HDCD - Which Player to Choose

[audioethusiast1]

I have a Denon 3800 and denon 4308 a/v receiever. However, I just found out that the 3800 does not decode and play HDCD's.

This kinda sucks, however, can someone recommend a way for me to be able to play HDCD's on the 3800 or suggest a denon player that will play HDCD's/DVD-a/SACD's?

Is there a way,since the 4308 receiever can decode HDCD, to bitstream the HDCD information to the receiver and have this decode the HDCD audio, all without haveing the 3800 stripp the 20 bit HDCD information to a 16 bit, since I read that all cd players will play HDCD, however, none of them will "read" the extra bits of information

Thanks guys

 

[audioethusiast1]

How does the denon DVD3930 or DVD5910 compare to denon 3800 audio quality of audio and music quality.

 

[j_garcia]

I believe even the 2900 (the successor to the 3800) and models after it will handle HDCDs. The 5910 should be superior in every way compared to the 3800, and the 3930 will be a step up IMO. Unless you have a number of HDCDs, I wouldn't really worry about them since I am fairly certain few were made and the benefits aren't that significant compared to SACD and DVD-A. I can't think of the last time I heard of someone putting out a HDCD.

 

[djreef]

I use a 3930ci in my music only rig, and I love it. If you can pick one up closeout for cheap I'd go for it. You may want to check out the OPPO Universal Blu Ray (BDP-83) unit as well. That's prob what will replace the Denon when she finally goes kaput.

DJ

 

[audioethusiast1]

thanks guys

Is there any sacd/dvd-a/hdcd players out there without the dvd player in it to make it cheaper??? such as arcam. I need something of high quality like a denon. it will be paired with my denon 4308 a/v receiver.

EDIT: Would the dvd A1 universal Denon player match the music quality of the dvd5910??? in other words, would the A1 give me better music quality than the 5910?

thanks guys

 

[j_garcia]

The Oppo BDP-83 is a good choice, and oddly, I noticed the other day when it was playing that the disc popped up as HDCD on my display (Tool 10000 Days!). The Oppo is solid, but still doesn't have the build quality of the top Denons, and it doesn't cost nearly as much either. I also have a 2900 that served me very well for SACD and DVD-A. There are stand alone SACD players, but I can't think of a single DVD-A player that is not a universal player since you typically need the video aspect for most DVD-As. I have a stand alone CD/SACD player and it is a bit more difficult to setup the multichannel without video capabilities.

I haven't heard the A1, so I can't comment on it, and I have also only heard the 5900, not the 5910, and I was impressed with that one already.

Last time I checked, Arcam only supported DVD-A, not SACD.

Note too that these two formats are highly likely to die off in the near future, so I wouldn't invest top dollar into high end gear for either of them.

 

[audioethusiast1]

Hi Garcia -

Do you have any idea what the record companies are going to be doing as the "next big format".

I personally think they should use Blu ray discs, as almost everyone owns at least a cheap blu ray player. Plus the record companies can add more content on the blu ray audio disc, so the consumers get their $14.00 bucks worth. As most banks soundtracks, only have around 5 good songs worthwhile

thanks

 

[djreef]

Given that the music industry could ef up a wet dream, really your guess is as good as anyone's. One would hope that it would b a Blu Ray dedicated format, but once again, you're dealing with idiots who love to try reinventing the wheel. If they do follow the Blu Ray spec, then your OPPO would b more likely to b forward compatible than any of the universal Denons listed.

DJ

 

[j_garcia]

The industry hasn't jumped on the Blu bandwagon, but I do feel that is the way it will go. I don't expect to see a lot of music only discs though; it will be concerts mainly. Lossless download is another possibility.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I have a Denon 3800 and denon 4308 a/v receiever. However, I just found out that the 3800 does not decode and play HDCD's.

This kinda sucks, however, can someone recommend a way for me to be able to play HDCD's on the 3800 or suggest a denon player that will play HDCD's/DVD-a/SACD's?

Is there a way,since the 4308 receiever can decode HDCD, to bitstream the HDCD information to the receiver and have this decode the HDCD audio, all without haveing the 3800 stripp the 20 bit HDCD information to a 16 bit, since I read that all cd players will play HDCD, however, none of them will "read" the extra bits of information

Thanks guys

Your Denon AVR-4308CI has the internal HDCD chip decoder; so just feed the digital output (coaxial or optical ) from your DVD-3800BDCI to your receiver, and you'll benefit fully of the decoding and the high dynamic range of HDCD encoded discs, voila!

 

[Geno]

I've listened to a few HDCD discs, and if my life depended on it, I couldn't tell the difference from a regular CD. I wouldn't get all worked up about HDCD, but , like the others here have said, I hope Blu-Ray is the next format. The audio from Blu is simply stunning, IMHO.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I've listened to a few HDCD discs, and if my life depended on it, I couldn't tell the difference from a regular CD. I wouldn't get all worked up about HDCD, but , like the others here have said, I hope Blu-Ray is the next format. The audio from Blu is simply stunning, IMHO.

I surely can.

 

[mtrycrafts]

. I wouldn't get all worked up about HDCD, but , like the others here have said, I hope Blu-Ray is the next format. The audio from Blu is simply stunning, IMHO.

Yep, HDCD is just another red book codec with some level mods in the HDCD hardware. After all, it is 16 bits on a CD, period.

As to BluRay, why would that be the next audio format? If DVD-A didn't make it, Blu will not either.
Yes, Blu well recorded can sound different from DTS and DD core stuff, but audibility beyond Red Book quality is not really audible as demonstrated by Moran et al in a JAES paper.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I surely can.

Sure can what? Hear differences?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Sure can what? Hear differences?

About you? Can you? Hear differences, of course.

* From one without, and one encoded? And things not being equal.