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HDCD fans out there?

I've been reading all the discussions about SACD vs CD vs all other digital forms and it is interesting. I do see a few who mention HDCD, which I really enjoy. For the most part, I find them to be closest to vinyl, at least in my system. They are a fairly recent discovery for me but I do enjoy them. I've purchased some old Denon players and a Cambridge Audio unit to be able to read them properly. I think the Denons do the best job among the compatible units that I have. Maybe the difference between Burr Brown 24 bit and Cirrus Logic 24 bit. I know there is more to it than that but that's the simple thought process of it. 

Not all HDCD's are created equal and some are better than others. The same is true of redbook CD, with some of them seeming to be much better than others. I don't know why exactly, other than maybe a better system making the master or a better engineer etc. I just listen and evaluate for myself. I have found some HDCD's that are not labeled as such. Decca label, I think. Any idea why that would be? I also have one or two redbook Cd's that have at least one track of HDCD on them. You'd never know it if you didn't have HDCD capable pleyer. It is a very noticeable difference when you get to it. Just kind of odd and interesting. Anyone else a fan of this obscure format? I enjoy them a lot. 

billpete
motown-l
371 posts
 

I was gifted an early 2000's Rotel CD player that has HDCD capability. I have some Joni Mitchell and Beck CD's in that format. I have to SACD's to compare them to, but next to standard 16/44 CD's, they are more revealing.

mahler123
4,136 posts
 

I have a few HDCDs.  I don’t find them close to vinyl.  My HDCDs do not have pops , clicks, or skips.  They all play longer than 20 minutes.  They have a much wider dynamic range than vinyl.

 

  Perhaps the OP should be seeking a refund.

jafant's avatar
jafant
21,712 posts
 

billpete

You have some excellent gear and cables fro your System. Tube rolling is a must with those Cary Audio SLP 98 pre-amps. If an opportunity presents itself, step up to a Parasound HCA 3500 power amp. Thank me later.

 

Happy Listening!

billpete OP
396 posts
 

@mahler123 What do I need a refund for? 

billpete OP
396 posts
 

@jafant Thanks very much for the comments. If I ever replace the HCA 2200's that I have been using for over 20 years, I am likely to do so with a pair of  Odyssey amps. The HCA 3500 may be a great old amp but two of them may be overkill on the AR9's and one, not enough. They seem to love being bi-amped. 

I have done a ton of tube rolling in the SLP98. It's a fun process. With a collection of around 100 6sn7 and variants, I have tried a lot of different combinations and am down to a few favorites. When using the phono section in the 98, I stick to my old 12AX7 and 12AU7 favorites that carried over from my Cary PH301, mostly Sylvania gold pin types. 

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