Intrada Soundtrack Forum

I will preface this by saying that I’m much more of a casual fan of the Star Wars saga than most, so my opinion doesn’t mean much (when has it ever?).

However, I bought the HD downloads of the original albums and couldn’t be more pleased with the quality of the sources and mastering. This is without a doubt the best I've ever heard the scores sound, with better EQ choices, better clarity and considerably (and measurably) more dynamic range than the prior, 2-CD editions. A lot of people want C&C presentations, and I certainly respect that, but these downloads are the definitive presentations as far as I’m concerned.

Anybody else get these downloads or the vinyl version of it?

I bought the 96K downloads of the original three films but won't get to listen to them until this weekend. The 96K download of the new film didn't sound as fine as I expected. I thought the low end was thinner than Shawn Murphy's recordings usually are. I was missing the fullness of the cellos and basses that he usually gets. I'd be curious to know if the CD release is the same way.

I also have the high resolution download for Force Awakens, and I did find upper brass to at times be quite emphasized in the mix.

Love the new score, by the way, and think of it as the best since Empire when it comes to the music as a standalone. I know that sentiment is not shared by most diehard fans of the series, but the score and album has rock-solid cohesion in my view.

Yes, me too! For me the Star Wars magic is back, film and score.

Yavar

Episodes I, II and III are encoded in 24 bits/44 Khz.
Episodes IV, V and VI are encoded, more interestingly, in 24 bits/192 Khz.
Episode VII is encoded in 24 bits/96 Khz.

So far I've been listening to Ep VII which sounds gorgeous in HD !

Lossless downloads of the original albums are dirt cheap on 7Digital. $2.49 for A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, and $7.49 for Empire Strikes Back.

What's especially odd is that so much effort was put into the recent releases in an attempt to recreate the original albums. The 2016 downloads were transferred from the best available album masters and they sound quite good. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.