High Resolution Music Downloads and free HiRes Music Downloads

The CD collection is ripped in 16 Bit / 44.1 kHz, the USB audio server is fully configured, and the connected DAC sounds great. What’s missing is that little extra oomph of audiophile high-bit candy to get out that last ounce of dynamics and audio information so that you appreciate the advantages of High Resolution Audio (HiRes) in 24 Bit / 96 kHz or 24 Bit / 192 kHz or better.

In the following, a selection of download links for

Online Shops for Hi-Res Audio Downloads which offer the download of HD Tracks, and:
Free HD Audio Downloads – samples, high-resolution tracks and audiophile snippets in FLAC, WAV and more highres file formats

If you do not hear a difference between your hi res downloads and regular audio files, there are

Tip: www.hdtracks.com
HDtracks is the premiere online music store for audiophiles and serious music fans who demand the best sounding music. It is the purpose of HDtracks to provide the largest online library of studio-quality high-resolution music downloads complete with liner notes [whenever available] and it is the only shop that really has all genres. HDtracks provides the highest quality recordings with an online experience not available anywhere else by supplying downloads in 24 Bit with 44.1, 48, 88, 96, or 192 kHz, with the highest resolution they offer being 352 kHz / 24 Bit audio. Hdtracks works with 100s of records labels including the largest major labels and distributors. The store is the first of its kind, and remains the destination where true audiophiles go for their quality audio downloads and exemplary customer service.

If you do not hear a difference between your hi res downloads and regular audio files, there are HiFi tips for the optimal setup of the high-end audio system and instructions how to build your own Hi Res Audio server

www.analekta.com
Analekta is the largest independent classical recording company in Canada. The HighRes-Download-Shop offers Analekta’s entire catalog in physical CD, MP3 and two types of FLAC formats: 44.1kHz or 88.2kHz (check each title for actual details). Customers can also preview all pieces in full length for free, purchase pre-paid packages or pay as you go. Analekta has a loyalty points system that offers free recordings after a number of purchases. Deliveries are offered world-wide.
www.atmaclassique.com
ATMA Classique is a real highlight for lovers of classical music, no geographic restrictions for purchases.
www.bandcamp.com
This is a great place to discover new music from artists you never heard before and support them directly. Bandcamp offers all styles, except classical music. HD Downloads in FLAC and ALAC.
www.bleep.com
Bleep.com was launched in January 2004 by independent music and film company Warp, and have since cemented a reputation as the best download boutique store catering for passionate music fans. Being the first download store to offer DRM-free high quality format music made Bleep one of the first companies to put their faith in the integrity and intelligence of their customers. As well as Warp, they work closely with such key independent labels as Domino, Hyperdub, Stones Throw, XL, Ninja Tune, One Little Indian, k7, Planet Mu, Rough Trade, Kompakt as well as leaders and distributors of independent film, literature and publishing. Having this relationship allows Bleep to filter through the music and bring the highest quality from the four corners of the globe through various spectrums and styles of music and art to you.
www.boomkat.com
This is the “Independent Music Specialist” offering a huge range of excellent and exciting tracks.
www.burningshed.com
Burning Shed is an online label and store specializing in Singer-Songwriter, Progressive, Ambient/Electronica and Art Rock music. Burning Shed hosts the official online shops for Porcupine Tree, Panegyric (King Crimson), Kscope, Ape (Andy Partridge/XTC), No-Man, Jethro Tull, Thomas Dolby, Medium Productions (Jansen, Barbieri and Karn), Peaceville and Hatfield and the North, amongst others. All rights remain with the artists whose music Burning Shed releases and more profits go directly to the artists than with sales generated elsewhere. Burning Shed 24 – //www.burningshed.com/store/24 – sells the 24 bit downloads available from Burning Shed. Titles include albums by Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree, Anathema and others.
www.carpediem-records.de
From this label you can truly expect extraordinary music: early music, jazz and improvised and stylistic experiments. In addition to MP3 downloads, there are also some high-resolution FLAC downloads.
www.cedillerecords.org
Old-fashioned-looking store of the label Cedille, but very easy to use. Many of the HD Music files are available in FLAC 24-bit (Studio Quality).
www.chandos.net
chandos.net offers the complete Chandos catalog in CD/SACD format as well as a variety of download formats (320kbps MP3s, lossless downloads in FLAC and ALAC, and now Studio Master Albums in 24bit/96Khz FLAC, both in Stereo and Surround), for over 60 world class classical labels along with complete electronic booklets and front cover images. Designed for the classical music enthusiast this online shop is one of the world’s premium DRM-free download stores dedicated to classical music. As a classical music devotee, you have access to thousands of tracks from the world’s leading independent labels, with free sampling of any track. Every classical genre is supported, from early music to contemporary, and everything in-between.
www.channelclassics.com
You love classical music – this is your shop! Sometimes free samples available.
www.dacapo-records.dk
Only Danish Music – recordings available as exclusive lossless hi-res files.
www.eclassical.com
At eClassical you can download albums in FLAC 16 and 24 bit with sample rates up to 192kHz. Their pricing is per second. You can pre-listen to a whole track in 30 second segments. Download booklets in pdf for most albums. If you don’t like the music you purchase, just let them know and they will send you the money back. No questions asked. Their guarantee covers all downloadable music at eClassical.com. At the moment, the labels offered by eClassical are focused on the independent sector – so currently the emphasis is on labels like BIS, Harmonia Mundi, Accent, Atma, Chandos, Danacord, Glossa, Hänssler Classic, Ondine, Opera Rara, Pentatone, Profil, Signum and Tudor (and about 200 others!).

Some 24 bit Flac Downloads for free available as well.
footprintrecords.com
A small but fine selection of the Swedish record label available online as AAC and FLAC Download. Footprint Records was founded in 2003 by Bo Ejeby (musicologist) and Per Sjösten (acoustic and signal processing research) with the mission to produce the ultimate listening experience for everyone. The focus is entirely on acoustic art music, such as jazz, world music, choral, chamber and orchestral music. The majority of the released productions are in 24/44, but since a few years back, all own productions are in 24/96 or higher, up to DXD and DSD256, in stereo and surround.
www.gimell.com
The award-winning Gimell label features audiophile recordings by The Tallis Scholars available to download in Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound formats at resolutions up to 192kHz/24bit. FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC) and WMA file formats are available. The Tallis Scholars are the world’s finest and busiest vocal ensemble specializing in sacred music of the Renaissance era.
www.gubemusic.com
Another small, classy store. Some of the musicians blog here, too.
www.highdeftapetransfers.com
Music from ancient reel-to-reel-tapes in high-bit quality (DSD / Flac). One of the first companies to offer High Resolution Downloads since 2006. Also offering downloads from private labels.
www.highresaudio.com
HIGHRESAUDIO is founded by a team of experienced, visionary and enthusiastic music specialists in Germany. They embrace the transformation brought by technologies to the music industry and audiophiles in the pursuit of the ultrasonic music experience. HIGHRESAUDIO develops innovative services and applications, business models and shape new commercial opportunities for record labels, artists and manufacturers of digital audio products. The shop has currently signed 109 labels including Warner, Universal and Sony and offer close to +6300 albums and offers only native and original digital 24-bit “Studio Masters” in FLAC, ALAC, DXD from 44.1kHz to 352.8 kHz as wells DSD 2.8 MHz (DSD64).
www.hyperion-records.co.uk
Hyperion Records is an independent classical label in the UK. They make 75 new recordings each year and our web site is offering albums in Studio Master FLAC & ALAC of all of our recordings released over the past three years and we adding new titles on a monthly basis. These are 24-bit files and at whatever sampling frequency (44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz) was used by the recording engineer at the time of recording. Our metadata is peerless.
www.melbarecordings.com.au
This is a small Australian label with only classical music. All the lossless files are available as Studio Master Quality Downloads
www.marecordings.com
Insiders’ tip for DSD and HiRez Downloads.
www.mofi.com
Unfortunately, this music shop does not offer direct high-res downloads, but they offer all the Rock, Pop, Blues, Soul, and Jazz recordings you’ve always liked to hear on Ultradisc UHR ™ SACD.
www.mora.jp
Extensive shop with all genres, unfortunately only available in Japanese.
www.nativedsd.com
NativeDSD.com provides listeners a top quality resource for DSD, DXD and Analog-to-DSD Music in Stereo & Multichannel channel configurations, directly from record labels and engineers making these recordings. Getting you as close to the actual performance as possible.
www.nugs.net
Exclusively live music as HiRes download, stream and video.
www.ninjatune.net
Jazz-heavy independent record label from England with some awesome “album covers” offers hi-res downloads and vinyl.
oclassica.com
Classical and Classical for children as FLAC Download in 24/96.
onclassical.com
Independent label for solo virtuosos and chamber music
www.ototoy.jp
Do you speak Japanese? If so you’ll find extraordinary Hi-Res recordings here.
www.pentatonemusic.com
Offer only classical music, but in extremely good quality, partly as box sets.
www.prestoclassical.co.uk
Presto Classical offers one of the widest ranges of downloadable classical music available today, with over 8,000 classical albums available in Hi-Res and almost 120,000 in standard-res. And with a powerful search tool that is the envy of the industry, you’ll have no trouble finding your favorite composers, works and artists quickly and easily
www.pristineclassical.com
Very good selection of classical music available as FLAC in highresolution.
www.prostudiomasters.com
Small but nice selection of HD Music Downloads.
www.qobuz.com – Download Store
HiRes Downloads of all genres.
www.rarenoiserecords.com
This English label stands for crossover and cross-border music that can also be listened to online. Top! RareNoise’s mission is to detect and amplify contemporary trends in progressive music, by highlighting their relation to the history of the art-form, while choosing not to be bound by pre-conceptions of genre. It seeks to become a guiding light for all those enamoured by exciting, adventurous and progressive sounds. RareNoise releases are always available in multiple formats, CD, Heavyweight Vinyl, standard and High Definition Downloads.
www.rhino.com
THE shop for classic rock and R&B. Alas, few downloads, but good own-combinations.
www.soundliaison.com
Soundliaison offers High-Resolution Audio Downloads and original Studio Masters in PCM, DSD and FLAC.
www.spiritofturtle.com
The Spirit of Turtle offers its – mostly classic – recordings as Quad DSD and 352.8 kHz FLAC both stereo and 5.1 surround (hybrid SACDs).

Warning: Please note – Pirated Copies!

When searching with the usual search engines for “24/96 downloads” etc., you will get a huge number of hits for very attractive and freebie download offers from privately digitalized records or compact cassette rips. There surely is nothing to say against digitalizing your own vinyl collection with an A/D Converter – however, to upload or download these is quite another matter.