Stuart Frazer
pfm Member
I can't understand why so many people seem to have issues around using Amazon Music HD. I stream and download files on their unlimited service as I also have Amazon prime , so it's not alot extra. It's true that not all of their HD content is true HiRes but it is at least 16bit 44.1Khz. Most of it seems to run at 24bit 96Khz and up tp 192Khz. Running from the Amazon app via usb to an external Dac and into my Naim amps and Kef speakers the sound is pretty good. I also run JRiver media player on a couple of PCs with my phone running Jremote as a controller to play HD content which I have downloaded in the past. Amazon Unlimited and JRiver both sound great and I couldn't really say I have a preference for one over the other. I just use whichever has the content I want to play at any given time. Basically I use whatever system will allow me to enjoy my music. Been using both for more than a year and never had problems with either.
Personally, I believe the Mastering is far more important than the resolution or bitrate. Amazon push red book 44.1Khz/16bit as HD which is a bit naughty really and is just marketing words at play. They really should call that CD quality, but that doesn't sound as good when peoples ears are eyes are more focussed to HD. Give me a well mastered and well sourced 44.1/16 or 48/24 etc. format over poorly mastered "questionable source" UHD masters any day:
https://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=7066