Download quality and file type

This section will help you decide which download quality and file type is best for you.  We recommend you download our free testfiles to help you decide which is best for your needs and most compatible with your computer.

You will find different download choices on this site - Studio Master FLAC, Studio Master WMA, CD quality FLAC, CD quality WMA and MP3.

If you are new to downloading and a PC user, we recommend you choose Studio Master WMA, CD quality WMA or MP3 files. More advanced PC users can also choose FLAC.

If you are not a PC user we recommend you choose Studio Master FLAC, CD quality FLAC or MP3 files.

If you are intending to play your downloads through a Linn DS digital music player such as the Klimax DS or Sneaky DS, we recommend you choose Studio Master FLAC or CD quality FLAC files.

Studio Master FLAC

If absolute sound quality is what you want then this file is best for you.

FLAC files are lossless at various high sample rates, for example, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz and 192KHz (check each title for actual details).  The format will be dependent on the actual recording method we used originally. These files offer true studio quality and are far higher in quality than can be achieved on CD.

FLAC files can be imported into many media players, such as any Linn DS digital music player, but unfortunately Microsoft does not yet support high bit-rate FLAC, so these files will not play in Windows Media Player. There are many other FLAC players available such as Media Monkey and Foobar.

Mac users can play Studio Master FLAC files in players such as SongBird or VLC. Alternatively these files can be converted in to the Apple Lossless codec (ALAC or Mp4) to be played in iTunes, using free conversion software such as XLD.

*192KHz STUDIO MASTERS
The Linn Records Website now contains a number of 192KHz Studio Masters in FLAC. Please note that the majority of soundcards and some media players are only capable of playing back at sample rates of up to 96KHz, so it is very important to check using the TEST FILES to see whether your system is 192KHz compatible before you buy any of these downloads. Please note also that the 192KHz files are approximately twice the size of a 96KHz Studio Master and may consequently take up to twice as long to download. 

All the Linn DS players are fully 192KHz compatible and will be able to play these files as easily as the 88.2KHz Studio Masters.

Studio Master WMA

If absolute sound quality is what you want then this file is best for you.

WMA files are lossless at various high bit rates for example, 48KHz, 88.2KHz and 96KHz (check each title for actual details). We cannot offer 192KHz masters in the WMA format. This download is offered for those who desire the best sound possible. The quality is identical to that of an SACD (stereo only). The format will be dependent on the actual recording method we used originally. These files offer true studio quality and are far higher in quality than can be achieved on CD.

Information for PC Users.
WMA lossless files can be imported and used directly in most PC audio programs including Windows Media Player and iTunes. iTunes will convert the files to AIFF.

Information for Mac Users.
WMA is more appropriate as a PC format, and compatability with the Mac is limited. Mac users should download in the FLAC file type.

CD Quality FLAC

If CD sound quality is what you want then this file is best for you.  

FLAC is a lossless format allows us to compress the music in a lossless manner ensuring that you get all the benefit of a full bandwidth audio performance, but with a file size that is around half that of a normal CD.

FLAC files can be imported and played on a variety of media players, such as the Klimax DS digital music player. To play these files in Windows Media Player you first need to download a filter such as the one at Illiminable.

FLAC files can be played back flawlessly on Macs in OS X. Examples of players that support FLAC are SongBird or VLC. Alternatively these files can be converted in to the Apple Lossless codec (ALAC or Mp4) and be played in iTunes, using free conversion software such as XLD.

For further information about FLAC please visit the FLAC website.

CD Quality WMA

If CD sound quality is what you want then this file is best for you.

WMA is a lossless format allows us to compress the music in a lossless manner ensuring that you get all the benefit of a full bandwidth audio performance, but with a file size that is around half that of a normal CD.

If you are a PC user it is simple to download WMA.  WMA can be imported and used directly in most PC audio programs including Windows Media Player and iTunes.

WMA files can only be imported into iTunes on a Mac once converted to a Mac friendly format. The files can be played on a Mac, but in a limited way. The Microsoft website has further information regarding playing these files on a Mac. We wanted to offer Apple lossless too, but have been unable to get the rights to do this. 

MP3

This file type should work with all computer types including PC, Mac and Linux. This is similar to what most other download sites refer to as "CD" quality. In fact, what they normally mean is that the file is digital, most other compressed music delivery sites deliver very poor audio quality. The audio that we offer is compressed but only to the point that sound quality doesn't suffer unduly (320kbps compared to other sites which are 128kbps).

If the download speed of your internet connection is a concern then this file is best for you. This type of download file is the only one to consider if you have dial up, the others are much too large to download over a dial up connection.