Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo cd quality downloads

As CD's are really on their way out, I realized that I need to find some good download sources. I'm looking for CD quality sound with some good dynamic range. So far, I have all of my music library is in itunes in the Apple Lossless encoding. Since I have a 160 gig. iPod I've had no problem having access my music collection uncompressed (from the original cd). What bitrate should I be looking for? I've looked for high quality download sites and usually they have all of this underground music that I've never even heard of. What are some good sites to get these higher quality downloads? I listed to blues, rock, classic rock and metal.

Rhapsody steams at a higher bit rate than most, and I'm pretty sure you can download some high quality songs too. I have a subscription, but never bothered to try it or figure out how.

There have been a few sites posted here in the past offering 24 bit and lower downloads, but I can't seem to find them. I do remember there wasn't much mainstream music though.

I don't know how "low" you are willing to go, but 7digital.com has a large selection of music that can be downloaded at 320 kbps.

I like HD Tracks , up to 96/24 and pretty good selection.

Dave Matthews Band sells downloadable songs and albums in flac on their website, but I don't know if other bands do the same. If you are looking for music from a high profile band, maybe check out their website as they might do the same.

CD's aren't on their way out, not for a long long time. Buy used CD's and avoid the nasty remasters. This way you save money, have a hard copy that you can rip to FLAC, and end up with the better digital master.

Do you usually buy used CDs online? … any website recommendations you care to share.
Like your avatar , is that a new crocoduck like species? :P

It's a doggull!


At this point I almost always get my used CD's online. When I used to live close to local used music shops I would always pickup whatever looked interesting. Now I usually stick to the Amazon marketplace, there's lots of early CD releases to be found dirt cheap there.

Otherwise I check other forums for used CD postings, and sometimes good deals on some DCC/MFSL discs can be found.

It does seem to be the trend that by remaster they mean compressing the hell out of it. It's funny since when DVD or Blu-ray movies have advertised that it is a new remaster, the quality is usually an improvement over the original.