Is DSD download already an extinct format?

Charles1dad,

I agree that some recent CD recordings sound great and could live with their sound quality which is very satisfying (especially jazz records). Also true that newer formats like DSD are promising on paper but could also be somewhat disappointing. I recently purchased Santana's Abraxas in DSD, while it is the best sounding version of this album I have, it is still lacking the audio recording quality of more recent CD's (of the better recording quality variety). We have to remember that Abraxas was recorded in 1970 and it all comes back to the master recording quality.

My main point here is why would an artist agree to sign a record deal which presents a sub-par recording quality of his music? Also, music downloads represent the future model of music distribution. Why record companies cannot systematically provide Hi-Rez downloads for any new recording baffles me.

Neil Young has started a nice initiative with its Pono Music Player. I just hope that artists will embark in his project to provide quality recordings that music lovers want and at a price they want to pay.

Hi Dasign,
It could be that my viewpoint is influenced by the genre I listen to. As you noted jazz on CD is most often very well done and other formats aren't really much(if any) better. For those into Pop, Rock,Hip hop etc. the situation may be different.With jazz the sound engineers(with a few exceptions) seem to keep the tonality and overall sound quite natural.
Charles,

Hey guys, that's what meant by "trying" to listen to music. I was referring to buying music and the equipment used to listen to it. The whole scene is kind of a mess right now, definitely not as simple as it used to be.

Should I get a DAC (and a separate transport) or a CDP? How about HDCD, SACD, BluRay, DVDAudio? Are CD's dead? Are SACD'S Dead? Is BluRay the future? Is DSD dead or dying? Should I skip physical formats entirely and go strictly with computer? Should I go with downloads and/or rip my entire collection? Is USB the way to go? What software should I use? What computer should I use? Should I mod the computer? How long will some of these formats even last? Will I have to do this all over again if I don't make the right decision now? Do wires make a difference no matter which way I go? On and on, that's causing me a bit of angst.

Perhaps I should have been clearer. I certainly wasn't attempting to make a negative remark toward anyone.

BTW: Just bought a new CDP, skipped DSD although I can add it later if necessary. With the number of CDs I own I'll wait while this all shakes out a bit. What future have we wrought where the Luddite would be sticking with CD's? 8^)

Rja,
I agree with you that the high-res situation is a real mess at present. I hope they manage to get easy to use servers in a variety of configurations available (server only, server and dac, all-in-one, etc.) along with reasonably priced high-res downloads that actually sound clearly better than cds. If things keep going as they are now, I see high-res downloads becoming another fumbled opportunity by Sony. I can't understand why a company with their resources can't get it together on a huge moneymaking opportunity.

Tomcy6,
Really do not know what you are talking about. I have about 3000 vinyl records and 5000 + ripped CDs and down loads. 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's and through today. I have missed nothing. When I say skipped CDs did not mean music meant CD players. Never bought an expensive or "high end" one. I am about the music unlike many. But I will say for my taste there is almost NO native DSD to listen to. Not into,
Classical
Classical Crossover
Gospel
Independent Acoustic
Jazz
Spiritual
Traditional Chinese
Listen to some jazz not sure what independent acoustic is, but other then that,
Nothing there for me. If that is what you mean, well to each their own.