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downloading music worth listening to on a computer

It seems to me that every recording I've heard downloaded to a flashdrive or DVD on a computer sounds fairly hideous. The playback is harsh, brittle, compressed and caustic. To be sure, the standard computer recording processor in a conventional computer is designed for conversation and audio purity was never a design factor, but this is the direction that the industry seems to be traveling to. So my question is this...
How can I download quality music on my laptop computer?

Are there chips available that can be installed or outboard devices that can be utilized to accomplish this purpose, and what format (dics, flashdrive, etc.) is preferred?
Your input and suggestions are appreciated.
morbius2130aol
melm
1,085 posts
 
Hard to tell what it is that you want to download.  But in any event, downloading is one step.  Playback is another.  About the easiest and cheapest way to play back from a computer is with an Audioquest Dragonfly.connected to earphones or any player of your choice.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,632 posts
 
“How can I download quality music on my laptop computer?”

You can certainly do that from sites like HDTracks.com or acousticssounds.com but it won’t matter as long as you’re listening through the laptop computer. The laptop computers are not designed to output high quality and more importantly noise free audio.  
Look into a dedicated streamer like Bluesound Node 2i as a starting point. This device comes with a decent built-in DAC and supports high quality streaming from Tidal and Qobuz.  If downloading music is a priority then consider a Bluesound Vault 2 which allows downloads straight from HDTracks.  
avhomeguy79's avatar
avhomeguy79
22 posts
 
I bought an AudioQuest Dragonfly Black for listening to music on my laptop.  I use it primarly when my son is asleep. Otherwise, I now stream Tidal through BluOs on my main system. 
f1status1's avatar
f1status1
30 posts
 
I get my music from HDTracks.com
all high resolution FLAC files.  They sound amazing! I’ve been purchasing from them for 5 years or more. I use my MacMini and just added an outboard DAC yesterday.  LedZepplin, Metallica, Jazz, Tool, it’s amazing compared to CD.  
hickamore
713 posts
 
To be fair, iTunes library from Macbook Pro through Dragonfly Jitterbug to good Pangea USB cable to Grand Pre X-1 onboard DAC is more than tolerable. Not equal to FM tuner, but has its merit when Grand Pre tube buffer is active. Now toying with Tidal for downloads and wireless streaming radio through Cambridge 851N network player. Which can't quite match analog FM in the subtleties. Still, best digital yet for me. Soon to try Cambridge CD player through X-1 vs. 851N DACs). 
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