You can finally "place" Steve Howe’s sitar-guitar and Chris Squire’s Rickenbacker in a distinct 3D soundstage. 🎹 The Steven Wilson Magic
Critics described the mix as having "greater clarity and fuller dimensionality, as if every element in this collection of priceless family silver has been painstakingly polished by hand".
A FLAC 24-192 file of a 38-minute album clocks in at roughly . Compare that to a 320kbps MP3 at ~15 MB. Is the physical storage worth it? Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192-
: A masterclass in rhythmic counterpoint, featuring interlocking guitar, keys, and bass riffs.
from the original 1972 master tapes. This provides the most authentic representation of the original production by Eddy Offord, preserved without modern EQ or compression. Steven Wilson 2013 Stereo Remix: You can finally "place" Steve Howe’s sitar-guitar and
High-Fidelity Masterpiece: Yes – Close To The Edge (2013, FLAC 24-192)
Chris Squire’s bass is the heart of Yes. In this high-res format, the "growl" of his tone has a physical weight. It anchors the complex time signatures without overwhelming the mix. The Vocal Harmony Compare that to a 320kbps MP3 at ~15 MB
Standard CDs are limited to 16-bit resolution, offering 96 decibels of dynamic range. A 24-bit file delivers up to 144 decibels. This extra headroom allows the quietest acoustic guitar plucks by Steve Howe and the loudest synthesizer swells by Rick Wakeman to coexist without digital compression. Micro-Detail and Spatial Realism
The full technical breakdown of the Blu-ray disc is a testament to its audiophile-grade completeness:
Chris Squire’s Rickenbacker bass, which sometimes sounded "bloated" in previous masters, was brought under tighter control, allowing for greater punch without overwhelming the soundstage. Instrumental Separation: