Björk Biophilia New in 44.1kHz/24bit...?

[Kubular]

From the story I've read here so far I suspect it's not a problem with HDTracks core beliefs, more with their manpower. They've hit on something that's exploded rather quickly and are probably having to adapt to rather huge demand rather quickly.

I expect it's more that the label's sending them the wrong stuff and they're notifying their customers immediately, in the naive belief that what they've been given is what they were expecting.

Yes, they need some quality control but quality control costs money. You always have to weigh the risk of something going wrong, it's impact and how much it costs to stop it.

I haven't bought anything from HDTracks yet, but that's not because I don't trust them, it's because I don't trust the labels to actually do a good job of (re)mastering and delivering the material in the first place.

[drsean]

Hi Kubular, can't argue with any of that, but look at these extracts from HDTracks' Mission Statement on their website:

"HDtracks is the premiere online music store for audiophiles who demand the best sounding music. As consumers are left with few options to purchase high quality recordings, HDtracks was founded to fill the void...HDtracks provides audiophiles who demand the highest quality recordings with an online experience not available anywhere else."

My expectations after reading this are that HDTracks will take some responsibility for the quality of the music they sell on. I know it's difficult and takes manpower. My point is, without recommendation from someone who's tried a given album, there's no way of knowing if it's any better than the CD I bought in 1985! Perhaps a more modern website experience with the ability to leave comments would help promote open discussion about the quality of individual albums? All we have at the moment are the superlatives they include in their mail outs which intimate everything is of fantastic quality. So, as I see it, room for improvement that would benefit their customers, and the business, long term. But I could just be a fussy bugger!

(2011-11-13 13:28)Kubular Wrote:  From the story I've read here so far I suspect it's not a problem with HDTracks core beliefs, more with their manpower. They've hit on something that's exploded rather quickly and are probably having to adapt to rather huge demand rather quickly.

I expect it's more that the label's sending them the wrong stuff and they're notifying their customers immediately, in the naive belief that what they've been given is what they were expecting.

Yes, they need some quality control but quality control costs money. You always have to weigh the risk of something going wrong, it's impact and how much it costs to stop it.

I haven't bought anything from HDTracks yet, but that's not because I don't trust them, it's because I don't trust the labels to actually do a good job of (re)mastering and delivering the material in the first place.

[Animal]

Any of the Bjork buyers ever heard from HD-Tracks again?
This is getting ridiculous ...

Louis.

[drsean]

Naaaah, not yet. I keep emailing them every two weeks. They say it will be sorted "soon" and then all goes quiet again. Next step is to ask for a refund methinks.

(2011-12-23 18:50)Animal Wrote:  Any of the Bjork buyers ever heard from HD-Tracks again?
This is getting ridiculous ...

Louis.

[drsean]

I asked HDT for a refund as after nearly 3 months no track fix has been made available. They offered a free download of an equivalently-priced album instead...so I got myself a bit of Beethoven. Adios Bjork!

[Mozart]

(2011-12-23 18:50)Animal Wrote:  Any of the Bjork buyers ever heard from HD-Tracks again?
This is getting ridiculous ...

Louis.

I got my email with new download URL for track 10 'Cosmogony' on the 12.1.12. Downloaded and it plays fine.

The original album download although advertised as 24/44.1 was actually 24/96 apart from the aforementioned track 10 which was 16/96. The new track is 24/44.1. Great so I now have an album that is a mix of 24 bit resolutions.
I don't think this is HDTracks mistake but the record company's poor management. If the album is available in 24/96 why did they not just provide it in that format instead of offering it to HDTracks as 24/44.1 and making the mistake of actually giving them the 24/96 studio master.

I would love to know if anyone else has recently downloaded the entire album and what the resolution is now.