2003 Fantasy SACD FSA-8431-6 Discogs

Fiona Joy Hawkins - Christmas Joy

SACD 2011 Little Hartley Music – FJH013 Discogs

Oscar's Motet Choir - Cantate Domino

SACD 2003 Proprius – PRSACD 7762 Discogs

John Williams – Home Alone (25th Anniversary Limited Edition)

2-CD SET La-La Land Records – LLLCD 1374 Discogs

Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song

SACD 2015 Audio Fidelity AFZ 225 Discogs

Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

Acoustic Sounds SACD UCGQ-9051 Discogs

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding this specific model, the measurements tell a different story. While measurements don't always guarantee good sound quality, they clearly show how poor its performance is compared to modern standards and equipment.

According to measurements by Archimago, the PlayStation’s DAC achieved a 15-bit dynamic range with an 88.8 dB—lower than the full 96 dB dynamic range of true 16-bit CD quality.

A modern DAC is far more capable than this, even a modest entry-level model easily outperforms the original PlayStation’s DAC, offering better linearity, lower distortion, and vastly superior jitter rejection.

Digital-to-analog conversion

Less accurate digital-to-analog conversion can produce a smoother, more forgiving sound. In some cases, the resulting distortion may mask flaws in lower-quality recordings, making certain albums more enjoyable to listen to. That’s likely why some people appreciate the sound these DACs produce.

My DAC allows me to introduce harmonic distortion through its filters, but I don’t really like the effect because it smears the details. I leave them off.

If you’re into music production, a valve amplifier, particularly cheap ones with a built-in DAC and tube stage — will color your sound. That’s fine if you want warmth and smoothness, but not great if accuracy is your priority.

Abbey Road (Capitol CDP 7 46446 2)  

White Album (Parlophone CDS 7 46443 8) 

Let It Be (Japan for Europe, CDP 7 46447 2) 

Revolver (Parl. CDP 7 46441 2)

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Capitol CDP 7 46442 2)

On Tape Reel

Help! (L 2386, Reel-To-Reel, USA, Stereo)

Hey Jude (L 385, Reel-To-Reel, USA, Stereo)

NativeDSD

DSD Downloads

Native DSD is the high-resolution music platform for master studio quality music lovers. Download stereo, surround or binaural .dsf .flac or .wav

https://www.nativedsd.com

My favorite marketplace where buy music. Most of high-end and audiophile labels are here.

Stringent quality control, overseen by a qualified audio engineer, ensures the files uploaded originate from original masters.

HDTracks

Established by the founders of Chesky Records and currently owned by David and Norman Chesky, this platform was likely one of the pioneering high-resolution (hi-res) marketplaces in 2008.

While this website offers a vast selection of content, it unfortunately lacks comprehensive quality control and source origin verification for the master recordings. Caution is advised, as many labels may upload compressed and clipped material that may not meet your desired audio quality standards.

ProStudioMasters

ProStudioMasters - Audio Uncompromised™

ProStudioMasters is an online music service for 24-bit AIFF, FLAC, MQA and DSD / DSF High-Resolution Audio.

https://www.prostudiomasters.com

A superior option to HDTracks, this alternative provides information about the source, including measurements such as peak level, dynamic range (DR), and loudness units relative to full scale (LUFS). Caution is advised.

Qobuz

A reliable platform for purchasing music similar to HDTracks and Prostudiomasters, caution is advised.

Streaming and music Downloads in 24-Bit Hi-Res - Qobuz

Qobuz is the world leader in 24-bit Hi-Res downloads, offering more than 90 million tracks for streaming in unequalled sound quality (FLAC 16 Bits / 44.1kHz)

https://www.qobuz.com

Mofi (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab)

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, often abbreviated as MFSL, is a renowned company dedicated to producing high-quality audio recordings and music releases for audiophiles. Known for its commitment to delivering superior sound quality, MFSL has been a leader in the field for decades.

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is the undisputed leader in audiophile recordings since 1977. Shop our latest vinyl and digital releases, or browse our MOFI Electronics offerings today.

https://mofi.com

Directly from the labels

Some of my favorites labels

Sound Liaison

Sound Liaison

Sound Liaison offers music enthusiasts the opportunity to download their favorite tracks in high-resolution award-winning audiophile master studio quality. Join us today for an unparalleled experience. A music download shop supporting audio files in 768kHz, 352kHz (DXD), 192kHz and 96kHz.

https://soundliaison.com

2L

2L Music Store

Music in immersive audio on Pure Audio Blu-ray, Hybrid SACD and HD audio files. Worldwide delivery. The Norwegian label 2L have garnered no less than 46 GRAMMY nominations since 2006, 38 of these in craft categories Best Engineered Album, Best Surround Sound Album, Best Immersive Audio Album and Producer of the Year.

https://shop.2l.no

TRPTK

CDs & SACDs Archives

TRPTK * Recording the extraordinary. High-resolution, immersive recordings of contemporary artists in classical music and jazz. Buy hi-res downloads up to DXD 32bit and DSD256, Hybrid SACDs, and vinyl.

https://trptk.com

Blue Coast

Founded by Cookie Marenco, a music producer and recording engineer known for her work in the audiophile and high-resolution audio industry. Blue Coast Records, which specializes in recording acoustic music in high-resolution formats and has gained recognition for its commitment to audiophile-grade recordings

Store

High Resolution Audio Download Store - Experience Exceptional Sound

https://bluecoastmusic.com

Fonè Records

Established by Giulio Cesare Ricci at the age of 22 in 1983, Fonè distinguishes itself primarily for its production of classical music records, while also venturing into jazz and rock genres, all with an unwavering commitment to audiophile techniques.

To achieve this distinctive result, Fonè relies on iconic Neumann mod.U47, U48, and M49 tube microphones, originally used by RCA for their legendary "Living Stereo" recordings. The captured audio signal undergoes no subsequent electronic manipulation, ensuring purity and authenticity. Additionally, Fonè's recordings are never confined to the sterile confines of a studio; they always take place in the very locations where the artists originally performed, such as churches, villas, theaters, and the grand rooms of historic country estates.

Fonè Records | High Quality Recordings

Fonè records, High quality recordings label. Classic, Jazz, Pop, Vocal. More than 200 titles. Enjoy fonè online shop

https://foneshop.it

Redline Monitor

Redline Monitor is a versatile tool for listening, mixing, and mastering that enhances your headphone experience, making it feel as natural as if you were using external speakers. It effectively replaces the pronounced stereo separation typical of headphones with a finely detailed stereo image reminiscent of near-field monitor speakers. Essentially, it functions as a 'crossfeed plugin' with some additional features that enhance spatiality while maintaining pristine sound quality as possible.

It's especially valuable when listening older music that has a distinct Phantom center presence

Redline Monitor

Redline Monitor is a sophisticated near-field monitor simulation for mixing and mastering on headphones.

https://www.112db.com

Morphit

Mit fine-tunes your headphone audio to replicate the neutral sound profile of 'studio reference' headphones, effectively eliminating the typical muddiness associated with consumer-grade headphones. The result is a substantial improvement in detail and clarity across all frequencies.

This correction tool can also simulate any of its supported headphones. Currently 598 models of headphones supported.

Morphit

Pro-grade audio software

https://www.toneboosters.com

Also on iOS and Android

TB Morphit is also available as AUv3 plugin for iPhone and iPad, and as in-app purchase for USB Audio Player Pro, the leading high-quality audio player for Android.

Sonarworks Reference

Here's an alternative to Morphit: a plugin that calibrates both speakers and headphones to deliver precise and accurate studio reference sound.

SoundID Reference - Speaker & Headphone Calibration

Create with full confidence in sound with speaker & headphone calibration software SoundID Reference. Already trusted by over 200'000 studios globally.

https://www.sonarworks.com

Abbey Road Studio 3

Utilizing advanced 3D acoustics modeling, you'll find yourself seamlessly transported to the iconic control room of Abbey Road Studio Three. Within this virtual space, you can experience the studio's three sets of custom-made speakers: near-fields for critical listening, mid-fields for a high-fidelity sound, or far-fields for a powerful, club-like audio experience.

Introducing The Abbey Road Studio 3 Plugin From Waves Audio

For the first time ever, you can produce, mix and hear music from inside the iconic Studio Three. Introducing the Abbey Road Studio 3 Plugin from Waves Audio, bringing the acoustic environment of our Studio Three control room to your headphones.

https://www.abbeyroad.com

Sienna Reference

A popular plugin for headphone correction and room/device simulation, the first three are focused on frequency response correction and stereo imaging (Redline), while the last two could be useful if you’re into nerd stuff or music production, allowing you to check your mixes on different setups with added room simulation.

The headphone mixing plugin - Sienna

Sienna lets you easily mix on headphones by correcting their response and accurately emulating multiple rooms and speaker sets.

https://sienna.acustica-audio.com

Now, I’ve decided to revisit and improve the old articles, as well as add new ones specifically for sharing in my channel. This way, both my followers and the channel’s followers can enjoy these exclusive perks. It can also serve as an archive for the casts I share, so you don’t miss any albums or other interesting finds!

I hope you enjoy this new version of the blog. Unlike the old one, you can’t mint the articles, but you can coin them to support me and the channel.

Thanks for the follow!