When done correctly, the resulting file contains information that never existed on the digital master. You hear the subtle rumble of the vinyl surface between tracks—the "black velvet" silence that makes the sudden explosion of "Intro" so jarring.
But for the critical listener, the difference between streaming the standard CD master and hearing the is like looking at a blueprint versus standing inside the cathedral. Alt-J - An Awesome Wave -2012- -24 bit FLAC- vinyl
Listening to "Something Good" in 24/96 FLAC reveals the thwack of the drumstick hitting the rim before the bass drum even triggers. In MP3, that transient is blurred by the psychoacoustic encoding algorithm. In FLAC, it is exact. When done correctly, the resulting file contains information
If you only know An Awesome Wave through Spotify or YouTube, you have only heard the skeleton. The reveals the blood and the tissue. Listening to "Something Good" in 24/96 FLAC reveals
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a zip file for your ears. It preserves every single bit of audio data from the source. A standard CD is 16-bit/44.1kHz. A file, however, offers 256 times the amplitude resolution.
Why? Vinyl has physical limitations. Excessive low-end can cause the needle to jump out of the groove; excessive treble can cause distortion. Consequently, vinyl mastering engineers must preserve dynamic range.