Finally, a recording that makes me think about downloading

[Todd]

New, high resolution recordings of Mozart.  Those are some seriously large files, too.  In addition to Linn, Reference Recordings is apparently going to offer its 24/176.4 recordings as downloads.  If I'm gonna download, I might as well get the best sound possible.  Now if only all of the companies that record in hi-res make their recordings available in the same manner.

[MN Dave]

If only.

It's portability vs. sound.

[Josquin des Prez]

I'd still rather buy the cd then rip the files on the computer. Har. And why are the tracks so expensive when bought individually?

[KevinP]

Because classical music CDs usually only have a few tracks?

[Josquin des Prez]

Because classical music CDs usually only have a few tracks?

This CD has 15 tracks, which at CD quality total for 15$. However, i can buy individual tracks for an average of 5$ each. Makes no sense. Let's say i want to download only one of the symphonies, that already adds up to the price of the whole CD.

[andy]

If only.

It's portability vs. sound.

Not actually in this case. Linn is offering files at a higher resolution than CDs support. With an optical out and a supporting DAC, these should sound superior to CDs played in a high end CD player.

[Bach Man]

The resolution is equvalent to SACD quality, but as SACD is impossible to rip in full definition, this is the only possibility of getting the recording onto a hard-drive in hi-rez. When you consider that Linn has started selling ultra-expensive network players that don't read optical disks at all, the offering is logical. Just wish their discography was more extensive.

This CD has 15 tracks, which at CD quality total for 15$. However, i can buy individual tracks for an average of 5$ each. Makes no sense. Let's say i want to download only one of the symphonies, that already adds up to the price of the whole CD.

That is marketing for you. Itunes is no different in that respect, you get a discount buying the whole album instead of individual tracks. They want you to buy the whole album instead of just a few hit tracks.

[Gustav]

This CD has 15 tracks, which at CD quality total for 15$. However, i can buy individual tracks for an average of 5$ each. Makes no sense. Let's say i want to download only one of the symphonies, that already adds up to the price of the whole CD.

I don't think the system was designed specifically for classical music. I don't know much about popular music, but I suppose that a "song" is a song, and that's it. But, for symphonies, or longer works, it has many tracks, so using the system for "pop" music doesn't really fit here.

[Valentino]

DG is on the net now with 320kbps mp3. Give them a yearor so, and they'll "do the Linn", guaranteed.