Some short answers (in no particular order):
1) "redbook" is the name for a standard everday CD (16 bit/44.1 kHz sampling rate). There are other bit/sampling rates on DVD, DAT (digital audio tape), and SACD. The bit/sampling rate determines how much audio information can be placed on a disc. 2) HDCD is a way of encoding a "superior" audio sound onto a conventional CD (redbook). There are a very limited numbers of HDCD discs out there, and with DVD, DVD-A, and SACD getting a foothold, I don't see HDCD being around in the future. And not all CD players, even some great ones (Accuphase) will decode HDCD. Don't worry, ANY HDCD will play on a standard (redbook) CD player, although not with the "enhanced" HDCD sound. I will let others who have had experience with HDCD advise you as to opinions about the sound quality of HDCD. 3) S/N stands for "signal to noise" ratio. The difference between 110 or a 100 dB S/N is pretty much a non-factor, since your amp/preamp will usually have a worse S/N than a CD player. Unless you plan on spending a "king's ransom" on audio gear, and plan to play it at extreme concert hall levels, the S/N is pretty much a "non-factor" for a CD player. 4)THD ...the same. A non factor when considering CD player. 5) 24/96 is used for playing discs that were released a few years back that had a bit/sampling of 24/96. I don't think that they are making these anymore (but I might be wrong about this) since the introduction of DVD, and DVD-A. A 24/96 music disc will play on any DVD player...however, a DVD-A (audio) disc will only play on a DVD-A player! 5) Transport and decoding are the two most important aspects of a CD player. The transport spins the CD; the more precise the action, the more accuracy in data retrieval. There are always data misreads, data drop-outs, and other reading errors by the pickup laser. The decoder (DAC...digital to analog) must also interpolate the missing data. This is where a quality chip (as well as the number of chips and circuit design) can make a HUGE difference in sound. 6) Also important is build quality, (whether expensive electronic devices, or "el cheapos")...resistors, capacitors, transformers, power suplies, can separate a mediocre sounding player from that of a great one.
1) "redbook" is the name for a standard everday CD (16 bit/44.1 kHz sampling rate). There are other bit/sampling rates on DVD, DAT (digital audio tape), and SACD. The bit/sampling rate determines how much audio information can be placed on a disc. 2) HDCD is a way of encoding a "superior" audio sound onto a conventional CD (redbook). There are a very limited numbers of HDCD discs out there, and with DVD, DVD-A, and SACD getting a foothold, I don't see HDCD being around in the future. And not all CD players, even some great ones (Accuphase) will decode HDCD. Don't worry, ANY HDCD will play on a standard (redbook) CD player, although not with the "enhanced" HDCD sound. I will let others who have had experience with HDCD advise you as to opinions about the sound quality of HDCD. 3) S/N stands for "signal to noise" ratio. The difference between 110 or a 100 dB S/N is pretty much a non-factor, since your amp/preamp will usually have a worse S/N than a CD player. Unless you plan on spending a "king's ransom" on audio gear, and plan to play it at extreme concert hall levels, the S/N is pretty much a "non-factor" for a CD player. 4)THD ...the same. A non factor when considering CD player. 5) 24/96 is used for playing discs that were released a few years back that had a bit/sampling of 24/96. I don't think that they are making these anymore (but I might be wrong about this) since the introduction of DVD, and DVD-A. A 24/96 music disc will play on any DVD player...however, a DVD-A (audio) disc will only play on a DVD-A player! 5) Transport and decoding are the two most important aspects of a CD player. The transport spins the CD; the more precise the action, the more accuracy in data retrieval. There are always data misreads, data drop-outs, and other reading errors by the pickup laser. The decoder (DAC...digital to analog) must also interpolate the missing data. This is where a quality chip (as well as the number of chips and circuit design) can make a HUGE difference in sound. 6) Also important is build quality, (whether expensive electronic devices, or "el cheapos")...resistors, capacitors, transformers, power suplies, can separate a mediocre sounding player from that of a great one.