2. digital
  3. 1312243021

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
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 .
timlub
2,041 posts
 
Compact Disc are a digital source recorded at 16 bit 44.1khz. I haven't heard too much argument that anyone spending time with SACD will say that it is better than CD... SACD records 24 bit up to 96khz... This quality can easily be maintained in a file on a computer with much better consistency. To quote nonnoise:
"As I've stated elsewhere, there are some damn fine CDs out there and they should all be made to the same standards"
Hi RES files solve this dilema.
nglazer
846 posts
 
Saved from what? Haven't heard anything reliable that endangers it.

Neal
More to discover