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Have you gone hi-rez? Which format and why?

I've had a taste of SACD and really liked it. I have an inexpensive Sony SACD changer and a few SACDs. I have not heard DVD-A. At some point I'd like to get a higher-end hi-rez player and I'm leaning towards SACD. My search at Tower informed me that there are more SACDs available than DVD-As, but some research suggests the availability of either runs along record label lines. I also get the impression that DVD-A leans toward multi-channel listeners where SACD still addresses both equally (is this a valid assumption?).

There are some universal players coming to market, but you know the old addage... jack of all trades... Regardless of my hi-rez choice, I will keep my redbook CD player for some time. I read today that Arcam is releasing two new DVD players in March that support DVD-A. Their news page stated that it would be too difficult to incorporate SACD and I wonder if this is a sign or if it's just Arcam's choice to support only one format for whatever reason. In my searching I also noticed that the number of CD players is decreasing (at least in the mass market) and most are producing DVD players with CD playback. According to the Arcam news page, it's easier to incorporate DVD-A into a DVD player because SACD requires a separate reading mechanism.

I'd like to hear whether or not you decided to add hi-rez to your system and if so which format and why? FWIW, I don't have and won't have multi-channel. Thanks!
budrew
jjwinterberg
45 posts
 
It appears that the equipment designers are going to solve this issue for us. The comming trend is multi-format. I was asking my local dealer about Theta's DVD-A format release and was told that Theta is waiting for the multi-format chips to mature one more generation and then would come out with DVD-A and SACD multi-format compatible equipment. This really seams like the best way to go, and I'll wait so that I can avoid this format war.
cbucki
69 posts
 
I was able to find a unit that does both hi-rez formats quite well. (Integra 8.3)
I prefer SACD, but only because of the convenience factor. (Easier to access songs w/remote) The sound is pretty much equal, if the mastering is well done. I would probably be tempted to go the SCD-1 route, but the R.E.M. and Neil young "Harvest" dvd-a titles alone keep my interest in this format. I do not do anything but two channel playback.
The Police SACD's are excellent. "Outlandos" and "Regatta" are jaw-dropping for their age. Higher sound quality than the Stones SACD's.
danner
202 posts
 
I backed my way in. I have a dvd changer for my HT system that displeased my wife when she wanted to rent a dvd and play it once. So I picked up a single dvd player, a Sony that has SACD capability (quite inexpensive). I now have a small SACD collection that I play on occassion through the HT system in 'music' mode (Lex DC-1). It's worth having but I don't have any interest in pursuing SACD in my main listening system. Nearly all of my music collection is unavailable on SACD and I doubt I'd want to repurchase everything anyway. Like most, I'd need a lot more reason to take it seriously at this point.
treyhoss
287 posts
 
I went with SACD for one reason, the DVD player I wanted ONLY played SACD's. Of course it was a Sony and there is no way they were going to promote DVDA. I originally wanted a multi-format player but could never find one to listen to. That said, SACD's are much easier to find and sound very good! I still haven't heard DVDA so can't compare. When I heard Pink Floyd was coming out on SACD, that sealed the deal!
lant5
23 posts
 
I have a entry level Sony DVD/SACD player that has failed to win me over to the HI-REZ camp. Yes it does sound good on SACD but given a quality recording I don't think that HI-REZ is all it's been made out to be. The Police Classics dual layer disc sounds better on my Redbook only Jolida than it does in SACD on the Sony. In fact this disc sounds better than any vinyl or digital version of it I have heard to date. I will admit I'm not hearing all that SACD can give considering the unit I'm using. I have heard some SACD stuff that sounds fine and I have heard stuff that was just average sound quality wise. The recording and mastering process seems to play a bigger part in the equation than does the playback format, IMHO.
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