Blogs

Test Your System with Free Downloads in 9 Formats! Can you hear the difference?

Test Your Systems with 4 Formats of Playback!

Test Your System with Free Downloads from Blue Coast Music. Known for their DSD, WAV and FLAC downloads, you'll have a chance to listen and compare the same audio master to see which downloads your system plays best. You'll also know if your DAC will play all of these formats.

Where can you find DSD Music Downloads?

Updated 7/14/2018. List of sites that sell DSD Downloads

Why does tape sound different than DSD?

Some of us talk about the magic sound of tape. Some of us talk about vinyl and DSD256. What is the difference that analog brings over digital? We did a few experiments for you and here are our results.....

How to compare DACs and decide what to purchase for DSD playback...

You've heard the difference and have made the decision to buy a DAC capable of playing DSD. With hundreds to choose from now what?

Does DSD have to convert to DXD for mixing or mastering?

We've noticed a lot of audiophiles are confused by DSD and DXD mastering so we decided to offer our DSD fanatics and fans files that you can hear at home and compare. You decide and tell your friends!

Will Mainstream Music Catch Up to HiFi Playback? Maybe and here's why....

It's been a long time coming and many of us thought the day may never come when mainstream listeners would want to hear music above an mp3 quality. But to our surprise, some of mainstream's most ardent resisters are becoming advocats for High Definition audio.

What's the difference between SACD and DSD?

Simply put… an SACD is a disc and DSD is a file type that can live as an audio file anywhere.. a hard drive, a disc, a USB drive, etc. DSD64 can live on an SACD. But, if you want to hear DSD256... you need to have a DAC (soundcard equivalent) that processes the sound from Digital to Analog.. SACD and DSD are not interchangeable words.

You may not hear the differences, but someone else might....

The internet is filled with people screaming “snake oil”. But are they correct? Do you believe your ears or the math? Why are some people so reluctant to do a comparison test?

How to do a comparative listening test updated!

Setting up a listening test to compare various types of files is not easy. You need a base of equipment and a trusted set of files to start. Set aside several hours and have a few people involved. We rarely do a test with fewer than 3 people. Here we'll explore some of the basics steps to compare files.

Why Can't I Hear the Difference between DSD and PCM?

Do you ever visit audiophile forums or social media groups where anger fills a post about someone can hear the difference between cables? The same thing happens when comparing DSD to WAV or FLAC and even MP3. If you can hear the difference, why can't they?