Naim has released recordings of Mozart's Wind Serenades and Hands on Heart, a live concert in memory of the brother of cellist Tim Hugh, in high-resolution digital (24-bit/88.2kHz) format.
Music and hi-fi enthusiasts with Naim HDX hard-disk players, NaimNet Music Servers and many other brands of music servers and computers with high-resolution soundcards will be able to enjoy the music as it was recorded by Grammy Award-winner Tony Faulkner.
Sold as a dual pack, both recordings include a DVD data disc containing the high-res audio files in WAV format, plus a conventional CD for compatibility with standard CD players.
More high-res releases to follow
This is Naim's first release of a high-resolution recording. The label has been experimenting with and assessing the possibilites of releasing a good proportion of its back catalogue in either 24-bit/88.2kHz format if it was recorded digitally, or 24-bit/96kHz if originally recorded in analogue form.
"We don't consider the compression of audio files to be worthwhile, considering the ever-decreasing cost of hard-disk space," says Naim. "High-resolution audio brings an audio quality far superior to conventional CD."
The company expects to release a succession of high-resolution recordings in 2009.
The Mozart Wind Serenades were recorded with the Chamber Soloists of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cadogan Hall, London in August 2007.
Hands on Heart was recorded live at the Wigmore Hall, London in November 2007. Tim Hugh, principle cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra, made the recording in memory of his brother Steve who died unexpectedly of a heart attack.
