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Whatever happened to HDCD?

Recently acquired a EAD DSP-9000-III . This has the ability to decode HDCD's. Went to the HDCD site - noticed my collection included a few HDCD's - played them . My test conditions are anything but controlled - but they do seem to sound better.
Since this system is fully reverse compatable with existing CD players - why hasn't it caught on ? Has this got anything to do with Pacific Microsonics being acquired by the maker of the worlds most extensive and continuously beta tested OS?
audiopile

Showing 2 responses by sugarbrie

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
The folks that make speakers must love surround sound. Now they'll sell you 3 pairs instead of one.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Yes, Microsoft now holds the patents for HDCD from when they bought Pacific Microsonics. Microsoft is trying to integrate it into online media.

If Sony/Philips had also owned HDCD, it would probably be part of every DAC chip made today, and would have been the standard long long ago. HDCD does not have the compatibility problems with Redbook like SACD does. HDCD is more like an enhancement or upgrade to Redbook, rather than a totally different technology like SACD. But SACD is the one being pushed hard because Sony/Philips does also own that (which is not catching on because of the added cost).
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