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State of HDCD and SACD

I am contemplating a new digital front-end and wondering if I should give preference to HDCD or SACD. It seems that you do not see these two technologies combined too often in a CDP, at least not well!

So, what I want to decide is "What has more of a future as a format?" I think both can sound excellent - that's not the question. I have a MiniMax CDP in my 2nd system that does great things with HDCD, and I previously owned a Shanling T200 that was great with SACD (and Redbook).

If I decide to put my eggs in the HDCD basket I'll probably get a Raysonic CD128. If SACD, a Marantz SA-11.

So, I would appreciate hearing takes on the respective futures of these formats. SACD has many titles available but still a drop, of course, compared to Redbook, and it seems views differed greatly on its future the last time I looked into it, about a year ago.

Would also consider other recommendations for players. Is there something there under $3K (preferably new - I don't trust used digital transports) that does HDCD and SACD and does them both well?
paulfolbrecht
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
I have invested fully in redbook as I

1) Don't want to start duplicating (yet again) my music collection as I did going from vinyl to Cassette to CD.

2) There are not enough SACD, etc. releases to justify yet another electronic component

3) I instead invested in a high-end redbook player(Audio Aero Capitole)
soundboy
20 posts
 
By all indications, 2007 may just be SACD's biggest year. About 2 weeks ago, Sony announced the introduction of the first car SACD players. As for Sony pulling the plug on software, you guys did see the continuation of the BMG Living Stereo series of SACDs? In 2006, there were about 700 new SACD titles released worldwide, which was on par with what was released in 2005. This year, we are seeing SACD releases from Genesis, the Moody Blues, the Pixies, Rick Lee Jones, and possibly Enigma. Not to mention all the classical and jazz SACD titles being released all the time. While SACD will never reach mass acceptance, it's not exactly on its deathbed either.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,769 posts
 
Soundboy:

I hear what you are saying, but SONY's support for its own technology has been so half hearted as to represent an absolute slap in the face of those who purchased both the SACD hardware and the software. I have thousands of dollars invested in SACD (a SONY SCD 555 ES player and at least two hundred SACD's). SONY never lived up to its part of the deal. In a world of never saying never, I would never trust SONY to keep its word with a new audio technology again.

Regards, Rich
krisjan
100 posts
 
I've glanced through the discussions on this thread and haven't seen anyone mention what I think is the best solution: The Cary 306 CD/SACD/HDCD player. It does all of those formats with excellence and you can usually find one used for just above your target price point of $3000. Yes, you did say you were wary of buying used but perhaps that's because of a bad experience with the Shanling. Get the Cary and be happy!!
Mark
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Mark,
If you'll read the thread a little closer, you'll see that the originator has already purchased a player. A Marantz SA-11S1. Read his last post on 1-15-07.

John
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