Schonberg . Berg . Webern - 2 disc single layer SHM-SACD. Just arrived.
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This is really good. I love Schoenberg’s Variations Op. 31…amazing music! One of only a few HvK recordings I enjoy…
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I’ve discovered Slight diversion that I have the Tool CD Lateralis, that is the HDCD format. The CX UHD player is HDCD compatible, so am I right that the ND555 will play this at full resolution? I also have a rip of this on my Core, but the ND555 shows that as a 44/16 file when played.
Dynamics are through the roof with playing either option! I actually was going to sell the CD, but now realise that it’s a HDCD, and sounds rather good.
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I would think that your CX UHD would take the HDCD off the disc and just pass it through to your ND555 (no processing/decoding done by the CX UHD).
Therefore, if your ND555 has the capability to process the HDCD signal then you will be good, but if it does not process the HDCD signal then you wont get the sound quality improvement.
You will need to check the specs of the CX UHD and ND555 to confirm if you can get the HDCD signal processing.
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Cheers. The CX UHD processes a HDCD format under the CD specification according to the manual, presumably to a standard PCM stream. The ND555 spec only refers to file formats, in this case WAV - up to 32bits/384kHz. So I’m assuming the answer to my question is yes playing the HDCD and probably for the core rip.
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The HDCD is not specified in the ND555 specs mi lindo.
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Average Album DR is 10. There is a 1 minute track with a DR of 17. Most of the rest are 9. Based on the DR Database, there is barely any DR difference between HDCD and no- HDCD
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It’s also listed on the Headphonesty article " 35 Albums That Make It Painfully Clear Why CD Still Crushes Streaming and Vinyl in Sound Quality", which has some great recommendations.
Here’s what the article says:
"Initially released on CD (HDCD encoded), the first vinyl pressing (2005 picture disc) became notorious for poor audio with noisy surface and skips.
“The CD in HDCD decoded form has greater dynamic range and detail than any non-HD digital version, handling both silence and fury flawlessly.”
I would agree that the HDCD is better than an LP that skips.
As for dynamic range - the statement is not supported by the DR Database. In fact the vinyl version has a greater dynamic range. All the others are so close as to be indistinguishable - but the non-HDCD wins by a nose.
Note - I’m not trying to say you’re wrong that the HDCD sounds good. I am trying to say its dynamic range is no better than so-so.
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Recent orders from ebay now all arrived and sounding excellent.
The Grace Jones disc Ive been waiting a long time to get at a reasonable cost to complete the trio of Hi-Res discs from her.
Im not a really big jazz fan but Ive got about 20 Hi-Res jazz discs now and they are all very good sound quality.
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My Google search suggests the MJQ album is “Blues on Bach”, a favorite of mine and like most of their work great Sunday brunch listening, especially if you love vibes like I do.
My original CD stopped playing correctly. Luckily, I was able to make a copy and then, years later a rip from the copy.
Maybe I should pick up the Blu-Ray even though I’m not set up for surround.
Edit - now I see it’s from a live performance.
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The MJQ Blues on Bach is avaiable on Quadio Blu-ray Audio disc from Warner Music. You can buy it online from their music store.
It will have a Hi-Res Stereo track as well as the 4 channel track on the disc.
It’s in my Walmart cart. Trying to find enough other stuff to eliminate shipping .
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My big order from the Warner Music Australia sale a month ago arrived today, so plenty of listening over the weekend coming up.
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Have you had a chance to try the stereo tracks on the Fleetwood Mac yet @MoonDrifter? I really like this album and it’s on sale here for a few days.
Have not listened to it yet.
My original plan was to listen to the newly arrived discs over the weekend because rain was forecast all weekend.
Then the weather changed and it was dry and sunny so I went riding on my motorbikes both days.
Supposed to be wet this weekend and if so I will listen then, however I just upgraded my Streamer/DAC in my Study from a NAD C658 to a Lumin P1 Mini that Im installing Friday morning so I will probably get a bit carried away with setting that up and optimising it which will need listening time so the discs may have to wait.
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Me too. I was waiting for this to complete the set. It’s been a long journey!
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The Fleetwood Mac disc sounds excellent in stereo and I would recommend it.
But note the stereo track is DTS Stereo (not Hi-Res PCM) so you need to output the signal from your Bluray Player on HDMI via your Blustream HDMI De-Embedder and then you should get PCM 24/192 on your coaxial output into your ND555, at least thats how it works on my system.
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Thanks, that’s great to know as I ordered it today in the JB HiFi 4 day sale. I also relented and grabbed the new Roger Waters concert Bluray in the same sale. Not to be outdone, JB have selected records on 75% discount, so grabbed a few bargains there too, never seen that size discounts on new records before.
I’ve set up my Bluray player and ND555 settings to use the de-embedder for all audio Bluray and concerts with a label “Bluray Audio” to get the full resolution, and the optical output for “Bluray Movies”. The optical output converts the 5.1/7.1/Atmos etc to stereo on the ND555.
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