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Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

there have been numerous threads here, i know, about sacd v. dvd-a, upsampling, oversampling, etc. a number of these threads have included discussions of which, if any, new digital format will replace what we now call “redbook” cd’s. i don’t wish to rehash these discussions. rather, i’d like to hear from others how they are coping with the “age of uncertainty” in the realm of digital audio. is it better to “roll the dice” and invest in sacd or dvd a? ignore the contenders for the new and get the best possible out of redbook cd’s? buy with upgradeability firmly in mind? follow another path? i don’t post this query out of mere curiosity. i really haven’t figured out what course i should follow. i’d appreciate your giving me a hand. -kelly
cornfedboy

Showing 3 responses by brianmgrarcom

brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
Over a year and half later from when this post was originally started and you could ask the same question.
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
Rja, I certainly do not see things as you do, I do find satisfaction in CD playback, as many others. Digital playback is just another form of music reproduction, I wouldn't say it is in 'competion' with analog playback. You assume the analog playback methods available are 'perfect', they are not. IMO digital playback created audiophiles, revived audiophiles or kept them interested. Sure, there are those, as yourselves that don't like it, but you still have LP's you can play.

If you don't care for digital playback, that is your right. The new formats are, amongst other things, trying to progress reproduction. I am sure others would like to add more to that but my point is noted.
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
Rja, one thing about the ‘net, which has been addressed several times by others as well, it is impersonal. Like you, I am not looking for an argument, I simply shared my thoughts in contrast with yours.

No doubt there are many cheap CD players “out there”, CD has been the man playback method for many years now; when LP was more popular, how many cheapo LP players were there “out there”? A lot. Furthermore, I suspect you can get CD to sound good cheaper than LP. That said, I am not stating LP doesn’t sound good or even that it may still be the best yet, but digital is here and here to stay…and…I don’t miss dealing with LP’s one bit.

It does concern me, a bit, to see the popularity of playback methods like MP3; I agree they are handy but the quality is compromised, obviously.

I do not argue the points you list. If you look back at my previous post(s), you will see that I too ‘scoff’ at the new formats slow progress.
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