2. misc-audio
  3. 982520754

Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

there have been numerous threads here, i know, about sacd v. dvd-a, upsampling, oversampling, etc. a number of these threads have included discussions of which, if any, new digital format will replace what we now call “redbook” cd’s. i don’t wish to rehash these discussions. rather, i’d like to hear from others how they are coping with the “age of uncertainty” in the realm of digital audio. is it better to “roll the dice” and invest in sacd or dvd a? ignore the contenders for the new and get the best possible out of redbook cd’s? buy with upgradeability firmly in mind? follow another path? i don’t post this query out of mere curiosity. i really haven’t figured out what course i should follow. i’d appreciate your giving me a hand. -kelly
cornfedboy
ears
341 posts
 
There is no format war among audiophiles sacd is the clear cut winner and there is no debate about it check out www.widescreenreveiw.com/todaynews/audperf04.html you will not find a sole on earth who says dvd-a is better so like i said a vote to sit on the fence on this issue is a vote for whatever crap format the industry decides. Anybody who sits on the fence has no right to complain in the future about quality of whatever format we end up with.
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ears
341 posts
 
Jab,there are all ready multi players and this is a reveiw from one the pioneer ax10. The wadia 860 cd player just blew away the pioneer player, outperforming it in every way on all material EXCEPT SACD[QUOTE UNQUOTE]This is a reveiw from www.widescreenreveiw.com/todaynews/audprf07.html check it out, like i said sacd is the clear winner.They say in a reveiw of a dvd-a only player in the same issue that it sounded simply terrible ,worse than redbook.
tmartinjr9589
63 posts
 
Just for fun, go to a store with a 30-day return policy and buy a S9000ES. Compare the CD and DVD sound with what you got right now. You also get a SACD sampler disc free so you can listen to SACD right away even though the sampler is not the best SACD recordings. None of the selections were originally recorded in DSD. The good thing is that you probably have some of the samplers on CD or vinyl.

The S9000ES was one of 3 players I bought on trial. I was not surprised by SACD, but was shocked by the improvement in CD and DVD sound. I kept the S9000ES. The other two went back. I received a thank you note from the salesman about 33 days after my purchase.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Kelly; I suspect you already know my position on this interesting topic. IMO, CD is going to be the dominent music format for at least several more years, and I already have about 1000 CDs. Also, I am nearly 58 years old with a history of early hearing loss in my ancestry. To that end, last summer I seriously upgraded my CD transport to Levinson 37 and DAC to Levinson 360S-- I want the "good sound" NOW. However, as a sort of hedge against future formats, the 360S DAC is fully upgradable and already decodes 24/96 discs-- haven't seen any though! Generally speaking, I think CD quality has improved (matured) significantly in the last 5 years, and quite frankly my system is sounding great, so I have little interest in SACD or DVD. As some have observed above, I've seen absolutely no evidence that either of the "new formats" is going to catch on with the general population anytime soon. Cheers. Craig.
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