I'm totally confused about Hi Rez formats

I've been doing some reading up on the subject, but still have questions.

I just read the chapter in Robert Harley's "The Complete Guide to High End Audio" which describes the specifications of the two formats. He explains that SACD discs can be played in either two-channel OR six-channel modes. The SACD can (but is not required to) contain a second layer that can be read by standard Red Book CD players (so called, "hybrid" SACDs). Harley then goes on to describe the specifications for DVD-A. The DVD-A spec. calls for a disc that can contain 6-channel music along with a 2-channel mix on the same disc. Sampling rates can be as high as 192kHz with word lengths up to 24 bits. "DVD-A can support sampling rates of 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz, with word lengths between 16 and 24 bits, in one-bit increments." The highest sampling frequencies of 176.4kHz and 192kHz can only come in the two-channel discs. The record producer chooses the sampling rate and whether or not the disc contains multi-channel or two-channel (or both) mixes. Some DVD-A discs contain code ("Smart Content") that tells the player to downmix to two channel on the fly.

So what should I do? Do all players on the market, be they DVD-A, SACD, or universal allow you to hook 'em up with just two channels? Is there a lot of decent DVD-A software available with two-channel mixes? Do all DVD-A players and universal players allow "downmixing" to 2-channel if the DVD-A contains "Smart Content" coding? How does one know if a DVD-A disc contains a 2-channel mix or downmixing capability? Does the disc packaging tell you?

It sounds like all SACDs will work for me on a 2-channel system, whereas the DVD-A format is still up in the air. I would still like to consider a universal player if there is plenty of 2-channel software available.

Admittedly I'm a classical listener and that seems to be the area where the most SACD release activity is taking place, but I have around 400 SACDs and add 4-5 most months. In general I have been thoroughly delighted with the sound, and that's 2 channel only (I have a 4 channel ambiance/delay system from the late '80s which I love, and use in all formats). As a general rule SACD is far superior to CD sound, even with PCM to DSD conversion of redbook (of course there are exceptions) and I have no doubt SACD is here to stay, with or without SONY. DVD-A is another story: sonically it's fine, but it isn't really an audio-only format, different players have trouble with particular discs, Dual Disc is an absolute disaster, and the software release schedule is at best just a trickle. (In my wandering around to non-classical areas of the stores, it doesn't seem much different there.) Sure analogue at its best still delivers the most in many respects, but that still means that you're limited to what was available in 1980, or reissues of it, and there were a whole lot of sonic stinkers in the LP period too, which everybody conveniently forgets. The old "redbook is here to stay, and if you want good sound go listen to used LPs" story is just sticking your head in the sand. Or somewhere else.

I tend to agree for the most part with Mgottlieb, as I too am a classical listener and have found plenty of good new material coming out on SACD. I find myself preferring to listen to SACD over CDs, and generally don't buy many CDs anymore--while I don't find the differences to be as earthshaking as some, there's an openness and relaxed quality to the sound (very much similar to analog in that regard) that makes most (not all) CDs sound artificial or "boxed in" in comparison, and that makes a huge difference to me subjectively in my listening. The posts above about two-channel and multichannel are good descriptions; I think right now SACD is the better hi-rez format for two-channel playback. I listen to two-channel stereo, but my speakers are quasi-omnis so I get much of the same effect from my two-channel rig as I've heard with good multi-channel rigs (that surprised me). If you don't listen to classical, the pop SACD catalog is pretty sparse, you might not want to make the investment, but if you do like the available SACDs, an inexpensive SACD player, or (better yet) a used Sony SCD-1 or 777ES or higher end Marantz might be a good addition to a second system, and might even find its way into your main system.

Mstram: I believe all DVD-As can be played in 2-channel mode. Some will have a separate 2-channel track on the disk; others will require your player to downmix 2-channel from the multichannel track.

Both SACD and DVD-A are just about dead, however. New releases will continue to trickle out (possibly for a long time, if the audiophile labels decide it's still worth their effort), but trickle is the operative word. If you want to explore a "dead" format, try vinyl. There's just a lot more to explore.

Pabelson, are you saying these formats are "dead" because of lack of acceptance from the public, and therefore, a paucity of new releases?