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas 1-9 - Matti Raekallio.



Managed to find this, although I won't be able to listen for a while.

[Mirror Image]

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas 1-9 - Matti Raekallio.



Managed to find this, although I won't be able to listen for a while.

Damn! I had been looking all over for this set. Lucky you! It's received high marks here on GMG by several members.

[North Star]

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas 1-9 - Matti Raekallio.



Managed to find this, although I won't be able to listen for a while.

Well done

[vandermolen]

Today: