HDtracks is a high-resolutiondigital music store offeringDRM-free music in multiple formats as well as cover art (and liner notes viaPDF file downloads for a majority of catalog offerings) with audioCD-quality and high-definition audiomaster recording quality download selections.[1]
The company was privately founded by David andNorman Chesky of theaudiophile recording companyChesky Records, and is based inNew York, NY.[2] The service was launched on March 21, 2008, initially offering onlyCD-quality 44.1 kHz audio files inAIFF format from a small offering ofindependent record labels, including audiophile record company catalogs from Chesky Records, Reference Recordings, 2L, andblues labels likeAlligator Records.[3] Shortly after its initial launch, HDtracks began offering higher sample-rate and bit-rate recordings such as 96kHz/24bit, 192kHz/24bit and other sound files with higher resolution than a CD, with a focus onjazz,classical music,soft rock, and historic recordings targeting adult consumers looking for an alternative to lesser-quality compressedmp3 files.
On March 21, 2008, HDtracks is officially launched.[4]
In October 2008, HDtracks releases its first catalog offerings in 88.2k/24-bit and 96k/24-bit FLAC formats.[5]
On April 1, 2010, HDtracks added selections fromConcord Music Group catalog of high-resolution music.[6]
On April 15, 2010, HDtracks launchesVerve Records fromUniversal Music Group, marking the first major label to establish sales of high-resolution, non-DRM-restricted music through HDtracks.[7][8]
On March 2, 2011, HDtracks releases ABKCO's Remastered Series of earlyRolling Stones recordings.[10][11]
On July 1, 2011, HDtracks launches withWarner Music Group, making it the secondmajor record label to distribute DRM-free, high-resolution audio downloads through the service.
On January 23, 2013, HDtracks replaced its multiplatform Java Network Launching Protocol (JNLP) downloader application to native applications for Windows and Mac created byJRiver, thereby making it impossible for users of other platforms such as Linux to download their purchases at this time.[12]
On September 10, 2014, HDtracks launched sites in theUK andGermany.[13]
On October 21, 2014, a downloader application for Linux appears on the JRiver support forum.[14]
