I think you are correct that HDCD do sound better. The technology seems buried buy its new owner. However new formats like SACD and DVD-A seem to be getting all the attention. If all CDs were made like XRCDs or HDCDs and recorded correctly there might not be a change. That and the desire of the manufacturers to find a non-recordable system and discontinue the royalties paid to Sony/Phillips for CD technology (though I think this is running out). Many companies don't want SACD to succeed because it will further inrich Sony/Phillips.
Whatever happened to HDCD?
Recently acquired a EAD DSP-9000-III . This has the ability to decode HDCD's. Went to the HDCD site - noticed my collection included a few HDCD's - played them . My test conditions are anything but controlled - but they do seem to sound better.
Since this system is fully reverse compatable with existing CD players - why hasn't it caught on ? Has this got anything to do with Pacific Microsonics being acquired by the maker of the worlds most extensive and continuously beta tested OS?
Since this system is fully reverse compatable with existing CD players - why hasn't it caught on ? Has this got anything to do with Pacific Microsonics being acquired by the maker of the worlds most extensive and continuously beta tested OS?