CARPENTERS - GOLD: GREATEST HITS (XRCD)

[Ming]

I saw a Carpenters XRCD in HMV today. It is 'CARPENTERS - GOLD: GREATEST HITS (XRCD)'. It has 20 tracks. I think they are the same tracks on the 'Gold' compilation discs, but this one is a XRCD. Actually, I know nothing about XRCD. Is it much better than ordinary CD? That CD is expensive. (HK$250.00, ~US$32.15
~GBP $16.28), so I would like to think more before buying it.

Ming

[enigma]

For Ming and others who may be interested XRCD os a jvc exclusive high resolution cd and here is the official brief explanation/article of what it is:

You don't need a "golden ear" to hear the improvement in an xrcd. The improvement in sound quality of xrcd over a conventional CD is not subtle. Obvious gains in clarity, transparency, dynamics and warmth of xrcd can be heard by all. xrcd allows the listener to hear what the producer and artist intended to hear the sound of the original master tape. And, unlike some other recent attempts to improve CD sound quality, no additional equipment or add on converter is necessary to fully realize the sonic benefits of the xrcd process.

xrcd is the optimization of CD mastering and manufacturing. The care and time put into the creation of an xrcd far exceeds that of any other compact disc. Sophisticated analysis by both test instrument and ear are used to evaluate every step of signal transfer, from the inception of the mastering process through the final manufacture of the disc. The degree of specialization of the process is such that only one production line at one manufacturing facility in YOKOHAMA, Japan is of sufficient quality to produce the xrcd.

I do not own any xrcds but it sounds like a simular ploy that sony tried with SACDs ie introducing a new format and I forsee it getting the same result as SACDs people are fine with CDs and probably will never accept a sustitute except maybe mp3 discs. Interesting new technology but dont forsee success.

[Rick Henry]

This sounds very interesting. I will have to check it out - I'm always excited to discover a new technology - Carpenters music works well with the today's enhanced sound technology as their music was recorded painstakingly well.

I own the SACD edition of "Singles 1969-1981" and love it, though to benefit from the beauty and intricacy of the SACD you must own an SACD player (and even better with 5.1 surround sound speaker system). I think most people haven't bought into the SACD possibly because it costs more. The general trend is to pay less and less for music. I'm one of the crazy ones who will pay the price for the enhanced audio experience (I shouldn't and sometimes I spend too much on my music - but hey it's my interest, my passion).

[enigma]

I like you Rick do like to test the waters of new technology and will likely try this format should I see any CDs I am just not sure if it will catch on or not. I do like the fact that these CDs will play without a special player which was SACDs downfall just out of curiousity can you still get players for SACD or get SACDs I have not seen either players or discs in years I am going with DTS recordings right now and some albums sound good some not so good.

BTW Rick do you still have your laser disc player lol (just kidding)

[Rick Henry]

enigma said:

I like you Rick do like to test the waters of new technology and will likely try this format should I see any CDs I am just not sure if it will catch on or not. I do like the fact that these CDs will play without a special player which was SACDs downfall just out of curiousity can you still get players for SACD or get SACDs I have not seen either players or discs in years I am going with DTS recordings right now and some albums sound good some not so good.

BTW Rick do you still have your laser disc player lol (just kidding)

Hi Enigma... yes SACD is still on the market a few which were recently released are by artists such as the Kinks, Al Dimeola, Genesis and several jazz and classical music artists (more than I can name).

SACD players can be purchased as a separate unit or can be purchased in what is called a Home Theater (this is the most popular format right now). A Home Theater unit is a DVD player which also plays CD's, SACD's, MP3's, WAV, VCD's and several other formats. Most Home Theaters include six speakers - a front left, front right, back left, back right, center and a sub woofer. The six speakers would be the 5.1 surround sound system. This is what I have a Home Theater. I've found Home Theaters for as low as $150.00 - though the lower priced ones do not have SACD - average may be around $250 to $400.

Laser Disc? Funny you should ask. I almost purchased a laser disc unit - but had problems doing so - because I had so many video tapes (many I had bought in the recent year - we're talking about 15 years ago) and I didn't want to spend all the money to upgrade and buy all new discs. Just a few years later out came the DVD - that's the one I went for - as I was able to buy a DVD player that also plays video tapes so I didn't have to rush out and buy all these DVD's right away.

I will have to check into DTS a bit more. I have only one DTS disc - it's by Mike Oldfield called "Earth Moving" and was released in 1989. I bought it because it has a song named "Holy" on it - which is sung and performed by Adrian Belew (Belew is one of my favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/arranger/producer).

I only will spend the extra money (to buy SACD discs) on artists that I really love such as Carpenters, Adrian Belew, Beatles, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, certain jazz artists and so forth.

[BethMosior]

That sounds like it would be cooooool to take a listen, I'll try & find one I really LOVE what new tech does with each sound in the music COOOOOOOOOOOL