[mcullinan]

Just wondering if the quality is equal to SACD? It sounded great..
Mike

[Toka]

Its really apples to oranges...completely different digitization/sampling method. Best way to tell would be to play an SACD disc of the same recording and compare directly.

[ted_b]

If it sounds great, then that's all that matters really, right?  I Mean, SACD is not 24/48, it's sampled differently, at 2.82mhz (60 times the 48k rate) but it's not apples/apples.  Also, a well-recorded redbook at 44.1 may sound better than an average SACD.  If your question is:  does SACD sample at a higher rate than 48k then yes it does.  And DVD-A samples at anywhere from 48k to 192k.  So the "potential" for sonic improvement is greater than 48k, but it's all about implementation.

[Double Ugly]

...but it's all about implementation.

Good answer! 

[mcullinan]

So is it worth investing in a SACD player or DVD-A, because I keep hearing that these formats are DOA...
Mike

[Sonny]

So is it worth investing in a SACD player or DVD-A, because I keep hearing that these formats are DOA...
Mike

\
Mike, I think it is...especially if you have lots of SACDs already, like I do.
I think it's also important to get a player that is also a superb RB player as well as an aweseom SACD player...that way, you can play all your cds on it and be  aa

[ted_b]

I have a different take.  I assume he has no SACD's (why buy any if you don't have a player) and wondering whether to dip a toe in so late in the game.  I say: keep you redbook player or SB3 (at 48k) and buy an intro SACD/DVD-A player like the Oppo 980 for under $200, or a nice used universal player, and give it a try.  The Oppo and several universals can be modded for addtl sonics, and you can try the format without going too crazy.  The stock players have typically only average redbook quality, but you'll find some great sonics the equal or better of your 48k SB3 sound through the stock hirez signal path.

Plus, the more the merrier (spoken by someone heavily invested in hirez!! )