I have some high resolution files. Contrary to what some people claim, higher resolution can sound better than redbook CD. How does it sound better? Most obviously, high resolution files capture music’s higher harmonics which humans perceive as a noticeable increase in spatial cues, providing a sense of the acoustic space that the music was recorded in. Well recorded, high-res music sounds like you’re sharing the performance space with the performers. It’s absolutely uncanny.

Most loudspeakers don’t reproduce higher frequencies above 10KHz and as such, are simply not capable of reproducing music’s upper and lower harmonics. If you’re casually listening to music, you don’t need gear that can accurately produce the full bandwidth of music because most music only covers the frequency range from 40Hz to 10KHz. Most loudspeakers people buy rarely go beyond that frequency range. Very few speakers are capable of full range sound reproduction, no matter what specifications manufacturers claim.

Personally, I almost always buy redbook CD for most mainstream music because almost all of it is ridiculously overcompressed. Remastered reissues are sometimes worth getting if they were recorded in famous recording studio spaces. High-end audiophile labels recorded in vast concert spaces, churches, concert halls, jazz clubs and the like are ideal high-resolution purchases. When I purchase high resolution music, I prefer to purchase high-res files in 24/96 format and will buy 24/192 only when 24/96 isn’t available. Also keep in mind that high-rez music is FAR more costly. An album in 24/196 format generally runs over $45.