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Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

there have been numerous threads here, i know, about sacd v. dvd-a, upsampling, oversampling, etc. a number of these threads have included discussions of which, if any, new digital format will replace what we now call “redbook” cd’s. i don’t wish to rehash these discussions. rather, i’d like to hear from others how they are coping with the “age of uncertainty” in the realm of digital audio. is it better to “roll the dice” and invest in sacd or dvd a? ignore the contenders for the new and get the best possible out of redbook cd’s? buy with upgradeability firmly in mind? follow another path? i don’t post this query out of mere curiosity. i really haven’t figured out what course i should follow. i’d appreciate your giving me a hand. -kelly
cornfedboy

Showing 8 responses by drubin

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drubin
3,267 posts
 
Ears, Marklivia's point was that the SACD players do not play standard CDs as well as his Wadia. Was Widescreen Review saying that SACD playback betters the 860, or that redbook CD playbook on one of the Sonys betters the Wadia? I'm sure Marklivia will give you the former, but not the latter.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
No new format will succeed if everybody chooses to wait and see what happens. I recommend Art Dudley's editorial in the January/February 2001 Listener, in which he draws a comparison to the electric car. Yes, yes, I know, you don't want to spend your hard-earned money on something without a clear future. But as many here have told us, you can enjoy SACD for a pretty small investment (about what some of us might spend on one or a couple of pairs of interconnects). And you don't have to use it as your main CD playback.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
They sort of invented it, so you can imagine what their position is. But they are very smart folks and all of the writings are worthwhile. Check out one of their product manuals online--awesome! You can switch upsampling on and off with the MSB Platinum and there's a big audible difference, for what it's worth.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
For me, the nature of the uncertainty has shifted. After investing good money to have my SACD player modded, I now feel that what I really want to accomodate in my system is a hard drive as a source. This may have me going back to a separate DAC, which I'd really prefer not to do. I'd like to see some of the new breed of universal players support digital in, so that they not only play all discs but can handle hard disk input. Now *that* would be universal.

I think the hard disk as a source is an absolute freight train, which the high end needs to embrace.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
Thanks. I have heard exactly the same thing from many people, which is I why I plan to head in that direction myself.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
>best sound

So you feel you haven't given up anything sonically with this setup?
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
What's a "real audiophile"?
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
Jeez, I think the iPod is a great invention, which raises the bar for mobile sound for most people. Whoever said it's meant to replace your home stereo?
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