Best Place for legal high quality MP3's

Shayne Judge · 07-24-2008, 02:12 PM

As the title suggests, I am looking for a site that has high quality MP3's. I prefer 256 KB vs the standard 128. Is there a legal site that has these? If there is a subscription cost as well, that is fine. My priorities are high quality and lots of songs to choose from, not cost.

Thanks in advance,
Shayne

Todd H · 07-24-2008, 02:24 PM

The mp3's at Rhapsody are 256kb and unprotected.

schalkt · 07-24-2008, 03:14 PM

Amazon.com has a pretty good selection, all DRM-free mp3's at 256 kbps.

Shane D · 07-24-2008, 05:14 PM

i really like amazon, and with the pepsi lid promotion right now you get a free songs for 5 lids. i know alot of people that drink pepsi so i get hooked up with alot of songs.

quality is decent and the downloader app is simple to use.

songs are 99¢ and albumes range from like 7$ to 22$ i believe

Will_B · 07-24-2008, 06:54 PM

iTunes has two levels -- the higher bitrate selection is more limited. They're mp4 not mp3 but, if the point is the higher bitrate, some of iTunes ...I forget what they call it... "iTunes Premium" maybe?

**HTF Ads**

Nathan_W · 07-24-2008, 11:54 PM

Amazon has some Lame encoded VBR files. Only problem is they don't tell you which ones are VBR and which ones are plain 'ol 256.

Rhett_Y · 07-25-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

iTunes has two levels -- the higher bitrate selection is more limited. They're mp4 not mp3 but, if the point is the higher bitrate, some of iTunes ...I forget what they call it... "iTunes Premium" maybe?

iTunes Plus is what you are looking for...

Todd... You wouldn't happen to visit other forums..... say a mac forum would you?

Todd H · 07-25-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhett_Y

iTunes Plus is what you are looking for...

Todd... You wouldn't happen to visit other forums..... say a mac forum would you?

I've posted at macrumors.com a few times.

Ray Chuang · 07-25-2008, 07:40 PM

If you want to "buy" legal high-quality MP3 music files that syncs well with iTunes (if you have an iPod) or with Windows Media Player 11.0 (if you have a Creative, Samsung, Sandisk or Sony portable media player), the Amazon MP3 store is by far the best. Amazon's own downloader program--especially on the Windows side--automatically puts a playlist in either iTunes or WMP 11 that makes copying to a portable music player really easy to do.

Mind you, given the dirty-cheap cost of server storage space nowadays, I'd like to see Amazon offer these music downloads in 256 kbps variable bit rate AAC format as an option, since the iPod dominates the portable music market and many newer portable music players can directly play back unlocked AAC format music files.

JohnRice · 07-25-2008, 08:58 PM

If you are into more Indie choices as well, cdbaby.com has a lot to offer in LAME converted, unrestricted mp3s. I strongly recommend you sample some Happy Rhodes, just to see if she floats your boat.

Ron Reda · 07-28-2008, 02:15 PM

HDtracks.com is another one. Not sure what type of music you're looking for though...

The site boasts universal compatibility and no DRM with liner notes as well:

"If you've only heard crippled digital files (whether by DRM or lossy MP3), you need to check out the Ultimate Download Experience to hear what you've been missing." - Wes Philips, Stereophile Magazine

The HDtracks Ultimate Download Experience is in its final days of availability! Be sure to download it in your choice of three high quality DRM-free formats: AIFF, FLAC, and 320 kbps MP3. Like all HDtracks downloads, it can be played everywhere, including home music servers and MP3 players (including iPods), and you will receive a PDF file containing the cover art and full liner notes. Time is running out, so act now!

Our Download Manager works on both PCs and Macs. It launches automatically so you can start downloading your music without a cumbersome installation process.

Enjoy!
The HDtracks Team