[ I remember the yello FTP server some years ago. At that time, I [ had a slow internet connection, which took me ages to download [ one song (has changed now ...). At that time somebody from this [ list with a fast connection helped me out and sent a full CD with [ 650MB of rare yello tracks. I still keep this CD in a safe place. [ I am just waiting for the FTP server to become available and than [ upload the songs. Was your CD made from MP3 files? If so, re-compressing them again for the ftp server could result in more noise than the usual MP3 compression. Hopefully, your savior had access to the original tracks and did not simply burn MP3 quality tracks on your CD. Otherwise, maybe your benefactor is still around and has the original MP3 files so they won't need to be compressed again. This brings up an issue: perhaps we should request information for each song on the ftp site stating how the song was sampled. e.g. if it originated on vinyl, was sampled on a cheap audio card, and compressed to a low-bit-rate MP3, all before being expanded for burning on a CD, and then re-compressed at a different bit rate for the new ftp site, then I'd like to know! Some ftp songs could be off CD, compressed losslessly with SHN. Some could be vinyl, and here it is important (to me) to know whether the vinyl was sampled to digital on a cheap audio card, through a noisy DJ mixer with proper RIAA curve, or maybe through a high-end turntable preamp with low noise and RIAA standards. Obviously, some of this information will be unknown, but it would be nice to track it where possible. I doubt that a full database is necessary, but we could put simple text files in the ftp directories with names to match them up with the audio files. P.S. If you folks are rushing to sample your rare and discontinued Yello vinyl, please try to use a real phono preamp with the RIAA eq circuitry. Most folks can't hear a difference when listening to vinyl directly through their audio card inputs without an RIAA preamp, but I can tell. Search the web for info on RIAA: they boost the treble to compensate for the vinyl cutter's slow response to high frequencies, and they cut the bass so the needle won't be flung off the record during playback. All records have this RIAA equalization. A proper phono preamp will correct for this boost and cut by applying the reverse EQ. I think there might be some dynamic gain involved, but I haven't found a reference for that. Also, Radio Shack or other cheap phono preamps have the right RIAA curve, but add a lot of noise. I have a really nice ROTEL phono preamp, but unfortunately all my rare Yello is on CD, so I won't be sampling any rare Yello vinyl. Those who are curious for further reading might visit: http://www.tanker.se/lidstrom/riaa.htm http://www.aardvarkmastering.com/riaa.htm Brian Willoughby Sound Consulting