The future of Audio for Music Lovers?

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by jdc115

Format war or not with SACD, I don't think it really mattered. For audio, most people do not have the system to really notice the difference or care. Free MP3s seemed good enough for mass adoption and I just don't think DVD-A or SACD would ever have been more then a niche even on their own. IMO...

It's that same consumer apathy that keeps Blu-rays at risk for being widely adopted by the masses over DVDs. A friend of mine has hundreds of SACDs, totally eclipsing my SACD collection, and sonically his system is awe inspiring. Most of my other friends still don't get that there are formats that are better than CDs. They also don't think their compressed music download files have been compromised sonically at all.

I would love the music industry to step up and work with the BDA to utilize Blu-ray as a standardized HD audio format. As much as I love SACDs, they never widely caught on, at least beyond jazz and classical music. a Blu-ray-A disc could offer multi-channel and stereo concert videos, as well as audio only multi-channel and 2 channel stereo tracks. That could be a heck of a package to compete with $1 downloads.

I'd probably listen to the 2 channel audio tracks mostly.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by Teazle

I tried to goad Paidgeek on the subject for music-oriented films but he poured cold water on the suggestion.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=552

Another disappointment.

[BluRayExplosion]

Wow. That's all I can say after reading a bit of that thread. So if 44.1-48kHz is enough, why is it that many people claim that digital music can lack warmness? From what I've heard (I'm 19, so I've never actually HEARD vinyl before, I mean what others say) vinyl is superior in this aspect.

A quick question for any sound engineers out there: When each "frame" of sound is recorded, is this signal simply regurgitated out of the audio equipment, or are mathematics applied to "smooth out" or "regenerate" the wave?

If not, I speculate (I'm no expert, but just throwin this out there) that the bit depth might be the culprit for this lack of "warmth."

Sorry if I didn't make sense, I'm not a professional, and I'm not sure what the technical terms are.

[Beta Man]

some people here paid $2k for a television, and $500 for a HTIB......

I have an aquos only because it was FREE, and chose to spend about $10k on my audio (not including media)

Keep telling yourself that the SACD/DVD Audio format war "wasn't important" or "wasn't closely followed" You think because you're HERE... in this forum, surrounded by Blu-Ray Fanatics, that it's obvious there's an overwhelming acceptance of Blu-Ray???????? WRONG WRONG WRONG..... Blu Ray is the best HD video format available...... but sometimes it takes more than that......


I also don't claim to be overly knowledgeable regarding audio.... I just highly enjoy it, and would never label myself an "audiophile"

[Baseball3]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I think my SACD is "good enough" it's getting to the point where I won't be able to tell the difference anyways. I could always upgrade my equipment, but then again, I could buy that new vehicle my wife won't let me have........ both are things that just aren't gonna happen!!!!! I haven't maxed out the potential of what I have.... new listening room, better accoustical treatments etc.... so much more to do.

I have just a few SACD titles and I love this format! I just do not see/hear how it can be any better than SACD. I see plenty of titles I like.

[Baseball3]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

It's that same consumer apathy that keeps Blu-rays at risk for being widely adopted by the masses over DVDs. A friend of mine has hundreds of SACDs, totally eclipsing my SACD collection, and sonically his system is awe inspiring. Most of my other friends still don't get that there are formats that are better than CDs. They also don't think their compressed music download files have been compromised sonically at all.

I would love the music industry to step up and work with the BDA to utilize Blu-ray as a standardized HD audio format. As much as I love SACDs, they never widely caught on, at least beyond jazz and classical music. a Blu-ray-A disc could offer multi-channel and stereo concert videos, as well as audio only multi-channel and 2 channel stereo tracks. That could be a heck of a package to compete with $1 downloads.

I'd probably listen to the 2 channel audio tracks mostly.

and have just a few all together but I have seen quite a few that are not jazz or classical though those may have a great share of the market. I am impressed with my two Allman Brothers SACDs, my David Elias SACD, and Aerosmith Toys in the Attic. I saw we welcome the rebirth of SACD brought about by the PS3.

[ManUtd]

Baseball, I've been planning to pick up Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic, how is it?

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

and have just a few all together but I have seen quite a few that are not jazz or classical though those may have a great share of the market. I am impressed with my two Allman Brothers SACDs, my David Elias SACD, and Aerosmith Toys in the Attic. I saw we welcome the rebirth of SACD brought about by the PS3.

But the 40gig PS3 removed SACD support. Not sure what Sony plans on future models, but I would like to see if they release a higher end model if they will still drop SACDs.

I still buy SACDs but probably will not switch to a new audio format unless it will be clear to gain mass acceptance. But I will buy up ever concert BD as long as it is music I enjoy. So far I 3 and I have another 3 on the way.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by BluRayExplosion

A quick question for any sound engineers out there: When each "frame" of sound is recorded, is this signal simply regurgitated out of the audio equipment, or are mathematics applied to "smooth out" or "regenerate" the wave?

In a nutshell - DAC - digital to analog converters are used to go from digital to analog. Filters are then used to smooth out the signal. The more samples, the smoother the curve.

[digibob]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

and have just a few all together but I have seen quite a few that are not jazz or classical though those may have a great share of the market. I am impressed with my two Allman Brothers SACDs, my David Elias SACD, and Aerosmith Toys in the Attic. I saw we welcome the rebirth of SACD brought about by the PS3.

After my trip to CES this year, I started buying SACDs because of my PS3 ability to play them. However I don't have a HDMI receiver. I couldn't wait for the new receivers from Pioneer so I bought the Sony SCD-CE595 for $80 on e-bay. I cannot believe SACDs never caught on. They sound incredible. I do wish there were more selections though. The ones I bought so far sound amazing, especially Diana Krall. I would love to see a SACD come back or BD become a standard for Hi Rez audio.

[jdc115]

Here is a link from Paidgeek on Music only BDs:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=320

[MatrixS2000]

Hear is what Paidgeek had to say:

I don't know. This would be of interest to Sony BMG, but I think they will wait to coordinate with any CE company that might be releasing an audio only player. This music profile of Blu-ray was designed to support a device that has no display.

Here is a perfect example of why profiles make sense. If someone wanted an audio only bd player, he would have to navigate via the tv today. I hate having to turn on my projector to navigate via a display when I only want to listen to music.

[dobyblue]

I don't understand this though - I have plenty of DVD-Audio discs and I can just put them in and press play without looking on the display or turning the TV on.

They all default to the main DVD-Audio track and multi-channel where available. I would only need to turn on the display when I want to go to special features or change to a Hirez stereo track.

For the most part, requiring an additional audio player seems to me like it would automatically guarantee niche status for and BD discs requiring this audio player. They HAVE to work on current models in order for it to stand a chance.

I'd rather have SACD, but if they start releasing albums on Blu-ray in 24/192 5.1 then I'm quite happy to go there, as long as it can play on all players.

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Baseball, I've been planning to pick up Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic, how is it?

It's excellent and a complete shame that this is the only multi-channel SACD from Aerosmith. The surround mix on Sweet Emotion just rocks - really nice use of the surrounds to expand the music rather than invade it...and very nicely mixed LFE track.

I have only listened to the multi-channel mix, so I can't speak for the other layers.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

For the most part, requiring an additional audio player seems to me like it would automatically guarantee niche status for and BD discs requiring this audio player. They HAVE to work on current models in order for it to stand a chance.

I would never see Profile 3 players as anything but niche. They will only appeal to those that have a dedicated listening setup.

The main purpose of these players is to sell more BDs imo.

[TIki_Guy]

Originally Posted by digibob

I cannot believe SACDs never caught on. They sound incredible.

Can you RIP an SACD with iTunes or other NON-Special software?

Because I wonder if it's not like the issue we have mention here about BD vs. DVD. Assume a family has a BD player, but also has 5 other TVs with DVD, a DVD player in the Mini-Van, portable DVDs for the kids to use on an airplane. Then they have a choice buy the Disney Movie on DVD and play it everywere or the BD and only play it in the living room?

I know that a RIPed SACD file will not sound as good as the SACD.

I do know people who have "listening rooms" and I understand that, however most people (and radio advertisers will back this up) listen in the car or while they are doing other stuff.

SACD is a harder sell at the store because most are not equiped to show you the difference. I think most people can see the difference between DVD & BD on an HDTV in the store. However if Best Buy is going to try and show you CD vs SACD how do that do that? The store is loud, usually the only way to listen is with headphones and they are not going to give you good headphones at Best buy. Can you tell the difference between CD & SACD with $5 headphones in a loud store?

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I don't understand this though - I have plenty of DVD-Audio discs and I can just put them in and press play without looking on the display or turning the TV on.

They all default to the main DVD-Audio track and multi-channel where available. I would only need to turn on the display when I want to go to special features or change to a Hirez stereo track.

For the most part, requiring an additional audio player seems to me like it would automatically guarantee niche status for and BD discs requiring this audio player. They HAVE to work on current models in order for it to stand a chance.

I am guessing that audio BD's would play in regular BD players just fine but then their could be a "audiophile" player that removes stuff not needed for audio like video processing chips, etc. A stripped down player for pure audiophiles...which of course probably would cost more

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by TIki_Guy

Can you RIP an SACD with iTunes or other NON-Special software?

You can not rip SACD to iTunes or to your computer. As far as I know, you can not play the SACD layer in any computer drive at all and no SACD player outputs the SACD signal unencrypted digitally. Unless somebody else knows, the PS3 is the first devise I have seen that will convert SACD to PCM and play over Toslink, though only 2 channel.

Usually you are limited to either 5.1 analog output or HDMI with SACD from what I have seen, so it makes it hard to rip without having it converted already.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Care to answer the question? I too enjoy my 2 channel set-up. In fact, I have a laser turntable, which never touches the vinyl. No more clicks and pops, just pure music. [Jim]

So you're the guy who bought a Finial turntable!

No ticks and pops here either, on my Forsell Air Force One Signature. But then I am extremely careful with my vinyl!

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I also don't claim to be overly knowledgeable regarding audio.... I just highly enjoy it, and would never label myself an "audiophile"

Audiophile is one of the labels I wear with pride.

I was into audio long before I got into high end video, though I've always loved movies. I guess the pre-DVD VHS quality was so crap I didn't bother getting more than a dozen or so prerecorded movies. DVD (obviouly) improved on that, but I am hooked on the high def experience that only Blu-ray can bring, even though my video system is very modest at the moment (upgrades being saved for!).

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by richteer

Audiophile is one of the labels I wear with pride.

I was into audio long before I got into high end video, though I've always loved movies. I guess the pre-DVD VHS quality was so crap I didn't bother getting more than a dozen or so prerecorded movies. DVD (obviouly) improved on that, but I am hooked on the high def experience that only Blu-ray can bring, even though my video system is very modest at the moment (upgrades being saved for!).

I love audio.... I just never claimed to be as knowledgeable as an audiophile on their worst day!