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I'm totally confused about Hi Rez formats

I was hoping that somebody out there could help this two-channel audiophile make some sense out of the DVD-A and SACD formats. I was interested in exploring these hi resolutiuon formats, but was told by a salesman that the benefits of these formats are only achieved when used in multichannel setups. I went to the dealer under the impression that if one wished to, he or she could simply use such players as two channel digital front ends, and still obtain the benefit of the higher sampling rate and bit rate. I know of one high end player like the Marantz SA-11 that only has two channel analog outputs.

I was interested in testing the waters with a universal player, but I don't want to go nuts and spend thousands of dollars until I have a chance to experiment with the possibilities. Certainly, I have no use for the so-called high resolution formats unless I can truly obtain higher resolution in a two channel system. I am not interested in multichannel audio at the moment. Can somebody please explain things to me.

Thanks!!
mstram
aroc
760 posts
 
I have bought tons of LPs that were of new music made in the last couple years. That stuff is out there. I think my peer Dirtyragamuffin can attest to that as well. For example, I doubt punk music has EVER abondoned the vinyl format. There's a ton of that available. Same for a lot of rock on indie labels. Unfortunately I cannot find new classical recordings on vinyl. That is a pity. Esp. since vinyl is still more or less the standard in consumer fidelity.
rex
245 posts
 
Yes, there is lots of new vinyl. If you're into hip-hop, techno, and indie punk/alternative, or are a DJ or scratcher, there's lots and lots of new vinyl. That's the bulk of it. There's also a steady, but statistically insignificant, re-issue market for those focused on middle-age nostalgia music.

So, a show of hands - how many of you aging Baby Boomers are buying the new vinyl as opposed to re-issues? ;-)

mstram OP
83 posts
 
Rex-
I picked up the Jayhawks' "Rainy Day Music"; Ryan Adams' "Gold", and "Demolition" on vinyl last year, but that's the extent of my purchaces of new vinyl for the last two years.
newbie13
242 posts
 
Multi channel music will be a niche player like LaserDisc. The problem is outside of audiophiles no one just sits and listens to music. It is background filler or listening is done while doing other things not sitting in the sweet spot of multiple speakers. Multi channel works great for movies because you're sitting still. Can't rip SACD/DVD-A to your ipod or burn a copy for the car. Can't be played on a computer server based system. You have to buy all the extra interconnects. That leaves audiophiles as the only viable market for multi channel music.
gregm
3,396 posts
 
That's an interesting point, Newbie!
I would add "music-philes" to audiophiles, but that still remains a relatively small market.
The initial mktg idea was that people would replace their two channel for multi & use that system for whatever purpose it served before + HT.
It doesn't seem to work out that way.
The dangerous part is that HT needs a dedicated room (or takes over a room). If it replaces music in the home, people could resort to using a boomblaster for b/ground music -- rather than have yet another system just for sound...
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