[AliG]

All,
  Does anyone knows where I can buy some music in 2 channel DVD-A format? I mean 24bits 192KHz sampling rate, and two channels only.

  One thing I don't understand about this industry, the technology to make great sounding music in DVD-A is available, but why aren't we making them? Why do we still making LP?

If a good LP can command a price of $50 to > $100 per records, I am sure that audiophiles will pay for a good DVD-A, which some people claim can be made to sound as good as vinyl without all the disadvantages (e.g. inconsistency in pressing, noises..etc). Of course I am not talking about taking the CD version and upsampling it to 192KHz to make DVD-A, we need to start fresh from the original master tape.

So we keep making CDs...and by virtue of better sound quality the vinyl continues to survive. We we keep coming up with mega-dollar CD players which try to improve the sound on an inferior format.

Regards
barry

[Dan Driscoll]

Technically, DVD-Audio has to be multi-channel, that's the official specification. Two channel 24/96 recordings are called DAD (Digital Audio Disk) and two channel 24/192 recordings are called HDAD (High Defintion Audio Disk). DADs are recorded on standard DVD blanks and can be played back on any DVD player. HDADs are recorded on DVD-Audio disks and can only be played back at full resolution on a DVD-Audio player. FWIW, most HDADs have the same recording in DAD on the flip side.

Classic Records has a decent selection of both DAD and HDAD, especially in classical, jazz and blues, as well as some rock. Unfortunately, not too many record companies are releasing new material on DAD/HDAD anymore.

I agree with you that, properly mastered and authored, DAD and HDAD can sound as good as or better than vinyl. But it isn't as fun to tweak and obsess over. 

[Charles Calkins]

elusivedisc.com

                                  Cheers
                                Charlie

[TheChairGuy]

Of course I am not talking about taking the CD version and upsampling it to 192KHz to make DVD-A, we need to start fresh from the original master tape.

I couldn't agree more, Barry...DVD-A is a great, great format.  Truly, audiophile in concept, intent and result. 

Nearly all of Neil Young's catalog has been remastered from the original analog sessions to glorious DVD-A.  I read in one of the rags 5+ years ago how he was waiting for years to transfer the original analog masters to something other than CD......he absolutely hated how they sounded when his earlier works were transferred to CD/redbook (if I can remember his wording 'sterile' and 'with no highs')

I don't know if he has that same sentiment for the later, more recent redbook recorded albums converted to DVD-A.

You cannot do anything about the underlying 'hiss' and noise floor from the old analog masters........but the sonic results are outstanding on the couple I've heard 

John

[AliG]

Hmm..I have a look at my source - a squeezebox. The specs say the digital output is only sampling at 44.1KHz or 48kHz. However, my DAC can accept 24bit/192kHz.

Looks like I 'll need a DVD player to fully extract 24bit/192kHz signal.
So guys, for those of you who owns HDAD, what player are you using?

I am also wondering, can a typical coax/SPDIF interconnect transfer 24bit/192kHz signal??

Thanks
barry

[ted_b]

I love DVD-Audio and HDAD, and own several (both stereo and mch).  The HDAD's can be played, as per Dan, on any 24/96-capable DVD-Video player, but the real gems are the DVD-Audio side (24/192).  And yes, SPDIF can carry 2 channel 24/192, although it's hardly "typical" as many older universal players won't send true hirez 24/192 on that vehicle because of copy protection.  My simple little Oppo 980, unlike my wonderful and expensive Modwright Denon 3910, can send 24/192 DVD-Audio hirez 2 channel and is a perfect choice for your DAC (and only $169).

So, even if you don't have a "cheater" (my words) universal player you can still get 24/192 via analog of course (or most recently some can use HDMI...which the Oppo also does).  Realize, however, that not all DVD-Audio selections are fully 24/192 on the stereo group; many more are 24/96 and some even 24/48 or the odd 24/88.2.

Favorite 2 channel DVD-A's and HDAD's include Cannonball Adderley's Somethin' Else, Muddy Waters' Folk Singer, the Neil Young midlife collection (On The Beach, American Stars and Bars, etc.), Pete Townshend's Who Came First, Neils' Live at Massey Hall (24/96 only) as well as a boatload of the stereo hirez layers/groups from full multichannel discs (too numerous to mention, but includes Donald Fagen Trilogy, David Crosby IICORMN, REM catalog, etc. etc.)

[AliG]

Ted, thanks for suggesting the Oppo..I have read buzz about this little DVD player but I wasn't really into Hirez so I didn't pay much attention to it. Looks like I have to grab one..

[fsimms]

Barry,

I am using a Panasonic DVD player to play HDAD disks.  This works good  digital into my TACT preamp, but wouldn't be much good into your new DODD preamp as the panny's DACs are crap.  The Panny was twice as expensive than the Oppo though. 

Bob

[zacster]

I've recorded some LPs onto 24/96 dvd and they indeed sound as good as the original will sound on my equipment.  When I've played a downsampled copy of the same digital copy it sounded like crap.  I also had my computer simultaneously record both 24/96 and 16/44.1 at the same time and again the CD quality recording doesn't sound great. 

I've always wondered why the CD spec was not made flexible so that as technology advanced, so did the CD.  Would you buy a 25 year old computer?  But that's what you get when you buy a CD.  We've been trying to squeeze that last bit of sound out of the CD since it was release, and while I have heard some good players and discs, I can play my home-made hi-res discs on my cheap DVD player through the DAC in my HT receiver (but not the pre/amp sections) and it blows the socks off of CD.  i get full 24/96 over spdif.  For that matter, I can play it on my laptop on the subway and it sounds better than my iPod of the same recording using the same headphones.

The theory says CD should be all you need, but practice doesn't live up to it.  And let's not get into MP3...

[AliG]

Ted,
  I was just read stereophile reviews on the Oppo DV970 and the measurements show that it truncate signal from 24bit to 16bit before sending it out
http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/507oppo/index5.html

  Perhaps this has been address by Oppo 980??? aa

barry

I love DVD-Audio and HDAD, and own several (both stereo and mch).  The HDAD's can be played, as per Dan, on any 24/96-capable DVD-Video player, but the real gems are the DVD-Audio side (24/192).  And yes, SPDIF can carry 2 channel 24/192, although it's hardly "typical" as many older universal players won't send true hirez 24/192 on that vehicle because of copy protection.  My simple little Oppo 980, unlike my wonderful and expensive Modwright Denon 3910, can send 24/192 DVD-Audio hirez 2 channel and is a perfect choice for your DAC (and only $169).

So, even if you don't have a "cheater" (my words) universal player you can still get 24/192 via analog of course (or most recently some can use HDMI...which the Oppo also does).  Realize, however, that not all DVD-Audio selections are fully 24/192 on the stereo group; many more are 24/96 and some even 24/48 or the odd 24/88.2.

Favorite 2 channel DVD-A's and HDAD's include Cannonball Adderley's Somethin' Else, Muddy Waters' Folk Singer, the Neil Young midlife collection (On The Beach, American Stars and Bars, etc.), Pete Townshend's Who Came First, Neils' Live at Massey Hall (24/96 only) as well as a boatload of the stereo hirez layers/groups from full multichannel discs (too numerous to mention, but includes Donald Fagen Trilogy, David Crosby IICORMN, REM catalog, etc. etc.)

[zacster]

That's odd, even my cheapo Toshiba puts out 24/96.  At least that's what my receiver says.

I'm listening right now with my headphones plugged into my mac to Court and Spark that I did at 24/96.  It sounds fabulous, and I'm using computer sound!

I have some virgin vinyl (bought at Virgin of course) that I'm going to capture on the first play.  B52s. 

[OrJazzM]

Great thread!  I could see myself living with this format for a very long time.  Classic records made some of the best DAD/HDAD IMO.  I recently emailed them and asked if they would consider releasing some more titles as they still release classical titles, but no response.  I think everyone should flood them with emails to make more titles available either as disks or 24/96 downloads.