disc formats
uncyogi
Posts: 24
There are several 'new and improved' audio formats out there and I'm a little confused. Is the difference really that noticable? Is any one format catching on more than the others? Will I regret it if I get a new machine that doesn't support one or all of these? Can anyone out there un-confuse me?
Post edited by uncyogi on
Comments
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I purchaced a universal player almost a year ago and very pleased with its performance.But on the other hand i'm disappointed with the limited release of sacd and dvd- audio titles, and trying to find them other than on the web can be quite challenging.
I myself notice a huge differance in sq over standard cd's and enjoy the multi-channel stuff.I think they need to do a better job marketing the hardware and software of this material because most of the general public has no clue about it.Outlaw 990 Processor
Outlaw 755 Amp
Denon 2900 dvd-sacd
Dishnetwork HD-Dvr
55" Sony LCD RPTV
Lsi 9-fronts
Lsic-center
Rt55i- surrounds
Velodyne cht-10 sub
2007 Dodge Quad cab
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X891
JL Audio 300/V2
Polk Audio SR 6500 - Fronts
Polk Audio DB651 - Rear
2 -10" Treo Subs
Interfire IB 2600C sub amp
Sirius Sat radio
Ipod connection -
Doesn't sound like hdcd or sacd or etc.cd will take over the market and make my collection obsolete (again) any time soon. More thoughts anyone?
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CD will stick around, as far as I can see.
HDCD has been around for years. It was never meant to be a replacement for CD; it was just a encoding method that supposely make CD better sounding. However, you will need a HDCD-capable player to hear any benefit. Otherwise, any HDCD can be played back on any CD player....just without the HDCD decoding.
The so-called "format war" is really between DVD-Audio and SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc). Both camps have done a terrible job at marketing the formats. On the other hand, I believe that the mass consumer really don't care much about sound quality; all they want is convenience, i.e downloading.
DVD-A is primarily backed by companies like Meridian, Panasonic, and Warner Music Group. However, until recently, DVD-A wasn't backward compatible with regular CD players. With the introduction of DualDisc, a variation of DVD-A IMHO, that has finally been achieved....to a certain degree. Companies such as Pioneer, Toshiba, Sony, Marantz, etc. have warned their customers against playing DualDisc in their players. What happened is that the CD side of a DualDisc doesn't conform to the official CD specs, as defined by CD coinventors Sony and Philips.
SACD, in terms of titles released, is winning the format war.
SA-CD.net has the most complete listing of SACD titles released worldwide....though hardly the complete list. SACD can be separated into single-layer SACDs and hybrid SACDs. Single-layer SACDs can only be played back on a SACD player and this type of discs are fast becoming dinosaurs (and collector's item). Hybrid SACD can be playback on regular CD players. The major backers of SACD include Sony, Philips, Marantz, Universal Music, and may smaller audiophile labels. -
Originally posted by mrmusicman
But on the other hand i'm disappointed with the limited release of sacd and dvd- audio titles, and trying to find them other than on the web can be quite challenging.
The Best Buy in my area has at least a decent selection of SACD's and DVS-A's. Forget about Circuit City..the salespeople just give a funny look and point and say yeah, I think they may over that way.
Correct me if I'm wrong but as long as your player has a HDCD decoder you can still listen to DVD-A's in HD two channel.suds, suds and more suds! -
Thanks folks, some helpful info here, but my dilema remains. Here's the deal: my dvd changer,which I also use to listen to cd's, is missing a feature (careless shopping on my part) that I really like. It will only shuffle the currently loaded disc, not all discs in the tray. I would REALLY like to be able to throw in a handful of cd's, hit 'shuffle' and let the machine be my D.J. To solve this problem I intend to add a cd changer to my system. As I just added a sub and upgraded my surrounds, my toy budget is down to nil ! I saw refurb Denon changers on U-bid for under 100 bucks with shipping. I'd hate to add another OOPS to my system by not paying attention to all available features, but again, money is a big factor. So, can any one make up my mind for me? that way, if I am unhappy, at least I can blame someone else instead of kicking myself in the **** like over my dvd.
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HDCD wasn't really meant to storm the market I believe, it's the frosting on the cake for those of us who go that extra mile to get better sound. And no, not likely for the rest of them, it almost seems like we're going backwards with the advent of the MP3.Originally posted by uncyogi
Doesn't sound like hdcd or sacd or etc.cd will take over the market and make my collection obsolete (again) any time soon. More thoughts anyone? -
Actually HDCD's are suppose to sound better then normal cds even if you do not have an HDCD decoding chip. But for optimal performance an HDCD dac is best.HDCD has been around for years. It was never meant to be a replacement for CD; it was just a encoding method that supposely make CD better sounding. However, you will need a HDCD-capable player to hear any benefit. Otherwise, any HDCD can be played back on any CD player....just without the HDCD decoding.
