Hi Gordon!
GG> Most "audiophile" CDs are nothing special.  The reason they're
GG> better, usually, is some *actual care* is applied in making these
GG> discs.  The original master is usually found instead of just a
GG> just a production copy.
The last time I had a CD/cassette pressed, I did the mastering in house
and told them that before adding or treating the master in anyway that
they would have to contact me first. Anyone who uses a copy of a master
deserves to be shot.
GG> Most of the other hyped formats out there (HDCD) and what not
GG> are just not neccessary.  (the differences are minimal).
GG> The actual HDCD chip is nothing special in my opinion.
While I'm not exactly sure just what is involved in the HDCD chip, 20
bits is considered sufficient resolution in pro audio who was initially
satisfied with 16 bits(a practical limit for computing equipment at the
time). An additional 2 bits for dynamic range seems to make the
difference, along with two bits of digital noise called dithering which
as strange as it sounds actually helps to make 18 bits of data seem to
be 20 bits since the two least signficant bits are randomly changed. Why
adding noise makes it sound better is another whole conversation, as
well as jitter.
 While the differences may seem to be minimal, isn't that what makes
high end audio special? Why we spend so damned much money to get that
additional performance? I do agree that foriegn pressings have largely
outshined domestic ones... but, there are a few here that I do trust to
be using the best equipment and techniques in achieving among the best
available. Folks like Bob Ludwig, who uses HDCD considerably and someone
I accept as forgetting more about mastering than I'll ever learn! If Bob
swears by it, I'd take a second look at your opinion of HDCD.
Bonnie *:>
--- QScan/PCB v1.18b / 01-0249
---------------