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Redbook CD Is Not Dead

There are dozens of variant of this topic. Nevertheless, I want to start this OP to "defibrillate" an "old" technology -- "redbook" CD. I have posted many comments and questions about the next industry digital/electronic "standard" that old-heads like me should be thinking about. The responses sound like techno-babble. That of course presupposes that redbook CD has seen a better day. A similar view was expressed years ago by many about vinyl, but that technology is still with us.

Ok ... to the point. I wanted to test the proposition that some have made about redbook CD -- 16 bit/44.1K Hz. Specifically, that the technology is NOT obsolete. By contrast, if the music industry was less lazy and profit driven, and we the consumer less tolerant, redbook CD and our trusty CD players have lots of life left in them. Here's a thoughtful and largely understandable link that a member posted in another OP that explains the hypothesis:

http://xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/neil-young.html

So ... to start testing the hypothesis, I logged onto the Acoustic Sounds music website. Here's the link:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/

Acoustic Sounds sells many so called hi-rez redbook CDs, e.g., "Gold," "HDCD," "Super HDCD 24 bit," and so forth. I bought 2 such CDs: (1) The Artistry of Linda Rosenthal, (First Impression Music, Inc.) (CD FIM 022VD) and (2) Jim Croce, Words and Music, (DCC Compact Disc Classics) (GZS-1134). First reactions are -- quite impressive. I'll continue to listen and report back.

I see no reason to trash a piece of equipment, or a technology, if it still has utility and can deliver the sonic goods. I will come back later with a music review of the Linda Rosenthal and Jim Croce CDs. I would like others to do the same, especially if they can suggest a good source of high-quality/almost vinyl quality redbook CD.

I will ask in advance that all member posts stay on topic. There are many threads that discuss the pros and cons of this versus that format or technology. Please keep such discussions in those other threads.

I would like to see a thread devoted to music reviews and sources of excellent quality redbook CD. Perhaps this thread and others like it will rejuvenate an older music medium that can still satisfy.

Thanks all.

Bruce
bifwynne

Showing 1 response by dctom

dctom
114 posts
 
I hope the CD sticks around for a long time yet. There is a fantastic choice of music at reasonable prices.

Generally I have found the physical CD, playing in my CDP, produces better sound than the ripped version played from my Mac Pro. However I recently modded a Dell laptop and installed Jriver player. The sound is now closer - however the CD still has the edge, slightly better detail, clarity and dynamics.

I put this down to having a good CD player. Previous machines have disappointed. I have always ended up playing vinyl in preference to CD, I now find using CD much more involving.

Well recorded hi-rez downloads can sound better than CD - but of course it is all down to the quality of the recording. The hi-rez 88 Khz version of Daft Punk's Random Access Memories sounds pretty amazing compared to the 44 Khz version.

I must admit to being constantly surprised by the quality of sound produced by CD - the converse is that some CDs do sound very ordinary. This just illustrates the fact that the full potential of CD is quite frequently not realised.

I have a limited selection of SACDs some of which seem to have better dynamics, detail and ambiance compared to CD. Again it is not a given that SACD will produce better results but the medium has the potential to be, if that potential is fulfilled. A very good example is the jazz album Jungle Boldie.
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