DVD-A vs SACD vs HDCD vs CD

[krustycat]

Definitely, mastering is the key, regardless of the format.

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by bart

It's also my experience that the remastering quality is the most important factor, not the format.

I don't think I've ever read an audiophile who would disagree with this statement.

- Buck

[Kal Rubinson]

Deleted.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

I don't think I've ever read an audiophile who would disagree with this statement.

Yes but it conflicts with the obsession about competing formats. Not that they do not make a difference in some cases but they do not deserve as much attention as they get.

[70sMac]

You'll get no argument here. I'm simply doing my best to catch up with technology that has clearly left us behind.

We definitely have "rebook" CDs that sound great -- Ambrosia's debut album. We've got HCDCs that sound terrific -- Joni Mitchell's 'Ladies of the Canyon.' As for SACDs and DVD-As, I couldn't say. We have an SACD version of Cream's 'Fresh Cream,' for example, that I've been dying to hear (properly) ... and, hopefully, given the information I've gleaned from threads like this one, we'll soon be able to hear most of the audio formats as they were designed to be heard.

I'm really enjoying this discussion -- and others -- so please keep it coming.

Thank you for your time...

[daveyf]

The mastering is the key. I have DVD A's, SACD, and Redbook CD's. Some of those CD's are XRCD's mastered by Alan Yoshida...and IMHO they sound superior to most of my SACD's and most of my DVD A's.

[damacman]

Your new Oppo udp-203 will decode everything except HDCDs. So keep the other spinner for that. You now simply need a newer AVP - as you've laid out in your other thread.

I have a large collection of DVD-A, SACD, Bluray Pure Music, etc. Some are incredibly well done - Kraftwerk in Dolby Atmos on Bluray, Ryan Adams Gold and PF DSoTM on SACD, and the entire DePeche Mode catalog on DVD.

[GSOphile]

IMO there is another key besides mastering: the availability of music. My guess is that there is a lot more available in SACD than DVD and Blu-ray, at least in genres that I favor (classical and jazz).... but maybe not in a 5.1 surround format. Kal will know.

[SuperD]

Depeche Mode SACD’s are rare these days but are some of the best I’ve heard.

[damacman]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Depeche Mode SACD’s are rare these days but are some of the best I’ve heard.

They do still sell them on their website last I looked. I bought Songs of Faith & Devotion there after looking for months for a used copy on feeBay. I wish they'd release the last two in 5.1!