Community
Search
DVD & Home Theater Gear Discuss DVD and Home Theater Equipment.

SuperAudio CD?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-19-01 | 07:38 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Cool New Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Northern California
SuperAudio CD?

Has anyone actually heard a SuperAudio CD? How does it compare to DVD-Audio? Should I run out and buy a SACD player?
Old 07-19-01 | 08:03 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Seattle
SACD is a proprietary audio format to Sony and I think Phillips. Right now it is only in 2 channel format but the multi-channel version is coming very soon. The 2 channel format boasts 196KHz sample rate and a 24bit sample(196KHz/24) and the sound is quite astonishing. The multi-channel will be 96KHz sample rate and a 24bit sample(96KHz/24) which is also extremely good and is the direct comparison to DVD-Audio.

DVD-Audio runs at 96KHz/24.

The thing about both of these audio formats in a multi-channel configuration is that it send a full range signal to each of the 5 channels so if you don't have full range speakers all the way around you are not going to experience what these formats have to offer.

I have a DVD-Audio setup and it is quite amazing.

Now if you should run out and get this, is a question of how much you are into your music.

Keep in mind 2 things, the SACD players are still fairly expensive(I think you can get a player for around $500 now) and the CDs range from $20 to $30 a piece. The DVD-Audio players can be found much cheaper but the media still ranges from $20 to $30.

It's the price of the media that keeps me from really getting into it right now. I only have a few titles.

Another thing you might want to try is DTS audio CDs. I have a couple of those and that is pretty interesting but it's not as good as SACD or DVD-A.

Another thing. DVD-A discs will play in your regular DVD player but you will only get a DD5.1 at a lower sampling rate.

My view, for what it's worth...
Old 07-19-01 | 08:23 PM
  #3  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: New York, NY
I listened to an SACD system at a local hi-fi shop. The sound was incredible. I couldn't imagine that a digital stereo source could sound so natural and alive. In a piano piece, I could hear the musician pressing the pedals. The audio system probably ran about $12,000.

DVD-Audio, I believe currently encodes in 5.1 at a lower (but still high) sampling rate, but you can make a 2-channel high rate DVD-A just no one has done it yet. The equipment is ready, somebody just has to create the discs.

My opinion:

SACD is the best sounding digital format right now.
DVD-A is the future and will improve over time.
Personally, I plan on waiting.
I wouldn't invest much in either right now, unless you have a very high end system. (Nice pre-amp, power amp, top of line Front speakers)
Old 07-19-01 | 08:26 PM
  #4  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Seattle
Originally posted by skar


DVD-Audio, I believe currently encodes in 5.1 at a lower (but still high) sampling rate, but you can make a 2-channel high rate DVD-A just no one has done it yet. The equipment is ready, somebody just has to create the discs.
2 channel DVD-A is recorded at the same sampling rate as SACD 196KHz/24bit. SACD still has an edge over DVD-A because of some extra processing SCAD does.
Old 07-19-01 | 10:29 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Cool New Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Northern California
Thanks for all the info. I think I'll put SACD on hold for now, and go with DVD-Audio.
Old 07-19-01 | 11:38 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Long Island,NY
Originally posted by Michael P
Thanks for all the info. I think I'll put SACD on hold for now, and go with DVD-Audio.

Check out the new Toshiba DVD-A players coming out this Fall for under $400. Worth getting if you need to upgrade your video player as well as getting into DVD-A.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=127022



videoking
Old 07-21-01 | 02:05 AM
  #7  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Alexandria, VA
Sony has an SACD player (two channel, though) under $500 now. The price gap is quickly diminishing.

Old 07-22-01 | 07:48 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Mars
the JVC 723GD player decodes Dolby Digital, DTS and DVD-Audio and can be found (I believe amazon.com stocks it) for anywhere between $350-399 although it apparently has a $899 retail price.
Old 07-22-01 | 12:57 PM
  #9  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: New York, NY
Originally posted by DVDRules1
the JVC 723GD player decodes Dolby Digital, DTS and DVD-Audio and can be found (I believe amazon.com stocks it) for anywhere between $350-399 although it apparently has a $899 retail price.
$319.95 at ecost.com

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.