HDCD: necessary or not?

[Wigbert]

Hi, there!

I have noticed that major high end brands do not support this technology.
ARCAM dropped it from the FMJ CD23T replacement, the FMJ CD33T. I
understand this technology is now owned by Microsoft.

Does HDCD make a difference in sound reproduction? Do I have to have HDCD
to really enjoy the music or having a decent CD player get the job done or
even surpass the HDCD quality?

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Wigbert

[Kalman Rubinson]

On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 17:20:12 -0400, Wigbert > wrote:

>Hi, there!
>
>I have noticed that major high end brands do not support this technology.
>ARCAM dropped it from the FMJ CD23T replacement, the FMJ CD33T. I
>understand this technology is now owned by Microsoft.
>
>Does HDCD make a difference in sound reproduction? Do I have to have HDCD
>to really enjoy the music or having a decent CD player get the job done or
>even surpass the HDCD quality?

This question has been asked and answered many times and is,
undoubtedly, locatable via Google.

HDCD can effect some improvement over regular RedBook CDs but (1) HDCD
discs are backwards compatible, (2) increasingly rare and (3) only a
marginal inhancement. With the advent of SACD/DVD-A, it has slid to
the inconsequentiality.

Kal