Playing Hi-Def Downloads

Posted by: Obsessed1 on 10 July 2010

Hello. I need some advice and assistance.

I successfully downloaded some hi-def tunes recently for the first time (from the Naim label Big Grin) in the .wav format with 96 sample rate onto my iMac.

Then I changed the sample rate in the "Audi MIDI" application to 96. So far, so good.

When I double-click on the downloaded songs, iTunes opens and "copies" the song and it start to play. However, when looking at the song in iTunes, the sample rate is listed as 44.1.

Audi MIDI is set to 96, the DAC (an Ayre QB-9 on loan) is showing the 96 sample rate, but iTunes only shows 44.1.

Shouldn't iTunes also show the sample rate at 96? What am I doing wrong here? Do I need Amarra to be able to play at the 96 sample rate without any upsampling etc?
Posted on: 10 July 2010 by Geoff P
quote:
I successfully downloaded some hi-def tunes recently for the first time (from the Naim label ) in the .wav format with 96 sample rate onto my iMac.

err...which ones are those. The highest res files I can fimd on the Naim lablel site are 24 bit 48 KHz. Couldn't find any 96KHz files..

would love it if there are some 96KHz downloads available.

regards
Geoff
Posted on: 10 July 2010 by rich46
hd tracks.try that ,
Posted on: 10 July 2010 by Geoff P
Boy Naim don't make it easy.

You have to patiently check every album. I had a random look through the list and had to go through 6 albums offered as High Defenition which were only available at a max of 48 KHz before finding one that was offered at 96KHz. Pity Naim don't make a heading page specifically for all the albums offered at 96KHz.

Just being picky
Posted on: 10 July 2010 by Obsessed1
That was my mistake all right. I thought they were all sampled at 96 - turns out only one was (and it does show up in iTunes with the correct sample rate).

All of the 24 bit "hi def" tracks are pretty impressive.
Posted on: 11 July 2010 by Dungassin
quote:
That was my mistake all right. I thought they were all sampled at 96 - turns out only one was (and it does show up in iTunes with the correct sample rate).

The trouble with catalogues like Naim's is that they are usually full of things I don't want to listen to, so HiDef is irrelevant. Out of curiousity, I looked, and I assume that the 96 album you found is the Iona Brown one with Beethoven Symphony No 1. Might download that Symphony just to see if HiDef is worth it, but I already have several versions of that Symphony. The rest of that album consists of items which I find rather underwhelming.
Posted on: 11 July 2010 by Obsessed1
The 96 album I downloaded was Charlie Haden and Antonio Forcione. I agree with you, though, it is very difficult to find hi-def albums that look worthy of downloading at all, nevermind their *very* expensive prices.
Posted on: 11 July 2010 by Dungassin
Well, I decided to download the whole of the Iona Brown Grieg etc HiDef disc, and have done so. Very nice it sounds, too.

Just been to enter it on my database (large collection, only way to keep track of things) and I find I already own the CD! Can't find it ATM, so it must have got misfiled. When I do find it I'll let you know how it compares.
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by Dungassin
Well, I did the comparison (96wav on USB, CD, wav rip from CD onto USB).

HiDef clearly better than the CD quality versions, of which I still prefer the CD to the CD rip on USB. More detail, somehow "larger", etc etc.

Just a pity that there's nothing else on the Naim HiDef catalogue that takes my fancy.
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by pcstockton
Between DVD-A, and SACD, and the scare downloads, there is plenty of really good high def material out there.

SACD can easily be transferred to 24/88 via HDMI output on a few inexpensive players.

DVD-As often have 2.0 PCM 24/96 layers.

Transferring your vinyl to 24-96 with a decent ADC is awesome.

These in addition to downloads from a dozen different sites like HD tracks and whatnot, allow for a decent amount of material in this infancy of hi-res music.

-Patrick
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by Obsessed1
Vinyl transfer to 24/96 is my next project. I've purchased a LaCie 2Big NAS, and will be picking up a copy of Pure Vinyl. I hope it's idiot proof as I'm not too much of a computer nerd.

I'm also considering taking the plunge on a Unitiserve SSD to rip CDs to the NAS.

The last question will be whether to go for a new DAC (Ayre? Naim?) or to have my Uniti updated to allow hi def D/A conversion. Only problem with the last option is that I may have to ship the Uniti to the Cdn importer ( Frown). I don't fancy the idea of too many fedex/ups trips for anything with a cd mechanism in it, but on the other hand I don't really fancy buying a new DAC if the one in the Uniti is reasonably good.
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by pcstockton
Get the Naim DAC, PERIOD
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by DaveBk
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
Get the Naim DAC, PERIOD

Seconded!
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by u6213129461734706
quote:
Originally posted by Obsessed1:
Vinyl transfer to 24/96 is my next project. I've purchased a LaCie 2Big NAS, and will be picking up a copy of Pure Vinyl. I hope it's idiot proof as I'm not too much of a computer nerd.

I'm also considering taking the plunge on a Unitiserve SSD to rip CDs to the NAS.

The last question will be whether to go for a new DAC (Ayre? Naim?) or to have my Uniti updated to allow hi def D/A conversion. Only problem with the last option is that I may have to ship the Uniti to the Cdn importer ( Frown). I don't fancy the idea of too many fedex/ups trips for anything with a cd mechanism in it, but on the other hand I don't really fancy buying a new DAC if the one in the Uniti is reasonably good.


I've been using the music player portion of Pure Vinyl, like it a lot. See the review of Pure Vinyl in the new Stereophile. Pure Vinyl has the latest update available any day now. The RIAA equalization in PV is supposed to be amazing, and supposedly you'll rip all your vinyl and listen to it digitally, I know that sounds like heresy. Also, you can get 3 free songs from Linn, very impressed with the quality. I downloaded them as Flac, and converted them with Max. The piano on one of the songs is absolutely amazing.

Dave