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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
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Rgs92, I'm not familiar with the EMM XDS1. Does it utilize a different type of technology? Any reason it should sound better than the typical CDP? How much does it cost to buy?
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
Paul: Next time you're going to be down this way... :-)

Brian
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Bifwynne, Well you certainly have a good sounding CD player. I think you need to take another look at your system instead of considering another CD player. From your earlier comment it sounds like you are leaning towards bass heavy recordings which usually means your system is on the thin side.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Rrog, thanks for the advice. Actually, it's the other way around. My mains are Paradigm Signature 8 v2 (beryllium)speakers, which many find to be thin in the base. In the case of the CD I bought at Starbucks, it just sucked.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
The reason Bifwynne's records sound better, is the same reason mine and everyone else's sound better; they have all the analog information.

You are not converting or sampling, you are listening to the recording.

I do have some stellar SACD's, that on the right player (I no longer have a refernce quality player, since I gave up on discs) sound almost as good as vinyl, but never have I heard CD's stand up to vinyl. The reason we still have a 100 yr old technology.

I now have a Wyred4Sound DAC2 (my 12th DAC in the last few years) that I really do love with digital. But, I think the high res files sound better than any CD's that I have played through it. I am using a Oppo 83 as the transport, but still, the DAC with high res FLAC files, blows the CD's away.
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