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| Launched | March 2008 |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows |
| Pricing model | $17–$30 (typical album), individual tracks available in some cases |
| Website | hdtracks |
HDtracks is a high-resolution digital music store offering DRM-free music in multiple formats as well as cover art (and liner notes via PDF file downloads for a majority of catalog offerings) with audio CD-quality and high-definition audio master recording quality download selections.
The company was privately founded by David and Norman Chesky of the audiophile recording company Chesky Records, and is based in New York, NY. The service was launched on March 21, 2008, initially offering only CD-quality 44.1 kHz audio files in AIFF format from a small offering of independent record labels, including audiophile record company catalogs from Chesky Records, Reference Recordings, 2L, and blues labels like Alligator Records. Shortly after its initial launch, HDtracks began offering higher sample-rate and bit-rate recordings such as 96 kHz/24bit, 192 kHz/24bit and other sound files with higher resolution than a CD, with a focus on jazz, classical music, soft rock, and historic recordings targeting adult consumers looking for an alternative to lesser-quality compressed mp3 files.
