HDCD: What do you like?

If you like classical, try Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances by Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra, Reference Recordings RR-96CD. This good performance of pretty compositions is well recorded and the transfer shows off the HDCD process.

John Hammond "Wicked Grin"
Dave Brubeck "Time Out"
Peter Green Splinter Group "Destiny Road"
Hank III "Lovesick, Broke & Driftin'"

Lucinda Williams "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" is an excellent folk/pop CD in HDCD. A favorite of mine. Craig

a couple of HDCD's have found their way into my collection...Wrecking Ball, Emmylou Harris...Avalon, Roxy Music...two of my favories...I was disappointed...there's an echo sound, dynamics aren't the same...the redbooks sounded better...could be my equipment, but...DaViD II, Casanova, Dreadnaught...I've been e-mailing Theta and they think it just may be the recording format...if it is, I've heard better remasters...if it's a software/chip upgrade. I'll see...

Erik Friedlander/ Topaz: cello, bass, alto sax, percussion. All the musicians on this one are obviously very accomplished players (and listeners). The harmonics from the bass and cello, the juxtaposition of attack and decay, and the richness of tonal detail make this an excellent test disc.
HDCD/SACD does not always = better. Know that lots of polished turds and bottles of smoke are waiting for you to consume them.