Chesky Records has a strong history as an audiophile record label, combining music artists’ talent with superior engineering and audio reproduction. So you know typical MP3 downloads weren’t the Cheskys’ style.

They’ve launched HDtracks to allow you to buy and download higher-quality digital music—in CD-quality uncompressed AIFF or lossless FLAC files, or MP3 files of at least 320 kbps bitrate. To give you an idea of what kind of quality you’ll be enjoying, if you sign up with an email address, you can get “The HDtracks Ultimate Experience” sampler disc for free.

The recording’s track list includes:

• Our Turn to Dance - Livingston Taylor
• Well, I’ve Been to Memphis - David Johansen and the Harry Smiths
• Mexican Hat Dance - Earl Wild
• Larger Than Life - Holly Cole
• Rumble - Mike Garson
• Can’t Let Go - Koko Taylor
• Baba Yaga - The Minnesota Orchestra/Eiji Oue
• Una tarde de verano - Brio

As with every other full album, usually priced at $11.98, the sampler disc includes PDF liner notes. Downloaders of The HDtracks Ultimate Experience will also get a promotional code to receive 20 percent off their next HDtracks purchase.

For audiophiles who want a more convenient way to download great sounding music, it’s a win-win all the way around. You can sort through bins of vinyl for those versions later.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!