One thing I don't understand. All SACDs that are being released now-a-days can be played back on regular CD players. So why does the record industry not produce SACD ONLY? That way people will be exposed to SACDs and they might discover the benefits that SACD has over regular CD.
This thought came when I was hearing the Ravel-Bolero last night. The Rapsodie Espagnole is absolutely stunning..I get floored evertime I listen to it. Yeah, like someone above mentioned..not all SACD recordings make night-day difference when compared to a CD. |
Jaybo/Stanhifi, I don't think SACD will die soon. I can clearly remember how Panasonic's DCC died. MD is not much in the US market, but is going strong elsewhere. And if you look at SACD, then more and more albums are getting released. Also, there are a number of SACD players that are being released. Maybe the target audience is less, but it is not a sign of dying. I understand your point on how the industry works. I hope (I said "hope"..don't miss that) that they press hybrid SACDs and sell them at regular CD price.
We all should be focusing on topics of promoting how good and beneficial SACD is rather than how soon it is going to die. I liked this format so much that instead of buying a universal player, I purchased a SACD only player. |
"We" are the knowlegeable audio enthusiast or audiophiles."We" are not pessimists. If you can educate the non-audio enthusiasts (like your friends, cousins, etc), it makes a lot of sense. People really don't know about this hobby. But when they listen to good audio, you have a chance to invoke their interest. I have converted atleast 3 friends to audio enthusiasts who now own and enjoy hi-fi.
BTW, Beta only did Beta. SACD players can do both SACD and RBCD :-) |
Jaybo, I am refering to "audio" as a hobby..not SACD. I like the SACD sound. But I think people in general do "passive" listening. That is what is killing the hobby. With the fast pace of today's world they feel, that active listening is wha they cannot do. I am saying that invite such people to your home and have just 1 session. It is highly possible that you will invoke their interest. You cannot force anyone...but you have a fair chance of letting them "hear and see" what real music sounds like. (Yeah "see"..that is what 1 friend felt when I made him listen to Bolero SACD). Try it out..you have nothing to loose. |
Jaybo, I get subscription mails from Acousticsounds.com every week (sometimes twice), where they list all the LPS, SACDs, DVD-A, etc that are newly released. The list has not stop nor dwindling as of now. So it remains to be seen, how many companies will pull the plug.
Robm321 - as you rightly said, this is indeed a small community. And I can hope that it grows with time. I keep supporting this format that takes me close to LP. This month's purchase - Alison Krauss(Now That I've Found You), Spyro Gyra (IN MODERN TIMES), STRAVINSKY/THE FIREBIRD, BARTOK/CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA - all SACDs :-) |
Treyhoss, you THE MAN of the hour. Thank you for this wonderful info. What site is this listed on? Would like to get that link, to the site. I am facing-off 2 more guys at audioasylum.com, who told me that major audio magazines say SACD is dead. Sad part is that one of them is a Vinly lover and doesn't have a SACD player. I did not want to say this, but sometimes I feel that these guys feel that their LP turf is being treaded upon by SACD. |
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We love SACD so much...don't we??? Will do anything to keep this thread going!! |
Yes Robm321. His another thread is "Too snobbish for SACD as it exists?"...Nice. And he is no where on this thread lately. |
Eldartford, if you find anyone bash a format - disregard that reply. It is the worst a true audio enthusiast can do.
To be honest with you - I really don't have in-depth technical knowledge about PCM or DSD. But the 2 bosses on either side of my head decide what they like. And if they like something, I better get it, rather than the brain deciding what to get - based on the technical write-ups or reviews. Ofcourse, there are occassions on where the 2 bosses and the reviews match.
Enjoy your music and take it easy..... |
Smw30yahoocom, a lot depends on the entire system. Also it depends on the recording of the SACD itself. I have not yet come across a SACD that is too bright for my taste. I have noticed that SACDs that are PCM converted are a bit more brighter than purely DSD. But nonethless they are thoroughly enjoyable.
Eldartford, BB and CC are not about this hobby we love so much - they are into selling mass produced products. I did not get your point about real world. If you are refering to costs - you really don't need $2000 speaker wired to get into this hobby. Check out my system. I can bet you it is way better than the premium DVD based systems available at BB or CC. And less expensive at sound per dollar. My system is not an all-rounder - no DVD - but that is not what my hobby is about :-) |
Smw30yahoocom, I understand your point. My audio dealer gave me an advise - which is a very nice from customer point of view - don't go for SACD. He asked me to stick to the RBCD and enjoy the music rather than jumping into a format which has not taken off. But it was my decision based on my listening preference that I decided to go for the SACD. I have exchanged emails (friendly ones) with fellow audiogoners/audio-asylum inmates, who claim that when the CD players go upwards of $2000 the difference between SACD/CD ceases to exist. I listen to advices and make up my decision.
Robm321 and Nrchy have a good points here. And that lead me to find out more on the newer formats coming up. I am not starting a debate here - but just an analogy or thinking loud - if you may. I think the Blu-Ray is based on PCM because Sony feels that if they had gone the DSD way, then they would loose the market share. This means that SACD is the only medium with DSD. One more thing - whenever I think of DVD - I think of VIDEO. The same applies to Blu-Ray...it is psychological. What I am trying to say is that a new format doesn't mean that it will take off in the AUDIO department. It may be a hit in the VIDEO department. Look at DVD-Video and DVD-Audio.
So, I believe that SACD will remain a niche market. |
