Anyone know why there’s a price difference? Seems to me that $40 is a big price range for two lossless formats that are pretty close in quality.

Definitely not an expert in this field, but I believe the difference is due to the bit rate for Flac files are 192/24 versus the bit rate for Alac files are 44/16, which is CD quality sound. The Flac files are supposedly higher quality sound. Of course it ultimately depends on the system you are using to play your music.

FedEx tracking says will be delivered Saturday 9/21 in Tampa. Psyched for the weekend!!

FLAC files are 24/96, not 24/192. But they were available first thing this morning - a pleasant surprise based on past downloads.

I knew to wait. Every set has been fubarred on day one for last few box sets. No exception here. Only get the Fox shows to expand. Come on GD get ti right

After getting links that actually worked, only the Cameron (Duke) show tests OK using Traders Little Helper.

The files are glitchy. And I know it’s the files, not the masters, since I’ve got soundboard recordings w/o the glitches. Please advise how/when we’re going to receive good FLACs. Thx

If I play the FLAC files in Windows Media Player I noticed some skips and glitches in the audio playback.
If I decode the same problematic FLAC files to WAV files, there are errors displayed during the decoding process.

Two examples:
12_Scarlet_Begonias_Live_at_Veterans_Memorial_Coliseum_Jacksonville_FL_4878_322140466.flac: file is truncated or otherwise corrupt.
14_Estimated_Prophet_Live_at_Veterans_Memorial_Coliseum_Jacksonville_FL_4878_322140467.flac: file is truncated or otherwise corrupt.

I contacted support with this same info.

I just downloaded and they are glitchy for sure. Row jimmy from Fox theatre keeps stopping so did Brown eyed women. Really very frustrating at this point. From the delayed delivery of boxset for some some already sitting with it and now I download the FLAC files for let's be clear another 200 bucks and this entity can NOT seem to get this straight. What is up folks?

Mary as I made clear the files are glitchy and completely unacceptable for purchase. I appreciate you trying to be the middle man here that is never easy, but this is really out of hand at this point. Who is in charge there that needs to be doing better? That being said I would like a full refund how is that best accomplished? Thru the website, you or should I just deal with it thru my bank?

As many have noted, there are issues with the hi res FLAC files. I started with the WV show, and heard what sounds like a CD skipping over at least 3 files (Jack Straw, Dire Wolf, Mama Tried notably). I confirmed this skipping using (1) Roon Nucleus > Oppo Sonica, and (2) VLC (on MacBook Pro M1 running Sonoma 14.6.1). I re-downloaded the show file archive to confirm it was not in some way related to the archive transport (it was not). Issue reported to WMG Customer Service.

Just to compare notes. I've run all 8 shows through Trader's Little Helper; these are the bad tracks on each show, at least from what I've downloaded:

4/6: 3,6,12,13
4/7: 1,6,11,12,15,18
4/8: 12,14
4/10: 1,8,17
4/11: 4,10,17
4/12: Clean. Only good show I have
4/14: 1,2,5,10,11,13,15,19
4/16: 1,2,6,8,9,13

I'm in contact with "Sherry" at WEA and have emailed her copies of all 8 logs.

Has there been a resolution to this FLAC issue yet?

No

Sorry to report that I have not experienced any of the issues reported in this forum with the FLAC files I downloaded on 9/20. No skips, no truncated or stopped songs. And I listened carefully to each of the tracks noted by those having problems. My hypothesis is that individual hardware, operating systems or decoding software is possibly contributing to the issues. For what it’s worth I use Mac Pro, M1, XLD to decode, latest OS. Can’t comment on TLH as it’s Windows software.

Super congrats, Batzye. Don’t know how you circumvented the issues. The folks at Warner Music hear the problems clearly, and they are trying to fix them (apparently). This has happened with every Warner FLAC download for at least the last few years.

I am on the same system and my files are unlistenable. I downloaded them from Safari and chrome multiple times to make sure that what I was hearing was not some function of the download. The files I have are corrupted Mucho. I would also like to add that I have had zero response to any of my pleas to customer service and not sure what happened to Mary but have heard nothing from her since 1030 ish Sunday morning when she said it was being “passed on to those who could fix it” At this point I would like a full refund.

I just got an email from WMG stating that the problem could be from decompression of the archive files (which I doubt, since the tool they recommended The Unarchiver is my default tool for expanding archives). They again posted links for the archives - I downloaded the Blacksburg VA (4/14 show) archive and tested it (because that was the one with the most issues according to a previous post). I confirmed that the faults remain for all the files highlighted in that post.

Ditto! I am a broadcast Engineer I would be fired on the spot for such rank incompetence. For a music company Like Warner Music to have such issues EVERY TIME with downloads is astonishing and pathetic. That on top of the fact I have reached out several times and have not even been given the courtesy of a response is objectionable in every way and no way to run a business. I am disappointed beyond belief.

Got email today. Told me to use Unarchiver.
I downloaded and installed Unarchiver.
I re-downloaded one of the problematic shows.
Unzipped it using Unarchiver.
Nothing has changed - same problems with the same files.

Thinking I should request a refund at this point.

Why don't they send us the link ks to the files they sent to Batzye?

First they sent links to files that were a lower bitrate that didn't skip. Then they sent botched links. Now they sent corrupted files. They aren't skipping on two of my separate players, my players are playing files that have the skips embedded. I've downloaded both on PC and Mac, from several links they have sent trying to resolve this and have the exact same issues in the exact same spots.

If it's happening during uncompressed, why are the Duke 78 files not presenting these problems.

My experience has been ruined by these corrupted files because the music of the dead is medicine for me. Makes me happy. When it's not skipping around like someone was trying to scrub past solos they don't like, or skipping Bob choruses they don't like.

Fix the files already. Download the links you sent me and listen to the files yourself, WB. It's 2024, get it right. We're talking about a 200 dollar box set.

If appropriate I am open to sharing the files I downloaded.

I appreciate you Batzye but WMG needs to make this right. Coming up on a week without resolution to the issue.

Sorry but not surprised that the FLACs are defective again.
This seems to happen with every release.
I still buy the CD’s, which also often have problems (glue in the HCSS Box), but have considered switching to FLACs, only to be deterred by the constant failures of each new release.

Do the files come as FLAC, or something that has to be converted to FLAC? Didn’t understand why Unarchiver would be needed if the file was FLAC.

Edit: I see that they are zipped.

Wonder if the defects are introduced during the original conversion to FLAC (probably not if some people get good copies), or if they have a crappy server farm that can’t find all the bits.

From "Sherry"

Thank you for contacting us.

We have escalated your message to a specialist on our team, who will follow up with you as soon as possible.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,

I finally got a refund just after my last post. My suggestion is to get yours.

Like others I bought the FLAC downloads and the CD Box. It is clear upon comparison that the FLAC files are not mastered properly. The CD tracks are much louder both by ear and a visual inspection of the files. Another poor job on the downloads - don't know why I keep buying them.

Speculation as to the unzipping process being a source of errors is incorrect. I unzipped the 4/6/78 show through Windows Explorer and WinZip. I then created MD5 hashes of the resulting FLAC files. Comparing the hashes between the two unzipping methods showed all file hashes to be identical, meaning the files were bit-for-bit identical.

Has anyone received new links to valid files?

I tried both Mac and Win. Using different utilities to unzip and decode the FLACs. Always the same errors on the same problematic files. It shouldn't be this difficult. Did they not test the exact same links and files they are sending out? Just an awful product release....and for $200, wow.

I requested a refund, which was confirmed by support, so that's good.

They sent me new links today without the problems being fixed. I replied and told them to download the folder for 4/6/78 and to listen to track 6 friend of the devil and at 4 minutes 49 seconds is where it goes haywacky. I don't understand how I can be more clear with the support folks on what the issue is.

Got the new links today as well. They're identical (I ran a file comparison using WinMerge) to the first version of the files and have the same errors. At least I got a new name in this go-round, "Mac".

Yeah, Mac sent me some links to bad files as well. Is this happening with all new purchases as well, or just pre-orders? If I ask for a refund, and rebuy, will they work?

I bought my downloads over the weekend and they were corrupted just as everyone else is saying in this thread. I got a email from Mac today as well with links to "new" downloads that have the same errors in the same places as the first ones I got. Many file names are also too long to extract from the ZIP file which needs correcting. I hate having to do workarounds on that kind of stuff. Also seems like the comment section has been removed from the store under this purchase option. I supposed 25 people saying the files are corrupted is hurting sales to some degree but wouldn't it be better to just fix the files?

Question: I bought the CD box as well. Do they sound OK? Thinking I'll start asking for refund on the downloads and rip the discs to listen to on my phone.

Huskerwing, the box set sounds great no issues here listened from beginning to end football rain and the Grateful Dead! The problem, I think they need to correct ASAP is continuing to sell corrupt files knowingly, in case anyone is paying attention at WMG it is not cool to keep corrupt files up for sale what is wrong with you people? Get this S sorted out once and for all and perhaps stop letting this happen to your Downloads EVERY TIME like clock work. Pathetic already.

Perhaps someone who manages this board can remove the Meth sales spam also. Bad look!

This was my response to Mac offering up the same sad files.

"There is still something faulty in your FLAC encoder. I downloaded Tampa 4/6/78 and the same 4 tracks failed FLAC decode (using Trader's Little Helper). The files have the same filename as previous versions and running a file comparison using WinMerge reveals that the files are bit-for-bit copies of the previous download links.

You need to go back to the master WAV files and reencode them properly."

I have a bad habit of buying whatever is released as soon as Dead.net announces it. I decided to swith to FLAC files a few years ago because that habit carried over to many other bands and the discs were piling up everywhere. I don't mind the supposed hi-rez files or what they cost, I doubt I could tell a difference even on a super system that is far beyond my price range. Anyway the bad habit is doubled because I'll often download the new release and maybe listen to one show or a few songs and put it on my music player where it sits, sometimes for a LONG time before I go back to it.

So my question is this: does anyone remember what FLAC downloads had corrupted files when first released? I know I got replacement files for HCSS and that it was unsolicited by me but I don't think I ever unzipped them and replaced them on my phone. Do the MSG 80s, Lyceum 72, and Listen to the River also have corrupted files if you didn't email customer service and complain? I would have downloaded them the first day available. I know I've listened to some of the shows and I don't recall hearing any problems. If they were corrupted on first release I'm gonna try to buy the discs and replace those files. thnx

I think HCSS downloads were unavailable to those who preordered for a long while if I recall correctly. So they sent out links way late. With all of the lead up they do, you'd think there would be better quality control for release day.

From Mac:

"Thank you for your email.

I am researching your request and will circle back with an update as soon as possible.

In the meantime, may I send you a set of physical discs?

I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,

Mac
Dead.net Store"

Replied that I'll take the discs for now but still want the 24/192 FLACs.

EDIT: Just tested all other downloaded FLACs (HCSS, Lyceum, Mars Hotel) and had no errors.

My Lyceum '72 was littered with dead air, and I was certainly not the only one. I eventually got a good copy from someone else, not Dead.net.

Capt and Joey, thanks for the info on those shows. I'll have to sit down and test my files tonight. What program are you all using to do that testing? Traders Little Helper??? I use DBpoweramp for all my conversions and ripping but I don't think that suite has a FLAC tester in it. I listened to the first show in the MSG set this morning and didn't hear anything bad in there.

I use TLH for testing and dbPoweramp for ripping/format conversion. While dbPoweramp doesn't have a dedicated FLAC tester, I just ran a FLAC > WAV conversion on 4/6/78 Tampa and the usual 4 files popped up as errors after the conversion finished.

Customer service refunded my money, as I am experiencing the same drop outs. This happened with the Lyceum shows as well. I never had this much trouble with hi res files from PONO 12 years ago. What's up with Warner Music that they can't get this right. I don't want to buy the physical box because I don't need more plastic in my life, I need less. I just wish they cared as much as we do.

I ran all my HCSS, MSG 80s, and Lyceum 72 through TLH and found no errors. I get ALL the same errors on the FODs78 that I hear on playback.
Thanks for the info you all. Appreciate that help.

Has anyone heard back from Mac after offering to send physical discs? I also replied i want the flac files when available since I don't have a dedicated cd player and use a hifiberry hooked up to my sound system at home. Just wondering if he's said anything else since it's been 3 weeks now.

I got a valid FedEx shipping number, though I made it clear I still wanted the files when they fix them.

It's been almost a week with no response from Mac or Sherry or anybody else. It's like they gave up.

Un-bloody-believable. FedEx says package delivered. Proof of delivery picture is a blurry picture of a package (unidentifiable) lying on grass. No way in heaven to associate picture with the house, and FedEx usually takes a picture of the package on the front porch. Case opened with FedEx.

Hey, FedEx thieving bastard driver, give me back my CDs.