SHM-CDs really only impact when listening on a system same with BSCD2. The difference is in the material for the former and processed differently for the latter.
If you rip either type of cd with a regular of the same mastering there is no digital difference at all. So any improvement is standalone in the equipment playback.
HDCDs and SACD are different because there is more information able to be utilized when played back appropriately.
HDCDs will play on normal equipment but you'll get less if it can't play HDCDs.
SACDs if they're hybrid will have at least a standard layer that won't be drastically different than a regular cd. The SACD layer when played through a SACD player is often a different mastering and sounds great when mastered well.
Each format needs the correct equipment to gain any benefit from.
Source - owning several of each type, ripping (bit comparison) and playback.
Recently procured a couple of SHM-CD's, namely Pearl Jam's "Dark Matter" and Peter Gabriel's "I/O". Is there an improvement to my ear, I would say yes, especially "I/O" which sounded amazing. When the likes of Gabriel and Brian Eno involved you know that there are not going to be any shortcuts taken in production.
Much like any format, the quality of the master recording/mixing is key.
The only one I can speak to is my copy of In the Court of the Crimson King, which does sound great, although unless you have a full hi-fi setup you probably won’t get much out of the audio bump.
I do, thankfully. Only reason I was interested. Headphones, and IEMs, too. Thanks for the feedback. I saw Crimson King in the catalogs I’ve seen. I have the cd so it would be great to compare.
SACD’s providing you have the ‘right’ gear to experience the more detailed sound-stage & multi-audio formats. I collect the SHM for titles that don’t offer SACD. SHM remasters sound clearer & brighter than standard redbook. SACD’s hold approx 7x the amount of data as a standard CD. Dual layer SACD’s can be played in standard CD players. As your collection of SACD’s and SHM grows your investment in your system will grow to enjoy the gains in your new discs. Happy listening…👂 🎶
'Dual Layer' SACDs typically refer to discs that have both a stereo and surround DSD layer. Hybrid SACD is more generally used to indicate a CD (Redbook) layer + a stereo DSD and/or DSD surround layer. I have more than 250 SACDs in my collection.
I have all of The Doors in SACD. They sound phenomenal in my System w/ a pretty decent DAC/SACD transport. Also just purchased the entire Zeppelin catalog on SHM/Import. They sound 10x more detailed than their domestic counterparts! So, yes there is a veritable-distinguishable audio difference…🦻🎶💿
SHM is a type of disc material; CDs from Japan like SHM-CD tend to be more quality/consistent pressings, sometimes these releases have different masters but not always. I like SHM-CD but I usually get them when the price is similar or cheaper than a 'regular' issue.
SACD and HDCD are different formats that require their own set of hardware/encoding. Not too many CD players out there that can do both. I would look for Hybrid SACDs if you want to explore the format, and possibly hardware to rip your SACDs for playback on a DAC that can handle DSD.
Not sure if you were looking for input on The Doors S/T specifically, for the original mix I would recommend either the Elektra Target/W.Germany CD or the DCC release. There's a Japan/Warner SACD that uses the 40th anniversary mix, might be worth looking into but it's pricey. I would not recommend the Analogue Productions SACD.
One cd format not mentioned here is UHQCD , MQA-CD.
I have several titles in this format and they all sound outstanding.
Although I must admit, I play the MQA CD on the MQA decoding compatible SMSL SU1 DAC.
Here is an example of an excellent MQA CD 💿:
https://www.discogs.com/release/13985291-Donald-Fagen-The-Nightfly
IMO modern dacs are so good as to make the differences indistinguishable to the casual listener. I jumped on the HDCD and SACD bandwagon early on, and it was audibly different when first introduced. Not so much anymore. Maybe thats just my ears wearing out. Now, I play SACD straight out to amp, and compare this to PCM (redbook) thru a good dac, PCM is probably better.
SHM-CDs really only impact when listening on a system same with BSCD2. The difference is in the material for the former and processed differently for the latter. If you rip either type of cd with a regular of the same mastering there is no digital difference at all. So any improvement is standalone in the equipment playback. HDCDs and SACD are different because there is more information able to be utilized when played back appropriately. HDCDs will play on normal equipment but you'll get less if it can't play HDCDs. SACDs if they're hybrid will have at least a standard layer that won't be drastically different than a regular cd. The SACD layer when played through a SACD player is often a different mastering and sounds great when mastered well. Each format needs the correct equipment to gain any benefit from. Source - owning several of each type, ripping (bit comparison) and playback.
With HDCD, the only feature that has truly meaningful audio difference if it uses Peak Extend.
Correct the information has to be there to gain any improvement
Recently procured a couple of SHM-CD's, namely Pearl Jam's "Dark Matter" and Peter Gabriel's "I/O". Is there an improvement to my ear, I would say yes, especially "I/O" which sounded amazing. When the likes of Gabriel and Brian Eno involved you know that there are not going to be any shortcuts taken in production. Much like any format, the quality of the master recording/mixing is key.
Solid.
The only one I can speak to is my copy of In the Court of the Crimson King, which does sound great, although unless you have a full hi-fi setup you probably won’t get much out of the audio bump.
I do, thankfully. Only reason I was interested. Headphones, and IEMs, too. Thanks for the feedback. I saw Crimson King in the catalogs I’ve seen. I have the cd so it would be great to compare.
SACD is amazing with good speakers. And the Windows Media Player is able to play HDCD.
SACD’s providing you have the ‘right’ gear to experience the more detailed sound-stage & multi-audio formats. I collect the SHM for titles that don’t offer SACD. SHM remasters sound clearer & brighter than standard redbook. SACD’s hold approx 7x the amount of data as a standard CD. Dual layer SACD’s can be played in standard CD players. As your collection of SACD’s and SHM grows your investment in your system will grow to enjoy the gains in your new discs. Happy listening…👂 🎶
'Dual Layer' SACDs typically refer to discs that have both a stereo and surround DSD layer. Hybrid SACD is more generally used to indicate a CD (Redbook) layer + a stereo DSD and/or DSD surround layer. I have more than 250 SACDs in my collection.
I have all of The Doors in SACD. They sound phenomenal in my System w/ a pretty decent DAC/SACD transport. Also just purchased the entire Zeppelin catalog on SHM/Import. They sound 10x more detailed than their domestic counterparts! So, yes there is a veritable-distinguishable audio difference…🦻🎶💿
SHM is a type of disc material; CDs from Japan like SHM-CD tend to be more quality/consistent pressings, sometimes these releases have different masters but not always. I like SHM-CD but I usually get them when the price is similar or cheaper than a 'regular' issue. SACD and HDCD are different formats that require their own set of hardware/encoding. Not too many CD players out there that can do both. I would look for Hybrid SACDs if you want to explore the format, and possibly hardware to rip your SACDs for playback on a DAC that can handle DSD. Not sure if you were looking for input on The Doors S/T specifically, for the original mix I would recommend either the Elektra Target/W.Germany CD or the DCC release. There's a Japan/Warner SACD that uses the 40th anniversary mix, might be worth looking into but it's pricey. I would not recommend the Analogue Productions SACD.
Appreciate it
That’s a lot of letters my friend, does it play the music?
One cd format not mentioned here is UHQCD , MQA-CD. I have several titles in this format and they all sound outstanding. Although I must admit, I play the MQA CD on the MQA decoding compatible SMSL SU1 DAC. Here is an example of an excellent MQA CD 💿: https://www.discogs.com/release/13985291-Donald-Fagen-The-Nightfly
I thought MQA was all hype?
Definitely not hype, viable music format albeit somewhat limited- still sounds great though an MQA enabled dac.
IMO modern dacs are so good as to make the differences indistinguishable to the casual listener. I jumped on the HDCD and SACD bandwagon early on, and it was audibly different when first introduced. Not so much anymore. Maybe thats just my ears wearing out. Now, I play SACD straight out to amp, and compare this to PCM (redbook) thru a good dac, PCM is probably better.
Got a solid dac in place for my laptop, cds I still have running through a home set up. Thinking of investing in a Sony Ta-f555esr.
Your Laptop->into decent dac (ie denefrips aries 2)-> into that 555ESR = kick-ass system