Rockyboy, there are several CD's that have been remastered in HDCD and haven't been coded as such. I agree with you. There was a website; hdcd.com that at one time listed all the albums remastered in HDCD, but I haven't seen it up in a while. I think HDCD rivals SACD. Professor Johnson is brilliant! Too bad Microsoft bought out Pacific Microsonics, Johnson's company and raised the royalty fees to use HDCD coding. That is why so many manufacturers don't offer it anymore.
If you haven't tried them, you need to...
It's only one person's opinion, but if your CD player has the capability to decode HDCDs and you're not taking advantage of it by buying HDCDs, then shame on you. HDCDs add a level of detail that red book CDs just don't have. And don't overlook CDs with SBM (Sony Bit Mapping); you can find them hiding in the store racks if you look. Also, JVCXRCDs are out of this world, taking the detail to a whole new level. They cost more, but I think they're well worth it. I have the Eagles' Hell Freezes Over, and it's great. If I come across any of my favorite groups in any of the above formats, I buy it, even if I already have it in my library. They're that much better. Don't know what trips your trigger, but I recommend you give a listen if you're not familiar with these formats.
If anyone has stumbled across something else out there that I should listen to, please let me know.
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If you like the Moody Blues, 5 of their earlier recordings were remastered and released as hybrid SACD's earlier this year. I'm a Moody Blues nut and I found the SACD's to be superior to any version (Vinyl, MoFi Vinyl, MoFi Gold CD's) that I have heard. I haven't been a big fan of SACD, but these pressings are very good. |
Just been listening to Dolly Parton on SACD - Little Sparrow - where she does a wonderful version of "Shine" (Collective Soul) - Vocals are outstanding on this recording. I agree on HDCD and XRCD too - the quality is usually outstanding. I've had quite a few HDCD's which weren't marked as such, or rather you had to look at the fine print to discover it, or watch the lights on the DAC light up. Marco |
xrcds are a waste of money. i have compared the xrcd to the orginal recording and have preferred the original recording each time. xrcds generally attenuate bass and give the apparent perception of more detail. i will not buy these cds anymore. as for hdcds, i find them easier to listen to they are more relaxed sounding with possibly a loss of detail. |
Launche - Acousticsounds.com and Musicdirect.com both sell HDCDs as well as other formats. Alpass - I live in the past, so forgive my taste. Here's some of my favorites: Creedence Clearwater Revival - 20bit Billy Joel/52nd St - Sony Bit Mapping (SBM) Pink Floyd/Wish You were Here - SBM Boston - SBM Santana - SBM Simon & Garfunkel/Bridge over Troubled Water - SBM Sly & the Family Stone/Stand - SBM Birds/Greatest Hits - SBM Bad Company - HDCD Crosby, Stills & Nash - HDCD Alan Parsons Project/Works - SBM The Cars - HDCD Buffalo Springfield/Again - HDCD BeeGees/Greatest Hits - HDCD The Band/Greatest Hits - 24bit Eric Clapton/Reptile - HDCD Chet Atkins/Master and His Music - HDCD Beach Boys/Pet Sounds - HDCD Van Halen - HDCD Dire Straits/Best of - HDCD Plus various Reference Recordings in HDCD - Dick Hyman, Pomp & Pipes, Turtle Creek Chorale - Postcards, etc. Like Marakanetz, I buy ony the artists that I like. But like I said in my original post, I'm a sucker for a better format if I come across the same album. Unfortunately, I never took the SACD or DVDA plunge. Still not sure if one or both ever really caught on. So I'm clueless as to what they offer and which is superior. |
Check the archives by searching HDCD for plenty of recommendations. Also try this http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=67082&highlight= for a large list. I'm a big fan of HDCD. |
Here's the most comprehensive list of HDCD's that I know of, just click on the database button... http://www.hifimusic.se/hdcd/ |
