Close your eyes and the musicians are in the room

The performance is spread out before you, complete in every detail. The singer takes a breath between phrases, the guitarist's fingers squeak lightly as they travel up the fretboard, and the drummer coaxes a delicate, shimmering rhythm from his ride cymbal.

 

Sure, you need good equipment to hear these nuances, but you also need a high-quality source. This is why we're so excited about high-resolution audio. With a level of sonic detail that's better than CD, downloadable high-res music files can deliver sound so real, you feel like you're sharing the studio or the stage with your favorite musicians. Once you've had this kind of fully engaged listening experience, it's hard to go back to ordinary sound.

 

Leaving limitations behind

 

You can’t beat the convenience of digital music files. But low-resolution files (like the ones you get from the iTunes® store) can sound thin and flat when played through a good audio system.

 

If you want convenience and good sound, you owe it to yourself to try high-resolution music downloads. With the right setup, you’ll get sound that’s as good as or better than CDs.

 

High-res digital music has been popular with audiophiles for years. There have been disc formats like Super Audio CD (SACD), and in recent years, online music stores specializing in CD-quality-or better downloads have emerged.

 

Now high-res audio seems ready to break out to a wider audience. Music labels are offering thousands of titles across every music genre. The gear and software you need to play high-res files are getting friendlier and more affordable. But there are some things you need to know before you dive in. This article will help you understand the buzzwords and show you how to enjoy high-resolution audio.

 

What is high-resolution audio?

 

When you download music from the iTunes® Store or Amazon, you’re paying for “lossy” compressed files with a bit-rate of 256 kilobits-per-second. You won’t find CD-quality or high-res files at either site. But when you browse high-res online music stores like HDtracks, you’ll find only CD-quality or better downloads. These files cost more than MP3s, but the difference in sound quality can be startling.