augustwest:

[btw Metal have you actually taken a transparent sound test between a HQ mp3 rip and the full CD files?

I'm not metal but yeah I've done a test and some average equipment before my current set up.  To be honest I could tell the diff between a very high bit rate file and a WAV file. 

Might be different on my new set up though (naim 5i cd player, Arcam Alpha 9/9p, B&W speakers).

Personally I would rather pay $10 for a FLAC file but if the bit rate is high enough I might go for it.  Besides with the exchage rate (UK/US) it won;t cost me much.  Although if i was being honest...if these become "free" elsewhere the temptation might be a bit too much.  I mean I'd love to have all the recordings I want but I can;t really afford them.

Anyway...

Eddie