Most audiophiles have heard about using HD FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) files as high quality music sources. Some 24 bit FLAC files have even higher than CD (16 bit) quality. FLAC files are a "no loss" compressed music file as compared to mp3 files which are a "lossy" file. Just as DVD's and Blu-Ray movies have taken the place of movies on videotape, HD FLAC files may wind up taking the place of mp3 files for future music storage. The only down side is that FLAC files are 10 to 20 times larger than mp3 files and most DVD or CD players can not play these tracks if you burn them to a CD or a DVD. All computers can play these files provided you have the correct FLAC software player.
To play a FLAC file on your computer you need a software player like Winamp or Foobar2000. Both of these software players have a codec that can play FLAC files directly on your computer. Both Winamp and Foobar2000 are free downloads. There are places online that sell "HD tracks". There are a few places that allow a free download of a few FLAC files.
To really do justice to the sound quality of these files, you should have a high quality sound card OR an outboard DAC. The outboard DAC can accept the digital out from most computers. Some DAC's may also be plugged directly into a USB port on your computer. I use an older Bel Canto DAC that was replaced on my main music sytem by a new Sony SACD player. It made noticeable difference in sound quality coming from my computer. There are relatively low cost DAC's like the Schitt Modi ($99) or the Topping D20 ($140) which will upgrade the sound of your computer and cost a lot less than a high quality sound card.
I have stored online many of my FLAC files and have made some of them "public" for those who might like to try playing a FLAC file on their computer. All you have to do is first download and run Winamp or Foobar 2000 on your computer and then go to the link below.
Link > Skydrive HD tracks
Note - Unless you are a forum member, you will not see a clickable link.
You will see some HD tracks. When you try to download the file, the web site (Skydrive) will ask for an Email login. Use "Wolf012558@aol.com". The password is > "dynaco123" (Note > lower case "d" in dynaco). After you log in if you can't see any files, click on "Shared". If you click on any of the HD FLAC files, you will be allowed to download the file. All tracks are 24 bit HD tracks and the music selection will vary from week to week. I will try to put up new tracks every Monday morning ...
Lastly, these tracks are made available only for members of the Dynaco Tube Audio Forum. I would ask that you not pass around the internet this link and the log in information.
Thanks,
Bob
To play a FLAC file on your computer you need a software player like Winamp or Foobar2000. Both of these software players have a codec that can play FLAC files directly on your computer. Both Winamp and Foobar2000 are free downloads. There are places online that sell "HD tracks". There are a few places that allow a free download of a few FLAC files.
To really do justice to the sound quality of these files, you should have a high quality sound card OR an outboard DAC. The outboard DAC can accept the digital out from most computers. Some DAC's may also be plugged directly into a USB port on your computer. I use an older Bel Canto DAC that was replaced on my main music sytem by a new Sony SACD player. It made noticeable difference in sound quality coming from my computer. There are relatively low cost DAC's like the Schitt Modi ($99) or the Topping D20 ($140) which will upgrade the sound of your computer and cost a lot less than a high quality sound card.
I have stored online many of my FLAC files and have made some of them "public" for those who might like to try playing a FLAC file on their computer. All you have to do is first download and run Winamp or Foobar 2000 on your computer and then go to the link below.
Link > Skydrive HD tracks
Note - Unless you are a forum member, you will not see a clickable link.
You will see some HD tracks. When you try to download the file, the web site (Skydrive) will ask for an Email login. Use "Wolf012558@aol.com". The password is > "dynaco123" (Note > lower case "d" in dynaco). After you log in if you can't see any files, click on "Shared". If you click on any of the HD FLAC files, you will be allowed to download the file. All tracks are 24 bit HD tracks and the music selection will vary from week to week. I will try to put up new tracks every Monday morning ...
Lastly, these tracks are made available only for members of the Dynaco Tube Audio Forum. I would ask that you not pass around the internet this link and the log in information.
Thanks,
Bob
Last edited by Bob Latino on Thu May 16, 2013 6:55 pm; edited 7 times in total
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