• 1,689 replies
    admin
    Joined:
    jq171(document).ready(function (jq171) { var covertArtDownloadMarkup = 'Looking for the digital cover art? You can download it here.'; setTimeout(function() { jq171('#digital_cart').append(covertArtDownloadMarkup); }, 500); });

    What's Inside:
    •144-page paperback book with essays by Nicholas G. Meriwether and Blair Jackson
    •A portfolio with three art prints by Jessica Dessner
    • Replica ticket stubs and backstage passes for all eight shows
    •8 complete shows on 23 discs
          •3/14/90 Capital Centre, Landover, MD
          •3/18/90 Civic Center, Hartford, CT
          •3/21/90 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
          •3/25/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY
          •3/28/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
          •3/29/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (featuring Branford Marsalis)
          •4/1/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
          •4/3/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
    Recorded by long-time Grateful Dead audio engineer John Cutler
    Mixed from the master 24-track analog tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir's TRI Studios
    Mastered to HDCD specs by David Glasser
    Original Art by Jessica Dessner
    Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 9,000

    Announcing Spring 1990 (The Other One)

    "If every concert tells a tale, then every tour writes an epic. Spring 1990 felt that way: an epic with more than its share of genius and drama, brilliance and tension. And that is why the rest of the music of that tour deserves this release, why the rest of those stories need to be heard." - Nicholas G. Meriwether

    Some consider Spring 1990 the last great Grateful Dead tour. That it may be. In spite of outside difficulties and downsides, nothing could deter the Grateful Dead from crafting lightness from darkness. They were overwhelmingly triumphant in doing what they came to do, what they did best — forging powerful explorations in music. Yes, it was the music that would propel their legacy further, young fans joining the ranks with veteran Dead Heads, Jerry wondering "where do they keep coming from?" — a sentiment that still rings true today, a sentiment that offers up another opportunity for an exceptional release from a tour that serves as transcendental chapter in the Grateful Dead masterpiece.

    With Spring 1990 (The Other One), you'll have the chance to explore another eight complete shows from this chapter, the band elevating their game to deliver inspired performances of concert staples (“Tennessee Jed” and “Sugar Magnolia”), exceptional covers (Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and the band’s last performance of the Beatles’ “Revolution”) and rare gems (the first “Loose Lucy” in 16 years) as well as many songs from Built To Last, which had been released the previous fall and would become the Dead’s final studio album. Also among the eight is one of the most sought-after shows in the Dead canon: the March, 29, 1990 show at Nassau Coliseum, where Grammy®-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis sat in with the group. The entire second set is one continuous highlight, especially the breathtaking version of “Dark Star.”

    For those of you who are keeping track, this release also marks a significant milestone as now, across the two Spring 1990 boxed sets, Dozin At The Knick, and Terrapin Limited, the entire spring tour of 1990 has been officially released, making it only the second Grateful Dead tour, after Europe 1972, to have that honor.

    Now shipping, you'll want to order your copy soon as these beautiful boxes are going, going, gone...

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • wjonjd
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    HD Audio
    I feel I should post about this one last time. Let me preface this by saying that anyone who wants to pay more for the HD files over standard CD quality (16/44.1) downloads is obviously totally free to do so, and if it makes them happier, than more power to them. However, for those of you unsure, I post this. I am NOT attacking anyone for their preference. Just stating certain facts and opinions. I have posted other links in the past about this: http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=14195 This link is the abstract to yet another scientifically done study - this one by the Audio Engineering Society. It goes into the methodology in detail (you have to pay for the detail, though). I feel the need to basically point out that although lots of facts and opinions abound about this topic, I am personally unaware of ANY study done using accepted scientific methodology and accepted by the scientific community (and there are at least over a hundred by now done by institutions like the above, as well as many universities - with a little googling you can find many of them online) that shows that humans can reliably detect the difference between CD quality audio files (16/44.1) and higher resolution audio files (usually 24/96 or 24/192). There have been LOTS of unscientific tests done by individuals where they swear they can hear the difference. Many of the scientific studies point out the MANY pitfalls in doing these tests yourself - everything from using files mastered from different sources to not doing the tests double-blind and many others. Again, I have read the detailed results of dozens of scientific studies and in NOT ONE of them were test subjects able to tell the difference between the HD files and CD quality files at anything over random chance. Also, there has been quite a bit of confusion on this site, with some people confusing the lossy compressed (i.e. mp3) vs lossless (flac, alac, etc) issue with the issue at hand which has nothing to do with lossy vs lossless files. There has also been some confusion about the difference between 24-track vs 2 track, and the debate at hand which refers to the 24-bits vs 16 bits used in HD vs CD quality audio files. The fact that the number 24 comes up in both issues is coincidence as they don't have anything to do with each other. If anyone finds a study which shows people being able to tell the difference between CD quality files and hi-res (HD) audio files I am more than willing to check them out. I would actually be excited to do so, and if it pans out would look forward to investing in whatever I can afford to enable me to take advantage of the fact. However, even if one does not accept the results of ALL of the studies that I am aware of to date, it is clear that the difference to human ears, if not zero (which it looks like it is to me) is at least small enough that if you haven't already invested VERY significantly in higher and higher end audio equipment (speakers, amps, phones, quality of DAC, cabling, etc.) I submit that doing so has FAR MORE immediate impact on the experienced audio quality then HD vs CD audio files. While it is COMPLETELY clear that upgrading your speakers or phones to higher end ones that sound better to your ears (exact choices obviously subjective) - no one disputes that almost everyone can IMMEDIATELY tell the difference in sound quality as they move to better speaker systems - why on earth would you bother with HD vs CD audio files unless you already have the highest level of audio equipment available? And, if you already have the best you can afford, why are you paying more for HD files instead of saving the difference so you can afford better audio equipment with an IMMEDIATELY recognizable improvement in audio quality. While I submit that it IS significant that EVERY scientific study (that I have found) has come to the same conclusion (the test subjects can't tell the difference between HD and CD quality files), even if you don't agree (for whatever reason), isn't the fact that other factors clearly matter so much more an almost CRITICAL consideration into where you are putting your hard earned money - better audio equipment vs hi res files? One last thing - I notice that on EVERY site where people DO hear a difference (I'll include a link for one of those below also), the testing is NEVER done scientifically with double-blind testing, massive number of listens spread over large variety of equipment and environments, various control sets to offset variables like age, type of music, and a million other factors). Here is a link to one of the many of those: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/21/mp3-cd-24-bit-audio-m… You will notice that (as usual) in this "test", the participants were aware of which files they were listening to as they were judging them (one of the most glaring errors in methodology) allowing expectations to influence the results. It appears they used a VERY few number of audio samples, very few people involved, and it would also appear that they used commercial CD's vs 24-bit studio masters apparently without any verification that the CD's were from the very same masters. This is typical of EVERY "study" I have seen where people swear they hear the difference. Usually they swear a VAST improvement in warmth, depth, clarity, etc. I find the vast improvement idea particularly unbelievable, or there would be at least SOME ability to discern the difference in a scientific setting. In my opinion, it seems reasonable that if the differences are VAST then SOMETHING should register in the scientific studies however small those difference might be. This has not been the case.
  • Syracuse78
    Joined:
    Those of you thinking TPTB
    Those of you thinking TPTB may remix the first box set using the 24 track tapes ($$$$$) and send new discs to all 9000 buyers of that box for free ($$$) are dreaming. Hey, maybe the next box set of slightly different Bob Marley tracks or Beatles re-re-re-releases will be given away on iTunes like the new U2 album! ;-)
  • mustin321
    Joined:
    Finally Made it
    I finally made it through all 8 shows from this box. Besides the extremely magical night with Branford, my favorite shows are 3/14 & 4/1. I think all of the shows from this tour are great but 3/14 & 4/1 are both really strong shows from beginning to end. Some of the shows lose some energy post drums/space, in my opinion. Who couldn't love the post drums/space Truckin>Stella Blue from 4/1? I also really enjoy the Victim>To lay me down. On 3/14 they start the tour coming out of a cannon...really high energy in the 1st set and flawless, beautiful jamming in the 2nd set. And the excellent Black Muddy River encore, nice. Thank you for a real good time...24 years later!
  • jnosches
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    FLAC HD
    These FLAC HD's are 24 Bit, 192 kHz sample rate. CD is 16 bit, 44.1 kHz sample rate. If you have an HDCD player/decoder, it will "decode" the CD at 20 bits, 44.1 kHz. The Apple lossless files are 16 bit, 44.1 kHz (CD quality). The bit depth refers to exactly that, more depth in the music. Bit depth that is 24 bit sounds a lot better in my opinion regardless of sample rate on a system that supports it. Added sample rate is a huge bonus in my opinion, sounds more realistic/less edgy. I prefer 96 (typical BluRay or DVD-A) or 192 even though most live recordings are done in 48kHz (typical DVD sound quality). And last but not least, equipment plays a big part in all this, a good DAC will blow away a top of the line CD player any day.
  • markabauer
    Joined:
    24/ 88.2
    Don't know for sure about this second box, but I downloaded the first and it's 24/88.2.
  • ticktocktyler
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    You need the downloads
    Ripping from the discs will yield 16 bit FLAC or 20 bit 48khz FLAC at best. The downloads are 24-192khz, something you won't NEVER get from the discs. Uber HD. The download files are from the remastered tapes w/o a disc gen in them.
  • dantian
    Joined:
    If you have the physical box
    If you have the physical box you don't need the downloads. You can rip the CDs to Apple lossless in iTunes, or rip to FLAC using another program such as EAC or foobar.
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    I like the sound from both boxes, but......
    ...TOO does sound better. TPTB could release another set of cd's for the heads that purchased the first box set. Some people made a lot of money from these two boxes, and cd's are inexpensive in regards to the physical media. Ship another set of 24-track discs to the fans......that would be uber-cool...
  • pghas1
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    apples and oranges
    You guys are comparing and looking at 2 entirely different things. The 24/96 is just the resolution of the download files, whether they be high definition (which is I think24/96) or ALAC (16/44.1) or mp 3 which I think is lower, all that tells you is the bit rate and the sample rate of the files. But at this point all the spring 90 files from either box are the same in that regard. The difference in sound has to do with the mixing process. For whatever reason, TPTB decided to use John Cutler's live 2 track recordings as the source for Spring 90 box #1. For those to sound like the second box set, they would have to hire Geoff Norman ( I think) to come back, take out the 24-track masters, and re-mix them. That is not cheap and I doubt they are doing it. And given that there are 9000 copies of a beautiful, well-done, limited edition boxed set out there, redoing them to make them sound alot better opens a gigantic can of worms that they are not opening. I would look at it like this: they could have just decided that remastering THIS second box set would open said can of worms and so instead opted to go with the 2 tracks again. Lesson learned. Also no way are there free downloads if you bought the set and if there were they would just be mp3 anyway which is lossy quality and who wants that?
  • mbarilla
    Joined:
    Great question ppennock
    If the first box is made into downloads from the multi track. I would hope dead.net could give a download voucher with proof of purchase provided. I'm not sure what can of worms that would open with logistics, but it would make a nice gesture. Since it seems to me the shows from the first box have better moments of playing. But the 2nd box sounds way better. Is that too much to ask for ? Personally I would feel a bit cheated if they offered the first 6 shows from Spring 90 box in multi track after paying for the original box. Seems to me it would be sort of an audio upgrade.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
jq171(document).ready(function (jq171) { var covertArtDownloadMarkup = 'Looking for the digital cover art? You can download it here.'; setTimeout(function() { jq171('#digital_cart').append(covertArtDownloadMarkup); }, 500); });

What's Inside:
•144-page paperback book with essays by Nicholas G. Meriwether and Blair Jackson
•A portfolio with three art prints by Jessica Dessner
• Replica ticket stubs and backstage passes for all eight shows
•8 complete shows on 23 discs
      •3/14/90 Capital Centre, Landover, MD
      •3/18/90 Civic Center, Hartford, CT
      •3/21/90 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
      •3/25/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY
      •3/28/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
      •3/29/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (featuring Branford Marsalis)
      •4/1/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
      •4/3/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
Recorded by long-time Grateful Dead audio engineer John Cutler
Mixed from the master 24-track analog tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir's TRI Studios
Mastered to HDCD specs by David Glasser
Original Art by Jessica Dessner
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 9,000

Announcing Spring 1990 (The Other One)

"If every concert tells a tale, then every tour writes an epic. Spring 1990 felt that way: an epic with more than its share of genius and drama, brilliance and tension. And that is why the rest of the music of that tour deserves this release, why the rest of those stories need to be heard." - Nicholas G. Meriwether

Some consider Spring 1990 the last great Grateful Dead tour. That it may be. In spite of outside difficulties and downsides, nothing could deter the Grateful Dead from crafting lightness from darkness. They were overwhelmingly triumphant in doing what they came to do, what they did best — forging powerful explorations in music. Yes, it was the music that would propel their legacy further, young fans joining the ranks with veteran Dead Heads, Jerry wondering "where do they keep coming from?" — a sentiment that still rings true today, a sentiment that offers up another opportunity for an exceptional release from a tour that serves as transcendental chapter in the Grateful Dead masterpiece.

With Spring 1990 (The Other One), you'll have the chance to explore another eight complete shows from this chapter, the band elevating their game to deliver inspired performances of concert staples (“Tennessee Jed” and “Sugar Magnolia”), exceptional covers (Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and the band’s last performance of the Beatles’ “Revolution”) and rare gems (the first “Loose Lucy” in 16 years) as well as many songs from Built To Last, which had been released the previous fall and would become the Dead’s final studio album. Also among the eight is one of the most sought-after shows in the Dead canon: the March, 29, 1990 show at Nassau Coliseum, where Grammy®-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis sat in with the group. The entire second set is one continuous highlight, especially the breathtaking version of “Dark Star.”

For those of you who are keeping track, this release also marks a significant milestone as now, across the two Spring 1990 boxed sets, Dozin At The Knick, and Terrapin Limited, the entire spring tour of 1990 has been officially released, making it only the second Grateful Dead tour, after Europe 1972, to have that honor.

Now shipping, you'll want to order your copy soon as these beautiful boxes are going, going, gone...

user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

I can't wait to hold this in my hand. Keep them coming, i am in! First box set is through the roof, sooooo well done, sound is amazing, keep the good times rollin. Jerry thank's you, i thank you. A great time to be alive.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

My copy arrived Downunder this afternoon (Tuesday) so glad I didn't pay extra for the express delivery. Another beautiful box, now for the music.
user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

My big box arrived yesterday in sunny South Australia and in every which way, the total package and contents are just absolutely perfect!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 2 months
Permalink

Thank you Dead.net A very beautiful box and I can not wait to start listening. While waiting for this I have been doing the rounds of 72-73 but this tour is my favourite. Only complaint is that the music is 'too perfect' hahaha. From Camden to Rydalmere I will be rocking these shows to and from work. Think I will start tonight though by putting 3/14 on my ipod. Thank you to all those who worked on this box set. Great job!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 5 months
Permalink

Love Ryan Adams, and looking forward to the new album. I will try to get to my local shop today to pick up the wax.
user picture

Member for

13 years 8 months
Permalink

Does anyone know where I could find digital/.jpg versions of the "album art" for each of the individual shows in the Spring 1990 TOO box? Thanks for any help!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

My box just now arrived at my doorstep in Tennessee. A day earlier than I expected! Box number 5,837 of 9,000.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 5 months
Permalink

Saw Ryan last night in DC for his record release show. He was in great spirits and the band sounded really tight. New stuff was pretty strong, if a bit poppy. Surprised, but I don't think he played anything pre Cold Roses/Jacksonville Nights. No covers, though people did holler out for Wharf Rat and Bird Song. Good time all around.
user picture

Member for

10 years 11 months
Permalink

Yes I think wjonjd is right. Reading about the mixup "I know the packaging and shipping of these is probably outsourced..". I admit I buy a few CDs a month. Many come from ImportCDs. Same packaging, labeling, and return address in Shepherdsville KY as dead.net. Still waiting on a shipping notice for my TOO box.
user picture

Member for

16 years 5 months
Permalink

I PAID 160.00 FOR THE DOWNLOADS AND THERE IS NOTHING TO DOWNLOAD. JUST EMPTY LINKS. EVENTUALLY IT TELLS YOU THAT YOU'VE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DOWNLOADS. CUSTOMER SERVICE DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE. THEY TOLD ME IT TAKES 7-10 DAYS FOR THE DOWNLOADS TO ARRIVE.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

Rhino moved over 1,000 units this week. That means they will all be gone in about a week from now, so please, all of you true Heads, get them now while they are still available. I don't want to see anyone miss out and I certainly do not want this site filled for weeks with folks complaining that they didn't get it and that Rhino screwed them by limiting the amount sold. Anyone who wants this (and who wouldn't?) has had plenty time to get on board. You procrastinators out there, now is the time to pull the trigger or forever be quiet. I am counting the hours until mine hits CT. this Friday.Rock on
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

I'm shocked that this has arrived in Canada for the release date. I'm pretty rural and don't think i've ever received an official release within 3 weeks of launch. The box is beautiful looking - can't wait to get into it. Problem is, I'm still digesting DaP 11 which only just (finally) arrived a few days ago. $23.53 duty for you other canucks out there ...
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

My copy arrived today, very happy with it. Really nice box, solid sound quality. The coin is really a nice touch. If you are still on the fence, better get it now while you can. I'm sure the second they sale out they will be on Ebay for 40% more. Great release, now please tell us about DP12. Jam on! Peace
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 5 months
Permalink

I got it! Rushed home at lunch to dig in to it (and a great ham and swiss sandwich). Anyone know how they decide who gets which box? I pre-ordered it on the first day, and I got 8447! Sound is incredible. Definitely thinking about framing the faux stubs and backstage passes - add a little Spring 90 to my music poster wall.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 5 months
Permalink

I got it! Rushed home at lunch to dig in to it (and a great ham and swiss sandwich). Anyone know how they decide who gets which box? I pre-ordered it on the first day, and I got 8447! Sound is incredible. Definitely thinking about framing the faux stubs and backstage passes - add a little Spring 90 to my music poster wall.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 3 months
Permalink

AAC is a lossy format, comparable to high quality mp3. ALAC (Apple Lossless) is…lossless. It says AAC above, but I have read these should be Apple Lossless files. Just wanted to clarify for any confusion that might be here. Carry on….CARRY ON...
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

The sound is amazing! Gonna be a long, long, crazy, crazy night Silky, silky, crazy, crazy night.
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

So where's the number at as I can't find it on mine?
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

It's on the coin under the lid.
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

Thanks fourwinds!
user picture

Member for

12 years 11 months
Permalink

I'd like to buy this spectacular box. I'd like to touch and smell all the things inside this box and of course listen these HDCDs, but I live in a country named Brazil. Some people in Europe don't like to pay U$50 -U$100 in import taxes and fees. It would be a dream to me pay this. Do you believe that in my country I would pay over U$240,00 only in import taxes + fees? I'm not kidding! 100%! It's our goverment....The highest taxes and no hospitals, no schools... ok some new and beatiful soccer stadiums. Does anyone know a place on earth where the import taxes and fees are so high? I have U$ 240,00 but I don't have U$ 520,00 ( 240 - box + 40 - shipping to Brazil + 240 or more from import taxes and fees). Hey you from USA, buy it! Think in my case. The price is not so high. I need to move to USA, Europe or maybe the sunny Australia. It's sad to be a Dead head in Brazil...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

I don't know how to get a suggestion to David, so I'm going to post it here and hope that someone relevant sees it. Regarding the downloads.... since most people probably don't burn their lossless downloads to CD, is it possible to have the second sets made seamless for the downloads? I understand the fade-ins and fade-outs at the end of the discs, but if the files aren't being burned to disc it would be nice to have Drums>Space seamless, instead of "Drums>Space fade-out" followed by "Drums fade-in>Space". Just a thought! Aside from that... keep doing that awesome thing that you do!
user picture

Member for

10 years 5 months
Permalink

If I'm not mistaken I read they would not be ready until the end of the month...?
user picture

Member for

10 years 5 months
Permalink

I just read my mistake.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

No, you're right. I'm just asking if, when they appear, they can be in that format (if they aren't already).
user picture

Member for

10 years 5 months
Permalink

I am sure you will get it , even if there is a hiccup right now. I'm one of those (have to have it just in case people) I bought the box but it will be transferred to my pc and burnt for the car or whatever. I just don't have the pc power to trust myself not losing it. I hope you get it the way you want. I know customer service must be inundated with problems right now. But they are good people.
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

1. We believe the technical issues with the downloads are now fixed. Please speak up if you experience an alternative reality. 2. Apple Lossless, CD quality audio are available now. The HD FLAC files will be along soon. 3. Cover art is now available on the download page. Sorry for the issues, but hope all is good now. Thanks and happy downloading!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

does anyone know if spring vol one downloads are going to be the 24 track or 2 track
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

Oh no!I told myself (and my wife) that I didn't need this box especially after I saw the price... then I heard some of the music and saw the spoiler video... Can I let it go? It's going to be a tough decision. Don't have much 1990 in the collection... But it sounds so good!
user picture

Member for

11 years 1 month
Permalink

Jump on it man! Less than 1500 as of yesterday. Better to grab it while ya can than regret it down the road...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 7 months
Permalink

Just a note about the lossless downloads. Since the ALAC files are lossless, this means they can be easily converted to wav and flac (and back again) with zero change in sound quality. So you can create your own flacs from alac. Now, since the flacs are listed as "HD FLAC" I,m going to assume that they will probably be 24bit 96khz files as opposed to 16bit 44.1khz (cd quality) or at least something over what they are encoding for the alac files. However, (and what I'm about to discuss frequently upsets audiophiles), I urge you to google studies concerning people's ability to distinguish 24bit 96khz from 16bit 44.1khz recordings. There have been several from top universities, and their results and methodology have been extensively scrutinized. These are all scientifically designed studies, some using surprisingly large sample sizes. Most of these studies are fairly similar to each other. Double blind - no one participating in each listening session knows at the time which recordings are hd (24) or sd (16). They used multiple audio systems ranging from top end systems and speakers designed by audiophiles, down to basic systems. They used professional headphones down to basic equipment. They chose many different types of music. They checked to make sure that hd recordings were from the same source/mix as the sd recordings. That is frequently not the case, by the way, and is one reason many people are sure they can tell the difference. They usually chose large numbers of participants who self identify as audiophiles or not, musicians or not, a large range of ages, backgrounds, etc. The results of all studies recognized as scientific (that I am aware of) have been basically the same. The rate at which each user can correctly pick which recordings are sd or hd is about 50%. A coin toss. Audiophiles fared no better than others, with highest percentages being around 52%, and some studies then when back to people like that and found that the more music samples they tried the closer the success rate approaches 50%. Some of the write ups go into great detail into methodology of the studies, and if you read them you will begin to see how hard it is to try to duplicate doing tests like this at home (although it can be done). Some of the things that can bias results are NOT obvious. Many will always disagree, but so far as I know NO study has found ANYONE, who can, under their controlled environment, distinguish 16 bit recordings from 24 bit recordings from the same source at anything significantly over 50% (same as guessing). Btw, this doesn't mean things like SACD don't sound better than their cd counterparts. But they use more playback tracks than stereo (like 5.1), are almost always special mixes, etc. it's not apples to apples, and these studies indicate the great improvement is not due to just the difference between 24 bit and 16 bit or 96khz and 44.1khz. Just something to think about before you spend extra for hd when the source is identical.
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

If they would have had them listen to 24/96 flies on a good system for a period of say a week or so and then switched back to 16/44 files then I think they would have heard a difference.
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Now what we need is Fillmore West '69 and Europe '72 available in HD FLAC.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

THIS is the box set. I have everything the band has ever put out...This outdoes the original 1990 box set for sound and it out does it for quality of the box set. I LOVE THE TIGER COIN IN THE COVER! OMG! It nearly brought tears to my eyes.... Jerry would have loved this. He really would have. Listening to disc 1, song 1 as I type... *sigh* can't wait til I get to the shows I was at. This is so nice. THANK YOU DAVE LEMIEUX.
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

#711 has arrived in Denmark. Really cool number, just like #710 would have been. Anybody here got that?This box is a work of art, and I've not even started listening yet. Thank you, David & Rhino!
user picture

Member for

15 years 5 months
Permalink

Since Spring 1990 (The Other One) is now available digitally, why not do what you did for the Europe '72 box set and offer the shows individually as well? Not every Head has that sort of spare change lying around, and it would be nice to have the opportunity to hear more of this truly great era. Anyway, I went out and picked up Wake Up To Find Out as a consolation prize (but what a prize!), and am not interested in paying for a show I already own. Anyone else out there think this is a good idea?
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

As stated in the digital download FAQs, FLAC files cannot be played in Windows Media Player. However, there is a plug-in which makes this possible, namely "Directshow Filters for Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Theora, FLAC, and WebM" from Xiph.org. The file (opencodecs_0.85.17777.exe) can be found here: http://www.xiph.org/dshow/
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 7 months
Permalink

@fourwindsblow - That may be. And it may not. Before sticking to your opinion on this go ahead and look up the studies that have been done on this, read them thoroughly, and see if you change your mind. Because in order for what you say to be true all of the studies would have to be flawed in just such a way to create the 50% success rate they all get. See what you think after you read them. Or don't. It's not my money. And, even if someone can't hear a difference, if they think they can and they're happier, that's fine too. You say things like "on a good system." Have you looked at what they used. Most of them didn't just use a "good system". The very purposely used severly "excellent systems" AND several "very good" systems AND several "basic" systems, etc. That's the whole point behind a truly scientific study. Address all known variables that might bias results. Not just the "sound system", but the people (audiophile, musician, other), ages (teenagers with young years, twenties, thirties, etc.), listening environment, kinds of music, and even factors that wouldn't necessarily seem relevent like educational background. They make as sure as possible that something as simple as "as is the system good enough" doesn't affect the ability of the study to be able to answer the question they are studying - can people hear the difference between A and B. Anyway, as long as people are happy it doesn't really matter.
user picture

Member for

10 years 10 months
Permalink

wow its so nice. time 2 lock myself in my house and ignore the world 4 a few days
user picture

Member for

10 years 10 months
Permalink

wow its so nice. time 2 lock myself in my house and ignore the world 4 a few days
user picture

Member for

12 years 1 month
Permalink

For what it's worth, whether you believe in the superior quality of high-definition recordings or not, HD-Tracks is advertising digital downloads of Wake Up to Find Out: Nassau Colisuem: Uniondale, NY 3-29-1990 at both 96/24 ($40.98) and 192/24 ($53.98) sampling rates. Presumably, it's available now for download. http://www.hdtracks.com/wake-up-to-find-out-nassau-coliseum-uniondale-n… It will be interesting to see if the rest of the set is listed at these higher rates.
user picture

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

I'm curious if this experiment were performed with a recording of a piece of music the listener was very familiar with. Could they pick up any nuances between the 16 bit and 24 bit versions? I have not read the study, so I don't know that info. But if one listens to a piece of music that person may not intimately know, I think the brain will be absorbing the composition as a whole, so it might not pick up the nuances between 16 bit and 24 bit.
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

What I was saying was have them listen to 24/96 files for a little while before doing the A/B tests.
user picture

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

I'm in agreement. I was just curious if I could tell the difference with some of my "reference CDs": Darkside of the Moon, Aja, Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Revolver, DP3, DaP5, Orig LedZep Box, Babylon by Bus on really good audio gear. With that said, as I wait patiently for S90TOO (Friday delivery), I've autoripped the amazon mp3 of Wake Up set that I bought for my buddy's birthday in a couple of weeks and it sounds awesome on the office stereo - can't wait to crank it up from the boxset in HDCD on the big boy stereo! Since I only have a better than average stereo (far from an audiophile rig found on audiogon), I don't think I could tell a difference.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 7 months
Permalink

I'm pretty sure that Dark Side of the Moon is one of the ones that had a complete remix/remaster than the CD. Here is a link that shows and describes the differences in the mastering of the CD and the SACD of DSM. When you are done reading it you will see than anybody would probably be able to tell the differenced between them, even if they had both been put out in 16/44.1 http://www.stereophile.com/news/11649/ You really need to read the studies to begin to realize how much went into trying to find out whether the human ear can detect those differences. The people looking had no agenda other than trying to answer the question. It can't be too much of a coincidence that all the academic studies come up with the same results.
product sku
081227958688