Can Redbook CD Be Saved

I'm reading the various comments with great interest. I'm not sure if the comment about wanting better CD requires better CDP was directed to me or if was just a general comment. If directed to me, I think my CDP is very good quality. As to the comment that redbook CD "sound has improved so much the last few years i've dumped my analog rig," is not where I hold. IME, in a comparison of recording to recording, my analog set up leaves my CD rig behind in a puff of smoke.

IMHO, I agree with Nonoise's comment that QC may be the key:

"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."

I hope the comments continue. Personally, I've made a significant investment in my CDP and CDs and I would very much like to see the redbook CD format stick around, but with higher level of QC being maintained. One of the reasons I've started this OP is because it anecdotally seems that DACs are taking off and who knows what format (if any) will become the inductry standard in the future.

Thanks all.

Who agrees with me about the EMM Labs player?

What's curious is half the pro reviews say it makes RBCD sound like SACD and the other half say about the opposite - SACD is miles ahead.

I am firmly in the former camp. I have never heard RBCD so good. I'm talking about the same recordings I have played on many other RB devices. Offhand, Night in Tunesia and Time Out are two. Previously, no RBCD player got these recordings close to their vinyl versions. The Meitner player does.

"Hi RES files solve this dilema"

Not in your dreams. There is just as many Hi-res tracks out there that are crap as CD tracks. This is no guarantee. I have everything from 44.1- 192kHz and the trtacks at hig-res that are really good are few and far between. Lots more good 44.1 tracks out there.

You just need gear that makes all tracks sound good, even 44.1.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

If your analog rig leaves your CD 's behind in a puff of smoke you definitely have the wrong player . What CD player do you have ?

My experience is 100% the same as Steve's. Not all high res recordings are great... The recording is the recording regardless of the resolution factor, but when you get a great recording in hi res.... The results are outstanding.. I find it rewarding to be able to burn my best cd's onto my hard drive with zero loss in quality. A great recording is still great at 16/44.1 all the way to 24/192... Changing DACs is just like changing players, they all sound different.