Petition for High Definition Music Downloads.

If 24 bit is such a waste of time why do so many studios use it? The objections strike me as another example of businesses wanting to charge the most for the cheapest product. Most multinationals appear to want to produce all of their product in low wage economies whilst selling all of their stuff in high wage economies. This may work for a short time and I suspect most board members of most big companies only think in short terms. Sorry, bit of a rant, have read that Sony and Panasonic may be struggling like Ferguson, Pye et al were 40 years ago. It is so good that Naim and a few others appear able to produce quality without using sweat shop labour. Maybe Naim can give you trustworthy information on hi-res?

I believe that a typical chief executive is only in the job for about 18 months, and because they know this, they are always focuses on short term results.

I could be wrong (cars an example) but it seems with other products, if its high volumes - make it china. If its low volumes, then make it locally and advertise it as a quality product.

Going back to 24Bit, they are arguing technical reasons, not commercial. Its just I disagree with them. there is quite a discussion going on the DIY Audio forum about it, which goes over my head. But there is a guy who works in the industry who is pro 24Bit, so I guess it all depends on who you speak to.

I find 24 Bit or perhaps its because of the greater sampling rates available, more natural, more fluid / free flowing etc. Downloads a few of these tracks, and let me know what you think:

http://soundkeeperrecordings.com/format.htm

I was surprised at how much Hi Def stuff there is out there but seems not easy to find. I was browsing the Linn online store and whereas Naim only sell their own label, seems Linn will resell Hi Def from any label. It surprises me that the record companies are howling with pain at the reduced demand for cd's and see their revenues on the slide.  However  if you check out the premium charged for HI  Def  downloads it seems they are missing out on a potential boost to their income.  Will now go wash my mouth out with soap and put on the sackcloth and ashes for daring to mention the 'L' word on the forum.

Hi Fred, This reminded me that I had not thanked you for your nudge towards the 'Since Forever' album. Appropriately enough I opted for the HI Def download  and mightily impressed not only by your fine work but also quality of the recording. More Please!!!!!

Just signed up (belatedly).

Up to 1300 now.

the majority of the people signing the petition, have no doubt been a result of stereophile putting it on their main website and also, on their email flyer.

I'm quickly realising that the only way to gain huge numbers, is having the support of magazines and perhaps manufactures. I emailed "What Hifi" but received no reply. 

I guess, it will just mean emailing retailers and asking them to put up a little poster in support.

Hi Mike I did post your link on both What Hi F and Pink Fish Media websites

The petition seems to have stalled at the moment but hopefully Mike's prize-winning letter of the month in the latest edition of Hi-Fi Choice (Jan 2013), and their endorsement, will reinvigorate it.  Their music review section picks out high resolution downloads from Peter Gabriel (Live in Athens – B&W Society of Sound) and Barb Jungr (Stockport to Memphis – Naim). 

This is all so positive and in definite contrast to some of the negative comments that have come from certain elements in response to the petition.  A few quotes from the petition pages are attached below in case anyone has not been following in close detail. 

But before the gloom a recollection of some more positive quotes from Phil Harris in the winter 2011/12 edition of Connection (page 6) “At Naim, we consider that 24-bit files are a significant improvement over 16-bit files to the extent that we would generally go for a 24-bit/44.1kHz over a 16-bit/96kHz version of the same music.”

As well as: “The very simple answer is higher sound quality. As the sample rate increases then so does the maximum frequency of a waveform that can be reproduced. The musical notes in themselves may not extend to the (theoretical) 22kHz maximum of even CD reproduction, but the harmonics of notes that give music its ‘feel’ do – and well beyond too!”

And now for the negatives: [NB - there has also been a lot of positives]

‘…no domestic montioring system can come close to reproducing the full dynamic range capability of a 24 bit format, and actually it is virtually impossible even to find and record real music with a full 24 bit dynamic range capability either’‘

Again, few real world converters provide more than 20 bit performance anyway, and most domestic replay systems struggle to achieve the equivalent of 15 bits of dynamic range.’

‘24 bit files offer no improvement in soundstage width, or mix dynamics, or timing fluidity...’

‘….very few [HiFis] are capable of coping with the dynamic range of 16 bits, let alone 24, as I said. You can believe whatever you like, but these are facts. My 'hifi' system costs even more than yours [£10k+] and I live in a very quiet village, and I can't reproduce the full dynamic range of 24 bits..’

‘Perception often has little to do with fact.. And the hifi industry relies on that...’

Asking for 24-bit downloads is simply asking for bigger files that sound the same.’

In response to a quoted question – ‘If it makes no difference then why is 24 Bit material released at all’

Response – ‘To satisfy a daft demand from people like you, and to make even more money from the same back catalogue.

Hopefully the momentum will be regained and we will get to hear more of the positives from the industry. 

I haven't forgotten about the petition, like a lot of people, I've been busy with work. I do plan on email hifi "blogs", music magazines and retailers to raise the profile. Though this will probably be in just over a weeks time, when I have some time off work.