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Can Redbook CD Be Saved

This type of thread has been discussed in various OPs elsewhere in one form or another. Some have said that the future belongs to one type of hi rez format or another, or maybe even various types of formats. Well, redbook CD has been around for three decades and many of us "old heads" have made significant investments in our CDPs and redbook CD collections based on 16 bit/44.1 kHz technology.

So I ask those knowledgeable in digital formats whether it is possible that redbook CD technology can be improved to the point that it could be substantially comparable to the various so called "cutting edge" hi rez formats coming down the pike? Maybe the improvements would have to start at the recording studio. Dunno?? But I would appreciate learning whether redbook CD equipment and CDs are headed the way of the 8-track?

Thanks
bifwynne
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Just rip it with DBpoweramp to a hard disk on a computer and play it back through a decent USB DAC. CD player is not even close. Use Mac with SSD and its even better.

The CD player is dead, but the music is not. It just keeps getting better and better.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
ferrari
617 posts
 
Amen to Elizabeth first response - Well Done.
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
One word: Meitner.

Ok, more words: his gear makes RBCD sound like hi-res digital.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,907 posts
 
Taking care to improve the quality of a CD recording and mastering would go a long way towards keeping it alive and well. Wasn't there a kind of HD series of CDs some years back that used the extra, unused portion of that last bit that went some ways to improving the sound of the CD? What happened to that?

As I've stated elsewhere, there are some damn fine CDs out there and they should all be made to the same standards.

Another thing: has there been any attempt to improve the encoding of redbook CDs that could be read by the current lenses? It seems to be a matter of QC on the part of the labels.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
There's not much to compare . 8 tracks sounded hideous and only lasted a few years . The CD has been around for nearly 30 years and the hard wear and sound gets better every year , the sound has improved so much the last few years i've dumped my analog rig .
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