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SACD/DVD-A/ETC

I'm finally taking the plunge and buying a universal player. I've been browsing the Acoustic Sounds catalogue to see what is available on some of the new formats and developed a few questions I'm hoping to get some help with:

1. Is there any sonic difference between DVD-A and SACD formats?

2. I noticed some discs are "Hybrid Multichannel SACD". Do these play as stereo on a two channel system? Is there any disadvantage buying a multichannel disc to be played on a stereo rig? (I recall some folks arguing that the old Quadrophonic LP's were inferior to standard stereo versions of the same recording.

3. Some discs are labeled "SACD Hybrid Stereo" which I suppose means play either as standard CD's or SACD's. If you have a machine that will play both do you get to choose which format to playback or does the machine default to, say, the "highest resolution" format?

4. Anything you all think I should be considering as I build my multiformat collection? Are the "higher resolution" formats (DVD-A, SACD) worth the extra money?

Thanks to all.
dodgealum

Showing 1 response by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
The sonic quality of both formats has the potential to be superior to CD, but the recording and mixing of the particular disc is very important. Some CDs sound better than some DVDA, but this is not the general case.

The most valuable aspect of SACD and DVDA is their multichannel capability. Properly implemented (which is often not the case) multichannel is a giant leap forward. Unless you can swing a good multichannel system SACD and DVDA may not be worthwhile.
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