The best sounding (produced/mastered) tracks/albums

[NDA]

Church of Noise said:

Do you notice the impact of the 192kHz resolution NDA?
I'm not entirely sure I can pick it up...

If I had to stand up in a court of law, I'd say no. I often think something is 192/24 and it isn't. However....

I do have a revealing and neutral system with a wide (11Hz to 24kHz) frequency response which should extract higher resolution easily. I also have tinnitus. Hahaha.

But I do listen, really listen and there is - or seems to be - more instrument separation when doing an A/B test on the same music, slightly more weight too.

Is it my imagination, like those troubled souls who have directional speaker cable talking about the 'thin veil of gauze' being removed from their mid range?

There's no question that there is more data contained in the higher resolution, can you hear it? Who knows? I enjoy knowing there's more data and maybe that's part of it.

[VSKeith]

NDA said:

If I had to stand up in a court of law, I'd say no. I often think something is 192/24 and it isn't. However....

I do have a revealing and neutral system with a wide (11Hz to 24kHz) frequency response which should extract higher resolution easily. I also have tinnitus. Hahaha.

But I do listen, really listen and there is - or seems to be - more instrument separation when doing an A/B test on the same music, slightly more weight too.

Is it my imagination, like those troubled souls who have directional speaker cable talking about the 'thin veil of gauze' being removed from their mid range?

There's no question that there is more data contained in the higher resolution, can you hear it? Who knows? I enjoy knowing there's more data and maybe that's part of it.

I think the streaming services often put up better recordings/remasters tagged as 'Hi Res', and even reducing the quality of the CD level versions.

It's just that the higher resolution isn't the reason for the better sound.

You're absolutely right - if just trusting it sounds better makes it sound better, or relieving the concern that you're not listening to the 'premium' version makes it sound better then go for the hi res.

Psychoacoustics is a thing and if it sounds better to you then don't stress - enjoy!

Cheapaudioman did a great vid on this. I don't have the time to look it up and link to it but worth searching for.

All IMHO of course

[StescoG66]

Edited by StescoG66 on Thursday 22 January 20:08

[NDA]

StescoG66 said:

I know 'Bubbles' - almost like a hifi demo track. It probably is....

I don't know Submotion Orchestra, will give that a proper listen later.

[robbiekhan]

Focused said:

A few more I like, all quite different. Second and third have good bass


Ghost Rider

https://open.spotify.com/track/0hsiU01wuRJGFsouJM1...

Nice bass detail this, playing on the new Luxsin X8 I'm reviewing and yes the bass is very immediate and impactful on my speakers.

[Oberheim]

‘The Time is Now’ by Moloko will give your sub a nice workout. The kick drum on that track has major presence. I’m currently enjoying Disc 1 of ‘Acoustic’ Volume 1 (a compilation album released in 2002) and there are a number of other well-produced tracks on it too. Worth a listen.

[Funk]

This is a beaut: 'I Will Remember' - Toto

https://open.spotify.com/track/1MzFmVDSl7Vm00f3Hw4...

[robbiekhan]

Sinatra's finest, and this one is remastered amazingly:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1PVTvvxpSkyJWemW1Cw...

[MightyBadger]

If you are downloading mp3s go for 320 instead of 192 or download a .wav, most of the time you can hear subtle differences in quality and detail there will be less artifacts and will make your listening experience better overall.

[Funk]

MightyBadger said:

If you are downloading mp3s go for 320 instead of 192 or download a .wav, most of the time you can hear subtle differences in quality and detail there will be less artifacts and will make your listening experience better overall.

FLAC is the answer - lossless sound quality but much smaller than a WAV file (while sounding identical).

[InductionRoar]

[wolfracesonic]

^ Gold plated?

[InductionRoar]

wolfracesonic said:

^ Gold plated?

Yes. One for the 'Audiophile bullst' thread.

[StescoG66]

[ninepoint2]

Was never a fan of Neil Diamond until I heard Rick Rubin's production of 12 Songs, still not a fan of his "mainstream" work but that album stands out.

[InductionRoar]

ninepoint2 said:

Was never a fan of Neil Diamond until I heard Rick Rubin's production of 12 Songs, still not a fan of his "mainstream" work but that album stands out.

Neil Diamond's early music was very well produced.

Hot August Night is one of the finest sounding live recordings I have heard.

[MightyBadger]

A nice workout for any hi-fi set up.

https://keepingtrack.bandcamp.com/album/dubs-on-ac...

Download wav, flac, mp3

Be warned, contains very low frequencies.

Was released on Friday, both previous vols1&2 are free to download.

Edited by MightyBadger on Sunday 8th February 11:12

[Funk]

Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Other Side:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5smnTPDfrFkuvXkEOQo...

This track is beautifully mic'd, the drums in particular sound incredible - the delicate snare and ride cymbal sound like they could be in the room with you.

[NDA]

Funk said:

Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Other Side:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5smnTPDfrFkuvXkEOQo...

This track is beautifully mic'd, the drums in particular sound incredible - the delicate snare and ride cymbal sound like they could be in the room with you.

A Manfred Eicher (founder of ECM) production. He rarely puts a foot wrong.

I don't know this recording - listening now - it's beautifully done. The double bass is lovely too, giving my sub something to chew on.

I think I posted a few pages ago the Wolfgang Haffner album 'Silent World' - worth a go.

Also Manu Katché and Jan Garbarek 'Twelve Moons' and the track 'Gautes-Margjit' which has a great drum groove (and sound) running through it. One of my favourites. I met Manu and said I enjoyed that track "oh that was years ago" was his only reply!

[gmaz]

I don't know who else is doing similar, but I just saw an announcement by Steven Wilson about https://headphonedust.store/pages/playback-guide

It allows download of Dolby Atmos TrueHD mixes, 5.1 surround, hi-res audio if you have the necessary hardware.