SACD - Explained

[jeffwaynefan]

SACD - Explained

SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) is the next generation of compact disc's. It has a higer storage capacity than a CD and the format allows for Surround Sound encoded playback. Compared to a CD it has a much higher resolution sound and offers a more faithful reproduction of the original source material. People who complain that CDs aren't as 'warm' as anologue vinyl LPs may find that certain something which was missing from a CD present in a SACD.

Sony developed the format in conjunction with Phillips in the early 1980s. A SACD can also have upto 255 tracks, as opposed to the 99-track limit of a current CD.

To listen to the SACD layer, you will require a SACD unit. Sony and a number of other manufacturers will be releasing both a stand-aloan SACD/CD players and hybrid DVD/SACD players.

H_C

[EvilNerfherder]

Ye gods! More expense!
Thanks for enlightening me though, Horsell.

[epicdream]

I think it's a shame he's only releasing it on SACD. It would have been nicer on DVD-Audio, at least I could have played it on my DVD player in surround (and still have the higer res version if I wanted to go full DVD-A!)

Hey-ho means I might have to fork out for a SACD player, more money

But seeing as it is being marketed by Sony, they wouldn't have it any other way...

Neill

PS. I will still buy it though

[jeffwaynefan]

Its still going to be in 5.1, but with SACD it makes it sound even better as its breaks the channels down even more. I have a 5.1, its not a SACD and I have no intentions in getting one as its still going to sound amazing on the system I and other's have.

[epicdream]

It's cool, i understand what SACD is, I am only stating that you will not get the full 5.1 surround experience unless you have a SACD player. On a non SACD system it will be in plain stereo...
Whereas most (if not all) DVD Audio releases are backward compatible with regular DVD players and normally include a 5.1 surround sound mix (which is playable on normal DVD players).

Neill

[jeffwaynefan]

I know you was, I wasn't questioning you

[epicdream]

;D

Neill

[jeffwaynefan]

What kind of price are we looking at for a bog standard SACD unit - anyone know?

[epicdream]

You can go the cheap route and update you DVD player to one of the Sony ones, seen them for about £80. Dont know if the sound quality will be as good as a separate SACD.

The standalone players are around £150+ but I have just seen one website selling one for £100... So if you look around you might be lucky. This is probably what i'll go for...

Happy hunting!!

Neill