OPINION

摘要

The problem with hi-resolution downloads', muttered an inveterate late-adopter to me recently, 'is that all the good-sounding stuff is just, well, too audiophile'. He stressed the last word as if 'audiophile' was code for music less worthy than the mass-produced pap that frequents the not-so-hi-res download charts. Nevertheless, I'm not so sure this view - and it's one I've heard expressed on numerous occasions - holds up to close scrutiny. Certainly it's not a reason to avoid dipping our toes into the world of virtual media. There is some truly fabulous sounding music available: gleaming beacons in a sea of so-so mainstream rock and pop.