Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

quality sound from digital source components is far more dependant on the software than visa versa. a first generation cd player sounds infinitely better with a recently mastered cd than a new cd player using the same music mastered even 5 years ago.....there are thousands of examples with the major labels alone...the improvements on the hardware side have been oversold as remedies to a consumer willing to pay anything to get satisfaction from their hi fi.

I, too, agree largely with Letch. I go for good vinyl first, then redbook CD if it's not available. Unfortunately, that means I buy more CDs than I really want to!

As for SACD.... well, I must admit to having bought two remastered titles, both Dylan ones. On my Arcam, the CD layer sounds really great (much better than original redbook release), so I'm not ready yet to buy a SACD player, although I am curious to hear what the SACD layer sounds like on a SACD player.

What have i done in the age of uncertainty? I integrated my HT system and stereo, with the HT gear upstream, so it doesn't compromise my main system. I prefer stereo, but I also enjoy movies, multi-channel audio and music dvd-v (e.g. Roger Waters The Wall, Calle 54, The Last Waltz).

I looked at mid-priced universal players and decided they were too compromised for the money and too immature as a technology (i.e. none from audiophile companies). So I bought a dirt-cheap Pioneer DV-563a for now. It doesn't sound as good as my CD player, even with SACD or DVD-A discs, but it plays them, and it feeds an NAD HT receiver (upstream of my stereo preamp).

I have found that m-c does not require the same sort of care (equipment and setup) as stereo to provide good results. I'm not after ultimate fidelity. I just need to meet a certain standard so that the equipment doesn't interfere with my enjoyment. I obsess over my stereo, but not the HT m-c gear. It's mid-fi and it's fun, and it sounds pretty damned good most of the time.

Sometimes I think I should have bought the new Pioneer DV-57AVi, because it would have given me better hi-rez sound and the possibility of future upgradability (connection to a hi-rez DAC via HDMI or firewire), but it was a lot more money and it wasn't available when I bought the 563. Besides as I said at the beginning, the market is not mature, and I've elected to wait and see while I collect some hi-rez titles.

In the meantime I can play vinyl or any digital disc, stereo or multichannel. I buy music based on content, availability and price. If and when hi-rez and/or m-c matures, I can easily change my priorities.

Dan Bonhomme

I have read very few of these but just how much money do you have tied up in CD's and LP's. Do you want to replace them all with a new format or are you going to keep them. My choice is DAC and Transport for CD's (My DAC has a DSD converter in it just no way to provide a signal to it. Is one manufacture going to let the dust settle and then mod the DAC) Vinyl By audiophile standards well but it is a significant improvement over my old one. I am 38 I hope I live for another 30 years. For me the choice is simple. Wait for the dust to settle. I will always have my CD's and Albums.

Remember to take the system as a whole.

If you can't live without your CD collection, buy the best CD player you can. I'm just about to purchase the Musical Fidelity A308 CD player with upsampling. Works for me regarding warmth and transparency. Then buy a dedicated SACD player down the road. I don't like the idea of hybrid players; isn't the quality split?