Naxos Distribution announces lossless streaming

[Brian]

Link to the site

Naxos, the world's leading independent classical music label and distribution network, announces the worldwide launch of its high-definition and lossless classical music streaming service. It is the first such service to launch worldwide and use adaptive bitrate streaming technology. ClassicsOnline HD•LL allows subscribers to listen to classical music at the highest possible sound quality available on their home or mobile networks without buffering or loss of signal. The new platform also provides high-definition, lossless, and MP3 download options.

Naxos has been a pioneer in streaming classical music, having made its entire catalogue available for streaming in 1996 and having launched its successful Naxos Music Library subscription streaming service in 2002. Naxos developed its new ClassicsOnline HD•LL service with the classical music and audiophile consumer in mind. An intuitive search engine crafted specifically for classical music provides users unprecedented search options, allowing them to discover new repertoire and recordings, at a cost of £11.99 per month. Liner notes, libretti, and composer/artist information are provided for most recordings. After using the sophisticated search, the user can stream in lossless or high-definition sound quality ranging from 24-bit, 44.1 kHz all the way up to 24-bit, 192 kHz depending on the available network capacity, user devices, and equipment. 24-bit technology achieves a much broader dynamic range and increases the amount of detail the human ear can hear, especially during quieter passages of music.
 
Important Features of ClassicsOnline HD•LL (www.classicsonlinehd.com)
* Adaptive bitrate streaming in lossless and high-definition
* Intuitive search engine crafted specifically for classical music
* Liner notes, libretti and composer/artist information available
* Wide range of repertoire from most classical record labels
* Genre and artist radio programming
* Easy playlist creation
* Off-Line listening on mobile devices


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Based on early looks, this will include all the Naxos Music Library and ClassicsOnline labels - that is, Naxos, Harmonia Mundi, CPO, Dacapo, BIS, Naive, Brilliant (original recordings), Hungaroton, Chandos, and about a zillion (actually 600) smaller labels like the Atlanta Symphony or Accent. Currently the EMI/Warner/Erato stuff on Naxos Music Library is NOT on ClassicsOnline HD (although a lot of those artists can be heard in live recordings from BBC Legends or ICA).

[Moonfish]

Brian,
Do you think Naxos ever will hook up with companies such as Grace Digital (and equivalent devices) to allow a wider customer base? I presume, of course, that individuals already subscribe to the Naxos service.

[Brian]

Brian,
Do you think Naxos ever will hook up with companies such as Grace Digital (and equivalent devices) to allow a wider customer base? I presume, of course, that individuals already subscribe to the Naxos service.

Diving into the FAQ of the Naxos service, I think they are hoping people will use it to feed their home stereo. For example, they suggest investing in a DAC so you can play the lossless ClassicsOnline stream with better quality.

[Moonfish]

Diving into the FAQ of the Naxos service, I think they are hoping people will use it to feed their home stereo. For example, they suggest investing in a DAC so you can play the lossless ClassicsOnline stream with better quality.

Sounds promising! I can see how the future of listening is unfolding ( rapidly!)....
So many streaming devices out there!