HDCD and XRCD. Which's one sound better?

XRCD is not a format. It's a mastering process, or at least the brand name of a mastering process. HDCD is kind of a hybrid, but it does require a decoding chip to gain its full benefits. And its claims to technical superiority (as opposed to just good mastering) are open to challenge.

As "formats," neither will sound better than the other. If there are recordings available in both forms (I don't know of any, but there might be), either might sound better. I'd put my own money on XRCD, however, because JVC does really good mastering.

XRCDs are by far better, especially if your player does not do HDCD.

Worldcup,
As far as the sound quality goes I whole heartedly think the JVC XRCDs sound better. I don't know of any recordings that are covered by both. With or without the HDCD decoder, HDCDjust doesn't sound as good to me. Most likely it is the mastering by JVC. All of the XRCD artisit are from the JVC library which does limit the artists that are available from them. I do like that I hear a remarkably good sound from XRCD without a special decoder chip.

Hi,
Actually, I plan to buy an album "Jazz at the pawnshop", and this album has HDCD, and XRCD. The XRCD is more expensive, and my CD player can play HDCD. This confuses me because I don't know which one should I buy. I wish I can buy both for the comparing, but I can not due to the "Jazz at the pawnshop" is quite of expensive.
Thanks
DT

Well do you have an HDCD decoder chip on your player?
If not, then forget about getting the HDCD version...
XRCD is about the same as the SACD's out there and they sound awesome! XRCD's showed me how much the recording quality matters in the system... I used to think the cd player was the most important, now I think it's the recording. XRCD is the best out there right now, but you'll pay the premium for it! Enjoy