HDCD VS SACD

"It is a playback only decode system, which means that it's benefits are applied during the playback of standard Redbook CD's and is only compatible with that format."

This is wrong. It has to be recorded HDCD to be played HDCD so it is NOT "a playback only". In HDCD coding the least significant bit is switching dynamic range of the rest. It is known as "in band signaling". Playback on standard player is a little suspicious (if nothing else is done) since the least significant bit becomes garbage (noise). I believe that the sole purpose of introducing schemes like that is to make it very difficult to copy (HDCD) or impossible to copy (SACD).

I have to make some strong dissenting view to what RCrerar mentioned.

1."good news is that most SACDs also include a standard Redbook layer that can be played back on conventional CD players. "This is not good news at all!!!Most single layer SACD sound significantly superior to the hybrid disc.

2."For now some of the very best Redbook players can offer performance that is virtually indistinguishable from even the best SACD players." This is utter nonsense!!!The very best CD player are Eons behind the top of the line SACD player.YES they are close if you compare both on redbook playback;but redbook versus DSD?no way!!!Just quickly compare Meridian highly rated 808.2 versus the SACD of dcs PUCCINI .No match,really......

3.To hear what SACD is all about you need:
A}To hear the SACD in dsd mode.There are many companies that 'cheat' and has their SACD layer in PCM ...these are craps.You can start with some STOCKFISH records stuff;very well engineered dsds......

B]You need to use wide bandwith amplifiers;that way the real advantage of dsd SACD are easily heard:wide headroom ,more details ,coherence,more bodies to instruments......

c]Once,heard it is very hard to go back to CD.Of course you do have good CDP like the dcs that makes the listening to CD less painful.

Fafafion, I personally prefer the pain of the dcs CD playback as opposed to the pain and suffering of losing my retirement account. You forgot to mention all the full range speakers needed for true SACD playback as well as the cost involved.

Kijanki,
According to my understanding, playing a HDCD disc through a non HDCD CDP/DAC would add a small amount of noise. Whether this noise is discernible I do not know.

ROD1957,

true to my Audiophile pedigree I indeed forgot to mention the cost;}BUT ,I assume we are discussing sound fidelity here,,,,,