Where can y'all buy hullo-res music? Hither are the top download sites

(Epitome credit: HDtracks)

Desire to build a library of loftier-resolution music simply don't know where to start? Whether you've only just taken the plunge into hi-res audio, or are wondering what other online stores have to offer, nosotros've rounded up some of our favourite howdy-res download websites.

In its simplest terms, hi-res audio refers to music files that have a higher sampling frequency and/or scrap depth than CD (16-bit/44.1kHz), giving the potential for better sound quality (with the appropriate listening equipment, of course).

With major music labels such as Sony, Warner and Universal making their all-encompassing music catalogues available to these hello-res download services, in that location'southward a huge variety of genres, file formats and download options available for fans of high-resolution sound.

Nosotros've focused on the biggest and well-nigh popular download sites that allow yous buy and download single tracks and full albums in various hi-res formats. Each has its own distinct flavour, bitrates and features to offer.

You may ultimately terminate up with a favourite get-to site, but fifty-fifty and then, it'due south worth checking beyond the unlike sites for the aforementioned album or track, too, as some stores can offer better prices than others.

Of grade, if you'd rather stream hi-res than purchase and download it, you can do and then via Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Qobuz and at present Apple Music.

HDtracks

Howdy-res sampling rates available: 24-bit/44.1kHz to 24-bit/192kHz

Hi-res file formats bachelor: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, DSD two.8 and five.6MHz

HDtracks is one of the more established hi-res download stores, and it's never been stronger.

Nosotros've knocked HDtracks in the past for shunning more than current or popular music in favour of jazz, classical and dad-rock, but glance at the dwelling house screen and the Top New Releases tab now includes the likes of Billie Eilish, Prince and P!nk remixes.

You tin't actually purchase individual tracks and hi-res albums can be pricey, but the interface is fuss-free and easy to navigate, and you tin can sample 30 seconds of whatsoever anthology rails before you buy.

Another plus is the format and bitrate option on offer. Where other download sites often offering FLAC as default (and in some cases, only FLAC is available), HDtracks lets you choose between FLAC, WAV, AIFF and ALAC formats – and the sampling rates within each – before downloading. There's a selection of tunes in DSD and double DSD, too, which is great for audiophiles.

One issue is that HDtracks restricts purchases to certain countries, but that shouldn't evidence too difficult to work around with one of the best VPNs.

View the HDtracks website

Qobuz

Hi-res sampling rates available: 24-bit/44.1kHz to 24-bit/192kHz

Hi-res file formats available: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC

The download shop attached to the Qobuz streaming service gets full marks for music discovery and forepart-cease intuitiveness. And with more than than 220,000 albums available in hi-res 24-chip quality, it's worth taking a look.

Both the website and dedicated app are easy to navigate. Hi-res albums are clearly labelled, and y'all can search by genre or new releases, which can be sorted by sample rate. Hi-res albums in 5.1 surround sound are available likewise. There is a strong Francophile focus, although the hi-res catalogue is growing more varied every solar day.

It's worth noting that y'all choose the file format and sampling rate you want to download your hi-res anthology in after making your buy, and as well that you can't purchase individual tracks.

Pricing is competitive, and if you opt for the hybrid download-and-streaming Sublime+ service (£250/$250 per year) you tin get discounts on hi-res albums.

Read our total Qobuz review

View the Qobuz download store

7digital

Hi-res sampling rates available: 24-bit/44.1kHz to 24-flake/192kHz

Hullo-res file formats bachelor: FLAC

With a strong catalogue of hi-res music from all genres and a website that makes ownership music easy, 7digital is a expert all-rounder.

A helpful search bar runs across the top of the interface to assistance y'all find exactly what you're afterward and the website is uncomplicated to navigate. You tin can easily spot hi-res recordings thanks to a yellow '24bit FLAC' badge on an album or song'southward thumbnail, and there's likewise a dedicated hi-res section for some focused browsing. Yous tin can preview 30 seconds of a song earlier buying it, as well.

One drawback is that it merely offers hi-res downloads in the FLAC format (while it's now possible to select 'MQA' as a filter choice, we couldn't notice any tracks in the format). Prices are affordable, though, and you lot can buy individual tracks besides equally total albums – something that not every site offers.

View the 7digital downloads shop

Native DSD

Hi-res sampling rates available: DSD64 (2.8 MHz/64fs), DSD128 (5.6 MHz/128fs) DSD256 (eleven.2 MHz/256fs)

Hello-res file formats available: DSD, DXD, WAV, FLAC

If yous recently purchased a portable music player from the likes of Astell & Kern (plus an SD carte du jour to boost its storage) and you're primarily looking for classical music, this site may well get your new one-stop shop. Equally the name suggests, Sony'due south proprietary mid-90s – merely now very much back in way – Direct Single Digital (DSD) format is the focus here, merely there's a decent catalogue of WAV and FLAC files too.

Those who want tracks to play on iTunes may have to shop elsewhere, and don't expect to find Kanye W's latest work here – Native DSD'southward best-sellers include Vivaldi, Debussy and Beethoven – but search around and yous can even download some complimentary 'Starter Pack' selections, in two and v channels, in standard DSD64.

Not certain if your DAC tin can play quad DSD, aka DSD256? In that location's a helpful DAC checker – and if yours comes up curt, you can even buy one from Native DSD's gear tab.

View the Native DSD downloads store

MORE:

Prefer streaming? See Hi-res music streaming services compared: which should you sign upward for?

Dislocated? You need high-resolution audio: everything yous know

...and how to play how-do-you-do-res music on your iPhone

Further reading: What is DSD audio? How it works, where to download files, and more

Tom Parsons has been writing about Tv, AV and hi-fi products (non to mention plenty of other 'gadgets' and even cars) for over 15 years. He began his career as What Howdy-Fi?'s Staff Writer and is now the TV and AV Editor. In between, he worked equally Reviews Editor and so Deputy Editor at Stuff, and over the years has had his work featured in publications such as T3, The Telegraph and Louder. He'southward likewise appeared on BBC News, BBC World Service, BBC Radio 4 and Sky Swipe. In his spare fourth dimension Tom is a runner and gamer.

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Best Service to Download Music Hi Res