How to tell if a CD is Encoded?

Important to note that a lot of SACD's aren't just re-issues, they are completely remastered. Listen to the one that sounds best to you, but we can't judge the relative encoding merits with those. 

Yep. If it says "Compact Disc Digital Audio" it is one and only one thing: Redbook, which is PCM at 44.1kHz / 16 bits.

There’s no correlation in my mind between the encoding method and DAC reproduction or sound quality.

I will say that over the past 5-10 years, DAC’s are MUCH much better at playing Redbook than they were before, to the point they make hi res and DSD recordings much less relevant.

So if anything, I would say that listening to a modern DAC is important.

Best,

E

I should also point out, as far as I know, the only legal way to go from a SACD player to an external DAC is via HDMI for use with multi-channel DAC/processors. Even ripping SACD’s is difficult due to copyright fears.

There are however boutique music vendors like Blue Coast who let you download DSD files directly, and if your DAC supports it, play them. These files use DSF or DFF as the extension.

Best,

E

Hi Cheeg,

If it says "compact disc digital audio", then it is always PCM:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Disc_Digital_Audio

If it says SACD then it is DSD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Audio_CD

CD, being older, has very limited space, about 650 megabytes. DSD requires a lot more per song. The Wiki links I posted will show you the logo’s to search for.

The confusing part is CD’s, DVD’s, blue rays and SACD’s all share the same physical dimensions. Same diameter (120mm), same size spindle hole (15mm). Otherwise the data density and encoding is all different, except for hybrid CD/SACD’s which have both on one.

Best,

Erik