Noel, probably. Not so much now, but when the audiophile version was first released, it was even larger because there were more files (two-thirds could be eliminated from the use of the Elastique algorithm). Few computers had internal drives large enough for an install of the full set of .WAV files. The installation choices thus included the option of loading only the compressed .WMA files.

By the way, we haven't yet said clearly, the audiophile version works just fine from the PG Music USB 3.0 external drive. The only disadvantage I can think of is that you don't have a backup. However, if you upgrade each year and get a new drive, you can do what I do: back up the new drive onto last year's drive.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors