The plight of SACD....

Socrates, I too have no interest in multi-channel music, but it's way too early to assume that dvd-a will not have 2 channel capability. The whole "next digital" medium thing is still in an evolutionary phase and I doubt we'll see the final version for quite some time. In any event, the point is that audiophiles will not decide what the next medium will be. We'll have to live with whatever the majority decides and make the best of our options... just like what happened with cd over the last 20 years.

If anything...the public has already made their choice...and with success of the ultra-compressed MP3 format,A/V receivers, and CD burners...the quality of sound has taken a back seat...convenience,portability,compatability,and cost are the driving factors...this is both an exciting and frustrating time for 2-channel audiophiles with digital front ends...

At the risk of being redundant my personal biggest gripe is the lack of a digital output. Not for recording purposes. It denies the opportunity for uncompromised digital room correction. I think this is the area that may be the biggest boon to audiophiles.

I can't help but believe that DVD-A and SACD are a digital "stopgag" for the next truly revolutionary product. To make an analogy, I bought my very first laserdisc player in 1989 and I remember having to go to high-end audio stores to buy laserdisc movies in the "early years". There was no question that the picture and sound were better AND the LD players played CD's - it seemed like a no-brainer that it would catch on. It took a looong time but finally the software became more readily available and a few local Blockbusters had a limited selection to rent - and the next thing you know about .75% of the households in America had one!. The fact that they were expensive, large (the size of an LP) and scarce always kept LD a niche market. When DVD came along it killed LD practically overnight! The fact remained that LD was the BEST format you could enjoy a movie on for about 10 years - or settle for VHS! I believe DVD-A and SACD will serve the same niche market unless they increase the number of titles, make them readilly available and affordable and release titles from popular bands! I find it crazy that out of 580 SACD titles I only want to own 7 or 8 and out of the approx 350 DVD- titles, I only want to own 12-15 (a better % anyway). If the studios looked over their best selling artists of the last 40 years, I bet they only have (maybe) one title that they have put out on SACD or DVD-A so far. My guess is they will piddle out about 5 titles a year worth owning - in either format. And while I am "thinking" about the future, don't be suprised if in 5 years we have a digital scheme that is small as an MP3 and has even better resolution than DVD-A OR SACD, utilizing better compression techniques and blue laser technology. Perhaps the next thing that will really catch on with consumers will be a DVD player that plays High Definition DVD AND the "next great" digital audio format. We shall see... In the meantime you can grow old wishing and waiting for it or take a chance and pick up the technolgy as I did - by having it "thrown in for free" on your next purchase of a high quality DVD video player. At least that's the way I am rationalizing it :-) - Tony

Thanks again Twl for speaking the truth.I once not long ago sat in a stereo shop listening to all the top line naim audio equipment and an OREGON ALBUM "ANOTHER PRESENT ERA" ON CD.I then opened a never opened copy on vinyl and put it on their linn sondek arro armed helikon table and promptly wept at the difference.I purchased a capitole cd player to try and close the gap but its still oceanic.That little bone in our ear that twiddles and tweaks at air borne vibrations will always have a love affair with needles and vinyl.If someday our species no longer hears in a analogous way (my word)then maybe a digital implant will supplant this most beautiful way we experience aural ecstasy.Cheers to a great thread.