DVD-Audiobahn

RE: Wow - thanks - I did not realize they had multi-channel downloads

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srl1

A

In Reply to: RE: Wow - thanks - I did not realize they had multi-channel downloads posted by Chris from Lafayette on May 12, 2012 at 16:56:58

Unfortunately, the files are large and expensive. I have enough trouble downloading 24/96 from their site. Interestingly, eclassical and hdtracks work better on downloads.
Also, I went back to the site and discovered that there is a surround format pick on their search (duh!). There seems to be around 29 surround offerings. I think the surround thing is fairly new.

Edits: 05/12/12

Follow Ups:

I can't believe I downloaded the whole thing! - Chris from Lafayette 16:29:00 05/17/12 (4)
Sure, it's a double album (about 140 minutes), but still, it took FOURTEEN HOURS to download! I started at 4:10 p.m. (local time), and it didn't finish until about 6:10 a.m. this morning. Fortunately, I had some "loyalty points" which I used, and paid �22, rather than �34.99.

I've only listened to just a few tracks, but it's sounding pretty fabuloso so far - especially as I make some minor adjustments, such as reducing the level of the center and rear channels.

I'm pretty enthusiastic about this and may soon download the multi-channel 24/96 J�rvi/RSNO album of Saint-Sa�ns symphonic poems and miscellaneous works:

The Saint-Sa�ns download should take me only about seven hours!
- RE: I can't believe I downloaded the whole thing! - srl1 17:56:09 05/17/12 (3)
  Do you play these straight from your PC, or do you connect a drive to your system via a USB port?
  
  I've been playing around with my Oppo BDP-95 using its limited networking capabilities as well as connecting a USB drive to play hi-rez files. Of course, the downside is that you cannot achieve gapless playback this way. So, I've authored some DVD-A discs with Cirlinca software for those works that need gapless playback. Have you tried that?
  - I play the files direct from the PC - Chris from Lafayette 19:18:39 05/17/12 (2)
    However, I've made an unpleasant discovery with one of the works from the download ("Jeux") which is divided into tracks: the VLC media player also creates momentary gaps/mutes as it goes from the end of one track to the beginning of another. In all the works in the Debussy download, this is not a problem - except for "Jeux". I haven't played with the preferences on this software, so I don't know if I can eliminate the gaps/mutes in this work or not.
    
    Otherwise, everything seems great - my wife could not believe that this was the RSNO - we've both never heard them play better on any other recording!
    - RE: I play the files direct from the PC - srl1 06:59:42 05/18/12 (1)
      When the Debussy was first available for download, they only had the lossless version. I downloaded a couple of the pieces to see if I liked the performances, and when I did, I ordered the SACD from MDT.
      
      It was only later that the hirez versions were put up. Got the SACD the other day, and it is wonderful. I truly believe that the SQ really affects ones reaction to a performance. Now, great SQ can't rescue a bad (boring) performance, but it can make a good one much better. I was moderately impressed with the standard download, but the awesome open, clear, dynamic sonics of the SACD really make it a standout performance.
      - Totally agree! [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 07:42:01 05/18/12 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I play the files direct from the PC posted by srl1 on May 18, 2012 at 06:59:42
Just downloaded a test 24/96 surround file - Chris from Lafayette 21:04:44 05/15/12 (0)
Very interesting - I just downloaded one track ("Rondes de printemps") from the Classical Shop Chandos "Stephane Deneve conducts Debussy" album you originally posted about. The eight-minute file took half an hour to download. As usual, I used Max to convert the FLAC to AIFF. I brought it into iTunes and it shows up with all the right meta information (sample rate of 96k, bit rate of 11,520k - my two-channel 96k files have a bit rate of 4,608k). However, iTunes will not play it. But the VLC media player will - it shows the 11,520k bit rate as it plays in real time, so it appears to be playing at the advertised 96k resolution. The surround in this case is 5.1 - I do get subwoofer output. VLC will also play the FLAC file directly, as well as the AIFF file I converted it to.
I used Spek to look at the spectrum analysis and there is information above 25k. Looks good (no DSD ultrasonic noise). Sounds good. I'm tempted to download the whole album, but I'd just have to start it and let it go overnight! ;-)

Edits: 05/15/12
Yes - I found that too - looks as if most of them are DSD masters? - Chris from Lafayette 20:30:19 05/12/12 (0)
That would rule them out for me, because the conversion to 24/96 would include the high frequency noise of the masters - although that Debussy selection you originally posted about seems to be a 24/96 master. BTW, did you see my "Caveat emptor" post on the Music forum on this site?

Actually, I've found the downloads at The Classical Shop work pretty reliably for me, although they're slow. On HD Tracks, it always downloads the download manager each time, even though I already have that application from previous downloads on that site. I guess that's just a minor annoyance.

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