MP3/Flac

[Dude#1279435]

When buying a digital album and downloading to your system, which format do you recommend?

 

[Trell]

A non-lossy format so FLAC and not MP3.

 

[lovinthehd]

I prefer the best version I can get. FLAC could even conceivably be an mp3 (and has been done) as FLAC is simply a lossless codec and can cover a range of bit depth/sampling frequency/formats. As long as it's at least 16/44.1 (redbook cd quality) you're good in any case, little advantage to higher resolution files depending on mix/mastering perhaps or wanting to perform processing. Storage costs have become so reasonable it's even possible you could just download a non-compressed file even if you have a lossless compressed file to choose from.....ymmv.

mp3 is one way of a lossy compression file, but some variants like AAC and OggVorbis can do better and even at lower rates....

 

[Dude#1279435]

Damn, think the recent digital I bought from Amazon Music might be mp3.

 

[lovinthehd]

Damn, think the recent digital I bought from Amazon Music might be mp3.

I remember when they had the buy a disc get a digital copy, the digital copy was always lesser, a lossy mp3 (not that was particularly bad). I've not purchased from Amazon digital, just buy cds from Amazon.

 

[Dude#1279435]

I remember when they had the buy a disc get a digital copy, the digital copy was always lesser, a lossy mp3 (not that was particularly bad). I've not purchased from Amazon digital, just buy cds from Amazon.

Amazon stores what I have bought anyway on a player. Stuff years back I forgot I had LOL. Anyway, think the download had the flac/mp3 option. I'm buying stuff from bandcamp so wanted to make sure before finishing the purchase.

Ah yeah think the one I just bought the CD price was super high so went with the digital.

 

[lovinthehd]

Amazon stores what I have bought anyway on a player. Stuff years back I forgot I had LOL. Anyway, think the download had the flac/mp3 option. I'm buying stuff from bandcamp so wanted to make sure before finishing the purchase.

Ah yeah think the one I just bought the CD price was super high so went with the digital.

The old library I had on Amazon was deleted at one point so they could change things up, wasn't particularly customer friendly. The software to download/play was goofy too. I just haven't bothered with them in years.

 

[Dude#1279435]

The old library I had on Amazon was deleted at one point so they could change things up, wasn't particularly customer friendly. The software to download/play was goofy too. I just haven't bothered with them in years.

I got a gift card for them for xmas so that's why.

You just buy CD's now?

 

[lovinthehd]

I got a gift card for them for xmas so that's why.

You just buy CD's now?

From Amazon, yes. I do download from some artists' direct sites, tho.

 

[Dude#1279435]

How long will the sound quality of the mp3 last?

 

[Speedskater]

How long will the sound quality of the mp3 last?

Until the storage medium starts to breakdown, then the DAC stage has to start error correcting short drop-outs.
Some burnt CDs have this type of problem when new.

 

[lukecho]

Why not just download from piratesbay? 3 clicks and you just saved $20

 

[Dude#1279435]

Why not just download from piratesbay? 3 clicks and you just saved $20

That's why.

 

[lukecho]

That's why.

I don't get it

 

[Dude#1279435]

I don't get it

Pirated.

 

[lukecho]

Pirated.

You're against pirated music? Why?

 

[lovinthehd]

Who needs to pirate music these days? Movies perhaps

 

[lukecho]

Who needs to pirate music these days? Movies perhaps

You can save so much money, lately I've been using YouTube music but when a cd comes out that I want I download it in flac.

 

[lukecho]

I don't even want to know how much it would cost to buy my music library.

 

[lovinthehd]

I don't even want to know how much it would cost to buy my music library.

I'm old school, have collected vinyl and cds before streaming/pirating was even an option. It's the greatest expense overall, gear's gotten close, tho (5 systems and don't sell off old gear). Streaming is cheap and easy.