HDCD FLAC FOOBAR SPDIF Cary 303/200 HDCD

Without decoding dynamics might be lower and data will be only 15 bit since bit #16 is used to switch dynamic range.

Kijanki, I believe what you said is true only if encoding is done with HDCD Peak Extend. Don't know if that's always done or not. The 16th signal bit and decoding hints is usually in only 1-2 percent of the data samples.

Larry_s, AFAIK HDCD coding is a combination of peak extend (improved dynamics) and better filtering with interpolation. Redbook CD has limited dynamic range (otherwise everybody with a boombox or small system would complain about buzzing speakers or neighbors that go crazy), but HDCD compression can be reduced since person buying it most likely has decent system. So, it is possible that dynamics with peak extend are higher but without resemble normal. I also suspect that most of music released (at least initially) on HDCD sounded good to start with (marketing). One of the reason for newer formats (HDCD, SACD) is better copy protection since they loose a lot of money on piracy (SACD cannot be copied at all because of pit width modulation). Could protection be the reason for Cary decoding only from CD?

How does it sound?

That really is the only part that should be a concern. If you have the physical media it will not matter anyway. Put it in the player and enjoy!

Thanks for all the feedback and info.

With an HDCD it does trigger the light and recognisesthe content. On some Cds it sound better other upsampling is better. Better meaning more dynamic and detailed. There is no way to turn it off and on. Just use the upscale and the HDCD light goes off.

I renmoved the HDCD plug in from foobar and that wasnt succesful. Also tried with Real Tek Audio manager at 16/44 and 24/96 and no success. Unofrtunatly I havent found a way to let the reak tek manager use the sources sample rate and bit depth. Maybe the issue is that is filtering out the 'magic'.

It does sound great and works well having the spdif input. I use a switch box that has HDMI/SPDIF for the inputs. So the Sat/Bluray/HDdvd signal travels to through the to Cary. Sounds much better than the analog outputs.

Ill look around and see how to send the PCN signal unmolested from foobar and if that does it. Anyone awrae of a diffrent audio manager to replace the realtek one?