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Soundkeeper Recordings

Format Comparison

One thing that comes up repeatedly in discussions with other music lovers and audiophiles regarding CD vs. high-resolution digital formats, is the fact that most folks have no means of making a valid comparison. Often, the high-resolution version of a record is mastered at a different session, sometimes by a different engineer. At many so-called "format shootouts", one hears level differences, EQ differences, etc., making a true comparison of the formats impossible. Astute listeners realize these are comparisons of different masterings and not of the formats themselves.

In an effort to provide some help Soundkeeper Recordings is providing these samples from the same album, same mastering session, etc. A number of folks we know, who use upsampling devices to play back their CDs, have found these useful in illuminating the pluses as well as minuses of their upconversion, as they can now compare the results with a true high-res version.

When comparing the files, be sure your system is not performing any sort of resampling and/or dithering to either one. Some will by default, either upsample the 16/44 or downsample and dither the high-resolution version.


The downloads linked below are zipped .wav files.


New Half Step samples from The Twain Shall Meet

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96
  3. 24/192 ——> original recording format
The Twain Shall Meet


Minis Azaka samples from Kay Sa

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96
  3. 24/192 ——> original recording format
Kay Sa


Wind of Change samples from Winds of Change

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96
  3. 24/192 ——> original recording format
Winds of Change


Maria samples from Americas

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96
  3. 24/192 ——> original recording format
Americas


Blank Page samples from Confluence

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96
  3. 24/192 ——> original recording format
Confluence


Kote Moun Yo? samples from Equinox

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96
  3. 24/192 ——> original recording format
Equinox


Dragon Boats samples from Lift

  1. 16/44
  2. 24/96 ——> original recording format
Lift