Why JVC XRCDs are so expensive?

Sorry, cd, if I put more into your brief post than was there. I'd expect that a well-mastered low-resolution disc will always be better than a not-so-well-mastered high-resolution disc. I'd also expect that two identically mastered discs, one CD and one SACD, would sound remarkably similar.

The trouble with comparisons to date is that there's no way to know whether you're really comparing identical masterings. It takes very little tweaking to make two otherwise identical recordings sound quite different. Even when you've got a double-layered disc with DSD and Redbook versions, you can't be sure that somebody didn't nudge something somewhere. Some people have even suggested that record companies may intentionally tweak the sound of SACDs to make them sound dramatically different. I'm not so conspiratorial. All you need is one engineer to say, "Hey, this sounds good, let's try it."

Fellow Audiogoner,

I started this question because I really want to buy most of the classical XRCD by JVC but just found I will be spending too much on all the music I already owned (by other artists). I guess JVC is really tageting their products to the Audiophile only (like the current high priced LP). I still think JVC can do much better sales by lowering the price like Telarc did on SACD. Here is my points:

1. In classical XRCD (sorry I don't know too much about other genre), most of the released disc have less than 40 minutes of total time. One disc even has less than 30 min.
I don't think there is any technical difficulty to add more tracks on these discs unless JVC wants to let consumer has the impression of "LP".

2. At least in classical dics, all are re-issued which means JVC does not have to pay premium to some current super stars. Though I don't know how much JVC has to pay for the copyright.

3. Why DVD is so popular just in a year or two? Because it's under $20 per disc. Why laserdics has never succeeded in mainsteam? Because it maintained at least $30 per dics. Both mediums are superior than VHS tape but now everybody buy DVD.

Of course, if the artist is the most important factor of your decision, no argument. Buy it, XRCD or SACD, or even redbook CD. After all, there is noly one FRITZ REINER and only one JASCHA HEIFETZ.

In this fast changing Hi-Fi world, one product can be superior than other but may disappear in a year or two.

Laoyuap: I don't know why Telarc lowered its prices on SACDs. Maybe they think the extra volume of sales will more than make up for the unit loss, or maybe they're just trying to move back inventory. I tend to assume that when a company like JVC prices a product, it knows what it's doing. Doesn't mean they're always right, but it is their business.

To your other points, the 40-minute CD is not unique to JVC. A lot of jazz and pop CDs have added bonus tracks or alternate takes, but many others haven't. Obviously, such additions would be less appealing to the classical market. And they would increase the licensing fees JVC would have to pay.

There are a lot of things on the market that cost more and aren't really any better. XRCDs, as a general rule, are better. Whether they're worth it to you is a personal judgment. I'd certainly recommend that you try out the XRCD version of a few old favorites, just to see.

XRCD is definately aimed at the high-end community and they have been out for years now and the marketeers probably don't see the reason for lowering the price. The XRCD following seems to continue to grow so why change if you own that market? If they lowered the price the mainstream probably isn't going to suddenly start buying them in place of their old CDs so they have to weigh if lowering the price would increase the volume with philes enough to justify the reduction in margin...probably not.

Bomarc,
No problem, thanks...I wasn't very specific was I? :)

Personally I think the XRCD are consistantly the best (or equal to the best) of the standard CD market we have to choose from. I have found some other recordings that are excellant, like Goove Note's, but XRCD is very consistant and they can transform older stuff. There are a number of things I would like them to do but alas we are at their mercey. Now a rep I know who peddles XRCD thinks he has heard some HDCD that is just as good or better but I haven't run into that yet. But he also thinks SACD is no good and that he HDCD give it a run for its money!?

I hate paying the extra for my favorite cuts but I guess you get what you pay for...plus I love the packaging (although I would forgo the package for cheaper discs).

Good listening to all,
cd

I at least had buy one to try out. Stopped by Music Direct and picked up the Dire Staits xrcd. Will give listen this weekend. 4 yr old permitting.
Tim