The recording at the studio was mastered at either 24/96 or more likely 192 kbps. The file was sent to the mastering studio where it was processed for CD, vinyl, and download. All started with a hires file.
As you say, in this case the download is vastly superior.
Nowadays iTunes or streaming services are all sent the hires file. They compress it at their end.
As you say, in this case the download is vastly superior.
Nowadays iTunes or streaming services are all sent the hires file. They compress it at their end.