If I'm not mistaken, DAD stands for Digital recording, Analog mastering and Digital release. I'm guessing that mastering with digital gear has become cheaper and easier than mastering with analog gear. Somebody straighten me out here if I'm way off base. |
Probably becuase it didn't have enough anti-copy junk in it.
KP |
DAD does not stand for Digital recording/Analog mastering/Digital release but for Digital Audio Disc. It is an audio disc which uses the audio parameters of the DVD-video specifications and, therefore, is playable on all DVD players. AFAIK, only Chesky and Classic released such discs.
They have not flourished because of DVD-A/SACD and because the market for them is limited. |
"DAD" stands for "Digital Audio Disc" the 96/24 audio only discs that can only be played on latter generation DVD
player/transports. Some player/transports could only output this signal via analog outputs making the benefit of an outboard DAC moot. Shortly after the release of DAD the "promise" of DVD-Audio and SACD appeared, consequently many (consumers, manufacturers,etc,) held out for the "promise" of even better mediums rather than waste time and money on something that appeared to have imminent obsoleteness. Now that many people have the necessary hardware, perhaps we should revisit this medium. Perhaps not, if it would compromise any hope of an even better format? I don't know. |
Hi Creeper...I know which "DAD" you're referring to (and you're right), but I'm talking about the Digital Audio Disc. They were 24/96 audio releases using the standard DVD format (not DVD-A) that came out a few years ago. Classic records released a number of reissues and Chesky also released a few of their albums on the format. No one else seemed to pick up on it, Chesky discontinued them, and I haven't noticed Classic releasing any more titles. |
Because, from the record companies' perspective, DVD-A offered the prospect of both multi-channel sound and copy protection. DAD was always just a bridge technology, a smart place for a little company like Chesky to jump in ahead of the bandwagon, but nothing more. |
I think it was probably a misreading of where the majors were going to go, as the product itself is quite good, and Mike Hobson was banking on the fact that there were tons of DVD players out there for people to play DADs on. He knew SACD was in the wings, but figured that with the head start on hardware out there the 24/96 pcm would be the winning format. Unfortunately, the major record companies seem more interested in watermarking their discs and establishing a new system rather than utilizing what's out there, and their delay really has hurt the 24/96 format. I am very disappointed about the DVD-A format in that, unlike the DADs, I can't use a better quality DAC through a digital out to play the discs (DVD-A will not currently let a digital 24/96 signal out of the player)--it really bugs me that the Classic and Chesky DAD system, which utilizes the same technology and has been available for years, wasn't adopted. A case of corporate concerns over piracy stifling a very good format. |
I agree that the DADs were a nice format. I personally like them very much since even though I own a DVD-Audio player, even if DVD-Audio fails, I will still be able to get better than CD quality playback on any DVD player. I think the 24/96 playback thing is player dependant, since as I remember my Pioneer 38a does output 24/96. Since I had ModWright tweak the Pioneer though, it's output is better than my Sunfire so I use it almost exclusively.
Greg |
I've purchased a number of 24/96 disks. Classic and Chesky. I find the sound is wonderful. Anything in this format which even reomotely interests me I would buy. I'm tired of waiting for DVD-A. Sony/Phillips did nothing to upgrade the quality of CD until the patents started running out. If SACD takes over you can expect the same thing again. |
I have a Muse 9 sig that sounds great with the DAD's. I'm really surprised that format didn't get anywhere either. I tend to agree that it just got lost in the SACD DVD-A stuff... |
Nobody is yet sure if SACD or DVD-a will go anywhere either. I hope it will, but i do not like their (its) chances. |
If you like classical, the Naxos Musical Journey DADs are also excellant and is yet another company which released on this format.
Greg |
Greg, I hadn't realized that. They're DADs, not DVD-As? If so, I'll look into them. |
Definately DADs, I have fourteen now and just ordered another dozen. I get them from J and R, though they're probably available cheaper elsewhere.
Greg |
D'Oh! Sorry I just rechecked and the Musical Journey DVDs are 24 bit 48 kHz format, sorry if this caused any confusion. |
FYI, Classic continues to release DAD's -- Scoop 3 from Pete Townshend is due out in a couple of weeks, as well as Scoop and Another Scoop to follow right behind.
Chesky just released Swing Live from Bucky Pizzarelli and Co. (I had the pleasure of being at this session at Makors/NYC, during it's recording; David Chesky's a pretty affable guy, taking the time to b.s. with an audiophile/music lover... me, although he was obviously very busy). |
Hey Chazmo...I have that redbook CD and it's quite good (both the performance and recording). |
