2. misc-audio
  3. 982520754

Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

there have been numerous threads here, i know, about sacd v. dvd-a, upsampling, oversampling, etc. a number of these threads have included discussions of which, if any, new digital format will replace what we now call “redbook” cd’s. i don’t wish to rehash these discussions. rather, i’d like to hear from others how they are coping with the “age of uncertainty” in the realm of digital audio. is it better to “roll the dice” and invest in sacd or dvd a? ignore the contenders for the new and get the best possible out of redbook cd’s? buy with upgradeability firmly in mind? follow another path? i don’t post this query out of mere curiosity. i really haven’t figured out what course i should follow. i’d appreciate your giving me a hand. -kelly
cornfedboy
no_money
638 posts
 
Sorry Sedond, I yust don't see winyl making a comeback. Have you had a chance to hear SACD in your system? If the rumors are true that Sony will be realeasing a player for $400.00 then it might be worth a listen at least. Just remember once you have *no money* you can't have any less.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Since the general public is buying DVD players by the millions, DVD-A has a large potential market which gives it an edge. This is why Windows won. IBM chose Microsoft DOS as its operating system. No company purchasing manager was ever fired for buying IBM. All the other computer companies either switched or died.
sedond
1,387 posts
 
no_money, there is *some* winyl being currently released that i can buy - buena wista social club, & xtc's latest, to mention a couple. & the existing winyl inventory, combined w/listening to my optimised fm, gives me plenty-o-software to play with.

if/when there are decent $400 sacd cd-players awailable, i may nab one - that's yust what i'm waitin' for - along w/software to play on it. but, what i'm really waitin' for is a one-size-fits-all player. i'm turned-off by sony's 9000es not playing dvd-a. sugarbrie's last point is well-taken, at least by me...

jla
231 posts
 
After contimplating what direction I was going to go regarding my digital front-end, I decided to go w/ a Wadia 860x. Not only will it decode 24/96 through it digital inputs and serve as a great digital preamplifier, through Wadia's proprietary software based design will support future upgrades (I have heard that Wadia will possibly support SACD). This, coupled with the fact that it is the best redbook cd player I have heard made my decision a lot easier since I have 1000+ cd's. Personally, I believe it is still too early to tell what formats will prevail.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
I agree with Sedond's point on software. Software is the whole thing. I don't mind spending money on a new player, as long as there is something available to play on it. As a question to everyone, what percentage of the music you buy would have to be on SACD or DVD-A before you make your jump to a new player? I am kind of thinking that for me it will have to be at least 20%.
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