Hi-Res Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Posted by: Mike-B on 09 August 2014

Has anyone got a Hi-Res "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (40th ed (remastered))  ???

I am disappointed after a first listen as the ripped original CD sounds better,  (its in WAV)

I now see there are different versions out there,  did I buy the wrong one

any ideas  ???   

Posted on: 26 August 2014 by Mike-B

I appear to have answered my own question

The HiRes file was bought & loaded as FLAC

I tried it straight & then transcoding to WAV - all my better recordings are in the NAS as WAV

I then converted a copy to WAV with dBpoweramp 

Now got both loaded in the NAS & comparing -  so far the straight WAV seems to have sorted it.  2nd opinion will be home later.

Posted on: 27 August 2014 by intothevoid

Mike-B, try uncompressing the FLAC with dbPowerAmp. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes.

 

I prefer uncompressed FLAC to WAV, which I find a bit bloaty in comparison.

 

FWIW, I don't submit to the transcoding argument either (I realise you created a second copy for the WAV). Disk is cheap so I store everything uncompressed, whereas transcoding converts the file each and every time it is played, putting unnecessary CPU load on the server. 

 

YMMV

Posted on: 27 August 2014 by Foxman50
Originally Posted by intothevoid:

Mike-B, try uncompressing the FLAC with dbPowerAmp. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes.

 

I prefer uncompressed FLAC to WAV, which I find a bit bloaty in comparison.

 

FWIW, I don't submit to the transcoding argument either (I realise you created a second copy for the WAV). Disk is cheap so I store everything uncompressed, whereas transcoding converts the file each and every time it is played, putting unnecessary CPU load on the server. 

 

YMMV

Thats interesting as i store all my flac in uncompressed format, by accident and have kept with it. I have not done a comparison against uncompressed with standard setting.

 

However i have to say i do prefer transcoding to wav as flac sounds a touch bright

Posted on: 27 August 2014 by Mike-B

OK folks, thanks for inputs

I've tried uncompressed FLAC & was not able to hear much if any difference

100% agree disk space is cheap

Wat its from Qobuz  not sure how it compares with those you mention; its 24/96kHz & the title includes "(2014 Remastered)" both on the file title & it picks up the same from Metadata.  

 

My 2nd opinion arrived home & has judged the straight WAV to be better than the transcoded FLAC-WAV.

 

Also we are both agreed both FLAC (straight & transcoded) & now straight WAV is better than the ripped CD.  I put that opinion change down to familiarity with the ripped 16/44 which has a softer feel about it & Mrs-B was well tuned into the soft romantic tracks like Candle in the Wind. 

FLAC is more defined, WAV keeps the definition but adds a pinch of mellow sweetness.

 

Anyhow we are both agreed & the deed is done - now NAS has only the WAV version installed & the FLAC (original) is on the back-up.