Is DSD download already an extinct format?

Bmoura, thanks for the tip. I was not aware of the Pentatone DSD offerings. I will monitor this site in the future. I do like much of the Pentatone catalogue. As it turns out, have already purchased SACD versions of almost everything they had to offer that interests me. Titles that I have not yet purchased were for the most part not available as DSD files. A couple that perked my interest were available for 26.5 Euro. Ouch!

The labels have to understand they are competing against themselves. Because of access to their titles at a deep discount, I suspect the DSD download initiative is going to fail. I will certainly pay a premium for DSD over physical media, but I will not pay 3,4, or 5x the cost of a CD except under very rare circumstances.

I guess we have to hope that the music industry executives aren't all a bunch of dolts, and that ultimately they will price their offerings at what the market will bear. This buyer won't pay 26.5 e or even 25 USD.

Pkoegz,

You have missed out on tons of great music with your buying choices, but ignorance is bliss, as the old saying goes.

What is genuine irony is the often beaten down and berated Redbook CD has much to offer. If you have a very good quality CD player/Transport/DAC in a well devised system, the sound quality and music reproduction is exceptionally satisfying. There are a multitude of CDs available for very reasonable cost, one can build a vast library of wonderful music. This approach has worked successfully for me. Redbook quality is very under appreciated in my opinion. People are finding that the newer formats are over hyped in many cases, or certainly over priced for what's actually delivered.
Charles,

Charles, What I am hearing with a very limited sampling of DSD files on my HAPZ1 as compared to redbook through the HAPZ1 is a close parallel to the distinction between the hifi and WE 101Ds. You could be happy forever, until you hear the difference. But there is certainly a difference between DSD master files and redbook PCM recordings via flac or wav. Where the analogy fails is that there is no earthly reason that I can see for charging substantially more for a DSD download than a redbook download. Looks like the usual practice of attempting to place the entire burden of set up costs on the early adapters.

You are absolutely right, redbook done well can be very good, and the cost is quite reasonable and in some cases downright cheap. I bought a used CD today for $0.98. 26.5 euro? Really?

It's sad day when trying to listen to music leads to angst!