FLAC/ALAC/WAV

If you purchase a FLAC/ALAC/WAV download you will be able to choose which format (or formats) to download in after purchase.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless compressed audio format, so there is no loss of sound quality as a result of the data compression. FLAC is widely supported across devices (except Apple devices) and software although some systems do not support 24-bit data so it is worth checking the specification of your equipment in advance.

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) is the equivalent version of FLAC which is supported by Apple.

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is another lossless format, although as the files are not compressed they are much larger. They will therefore take longer to download and use more space to store.

Some products are available in a choice of qualities:

• CD Quality (sometimes called ‘standard definition’). This has a bit depth (i.e. resolution) of 16 bits/sample and a sample rate of 44.1khz or, occasionally, 48.0khz. Standard CDs use 16-bit & 44.1khz, so a CD Quality download should be indistinguishable from the same recording on CD.
• Hi-Res (sometimes called high definition, HD or studio quality). This has a bit depth of 24 bits/sample and one of a number of possible sample rates ranging from 44.1khz to 192khz. 24-bit offers a more accurate recording of the original sound than is possible with 16-bit.

For downloads of items where the physical product is an SACD, the download will be in 2-channel stereo only.

MP3

MP3 is a lossy compressed audio format. The quality of the audio will be somewhat lower than that of a CD but the file size is smaller than the equivalent FLAC/ALAC/WAV file. All our downloads have a bit rate of 320kbps, the highest available.

For downloads of items where the physical product is an SACD, the download will be in 2-channel stereo only.

Please note that, due to technical limitations in this audio format, MP3s don't support gapless playback, meaning that in segue tracks (e.g. a movement that moves straight into another without a break) you may hear a very brief interruption in the sound.

MP3 is supported by most devices and software but please check the specification of your equipment before buying downloads.