Here's the text of my response to him: "David Solomon, so no head-to-head comparison available yet, but I took a listen to the 24/ Positive Feedback Close To The Edge (Steven Wilson Remix) – Jason Warburg
To the uninitiated, “FLAC 24-192” looks like technical gibberish. To an audiophile, it is a promise. Let’s break down why this applies perfectly to Close to the Edge :
The 2013 high-resolution reissue of progressive rock masterpiece, Close to the Edge , is widely considered the definitive audiophile version. This specific release, part of the Definitive Edition series, features a complete remix by Steven Wilson from the original multitrack tapes, aiming for modern clarity while faithfully preserving the 1972 spirit. Technical Specifications & Formats
: Available in DTS-HD Master Audio at 24-bit / 96 kHz . Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192-
The ultimate test. The frantic guitar/bass interplay and Bill Bruford’s jazz-influenced drumming require high resolution to decode. On the 192 kHz sampling rate, the transient attack of Bruford’s hi-hat and snare rimshots is razor-sharp but natural. The complex stereo panning of the backing vocals (the “To be able to love...” round) is vividly disentangled. In lower resolutions, this section turns into a wall of noise. In , it is a kaleidoscopic ballet.
The 24-bit/192kHz FLAC container offers immense acoustic advantages over standard CD quality (16-bit/44.1kHz). Extended Dynamic Range
Many purists fear remixes, but Steven Wilson approaches legacy catalog items with extreme reverence. His goal for the 2013 mix was transparency. He corrected minor tape alignment issues and original mixing errors while preserving the exact pacing, spirit, and balances of the 1972 original. The result is a mix that feels cleaner, wider, and punchier, without ever sounding modern or artificially altered. Technical Specifications Specification Album Close To The Edge Remix Engineer Steven Wilson (2013) Format FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) Bit Depth Sampling Rate Channels 2.0 Stereo (High-Resolution Archive) Final Verdict Here's the text of my response to him:
Instead of drastically altering the album's identity, Wilson focused on correction and enhancement:
Standard CDs offer 16-bit depth, capping the theoretical dynamic range at 96 decibels. The 24-bit depth expands this range to 144 decibels. In Close to the Edge , this manifests in the dead-silent noise floor. The quietest passages—such as the ambient wilderness tape loops at the start of the title track—emerge seamlessly out of total blackness without any digital quantization noise or tape hiss. The Impact of 192kHz Sampling
: A folk-infused epic that transforms into a soaring symphonic masterpiece. This specific release, part of the Definitive Edition
If you want to compare this to (e.g., King Crimson, Jethro Tull)
Progressive rock is about pushing boundaries—musical, temporal, and technological. To listen to Close to the Edge in standard definition is to see a cathedral through a dirty window. To listen to is to stand in the nave, gaze up at the stained glass, and feel the organ vibrate through the stone floor.
A FLAC 24-192 file of a 38-minute album clocks in at roughly . Compare that to a 320kbps MP3 at ~15 MB. Is the physical storage worth it?
Released in 1972, Close to the Edge by Yes stands as the absolute pinnacle of progressive rock. In 2013, audio virtuoso Steven Wilson remixed this masterpiece from the original multi-track tapes. Available as a high-resolution 24-bit/192kHz FLAC download, this release represents the definitive archive of a landmark musical achievement. The Masterpiece Refined
For those seeking the "FLAC 24-192" experience, there are several options. The complete Definitive Edition is available as a and CD/DVD-Audio set. The Blu-ray is the superior choice as it is the only physical format containing the 24/192 original stereo mix.