Content
@
0 reply
0 recast
0 reaction
matthewb.eth
@matthewb
fresh stack of CDs just arrived from japan yes, the CD format is still thriving. a huge catalog of music is available and new releases continue to be issued alongside digital and vinyl. most vinyl pressed after the mid 1980s is music that was recorded digitally. so besides the trademark distortions of the format like surface noise and wow/flutter, there aren’t many “analog” characteristics to modern vinyl pressings. the CD format enjoys significant popularity in audiophile/hi-fi communities because it’s often much cheaper (and easier) to attain a high level of performance via CD playback vs. digital sources like streaming.
9 replies
5 recasts
19 reactions
matthewb.eth
@matthewb
as is often the case for many things, Japan perfected the redbook CD format several times over. iterations include proprietary formats like: - SHM-CD (super high material CD) by Universal/JVC - Blu-spec CD (blu-ray spec CD) by Sony - XRCD (extended resolution CD) by JVC - HQCD (high quality CD) and UHQCD (ultra-high quality CD) by Memory-Tech to this day, UHQCD remains the pinnacle of redbook CD playback. developed by Memory-Tech as a successor to HQCD, it uses a high-fluidity photopolymer that better molds into the stamper to form more accurate pits. other niche formats exist like SACD developed by Sony/Phillips, but they require specialized players and never gained popularity outside audiophile circles. the merits of high-res SACD vs. redbook CD formats like UHQCD remains contentious. some claim high-res contains more detail and informations, while others believe in a more purist approach to maximize redbook format.
1 reply
0 recast
4 reactions
Andrea
@andreaboi.eth
Missing the K2 HD discs, these are very similar to XRCD made by the same JVC company but with 24bit/100 kHz. Since these discs are often pressed from poor masters that are the same as in other countries, there’s no improvement in sound quality. With SACD discs, it's a different story. The SACD layer uses a DSD file format, and a proper transfer is often done directly from the tape. DSD offers a better impulse response, which is identical to analog, according to Merging Technologies. However, the DSD playback require a compatible hardware such like SACD player or DAC.
0 reply
0 recast
1 reaction
