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 soniqmike

I owned both SACD in the past and HDCD (my current player is HDCD)

Not all HDCD-encoded cd's are labelled or carry a logo as such. My HDCD light comes on with certain cd's, and they sure sound nice, sort of halfway between redbook and SACD sound (more air and detail).

Listen to Neil Young's ''Prairie Wind'' cd encoded with HDCD. The guitars are right there in front of you...

Great technology, worth it to get a player that does the HDCD thing if you can.

Cheers,

Mike

Commenting on:

''It's a shame that Sony doesn't continue to support the format''

I would say ' It's a shame the buying public snobbed it's nose at it!''

The MARKET usually decides what stays and what goes. I don't expect any company to keep the respirator on UNLESS that very same company made you spend huge amounts of money and then dropped the ball on service and software.

To a certain degree, this is what hapenned, but I don't think it is such a big deal as many SACD machines are worth it on redbook performance alone.

In my opinion, SACD will remain a specialty item for commited audiophiles of that technology...and sound.

No unlike turntables, when you think about it. Not mainstream, but with a following.