Recommended HD Audio Download Sites

Now that HD audio is a reality for many Audiophiles and music lovers, let's take a look at some of the better-known sources to download excellent quality HD audio files. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but it includes some of the better sites that I have used and that I would recommend.

Bowers & Wilkins - Society of Sound

Albums are curated by Peter Gabriel. Annual subscription of $60 gives you 24 albums (two albums per month). That works out to be $2.50 per album. You can register for free and get limited access to a selection of tracks if you don't want to commit. Most of the recordings are 48kHz 24 bit and a few are CD quality 44.1kHz 16 bit. Files are available in 24 bit FLAC, 16 bit FLAC and Apple Lossless (ALAC) format. Check out sample:

Up-sides
a) Best value for money. b) Recording quality is good. c) Nice way to discover artists you may not be familiar with. d) Fairly wide variety of music

Down-sides
a) Recordings limited to 48kHz while most HD downloads sites are now at 96kHz and a few are at 192kHz sampling rate. b) Not many well-known artists. c) Limited choice. You have only the 2 new albums each month and they are selected by Society of Sound.

Linn Records

Linn Products has been making top quality hi-end audio components/systems for years. Linn Records is an offshoot of Linn Products and the quality and attention to detail of their recordings complements their audio components well. Files are available in 24 bit and 16 bit FLAC and Apple Lossless (ALAC) format. Sampling rates from 192kHz down to 44.1kHz. For portable applications, you can also download the MP3 versions. A selection of Test files are available for free.

Up-sides
a) Some of the best quality recordings available today.

Down-sides
a) Somewhat expensive. A 24bit/96kHz album cost $24. b) Selection is limited but growing.

iTrax.com

Founded in 2007 by Mark Waldrep, Ph.D. To understand Mark's recording philosophy, check out this short piece. iTrax may be considered a niche player in the HD music industry but is a true jewel for those interested HD recordings from the microphone/instruments all the way to the final Blu-ray disk or downloaded file. Files are available in 24 bit and 16 bit FLAC, Wav, and many other formats. Sampling rates from 96kHz down to 44.1kHz

"iTrax is the world's only online retailer of high definition, surround music and high definition video music, offering discriminating music consumers the opportunity to acquire new music tracks that were actually recorded, mixed and mastered using high definition digital production equipment." Check out sample:

Up-sides
a) Perhaps the best quality recordings available today. b) Albums available in 5.1 audience and stage mix along with the usual stereo mix. c) Good value for money. A 24bit/96kHz album cost $19. d) No "cleaned up old master tapes" being sold as HD audio. Recordings are all new.

Down-sides
a) Selection is limited but growing.

HDtracks

Founded by David and Norman Chesky of the Chesky Records label; HDtracks is perhaps the most well rounded internet download site for HD audio. Files are available in 24 bit and 16 bit FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and Wav format. Sampling rates from 192kHz down to 44.1kHz. Check out sample: Some free tracks are available if you create an account.

Up-sides
a) Offers the widest range of music. b) Good value for money. A 24bit/96kHz album cost $18. c) You get frequent discount codes (typically giving you 10 to 20% off) if you create a free account.

Down-sides
a) Some of the older recordings are not that great.

Naim Label

Naim Label is the record label branch of Naim Audio, a top British audio equipment brand. Files are available in 24 bit and 16 bit FLAC and Apple Lossless (ALAC) format. Sampling rates from 192kHz down to 44.1kHz. Many of their recordings are 24 bit @ 44.1kHz sampling rate but there are a few great recordings at higher sampling rate. An audiophile "must have" is "Meet Me In London" by Antonio Forcione & Sabina Sciubba.

Up-sides
a) A few really excellent recordings especially at 24bit/192kHz.

Down-sides
a) Somewhat expensive. A 24bit/96kHz album cost $22. b) Selection is limited but growing.

2L - The Nordic Sound

2L is A Norwegian record label founded by Morten Lindberg. Their focus is on classical music and they travel all over Scandinavia for the right cathedral or chapel to do their recordings. They produce some very amazing, natural sounding recordings. 2L produces both stereo and 5.1 surround sound HD audio recordings.

Up-sides
a) Excellent recordings with very good ambience. b) The best free "Test" tracks available. There are around 16 free tracks you can download.

Down-sides
a) Somewhat expensive. A 24bit/96kHz album cost $24. b) Selection is limited to Classical and Folk.