My experience is simple. I have nearly all redbook cds. The ones that come out the best -- the "special edition" ones generally but most specifically -- I have a few HDCDs and the DAC and black box to decode them. These are just more than a cut above the standard. As for SACD -- well -- I don't have an outboard SACD decoder so I rely on the one inside my highly modded Sony SCD-C555ES -- it's all right but I only listen in two-channel so -- kinda what's the point?
The HDCD format was limited, killed and yet when decoded properly -- is great -- IME that is.
The HDCD format was limited, killed and yet when decoded properly -- is great -- IME that is.