SACD or DVD-A

[splatnik]

I am considering a move into the enhanced CD world. What is the latest on the format wars between SACD and DVD-A? And whatever happened to HDCD? Was this a Microsoft owned format, and is it virtually dead?

Thanks

 

[avaserfi]

If you don't have a player yet I would recommend both DVD-A and SACD. Just get an OPPO and you are set, after all why limit yourself when there are great releases on both formats!

The "war" is over between the two and both have fallen into the niche market.

As far as HDCD I have never heard of it...

 

[splatnik]

Just for arguments sake, besides Oppo, are there any other manufacturers making this kind of multiformat player?

 

[Nomo]

The war between SACD and DVD-A is pretty much academic at this point.
DVD-A is all but dead and the vultures are hovering over SACD. If you're a jazz fan there is a bit of life left in SACD, but my advise is to not invest a great deal of money in a player that supports either format.
The latest "war" is between Sony's Blue Bay and Toshiba's HD-DVD. While both formats seems quite remarkable in their potential, it's mostly a matter of whether or not the average comsumer cares enough to celebrate with the victor.

 

[splatnik]

I understand your point, but how does this apply to audio only. Are there or will there be audio only CD's in either Blueray or HD-DVD formats?

 

[avaserfi]

Just for arguments sake, besides Oppo, are there any other manufacturers making this kind of multiformat player?

The only other players that do both which I have experience with are Denon's and while they are great unless you can get a deal or find one used you will be paying a bit more for the unit than you would an OPPO.

As far as both or either formats being dead I wouldn't quiet say that. Releases are not common with either format, but they both still get them, in fact I am waiting for a DVD-A to arrive in the mail right now that was released on the 4th. One must remember these are niche formats, not every release is put out on them, normally it seems to be artists with a little more freedom that push for these releases.

I understand your point, but how does this apply to audio only. Are there or will there be audio only CD's in either Blueray or HD-DVD formats?

While I am not sure I have read some talk about BD-Audio discs, but who knows if that will ever happen, although it would be cool.

 

[no. 5]

Just for arguments sake, besides Oppo, are there any other manufacturers making this kind of multiformat player?

The aforementioned Denon, Yamaha (which I have had good experience with), Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, and a number of more esoteric brands. You will be a little hard pressed to find a DVD-A/SACD player from the typical consumer electronics manufactures (i.e. Sony, Panasonic).

 

[Alex2507]

My Denon 1920 cost $350 a couple of years ago at BB. My girl got it for me. It could have been had for less on line. I probably would have picked something with better bass management. I probably would never have paid for the Denon name. But when my girl gets me a Denon anything I want her to know it's great and it's nicer than anything I would have gotten for myself. The Denon really is pretty nice and so is the girl.

 

[davidtwotrees]

I have a Denon 3910 universal player. I bought it used about a year and a half ago for $650. They are currently going for around $400 used. It is really a nice piece of gear. Heavy and good build quality with more features than I'll ever know. I also own a Pioneer DV563A bought around the same time for $80 used. They are less than that now. It works great, and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in sound quality on playback between the two. I've also owned a Pioneer DV45a that was somewhere in the middle, pricewise. They are all available on ebay and audiogon......
The formats mentioned are in the niche market, except I think in classical music where there are hundreds and hundreds of releases, and more coming all the time.........mostly in sacd.

 

[Alex2507]

You got a place to buy these things cheap? I've only got a handful of DVD-A and maybe 1 SACD. I think they all cost like $25 each.

 

[no. 5]

You got a place to buy these things cheap? I've only got a handful of DVD-A and maybe 1 SACD. I think they all cost like $25 each.

Amazon.com; I've gotten DVD-A's and SACD's for under $10.

 

[fmw]

The aforementioned Denon, Yamaha (which I have had good experience with), Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, and a number of more esoteric brands. You will be a little hard pressed to find a DVD-A/SACD player from the typical consumer electronics manufactures (i.e. Sony, Panasonic).

Sony makes them. I used to have one.

 

[avaserfi]

Sony makes them. I used to have one.

Sony makes SACD players as they invented them, but sure they don't make DVD-A players as that would be helping the enemy. It would be like them making HD-DVD players.

 

[mtrycrafts]

As far as HDCD I have never heard of it...

A number of years ago this was supposed to be an enhanced CD but in the end, it is still RedBook16/44. They mastered at 20bits and played with levels so a casual listen would favor it, but only under those conditions, like much in audio

 

[mike c]

if I'm not mistaken my Pioneer DV-600 can play both DVD-A and SACD ... it costs around 100+ bucks

 

[dorokusai]

These hi-res formats are moving to a online retailer near you. The brick and mortar support is negligible.

I'm officially burned out on it and if something is released on SACD, great. I might buy it but most of the music I listen to will never be released on it anyways. I'll always stay universal in the HT so the "other" war doesn't really bother me either.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[j_garcia]

You are coming into the hires audio game late and it is almost at the point where it is trailing off. I'd look for an inexpensive player that does both and pick up your favorites as quick as possible since both may go the way of the dodo soon.

There is one HD-DVD Audio title out currently, which I believe is essentially a Dolby TrueHD and/or Lossless PCM track. I think hires will shift over to that format if the high def formats catch on.

 

[tcm5]

I would pick up an Oppo 981 or 980. I am more of a music guy than Video, so I buy a lot of CDs. There are a several thousand DVD-A and SACD titles out there. You can pick them up at Best Buy or online, http://www.sa-cd.net/home , is a good site. Read the reviews, some are beter than others

 

[j_garcia]

The 980 has better audio capabilities than the 981 if it is audio you are after, due to differences in design.

 

[Thunder18]

The aforementioned Denon, Yamaha (which I have had good experience with), Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, and a number of more esoteric brands. You will be a little hard pressed to find a DVD-A/SACD player from the typical consumer electronics manufactures (i.e. Sony, Panasonic).

Just wanted to add that Sherwood Newcastle has two universal players and the Oppo 980H is a universal player