High Definition CD or HDCD - What is it exactly?

The HDCD encoding is embedded in the audio data on the disc (low order bit modulation) and should survive a disc copy. If the CEC player failed to recognize the copy as an HDCD it means that your copy software did not make a bit-for-bit copy of the original disc.

Microsoft seems to have dropped this, but many performers insist of recording in HDCD. I have had two universal players that decode it properly. The first was the Lindemann 680D. I was shocked at the improved performance. My Exemplar/Denons also show a light with HDCD, but the performance jump is not as great.

If you can get the capability to play such disks as HDCD, go for it.

I have made copies of HDCD that do play as HDCDs.

Well thank God for Tobias (especially), Ghost, and Tbg -- y'all saved me from a lot of typing ;--) So I'll just add a couple of things:

First, I highly recommend Keith Johnson's newly ressurected Reference Recordings site: www.referencerecordings.com for both incredible HDCD recordings and info/links. As most of you know he co-invented HDCD.

Second, regarding HDCD decoding: The new(er) Levinson DACs and CDPs use a proprietary Levinson HDCD decoding chip, not the ones normally provided as OEM parts to most manufacturers. However, software-based DACs, such as my Wadia 27 and some others, do a perfectly marvelous job of decoding HDCDs. And even though you don't get the HDCD indicator light, some folks (like Steve Huntley @ GNSC) feel the Wadias do a better job than the HDCD implemented DACs.

I'll say one thing, I can usually tell (blind) if an unfamiliar disc is an HDCD or an XRCD (but not which is which ;--) Let's not do it here, but I'm going to start a thread for listing favorite HDCD/XRCD titles (if no one's done it yet ;--)

BTW, I agree that any bit-for-bit burner should copy an HDCD or an XRCD faithfully.

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I think Dusty Vawter of Channel Islands Audio eschews HDCD decoding in his DACS because the HDCD D-A chips don't sound as good as he wants them too.
I don't think I'm mis-paraphrasing him - Just another side of the coin to consider.
My HDCDs are the best sounding ones I have, on my compatable player.

is there a site with a list of HDCD`S
thanks