State of HDCD and SACD


I am contemplating a new digital front-end and wondering if I should give preference to HDCD or SACD. It seems that you do not see these two technologies combined too often in a CDP, at least not well!

So, what I want to decide is "What has more of a future as a format?" I think both can sound excellent - that's not the question. I have a MiniMax CDP in my 2nd system that does great things with HDCD, and I previously owned a Shanling T200 that was great with SACD (and Redbook).

If I decide to put my eggs in the HDCD basket I'll probably get a Raysonic CD128. If SACD, a Marantz SA-11.

So, I would appreciate hearing takes on the respective futures of these formats. SACD has many titles available but still a drop, of course, compared to Redbook, and it seems views differed greatly on its future the last time I looked into it, about a year ago.

Would also consider other recommendations for players. Is there something there under $3K (preferably new - I don't trust used digital transports) that does HDCD and SACD and does them both well?
paulfolbrecht

Showing 2 responses by johnjbarlow

This is one forum I intend to watch closely. At this time my listening is exclusively on vinyl. I am considering another foray into digital. SACD will probably be the format I choose. I look forward to hearing the RCA Living Stereo series on SACD.
I guess SACD has turned out to be a bust. No support from the recording industry. Typical. Most Americans don't care how their music sounds. The talent the record companies are promoting are less than mediocre. Jusin Timberlake and the like. ARRRGGGHHH!!!