I must try to get the high res version - where did you get it from? I have been too busy ripping my existing CDs to bother about downloads up til now.

Yes, a great album. Also gets my vote for album cover of the year.

Yes, I am very interested in this, but can't find a download.

HDtracks ($21), Highresaudio (€21) or Gubemusic (€17), in 24/44.1

Got it. Thanks. After the fiasco around upsampled "Hi Res", I'd prefer it if ECM offered this directly. Anyway....

Have you compared the two directly? Do you put the difference down to different mastering/processing, or simply to the 24-bit "depth". There is an argument that 24 bit Vs 16 bit is irrelevant once all processing has been accomplished. All the dynamic range you need is present in 16 bit, .i.e. 24 bit just drops noise floor from completely inaudible to even more inaudible. 24 bit is useful during production to minimise processing losses, but once the thing is finished, downsampling to 16 bit makes little/no difference.

Anyway, listeining to the 24-bit download now. Very, very nice.

Yes I did compare the two, I first heard the album from a CD rip from a mate of mine. It was such a great album, I decided to buy a legitimate copy, and at that point got a mail shot from HD tracks with the Hires version available. I have a number of Hires files not all of which are superior to the CD, this was different. Same version days well.

gerry

And does "Blurred Lines" get your vote for video of the year? 

No, just deaf.

Thanks for the recommendation. I hadn't seen that. Nice song too.

Kevin. You're not wrong. Last night I played her the whole album. What did you think of that I asked, she replied "One long dirge"

I, on the other hand disagree. Not one bad song, in fact they're all top notch. I've listened to the album about four times but I get the feeling I've heard the songs many time before without actually being able to say a particular track reminds me of a particular old song. Although something about the album reminds me of All About Eve. Martha's Harbour and The Dreamer spring to mind.

I'd never heard of it. But I just googled it up and watched a minute-or-so. Awful garbage. Mind-numbingly bad.

I will hold my thought on this thread a bit longer to evaluate the full year 2013 - but what amazes me that I miss some input of all on jazz and classical albums..... I guess I will have to deliver that in December - or perhaps I tease people now in to coming up with some suggestions.

Right now I would be looking at Pires (Schubert) Fray (Bach), Trioscence....

This one can't stop to amaze me (this is a late 2012 release though, but the 24/96 was released in early 2013 I think, so...).

Dmitry Sinkovsky, Il Pomo d'Oro, Vivaldi: Concerti per violino Vol. V 'Per Pisendel', Naïve (2012)

Here's 3 good ones from me.  Definitely an electronica vibe:

Daft Punk: Random Access Memories

The Field: Cupids Head

Darkside: Psychic

This 45rpm vinyl is the best £15 quid I've spent this year and the best new recording I've bought in 2013. Superb SQ and his renditions of the Beatles songs is awesome.

QOTSA "Like Clockwork"

Here is one of the songs from the album. 

Hold on to your hats lol

With only two months left to 2013, it will have to be something truly spectacular to beat this one for my album of the year:

Steven Wilson's 'The Raven that Refused to Sing (and Other Stories)'

This is one of those albums that I really wish I'd played on! But then it is Guthrie Govan on guitar!!!

I thought those posting on this thread might find this info interesting

Top 10 Selling Vinyl Albums of 2013 (to 17 Oct 2013) 

Best albums so far is Todd Rundgren's State, Deluxe Limited Edition. The Deluxe Limited Edition includes the studio album plus a bonus recording of a live show, recorded in the Netherlands with an orchestra.

The studio album is OK, but nothing special. The live recording on the other hand is top notch. Rundgren's voice isn't what it was, but he still manages to convey an immense amount of emotion in his vocals, which is probably his greatest strength. The orchestration highlights just how good his songs really are.

This might just be edging Goldfrapp 

Do tell us Chris!

I tell you what, it's not bloody James "Just won the Mercury for some unknown reason" Blake. 

The suspense is killing me...