Downloading Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192- is only half the battle. To resolve that information, you need a proper playback chain:
A common question: Isn't the 2013 edition just a re-issue? While Steven Wilson’s famous 5.1 surround remix of Close to the Edge came later (2014), the 2013 stereo FLAC 24-192 release coincided with a broader industry shift toward “audiophile-grade” catalog downloads. It is often sourced from a fresh, high-resolution transfer done by engineer Isao Kikuchi (for the Japanese SHM-SACD release) or directly from the Atlantic master tapes.
Unlike the 1994 “Expanded Edition” (brickwalled), the 2013 high-res version retains the original dynamic range. Analysis tools like the DR (Dynamic Range) Database often rate this 24-192 transfer with scores of DR12 or higher, whereas most CDs hover around DR8. That means the quiet parts are quiet, the loud parts are pristine, and the music has room to breathe.
The keyword Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192- refers specifically to a digital reissue released by Rhino Records / Warner Music Group. This was not merely a CD rip (16-bit/44.1kHz) upsampled to a higher rate. This was a legitimate high-definition transfer sourced directly from the original analog master tapes.
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- . 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.
Many Yes fans ask: Why buy the 2013 24/192 FLAC if I have the Blu-Ray or the Steven Wilson remix?
Close to the Edge is the fifth studio album by English progressive rock band Yes, originally released in 1972. It is widely considered one of the greatest progressive rock albums of all time. The album consists of three tracks:
Musically, it features complex arrangements, Jon Anderson's ethereal vocals, Steve Howe's intricate guitar work, Chris Squire's melodic bass, Rick Wakeman's virtuosic keyboards, and Bill Bruford's dynamic drumming. Downloading Yes - Close To The Edge -2013-
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 “Yes - Close To The Edge -2013- -FLAC 24-192-” is to stand in the nave, gaze up at the stained glass, and feel the organ vibrate through the stone floor.
For fans who have memorized every note, this 2013 high-resolution release offers a fresh revelation: the sound of five virtuosos at their absolute peak, preserved in a digital container worthy of their ambition.
Download it, light a candle, and get up, get down—all the way to the solid time of change.
Word count: ~1,250. For the collector: Pair this FLAC with a good tube headphone amplifier to soften the transient peaks, and you’ll hear why 1972 was prog’s annus mirabilis. Word count: ~1
The 2013 high-resolution reissue of Yes’s 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
Format: Typically available as a 24-bit / 192kHz FLAC download or via physical Blu-ray/DVD-A sets.
Source Material: Includes both Steven Wilson's 2013 Stereo Mix and a high-resolution flat transfer of the Original 1972 Stereo Mix. Contents: "Close to the Edge" (18:43) "And You and I" (10:09) "Siberian Khatru" (09:01)
Bonus Tracks: Often includes the full version of "America" and early rough mixes. Key Features of the 2013 Remix
