"Bob Marcus" wrote in message
...
Robert Lang wrote:


But let's look at another angle. Forget about DVD-A and SACD for a
moment.
The article you shared as well as *many* other articles suggest that *CD*
may be going down in flames. *CD* is in trouble. And for many reasons.
While
it is a testament to the genius of Philips/Sony who masterminded the CD
in
the first place, what other late '70s digital technology is around in
2004?
And given that SACD and DVD-A have so much more to offer than CD, without
giving up anything (especially SACD which is backward compatible), is
there
really any reason for CD to exist? Seriously.


Well, the manufacturing capacity to release/reissue everything on SACD or
DVD-A doesn't exist yet, for one thing. And there's a chicken-and-egg
problem: That capacity won't exist unless the market--the mass
market--wants
this product. Given that you've basically conceded that the mass market
doesn't give a hoot about this product...

I am in agreement with your original post, except for this paragraph, with
which I both agree and disagree.

I do agree that the manufacturing capacity of SACD or DVD-A is not ready for
prime time. However, whether or not the market actually "wants" hi-rez will
not be an issue, in my opinion, at least not in the long run. Often
technology or new developments becomes part of the market place without full
or even partial consent of the consumer. This often happens, whether
negative or positive, in the name of "progress". Negative examples include
the use of asbestos, the introduction of "downer" cattle in the food chain,
hormone injected live stock, farmed salmon and environmental pollution. On
the positive side of the ledger are radial tires (to the exclusion of bias
belted tires), seat belts (30 years later many consumers still don't want
these), and 5 mph bumpers. The public at large had little or no "vote" on
these very important consumer issues. I hope hi rez audio is added to the
positive side of the "progress" ledger. Because that all it really is; it's
merely progress and completely logical progress at that. With price parity
being reached with CD we are talking about a win win situation for the
consumer.

As an aside I attended the symphony this evening. As I was listening to the
Shostaokovich 5th I could not help but be reminded (yet again) that there is
no way that two channels well done can compete with multi-channel well done
in replicating what I heard tonight. No way. I was also reminded that a
modestly priced Magneplaner multi-channel system, for example, can compete,
in fact, out perform mega expensive two channel systems that I have heard in
most areas critical to replicating a live experience ("weight" and extended
bass response being the notable exceptions). Although I have found that a
"genre divide" seems to exist with respect to ones appreciation of
multi-channel hi-rez (I have hands on experience only with MC SACD). Music
lovers of classical and to a lesser extend jazz seem to have a greater
appreciation of multi-channel than do pop or rock listeners.

As another aside, I peaked at my sound pressure level meter a couple of
times. I saw peaks exceed 105.

Robert C. Lang