HDCD
08-16-2004, 09:21 AM
#1
50 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 456
Does anyone know if HDCD uses proprietary discs, or if they are using simple old CD-rom's?
I popped a cd into the computer last night, and it came up as HDCD...
I wasn't sure if HDCD was an entirely new format, but I don't know how they can really get any better sound without using more space (ie. bigger discs). What do you know?
I popped a cd into the computer last night, and it came up as HDCD...
I wasn't sure if HDCD was an entirely new format, but I don't know how they can really get any better sound without using more space (ie. bigger discs). What do you know?
08-16-2004, 01:32 PM
#3
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,649
Originally posted by JRace:
HDCD is encoded on regular discs.
I could explain how it works, but I don't want to confuse you.
Not to mention I don't quite remember.
HDCD is encoded on regular discs.
I could explain how it works, but I don't want to confuse you.
Not to mention I don't quite remember.
08-16-2004, 02:02 PM
#4
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,242
Here is some info from HDCD.com:
So ya. They put more bits into every byte!
[ August 16, 2004, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: JRace ]
HDCD's are encoded with 20 bits of real musical information, as compared with 16 bits for all other CDs. HDCD overcomes the limitation of the 16-bit CD format by using a sophisticated system to encode the additional 4 bits onto the CD while remaining completely compatible with the existing CD format.
[ August 16, 2004, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: JRace ]
08-16-2004, 03:37 PM
#5
HDCD uses a "conventional" disc that is "encoded" with 20 bit information. The advantage of having a player that plays HDCD is that the Pacific Microsonics D/A decoder (I might have the name wrong) will improve the sound of all CDs -- obviously with HDCD disks sounding the best.
08-17-2004, 08:08 AM
#6
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Posts: 1,242
Originally posted by mike bisson:
HDCD uses a "conventional" disc that is "encoded" with 20 bit information. The advantage of having a player that plays HDCD is that the Pacific Microsonics D/A decoder (I might have the name wrong) will improve the sound of all CDs -- obviously with HDCD disks sounding the best.
HDCD uses a "conventional" disc that is "encoded" with 20 bit information. The advantage of having a player that plays HDCD is that the Pacific Microsonics D/A decoder (I might have the name wrong) will improve the sound of all CDs -- obviously with HDCD disks sounding the best.
I do know that there is some improvment in SQ on HDCD's.
08-17-2004, 11:36 AM
#8
Originally posted by JRace:
[Well I don't know about that (i've never put much stock into the whole "my DAC sounds better than your DAC business)... [/QB]
[Well I don't know about that (i've never put much stock into the whole "my DAC sounds better than your DAC business)... [/QB]
08-17-2004, 02:40 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,242
Oh I have experinced good D/A conversion. Recently I had the opertunity to hear a Chord Transport/DAC unit with a Chord preamp/amp combo. In that system a high-end DAC did make a difference.
Perhaps I didn't explain myself good enough before...there can be an improvment using different D/A converters, but in order for you to hear the difference you need to be using a good transport, preamp, amp, speakers etc. Just adding a new DAC on a mid-fi system will not (for the price) add a justifiable improvment. Personally I feel that while HDCD is an improvement, using a cd player that decodes HDCD to play non-HDCD cd's will not be an improvment over a decent non-HDCD player.
Gawd that was a mouthfull.
[ August 17, 2004, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: JRace ]
Perhaps I didn't explain myself good enough before...there can be an improvment using different D/A converters, but in order for you to hear the difference you need to be using a good transport, preamp, amp, speakers etc. Just adding a new DAC on a mid-fi system will not (for the price) add a justifiable improvment. Personally I feel that while HDCD is an improvement, using a cd player that decodes HDCD to play non-HDCD cd's will not be an improvment over a decent non-HDCD player.
Gawd that was a mouthfull.
[ August 17, 2004, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: JRace ]
