Confused about DVD-A


I'm a vinyl guy from way back when and I had a LOT of trouble getting into CD's. Now they say CD's are going the way of the dinosaur to be replaced by DVD-A and SACD.

So... here is my list of questions:
-Other than vinyl, which format swings best?
-What kind of player plays DVD-A's?
-Do you need to go to a surround approach to participate in DVD-A and SACD? I use the conventional 2-channel approach and have zero plans to change.

Thanx for the feedback and help.
lindisfarne

Showing 1 response by phild

I'm sure the above players sound great and very smooth, BUT...I really don't see how they could *technically* sound as good as a well done SACD or DVD-A disc played on an equally well built SACD or DVD-A machine. I don't think that's physically possible. They may extract the most info from a 16/44.1 redbook CD, but the real issue lies in the fact that some of the info from the original recording never made it onto that 16/44.1 CD...that's the problem. The format itself is limiting. It's not like the information is hidden somewhere on that 16/44.1 disc...just waiting for the ultimate DAC to discover it...it's just not there. The SACD and DVD-A formats are capable of capturing and storing that information from the very beginning ...that's the advantage of newer, better digital technology. I'm sure many of the new, expensive redbook CDPs and DACs do an excellent job with redbook CDs, but they're still just polishing turds. :-) Don't get me wrong...I happen to own about 2,000 of those turds...I'm all for the betterment of that technology, but I think it's unrealistic to say that any redbook player could sound as good as an equally well made SACD or DVD-A player. They can probably say that now...comparing their $4000-$8000 CDPs and DACs against a $1000 Sony or Panasonic, but there's no way that comparison will hold up when hi-end audio companies begin to make their own SACD and DVD-A players using comparable parts and technology.