CD outputs and HDCD


Hello,

Question(s): In a CD player, such as the NAD C542, with analog and digital outputs, which is preferrable? Also, with HDCD capability, does this function work with either analog or digital out?

My initial thought is that if the CD player is a very good one, the D/A internally (using the analog out) may provide better sound than using the digital out and letting the amp/receiver do the D/A. However, I'm not sure if the HDCD precludes using one output or the other.

TIA,
CD
cdelplato
The HDCD encoding must be decoded by the DAC. As a result, the DAC section of your preamp/intergrated/receiver must be able to decode HDCD signals asent to it from the digital output of the cdp for you to hear the benefits of HDCD decoding. As for which is "better", just listen both ways and pick your preference. Some people don't really have a preference for HDCD over standard redbook (though I personally prefer it). I like upsampled redbook better than HDCD redbook.
Thanks for the replies. So, if I understand correctly, using a receiver or amp that does not have a HDCD decoder, to use HDCD you must use the analog outs of the CDP (which may sound better anyway based on the likely superior DAC in the CDP).

Also, I have read somwhere else before that the HDCD processing also improve the sound of non-HDCD discs. I'm not sure I understand why. If the HDCD recording and decoder are 20 (or more?) bits, how can the 20 bit HDCD decoder make a 16 bit disc sound better when the extra information is not there to process?

TIA,
CD
At the time that HDCD came out, the PM oversampling filter used for it was superior to the other filters on the market. That was in the past.
Even more, SimAudio removed HDCD circuitry from its Eclipse due to the fact that PM filter's dinamic range was just 6dB, and the one they were using for non-HDCD 8dB, which caused HDCD sounded worse.
6dB vs. 8dB dynamic range? Check your sources since either one would suck. One problem was the mandatory default lowering of the gain by 6dB for regular CDs. Many fixes were offered.