As an ethical note: always purchase high-resolution music. This specific version is available from:
Avoid random torrents labeled with these specs; many are upsampled fakes. Check the file’s spectral analysis (using Spek or Fakin’ The Funk) to verify true 192 kHz content above 48 kHz.
In the pantheon of progressive rock, few albums stand as tall, as enigmatic, and as utterly transformative as Yes’s 1972 masterpiece, Close To The Edge. For decades, audiophiles and Yes fans have debated the best way to experience the swirling Hammond organ, Chris Squire’s growling Rickenbacker bass, Jon Anderson’s ethereal vocals, and Bill Bruford’s jazz-inflected drumming. The answer, for many, arrived in 2013 with a specific digital release: Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192- .
This article dives deep into why this particular high-resolution release is considered a landmark for collectors, the technical magic behind the 24-bit/192kHz FLAC encoding, and how it transforms one of the most complex albums ever recorded.
Note: this write-up treats the request as a detailed examination of the 2013 high-resolution 24‑bit/192 kHz FLAC release of Yes’s album Close to the Edge. I assume you mean the official 2013 remaster / high-resolution release commonly distributed in lossless 24/192 format. If you meant a different edition or a fan remaster, say so and I will adjust.
If you want a deeper dive—liner-note transcription from the 2013 edition, exact mastering credits, waveform/SNR measurements, or an A/B blind test protocol—say which of those and I’ll produce it.
The 2013 high-resolution reissue of Yes’s progressive rock masterpiece, Close to the Edge, represents a definitive moment for audiophiles and fans of the genre. Presented in FLAC 24-bit/192kHz, this release offers a surgical level of detail that brings new life to the intricate layering of Jon Anderson’s vocals, Steve Howe’s guitars, and Rick Wakeman’s symphonic keyboards. The 2013 Definitive Edition
Released by Panegyric Recordings, this edition was the first in a series of expanded Yes releases to feature the expertise of acclaimed musician and producer Steven Wilson.
Pristine Flat Transfers: The 24-bit/192kHz FLAC format is primarily used for the Original Stereo Mix, which was transferred directly from the original flat master tapes without additional equalization.
Steven Wilson Remix: Alongside the original master, Wilson provided a completely new stereo remix (typically at 24/96 resolution) designed to provide better separation and clarity while remaining faithful to the 1972 spirit.
Expanded Tracklist: In addition to the three core tracks—the 18-minute title epic, "And You and I," and "Siberian Khatru"—this version includes high-resolution extras such as single edits and studio run-throughs of "Siberia". Audio Performance and Fidelity Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192-
For listeners using high-end playback systems, the 24-bit/192kHz transfer provides a significant upgrade over standard CD quality.
Based on the file naming convention you provided, this appears to be the 2013 HD Remaster of the classic progressive rock album Close to the Edge by Yes.
Here is a guide on what this specific file entails, why it is significant, and how to get the most out of listening to it.
To fully benefit from 24/192 FLAC:
The 2013 FLAC 24/192 edition of Close to the Edge is the definitive digital version for audiophiles and Yes fans who want the highest possible fidelity from the original analog tapes. If you have the playback equipment to resolve the extra detail, it offers a stunning, immersive listening experience — especially on the title track’s layered instrumental sections and "And You and I"’s acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. For casual listeners, the standard CD or 16-bit FLAC may suffice, but for archiving or critical listening, this 24/192 release is top-tier.
Close to the Edge
It was a crisp autumn evening in 2013 when I first laid ears on the remastered FLAC 24-192 version of Yes's iconic album, "Close to the Edge". I had always been a fan of the progressive rock band, but I had never heard their masterpiece quite like this before.
As I settled into my listening room, surrounded by vintage audio equipment and vinyl records, I carefully cued up the digital file on my player. The opening notes of "The Solid Time of Change" floated through my speakers, and I was immediately struck by the stunning clarity and depth of the sound.
The remastering process had clearly done wonders for the album, bringing out subtle details and textures that I had never noticed before. The guitars, keyboards, and vocals seemed to occupy a precise, three-dimensional space, drawing me into the music like a vortex.
As the album's 18-minute title track unfolded, I found myself transported to a different world. The soaring vocal harmonies, the intricate instrumental passages, and the epic, poetic lyrics all combined to create a sense of sonic grandeur that was both exhilarating and overwhelming. As an ethical note: always purchase high-resolution music
I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me, imagining the band members in the studio, pouring their hearts and souls into this magnum opus. I pictured Chris Squire's bass thumping through the speakers, Steve Howe's guitar work shimmering like sunlight on water, and Rick Wakeman's keyboards conjuring up swirling clouds of sound.
As the album's second half, "Total Mass Retain", began, I felt a sense of trepidation. Would the music sustain its lofty heights, or would it falter under the weight of its own ambition? But Yes, ever the masters of their craft, effortlessly segued into the complex, polymetered rhythms and melodies, keeping me on the edge of my seat.
The last notes of "I Get Up, I Get Down" faded away, and I sat in stunned silence, feeling as though I'd been on a journey through the very fabric of sound itself. It was clear that "Close to the Edge", even 40 years after its initial release, remained a work of genius, an awe-inspiring testament to the creative potential of progressive rock.
As I opened my eyes, I knew that I would return to this album again and again, eager to explore its depths and uncover new secrets hidden within its remastered sonic landscape. For in the world of Yes, "Close to the Edge" remained an enduring masterpiece, an odyssey of sound that would continue to inspire and captivate listeners for generations to come.
The 2013 definitive edition of Yes's Close to the Edge represents a major milestone for audiophiles, as it was the first in a series of expanded editions to feature new high-resolution mixes. While various digital versions exist, the FLAC 24-bit / 192 kHz format is specifically associated with the "Flat Transfer" of the original 1972 master tape. High-Resolution Audio Specs
The 2013 release, spearheaded by Steven Wilson, offered multiple audio configurations across Blu-ray and digital download:
Original 1972 Stereo Mix: Transferred directly from the original analogue master tape at 24-bit / 192 kHz with no additional EQ or compression.
Steven Wilson 2013 Stereo Remix: Typically presented at 24-bit / 96 kHz to match the resolution of the multitrack source tapes.
5.1 Surround Sound: Available in DTS-HD Master Audio at 24-bit / 96 kHz.
Bonus Content: Includes the single version of "America" at 24/192 and high-resolution instrumental versions. Avoid random torrents labeled with these specs; many
Yes — Close To The Edge (2013 Steven Wilson Remix) Format: FLAC 24-bit / 192 kHz (Original Flat Transfer) | 24-bit / 96 kHz (New Remix)
This 2013 "Definitive Edition" of Yes’s 1972 masterpiece is a landmark release for audiophiles. Produced by Steven Wilson, the set offers a complete sonic overhaul from the original multi-track tapes, providing unparalleled clarity and instrument separation for what many consider the band's career-defining work. Audio Specifications
The high-resolution FLAC files in this edition typically include:
Original Stereo Mix: A high-resolution flat transfer from the original 1972 master tape, presented in 24-bit / 192 kHz.
2013 Stereo Remix: A completely new stereo mix by Steven Wilson, available in 24-bit / 96 kHz.
Instrumental Mixes: The new stereo mix with vocals removed, also in 24-bit / 96 kHz (exclusive to the Blu-ray/high-res digital versions). What Makes This Version Special?
Enhanced Detail: Wilson’s remix reduces the harshness of earlier remasters and improves the "roundness" of the sound. Listeners often note that Chris Squire's bass and Bill Bruford's percussion are significantly more resonant and crisp.
Bonus Tracks: Includes a new remix of the Simon & Garfunkel cover "America" and an early assembly/rough mix of the title track.
Needle-Drop Transfer: A unique addition featuring a pristine 24-bit / 96 kHz transfer of an original UK vinyl A1/B1 pressing. Tracklist Close To The Edge (18:43) I. The Solid Time of Change II. Total Mass Retain III. I Get Up I Get Down IV. Seasons of Man And You And I (10:09) I. Cord of Life II. Eclipse III. The Preacher The Teacher IV. Apocalypse Siberian Khatru (8:57) Purchase & Streaming Options
Before analyzing the format, one must respect the source. Released in September 1972, Close To The Edge was Yes’s fifth studio album and their creative zenith. The album consists of only three tracks, but the 18-minute title suite takes up the entire first side of the original vinyl.
The original master tapes were recorded at Advision Studios in London, engineered by the legendary Eddy Offord. Offord’s production was revolutionary—capturing massive dynamic ranges, from the whispered sound of running water and birdsong to the cataclysmic organ blasts that shake the speakers.