Where to buy albums in FLAC or 320kbps

stefan · 03-23-2012, 05:23 PM

Where do you guys buy your lossless and near-lossless music? I don't do iTunes, and I noticed Amazon only sells at 256kbps. Blech.

Before anyone jumps in with the inevitable comment; yes I can tell the difference. Us BMW drivers are a discerning bunch so I'm sure someone out there can point me in the right direction!

Bimmer84 · 03-23-2012, 05:31 PM

I propose a test, not a question...

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/...-test-128-320/

But seriously, what kind of music do you listen to?

Bimmer84 · 03-23-2012, 05:38 PM

Also, a CD is loss-less. It is how it is ripped that determines what kbps it formatted in. 160 is very acceptable for the daily listener. 320kbps is a much larger file size, and is the reason you don't normally see them in mp3 format. Amazon offers 256kbps so that, 1. It's "better" than 160kbps, and 2. The file size is still not overly large.

Anyway, if you want "loss-less" music, buy the actual CD, and rip it yourself, as I am assuming you are referring to buying digital music.

stefan · 03-23-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

I propose a test, not a question...

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/...-test-128-320/

But seriously, what kind of music do you listen to?

Do read my first post.. thanks anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

Also, a CD is loss-less. It is how it is ripped that determines what kbps it formatted in. 160 is very acceptable for the daily listener. 320kbps is a much larger file size, and is the reason you don't normally see them in mp3 format. Amazon offers 256kbps so that, 1. It's "better" than 160kbps, and 2. The file size is still not overly large.

Anyway, if you want "loss-less" music, buy the actual CD, and rip it yourself, as I am assuming you are referring to buying digital music.

There is an absolutely enormous audible difference between 160 and 256 and a smaller difference between 256 and 320. I don't care about file size, clearly. We live in an era where storage is incredibly cheap, and where bandwidth is exceedingly high. Yes I could order a CD, rip it using LAME "insane" operands, and throw away the CD. But wouldn't it be nice to just download it.

Guys, I'm not trying to turn this into some bizarre discussion about what you think I can hear and not hear and comprehend and music genres and so forth forever in a flame thread. I immediately think I should have posted this in an audiophile forum. If you don't care for high bitrates because you can't tell, power to you. If your hard drive is so full of porn that another 0.5MB per song is a big deal, this question isn't for you.

Alright so.. that's out of the way. Am I stuck continuing to buy CDs?

Bimmer84 · 03-23-2012, 05:55 PM

So if you want to be a dick, then the answer is yes, you are stuck buying CDs. I tried to help, and explain why you won't find much 320kbps online. Buy the CD, or torrent FLAC. You're not going to easily find it elsewhere, not a large collection of digital music in the ways of iTunes and Amazon.. I wasn't speaking for myself in my 160-256 examples, I am speaking about the targeted public. I have plenty of 320kbps. Don't be such a prick, eh?

stefan · 03-23-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

So if you want to be a dick, then the answer is yes, you are stuck buying CDs. I tried to help, and explain why you won't find much 320kbps online. Buy the CD, or torrent FLAC. You're not going to easily find it elsewhere, not a large collection of digital music in the ways of iTunes and Amazon.. I wasn't speaking for myself in my 160-256 examples, I am speaking about the targeted public. I have plenty of 320kbps. Don't be such a prick, eh?

My bad. Just thought I asked a fairly specific question (see subject) and got frustrated. And to be fair, you actually didn't say that there wasn't a place to buy them--a conclusion I am quickly realizing. I apologize for interpreting your response as snarky (telling my a CD is lossless...) With respect, thanks for your response.

My MO here is that I'd rather just let the artist take a larger margin on full albums. It seemed wasteful for me to toss out CDs. I don't torrent or anything.

Bimmer84 · 03-23-2012, 06:02 PM

I know the Beatles just released what I believe to be their entire discography in FLAC. Again, without knowing what you listen to, I don't know what websites to point you towards. From what I have seen, many FLAC sites offer only genre specific music.

stefan · 03-23-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

I know the Beatles just released what I believe to be their entire discography in FLAC. Again, without knowing what you listen to, I don't know what websites to point you towards. From what I have seen, many FLAC sites offer only genre specific music.

Hmm that sounds interesting. I listen to metal, progressive, baroque, some jazz, and anything technical really. But if I could find a quality source for rock/metal, particularly anything from across the pond, I'll be a happy camper.

Bimmer84 · 03-23-2012, 06:08 PM

https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=classic_albums
http://www.alllossless.com/
http://www.allflac.com/
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/

stefan · 03-23-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=classic_albums
http://www.alllossless.com/

Thank you, sir.

Bimmer84 · 03-23-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefan

Thank you, sir.

Added 2 more!

stefan · 03-23-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

Added 2 more!

Wow allflac is great.. have you used it? Just want to make sure I'm paying the artist and not paying for a pirated version. $3.50 for some albums!

SixBanger · 03-23-2012, 11:45 PM

I bought an album from allflac.com and I used a creative player MP3 player to play the album, then I used my itunes player to play my itunes matched songs from the same band and album. Same volume level for both players and the HD songs sound soo much better and louder than the itunes matched songs. Wow.

Spoolin335 · 03-24-2012, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

I propose a test, not a question...

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/...-test-128-320/

But seriously, what kind of music do you listen to?

On my laptop you cant tell the difference, but when listening on an actual stereo or in the car, i can instantly tell the difference.

SixBanger · 03-24-2012, 12:23 AM

Can I play these songs on itunes? How do I transfer from creative to itunes? I've tried and hasn't worked out.

E90SoFlo · 03-24-2012, 02:01 AM

Ok coming from a person that wears ultrasone pro900s. With amps and such.

There is a huge difference between 320kb/s and other. You loose your bass and ur midds smudge with your highs.

You can download almost all 320kb/s music off tpb or Demonoid, and donate to the band if u feel guilty.

I listen to only 320kb/s now.

stefan · 03-24-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixBanger

Can I play these songs on itunes? How do I transfer from creative to itunes? I've tried and hasn't worked out.

iTunes can't do FLAC. What I recommend is downloading LameDrop (freeware). Change the settings to manual bitrate, 320, CBR, and set encoder to High. Drop your flac files onto the program and voila, instant 320kbps.

CJ421 · 03-24-2012, 12:17 PM

Depends on the type of music but www.beatport.com is where I get all of my music. 320Kbps MP3s (LAME encoded). Alternatively you can get the lossless files for a bit more.

And if I can't find it there, I buy CDs.

E90SoFlo · 03-24-2012, 12:23 PM

http://soundowl.com/

SixBanger · 03-24-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefan

iTunes can't do FLAC. What I recommend is downloading LameDrop (freeware). Change the settings to manual bitrate, 320, CBR, and set encoder to High. Drop your flac files onto the program and voila, instant 320kbps.

How do I change the setiings with lameware? All I get is a white box where I have the option of dragging the songs into the box and it changes them into a mp3 file, no option to change settings anywhere.

SixBanger · 03-24-2012, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixBanger

How do I change the setiings with lameware? All I get is a white box where I have the option of dragging the songs into the box and it changes them into a mp3 file, no option to change settings anywhere.

I figured it out Stefan. When I convert from FLAC to mp3 it goes from 1023 (flac) to 282 when changed to mp3. No 320 : (

stefan · 03-24-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixBanger

I figured it out Stefan. When I convert from FLAC to mp3 it goes from 1023 (flac) to 282 when changed to mp3. No 320 : (

Did you grab LameDrop from the URL I sent you above? Right click in the drop area and change options to this:

03-23-2012, 05:23 PM	#1
stefan Brigadier General 2369 Rep 4,258 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North iTrader: (2)	Where to buy albums in FLAC or 320kbps Where do you guys buy your lossless and near-lossless music? I don't do iTunes, and I noticed Amazon only sells at 256kbps. Blech. Before anyone jumps in with the inevitable comment; yes I can tell the difference. Us BMW drivers are a discerning bunch so I'm sure someone out there can point me in the right direction! __________________ ///M Power
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-23-2012, 05:31 PM	#2
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 111 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	I propose a test, not a question... http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/...-test-128-320/ But seriously, what kind of music do you listen to? __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 05:38 PM	#3
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 111 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	Also, a CD is loss-less. It is how it is ripped that determines what kbps it formatted in. 160 is very acceptable for the daily listener. 320kbps is a much larger file size, and is the reason you don't normally see them in mp3 format. Amazon offers 256kbps so that, 1. It's "better" than 160kbps, and 2. The file size is still not overly large. Anyway, if you want "loss-less" music, buy the actual CD, and rip it yourself, as I am assuming you are referring to buying digital music. __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 05:55 PM	#5
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 111 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	So if you want to be a dick, then the answer is yes, you are stuck buying CDs. I tried to help, and explain why you won't find much 320kbps online. Buy the CD, or torrent FLAC. You're not going to easily find it elsewhere, not a large collection of digital music in the ways of iTunes and Amazon.. I wasn't speaking for myself in my 160-256 examples, I am speaking about the targeted public. I have plenty of 320kbps. Don't be such a prick, eh? __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 06:02 PM	#7
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 111 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	I know the Beatles just released what I believe to be their entire discography in FLAC. Again, without knowing what you listen to, I don't know what websites to point you towards. From what I have seen, many FLAC sites offer only genre specific music. __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 06:08 PM	#9
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 111 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=classic_albums http://www.alllossless.com/ http://www.allflac.com/ http://www.theclassicalshop.net/ __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 11:45 PM	#13
SixBanger Captain 194 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Apr 2005 iTrader: (0)	I bought an album from allflac.com and I used a creative player MP3 player to play the album, then I used my itunes player to play my itunes matched songs from the same band and album. Same volume level for both players and the HD songs sound soo much better and louder than the itunes matched songs. Wow.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 12:23 AM	#15
SixBanger Captain 194 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Apr 2005 iTrader: (0)	Can I play these songs on itunes? How do I transfer from creative to itunes? I've tried and hasn't worked out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 02:01 AM	#16
E90SoFlo Banned 213 Rep 2,669 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (9)	Ok coming from a person that wears ultrasone pro900s. With amps and such. There is a huge difference between 320kb/s and other. You loose your bass and ur midds smudge with your highs. You can download almost all 320kb/s music off tpb or Demonoid, and donate to the band if u feel guilty. I listen to only 320kb/s now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 12:17 PM	#18
CJ421 Brigadier General 1789 Rep 4,166 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA, USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M3 Sedan [9.60]	Depends on the type of music but www.beatport.com is where I get all of my music. 320Kbps MP3s (LAME encoded). Alternatively you can get the lossless files for a bit more. And if I can't find it there, I buy CDs. __________________ 2024 BMW M3 Sedan Frozen Pure Grey II/Fjord Blue, 6MT Past: 2021 Z4 M40i Frozen Grey II/Black Alcantara \| 2017 F30 340i Mineral Gray/Coral Red, 6MT \| 2011 E92 335i Le Mans Blue/Black, 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 12:23 PM	#19
E90SoFlo Banned 213 Rep 2,669 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (9)	http://soundowl.com/
	Appreciate 0 Quote