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Where to purchase DRM free, 320 kbps or greater mp3s?

I like 7digital - unlike amazon you don't need to install their program. And all of the mp3's you buy are available anytime to redownload by logging into your account. 320 too.
 
Amazon offers 256k VBR. I think that means 256k is the mean bitrate and it fluctuates around that level.

I wish they were a full 320k constant personally, but I buy anyway.
 
irishScott said:
Seriously? Thought they were still at 192-256 kbps or something.
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It's somewhere around 256kbps, VBR encoding, according to the complexity of the sound in each block, or however the file is divided up internally.

Sounds fine to me.

If MP3 is done right, you can get pretty good quality. Some encoders may not have their default setting for optimum quality, as higher quality (and compression efficiency) results in longer encoding times.
As far as I'm concerned, you might as well go for maximum quality, as you're only encoding a file once.

The obsessive side of me would prefer FLAC, but the even more obsessive side would prefer a format which would allow for lossless mixing, to help adjust things like overactive and annoying background music, or to adjust dynamic range.
 
Jeff7 said:
It's somewhere around 256kbps, VBR encoding, according to the complexity of the sound in each block, or however the file is divided up internally.

Sounds fine to me.

If MP3 is done right, you can get pretty good quality. Some encoders may not have their default setting for optimum quality, as higher quality (and compression efficiency) results in longer encoding times.
As far as I'm concerned, you might as well go for maximum quality, as you're only encoding a file once.

The obsessive side of me would prefer FLAC, but the even more obsessive side would prefer a format which would allow for lossless mixing, to help adjust things like overactive and annoying background music, or to adjust dynamic range.
Click to expand...

lol yeah I'm picky. 320 constant or bust for mp3s. Yeah 256 sounds fine, but I can tell a slight difference. Would prefer FLAC myself, but iTunes doesn't support it (I use it for the "network" feature, in the dorms). Doubt anyone will be offering FLAC for download anytime soon anyway. 🙁
 
darkswordsman17 said:
Isn't that an oxymoron?

Amazon is still at 256kbps, at least I haven't heard they've changed.
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320 kbps constant is considered "negligibly close" among mp3s, but yeah technically it's impossible. If I really like a given artist I shell out for the CD, but one hit wonders I'm cool with high quality mp3s.
 
Jeff7 said:
It's somewhere around 256kbps, VBR encoding, according to the complexity of the sound in each block, or however the file is divided up internally.

Sounds fine to me.

If MP3 is done right, you can get pretty good quality. Some encoders may not have their default setting for optimum quality, as higher quality (and compression efficiency) results in longer encoding times.
As far as I'm concerned, you might as well go for maximum quality, as you're only encoding a file once.

The obsessive side of me would prefer FLAC, but the even more obsessive side would prefer a format which would allow for lossless mixing, to help adjust things like overactive and annoying background music, or to adjust dynamic range.
Click to expand...

Really, the difference in quality between 256 and 320 MP3 or even FLAC is smaller than the difference the quality of the the music they start "production" with (by that I mean the music at the point where its being put on CD/etc). Hell, if you start with a great original, even sub 128k is enjoyable. Obviously the best would be if we had the option of being able to pay for both a better source and format. But of course consumers are largely getting screwed there.

There are some sites that have hi-res downloads, but their selection isn't stellar for most people's tastes.
 
I'm guessing most people here lack the equipment to differentiate between 192 and FLAC. Not saying it's impossible, but I've seen enough blind tests done on Head-Fi where things turn into flame wars because people get tripped up. LOL.
 
Amazon is good enough for the like-but-don't-love songs or for single songs from soundtracks and greatest hits (that one new song they add to make us buy a bunch of other songs we already own 😡 )

Otherwise, buy the CD and rip to lossless FLAC.
 
alltunes/allofmp3/mp3sparks (the russian site)? But that is either grey or illegal, depends on whose argument you want to listen to.
 
abaez said:
I like 7digital - unlike amazon you don't need to install their program. And all of the mp3's you buy are available anytime to redownload by logging into your account. 320 too.
Click to expand...

Checking it out now, looks like it might be decent.

Specop 007 said:
SACD's.....
Click to expand...

He said MP3s...

irishScott said:
320 kbps constant is considered "negligibly close" among mp3s, but yeah technically it's impossible. If I really like a given artist I shell out for the CD, but one hit wonders I'm cool with high quality mp3s.
Click to expand...

Oh, I know, I was just poking fun at you saying CD quality or better MP3.
 
DLeRium said:
I'm guessing most people here lack the equipment to differentiate between 192 and FLAC. Not saying it's impossible, but I've seen enough blind tests done on Head-Fi where things turn into flame wars because people get tripped up. LOL.
Click to expand...

The reason for FLAC is not because I can tell the difference (I don't want to get into that argument). It's more because if I'm going to pay money for a digital copy, I want one that I can use for archive purposes and re-encode as I see fit. Give me a FLAC, let me make a 190 mp3, 320 mp3, or even an ogg.

FLAC is the nearest thing to digitally owning a CD.
 
DLeRium said:
I'm guessing most people here lack the equipment to differentiate between 192 and FLAC. Not saying it's impossible, but I've seen enough blind tests done on Head-Fi where things turn into flame wars because people get tripped up. LOL.
Click to expand...
It doesn't take audiophile equipment to tell the difference...just sayin.
 
NutBucket said:
I want to try them but I don't really want to invest in ANOTHER format.
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Selection is all over the place, and there's not a dearth of really great ones that actually utilize the format. There are good ones to be found, but everything is such a hassle (locating an album you like, extra cost, then having a setup to play it back). Not sure if much has been done on being able to rip SACDs, I believe DVD-Audio had a breakthrough a few years back but I don't think SACDs did.

You can check out HDTracks.com and I believe Lynn Music offer high res downloads. There's others as well but I can't remember the site names.

magomago said:
alltunes/allofmp3/mp3sparks (the russian site)? But that is either grey or illegal, depends on whose argument you want to listen to.
Click to expand...

Weren't they shutdown after the US government basically strongarmed Russia into clamping down on them? I just checked allofmp3 and its a blog now, and while it says the case was dropped it was due to the site going out of business.
 
I love how quickly this became an argument about lossless versus mp3 rather then just about where to get quality music without DRM.

It kind of depends on what music you like also - unfortunetely finding DRM free music that is POP music is nearly impossible. Meaning all the stuff they play on the radio, whether you like rock, country, rap or what.

I personally listen to mostly electronic music and indie or rock that you don't hear on the radio, in the vain of industrial or things like that.

I like beatport and 7digital who someone already mentioned. Good stuff
 
AMDZen said:
I love how quickly this became an argument about lossless versus mp3 rather then just about where to get quality music without DRM.

It kind of depends on what music you like also - unfortunetely finding DRM free music that is POP music is nearly impossible. Meaning all the stuff they play on the radio, whether you like rock, country, rap or what.

I personally listen to mostly electronic music and indie or rock that you don't hear on the radio, in the vain of industrial or things like that.

I like beatport and 7digital who someone already mentioned. Good stuff
Click to expand...

I just got Wheels by Foo Fighters at 320 constant, drm free for $1.19

That was via lala. 🙁
 
uh.

they do still make these things called 'CD's,' which are competitively priced (often cheaper than digital) and can be ripped to flac or 320kb+ mp3's at your leisure.
 
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