The LossLess Thread

[Lordfoo]

[ftp]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossless_data_compression[/ftp]
Lossless data compression

Lossless data compression is a class of data compression algorithms that allows the exact original data to be reconstructed from the compressed data. This can be contrasted to lossy data compression, which does not allow the exact original data to be reconstructed from the compressed data.

More specifically, we are interested in Lossless data compression for Audio.

mp3 is lossy FLAC or APE is lossless.
If you want audiophile recordings from the net... avoid MP3 and go for the lossless format such as:

Apple Lossless - ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec)
Direct Stream Transfer - DST
Dolby TrueHD
DTS-HD Master Audio
Free Lossless Audio Codec - FLAC
Meridian Lossless Packing - MLP
Monkey's Audio - Monkey's Audio APE
RealPlayer - RealAudio Lossless
Shorten - SHN
TTA - True Audio Lossless
WavPack - WavPack lossless
WMA Lossless - Windows Media Lossless

So far, I've downloaded several recordings using bit torrent, decompressed them into FLAC files using a FLAC front end and then burned the files into CD Audio format.

The file sizes are however are very large as compared to mp3's file sizes. This is definitely a drawback. But the sonic advantage over MP3 is amazing and to me overcomes the file size disadvantage when downloading Sheffield, Chesky and other audiophile recordings. I've also accessed recordings of live sessions that are not really available in the market but are offered free by the artists.

Here is one great source of lossless recordings:

bt.etree.org/

Another one.

www.demonoid.com/files/?category=2&subcategory=All&quality=62&seeded=0&external=2&query=sheffield&uid=0&sort=

www.thetradersden.org/

I am hoping that we can share sources, identify specific audiophile files that are available out there for free.

I've burned me a copy of Chesky Ultimate Demonstration CD, also the Ultrasone Test CD,
a Live Grateful Dead recording not available in CD Format, same with a Bob Dylan recording,

Miles Davis "Witches Brew, (Grammy Award for Best Jazz
Performance, Large Group Or Soloist With Large Group for pregnant doges Brew (1970) )

The Latin Jazz Side Audiophile.

[Lordfoo]

TEST CDs

Alan Parsons and Stephen Court - Sound Check
www.demonoid.com/files/details/342705/17043965/

Audio Test and Demonstration CD
An essential tool for anyone involved in the sound and music industries

Created by record producer Alan Parsons and designer Stephen Court, the SOUND CHECK CD contains 92
tracks of practical material compiled as result of careful research and investigation into the needs of studio
engineers, audio technicians, serious audiophiles, record producers and musicians.


Denon Audio Test CD (99 Tracks of Sound)
www.demonoid.com/files/details/441002/6817586/
This is a Denon Audio test CD. Pure tones, mixed tones, frequencies..its got them all. For the audiophile truly wishing to test his system and its capability to reproduce music faithfully. A pdf file is included detailing the tests. Enjoy. Note that pure tones can also be used to drive away unwanted guests, annoy neighbours and entertain the dogs.


Sheffield Lab
The Audiophile Reference Series
"My Disc"
The Sheffield / A2TB Test Disc
For critical evaluation of audio components, listening environments, and your critical listening ability. www.demonoid.com/files/details/1129299/30679137/

Ultrasone Demo CD
www.demonoid.com/files/details/1164290/3408793/
This is the Ultrasone "benchmark" demo CD. If you want to test the capability of your headphone/ speaker system, this will be a good CD to use!

Contains
01 "Sileypud", New Haranni Poison Mixers - excerpt (John Barnes)
02 "Auf Geht's - Ab Geht's", Tripercussion Nr. 06 - excerpt (Th. Keems)
03 "Applaus", Baglioni (Soundclip, Ultrasone Production)
04 "Ave Verum Corpus", (W.A. Mozart, KV 618)
05 "Rondo Allegro", Sonate Nr. 8, B. L. Gelber (Ludvig van Beethoven, C Min. Opus 13)
06 "Wellen Am Sandstrand", (Soundclip, Ultrasone Production)
07 "Also Sprach Zarathustra", Staccato 2, Nr. 12 (R. Strauss, Opus 30)
08 "Chakraphon-Improvisation I", (Ultrasone Production)
09 "Andate Arghetto", Concerto No. 2 (G.F. Händel)
10 "Wie Schön Leuchtet Der morgenstern", (J.S. Bach, BWV 172/6)
11 "Feuerwerk 2002", (Soundclip - excerpt, Ultrasone Production)
12 "Gassenhauer", Capella Antica (Anonymous)
13 "Vögel La Palma", (Soundclip, Ultrasone Production)
14 "Chakraphon-Improvisation II", (Ultrasone Production)
15 "Mis Büerli Geit Über Sapürnerstäg I", Tritonus (Otto v. Greyerz)
16 "Harfe + Flöte", Germeringer Liedertafel - excerpt (J. S. Bach)
17 "Verbum Caro Factum Est), Capella Antica Bambergiensis (Cancionero De Uppsala)
18 "Grille", (Soundclip, Ultrasone Production)
19 "Herrscher Des Himmels Erhöre Das lallen". Weihnacthsoratorium Nr. 24, Projektor Iffeldorf (J. S. Bach)
20 "Brandung", (Soundclip - excerpt, Ultrasone Production)


www.btmon.com/Other/Unsorted/The_Ultimate_Demonstration_Disk_-_Chesky_Records_Guide_to_Critical_Listening_1995_FLAC_TEST_CD.torrent.html

The Ultimate Demonstration Disk -
Chesky Records' Guide to Critical Listening (1995) [FLAC] {TEST CD} released: 1995 label:
www.chesky.com/core/details.cfm?productcode=UD095

Chesky Records is dedicated to producing the finest audiophile recordings, and High Resolution Technology brings the listener closer to the music in three significant areas. To maintain the utmost in transparency we use a custom recording chain, through innovative technology and recording techniques, we continue to produce recordings that further the state of the art. Listen and learn!!!
TRACK LISTING
01. Steve Guttenberg - Welcome To The Ultimate Demonstration Disc
02. Steve Guttenberg - High Resolution -- Introduction
03. Rebeca Pidgeon - Spanish Harlem
04. Steve Guttenberg - Depth -- Introduction
05. Sara K. - If I Could Sing Your Blues
06. Steve Guttenberg - Atmosphere -- Introduction
07. Leny Andrade - Maiden Voyage
08. Steve Guttenberg - Midrange Purity -- Introduction
09. Livingston Taylor - Grandma's Hands
10. Steve Guttenberg - Naturalness -- Introduction
11. Ana Caram - Correnteza
12. Steve Guttenberg - Transparency -- Introduction
13. The Fred Hersch Trio - Played Twice
14. Steve Guttenberg - Presence -- Introduction
15. Mccoy Tyner & Joe Henderson - Ask Me Now
16. Steve Guttenberg - Visceral Impact -- Introduction
17. Monty Alexander - Sweet Georgia Brown
18. Steve Guttenberg - Rhythm & Pace -- Introduction
19. Johnny Frigo - I Love Paris
20. Steve Guttenberg - Focus -- Introduction
21. Antonio Vivaldi - Flute Concerto In D (The Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble)
22. Steve Guttenberg - Holographic Imaging -- Introduction
23. Benjamin Britten - Festival Te Deum (Westminster Choir)
24. Steve Guttenberg - Transients -- Introduction
25. Igor Stravinsky - The Royal March (Solisti New York Feat. Conductor- Ransom Wilson)
26. Steve Guttenberg - Bass Resonance -- Introduction
27. Best Of Chesky Jazz And More Audiophile Tests,

Vol. 2 - Best Of Chesky Jazz And More Audiophile Tests,

Listen to "Spanish Harlem" by Rebecca Pidgeon and really appreciate your sound system.