Going back to CDs from downloads – because of gapless issues
Tue, Jan 18 2011, 11:59PM
#2
RE: Going back to CDs...
Have you tried using Foobar? It's free, and on a PC it plays anything without gaps, but I don't know if it would work on an ipod.
If you are using Foobar (which I recommend as well) in the standard way it only plays back more recent mp3s without gaps. This is because more recent mp3s contain extra information in the file which the foobar can read and use to start playing at the beginning of the music. Older mp3s don't contain this extra information, so ordinarily they would have gaps. To get gapless playback in this case you need to use some sort of digital signal processing plugin with Foobar which crossfades between the tracks.
My experience is the same as the 12tonelizzie's. Some opera Mp3s I've bought from both Passionato and the old DG webstore were of the older type without the gap info and did not playback without blips between tracks.
Ted
Wed, Jan 19 2011, 5:35PM
#3
RE: Going back to CDs...
I had issues with the Jessye Norman/Kurt Masur Ariadne auf Naxos. I tried two retailers - one MP3 and one FLAC. On both occasions it had the same glitches. Both were refunded without a quibble, but the second retailer (where I bought the FLAC download) told me that the problem was with DECCA's source files, and was common with their operas in particular. I would like to try downloading the album from deutschegrammophon.com (the horse's mouth, so to speak) but don't fancy the disappointment if it's the same.
For the record, I tried the FLAC with VLC player playing the FLAC directly and I converted to Apple Lossless for iTunes with identical results.
On the topic of FLAC versus MP3 and other lossy formats, I feel that there is a subtle difference. I feel there's an ease to lossless compared to a very slight roughening of the sound with MP3. I am certain that I could not reliably identify the difference in a blind test. Therefore I use lossless (FLAC downloads or ripped CDs) to satisfy my intellectual standards (haha), I download MP3 when I can't be bothered to wait for a CD to come in the mail and, on the iPod everything's conerted to 128kbps AAC (and sounds lovely through my PX100IIs).
Regards,
Malcolm.
Sun, Jan 23 2011, 10:33PM
#4
RE: Going back to CDs...
We used to buy LP's and suffered the 'gap' of getting up and flipping the disc over. This meant maybe three times during Mahler 9. CD's have spoiled us - only having to get off our asses once to hear a complete symphony through at worst.
I can't help but feel record companies are expecting more and more from listeners for less and less content.
Why should we have to 'edit' downloads ourselves and be 'post production' experts to hear at best the music we love and will always pay for?
I am a keen audiophile and computer user, but after 15 years of using a computer I am now feeling remote from what is fast becoming an over-complicated system for downloading music in all its formats and the hardware devices we are expected to get a grip of and understand.
Somebody please set a standard. A high quality standard that we can all enjoy without the worries of 'compression' or 'gap'. Did we worry about loss of sound with LP's or CD's? No! We were just glad for the continuing advancements of the quality of listening to music. Weren't we?
Sun, Jan 23 2011, 10:53PM
#5
RE: Going back to CDs...
Quite right, richypike we were. CDs and LPs are still to my mind the best way to listen to music. SACD's were intended to be the next development and still are if the major record companies hadn't had the jitters.
Mon, Jan 24 2011, 8:38AM
#6
RE: Going back to CDs...
No, not in my opinion. The best way to listen to music now is through a digital stream player, like Naim's, Linn's or similar. Not only is the sound quality better (with the exception of vinyl at its unfortunately rare best) but listening is so much more convenient, it can be continuous no matter how long the piece, there is no wear, or the potential for mechanical problems, and it has all the convenience of touch control from your listening seat. No deterioration once stored, and the availability of "Studio Master" downloads at a quality beyond some listener's ability to hear the improvement.
The downside, if such it be, is the involvement of computer technology and software, but once set up, it's ideal for enjoying music. My own listening has improved and increased considerably. Highly recommended.
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Have you tried using Foobar? It's free, and on a PC it plays anything without gaps, but I don't know if it would work on an ipod.