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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
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Rrog, You don't read very well do you? I said I currently don't own a reference disc player, but I have. And many, many DAC's, including the awesome Berkeley (borrowed, didn't own), PS Audio Perfectwave and Bryston BDA-1 (great DAC) all recently, among others.

I have also owned a wonderful Parts Connexion modified Denon 5910 (the last really good disc player I owned, and a Linn Unidisc, once among others over the years. So you are way off base.

Red disc CD, by definition of the sample rate, is inferior. You can bluster all you want, but it is. If you say differntly you are just talking your book. Vinyl can be a pain in the butt, and there are not enough SACD titles to mess with anymore, but I will keep the ones that I have.

If you love the convenience of digital, the last medium to use for that is 44.1 CD. Hi Rez files and a very good NEW DAC blow them away, and are even more convenient. I will keep collecting vinyl, and use a DAC to play my FLAC files for conveneince sake. But CD's, they are as dead as 8 tracks, they just don't know it yet.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Rrog: "Bifwynne, I have heard some models of Paradigm speakers can sound thin. Have you considered looking into a REL to compliment your main speakers?"

The S8s are not so much thin as much as they start to peter out at around 45-50Hz. In most cases, there's not a lot of info down there, but when there's deep bass info in the source material, e.g., symphony orchestra (tympani, basses) or rock (some Nora Jones, etc), a sub woofer is nice to have.

I bought the Paradigm Signature Servo a couple of years ago. I set the low end cut-off at about 60-80 Hz and adjust the loudness as it suits my ears. I know that the Paradigm Signature line don't get a lot of attention on Audiogon, but the new ones with the beryllium tweeters are actually quite impressive.

Thanks
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I have recently gotten an Empirical Audio system using their external optical drive to read cds into the TuneBank and using a Mac Mini. Previously, I had these same cds or most of them on a Mac Powerbook Pro. Both use Pure Music to play through a Weiss Dac202. The Powerbook with cds read into the memory just cannot compete with the new system. There is much more detail and better dynamics and everything is super secure as you have two back up hds with one out of the system.

I don't care that bits are supposed to be bits, these two renditions of my discs from harddrives sound quite different. I have some HD recording, but until they are much more available and of good performances, I have little or no temptation.

I fully expect that down loads will become more and more dominant, but the technology needs to get much better and what is available needs to get more extensive. At present we are where we were early on with cds-limited availability.
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