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 10 responses by paulfolbrecht

I do already have a number of SACDs (about 15), mostly hybrids, that I bought when I had the Shanling.

When I switched to the all redbook, NOS DAC front-end I kidded myself into believing it was as good as SACD. Listening to a friend's Denon universal with SACD made me realize I'd been doing just that - kidding myself. SACD definitely sounds better than even the best redbook IMO. The question is, is it worth it with the limited selection of titles? HDCD is probably not on par with SACD (imaging is as good, but does not achieve the same smoothness in my experience).

This is why I'm trying to nail down this question: which has more of a future, SACD and HDCD? SACD is entreched as a _niche_ audiophile format but, damnit, it is still very much entrenched or so it seems to me. But I could be wrong!
A couple more comments. SACD library: my big thing is jazz and there is a LOT of good stuff on the format. Enough that I'd probably only got around to buying around 1/3rd of what I wanted. That is a personal plus for me.

As for HDCD, again, I find it tends to give more air and better imaging & soundstaging, but doesn't have that buttery smoothness of SACD. Perhaps ironically, redbook with a good NOS DAC gives close to that level of smoothness (which sounds like vinyl to me), but SACD is still the king.

I think the advent of computer-based sources is yet another hit against the hi-res formats since, as we know, they can't be used with these because there's no digital interface (not to mention the space requirements).
TVAD, how is the SA-11 on redbook? Have you played with the different filter settings?
Yes, again, I'm quite familiar with the sonics of both formats. I have a MiniMax CDP that does HDCD very well (2nd system). What I'm looking for is insight into the future of both formats. I think that, as in a year ago, nobody really knows! No surprise.

I noticed that American was also selling the SA-11 new at an extremely good price. I got one of the last two today at that price (they went up $200 today). So - decision made! I've never heard one, but I doubt I'll be disappointed. Kinda had to make a quick decision there. It sounds like this is a superb player, especially at its price point, on both redbook and SACD.
I don't understand the motivation for tubed output stages on CDPs. It's an "additive" mod - the tubes are used as buffers after the SS output - so what's the point, other than impedance matching, which shouldn't be any issue with an active linestage at least?

I'm not saying this particular mod package doesn't improve the unit - I'm sure it does.

When I had my Shanling, I preferred the SS output to the tubed, and believe me I'm a tube guy (SET).
Jyprez,

Thanks for the sarcasm. I appreciate the individuals that have weighed-in with their take but that is not the final word. You may recall that SACD was considered to be on its death bed two years ago and yet we have excellent products like the SA-11 being released.

I was just looking for a little more, and current, insight into the whole matter.
If they keep the life-support plugged in till I myself kick off I'll be satisfied. ;-}
FWIW, I've added Sony to my 'Enemies' list.

They're at #673 at the moment following 'Jane Fonda' and 'New York Mimes'.
"oh and vinyl too"...

Still have not dipped a toe into those waters. I know, if I do, I'll be in up to my neck in no time and there's a lot more $ in the hole. Funny, cause I do agree that nothing compares to good vinyl. It's the best.
Yep, I am very happy with the Maranz player (fortuantely it is truly stellar on redbook), but would have considered a used Cary had I known. I've certainly liked every piece of Cary gear I've heard, but have never seriously listened to one of their CDPs.