I don't understand why some poo-poo HDCD. Who cares?
CD's that are encoded (which many are not even labled as hdcd) with HDCD cost no more than standard redbook CD's. And as far as I can tell, CDP's that decode HDCD cost no more than standard players. I bought a Naim CDX2 because I like their players for redbook. The fact that it decodes HDCD was just a bonus. In fact I only have one HDCD in my collection, 311s' greatest hits '93-'03. Some tracks sound better than others (greatest hits), but I do have redbook cd's that sound better. I take that back, I have one other and discovered it quite by accident. Madonnas' "GHV2." One track on it is HDCD, "Don't cry for me Argentina." I do not care for this song, but it stops me in my tracks everytime. This track has a tube-like liquidity compared to the rest of the disc (again, greatest hits), it's quite obvious. Although the rest of the disc is no slouch. Why that one track is HDCD, I have no clue. And on that same vein, Madonnas' "Confessions on a dance floor" (non hdcd) is one of the best recordings I have ever heard. If you have a resolving system capable of great dynamic swings and bone crushing bass, I highly recommend it.
