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iTunes Store Audio Quality?

post #1 of 11
2/8/12 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

I have long been plagued with the iTunes Store audio quality. Normally I wouldn't bother with downloading lossless files, but I have acquired a large amount of money towards iTunes and figure that I might as well use it. However, there is something about the audio quality of some of the audio files that is driving me nuts, and it's driving me nuts because no one else seems to be hearing what I'm hearing. In certain songs, there is an odd "effect" that I seem to hear. I guess it is partially the lossy format, but there's something more to it. It's like a shimmering sound in the upper mids and highs. It's noticeable on acoustic guitar or tracks with big vocals/lots of vocals. Also, the electric guitars sound "damp" or "wet". I don't really know how to describe it.

 

Just to give you an example, go to the iTunes Store and preview the album Sting In The Tail by the Scorpions. It is really evident on this album, especially the electric guitars. I bought the CD version and noticed a difference right away. I can also hear it on the vocals of the Sixx AM albums, among many others.

 

It's really bugging me that no one else notices this, so I am beginning to wonder if it is just psychological? I have heard it through my Samsung 5.1 Surround Sound, my JVC stereo system, and of course my headphones. It just doesn't go away.

 

 

So for those that TL;DR this, do you hear a "shimmering" sound or "damp" sounding electric guitars with audio files from the iTunes Store??

I hope someone can put me out of my misery.


Thanks.

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post #2 of 11
2/8/12 at 10:28pm

Yes, itunes files sound like crap.

 

Money would be better spent on buying CD's and ripping them yourself.

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post #3 of 11
2/8/12 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcmurray View Post

Yes, itunes files sound like crap.

 

Money would be better spent on buying CD's and ripping them yourself.


I agree 500%, and that's the reason why I have built up a large CD collection over the years. It's just a shame that I have so much money on my account. I'd buy movies, but the DRM protection completely turned me off of that. And I feel spending the money on apps is complete waste.

 

 

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post #4 of 11
2/8/12 at 10:34pm

Well since you have so much what I do is buy an album or song, see if I like it, if I do I go and buy the CD, otherwise you might as well just buy movies, if you are going to be unsatisfied with the music.

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post #5 of 11
2/8/12 at 11:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swatcsi View Post

Well since you have so much what I do is buy an album or song, see if I like it, if I do I go and buy the CD, otherwise you might as well just buy movies, if you are going to be unsatisfied with the music.



I would totally agree with the movies part, but I haven't found a way to burn the files onto a watchable DVD due to the DRM.

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post #6 of 11
2/9/12 at 6:07am

Im not sure about this, but is there anyway to convert them to a different format, and then rip it to a DVD?

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post #7 of 11
2/9/12 at 6:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swatcsi View Post

Im not sure about this, but is there anyway to convert them to a different format, and then rip it to a DVD?



I have yet to find a program that will let me do this. There are DRM removal programs, but they all cost money.

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post #8 of 11
2/9/12 at 9:11am

I guess you don't like books?  If I had a bunch of money for the itunes store, and if I thought the audio quality was totally unacceptable there, I would look either at digital books or maybe some audio books. 

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post #9 of 11
2/9/12 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by duffypratt View Post

I guess you don't like books?  If I had a bunch of money for the itunes store, and if I thought the audio quality was totally unacceptable there, I would look either at digital books or maybe some audio books. 



I like books, but I like having a physical book I can read. I already do enough online reading for university. biggrin.gif

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm still wondering though if anyone else actually hears what I am hearing in regard to the audio files from the iTunes Store?

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post #10 of 11
2/9/12 at 4:40pm

Yea I do, I can hear the difference between the files but since I have such a large credit I just buy music I can't find in store. Also if you have a Mac, you can use the credit on the mac app store.

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post #11 of 11
1/30/13 at 9:06am

I'm glad I finally found someone else who hears the same thing!

 

I first noticed it with the album Light & Gold, of choral works by Eric Whitacre:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sleep/id393449587?i=393449611&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

 

I cannot stand to listen to any of the tracks from that album downloaded from iTunes.

 

Yesterday I got Frou Frou's album Details, and I think it has the same problem (listening to the breathier parts of Imogen's voice), but it's a lot harder to hear. I think it has to do with the higher volume levels and extra instrumentation masking the problem:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/frou-frou/id5245666?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

 

I can comfortably listen to Light & Gold with Shure SE-215 earbuds on my iMac with the system volume up all the way and iTunes volume in the middle, but won't go above 1/2 system volume listening to Details.

 

Apple did refund my purchase of Light & Gold, as I complained strongly and honestly thought it was a problem with just that album. I guess not. :(

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