Computer Based Audio (CA)

Posted by lenw (A) on February 19, 2012 at 11:05:10

In Reply to: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD posted by David W. Robinson on February 18, 2012 at 15:51:12:

I do hope CA succeeds in making all (most) music available in a high resolution format; consensus the format is matured with wide agreement on the best implementation method; good backup and recovery procedures built in; album art and literature equivalent or exceeding LP's; and significant computer knowledge to implement correctly is not a requirement.

While it's true SACD selection is primarily oriented towards classical music, I'm not so sure it's a "dying" format. Even though the audio media is furiously promoting CA as the new frontier, so far CA itself has a rather "thin" RBCD or higher resolution catalog. I don't believe it's currently even equivalent to SACD except for pop/rock music.

My passion for music is the main purpose for having a high quality stereo system. But I want the playback to be as close to an intimate live acoustic performance as possible, and I believe I've largely achieved that except for the scale of large classical orchestral music. Currently I and other audiophiles are not convinced this level of playback has been achieved when comparing CA to physical media.

I do agree CA has a storage and portability advantage over physical media that is appealing, together with a "potential" to make much more high resolution music available. But currently that comes at a cost of royalty issues (this may well be the "elephant in the room"), limited availability, questionable sonic superiority compared to the best implemented CD/SACD, complexity, and a loss of most album art and literature.

It took almost 20 years for RBCD to sonically mature, and many audiophiles simply stayed with LP's - some still consider this 60 year old technology the best music format. If it wasn't for the "hobby" nature of LP's I may have done the same, but I'd rather listen to music than play with equipment.

I do truly hope CA becomes the de facto medium allowing audiophiles access to the equivalent of master files for most music produced. But until that and my other pre-conditions occur, I'll continue enjoying my physical media.

I do understand the allure of CA and applaud those "pioneers" of this new experience. I just hope it doesn't take CA as long as CD's to mature, or stay a primarily low resolution format.

Len

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - David W. Robinson 15:51:12 02/18/12 (14)

Computer Based Audio (CA) - lenw 11:05:10 02/19/12 (2)

RE: Computer Based Audio (CA) - nairb 04:15:58 03/25/12 (0)

RE: Computer Based Audio (CA) - MINGSU 15:45:13 02/21/12 (0)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - Disbeliever 23:44:27 02/18/12 (9)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - jazz1 03:49:35 02/19/12 (8)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - ted_b 07:17:29 02/19/12 (6)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - nevillekapadia 01:51:48 02/22/12 (5)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - ted_b 15:55:13 02/27/12 (4)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - ted_b 06:53:08 03/23/12 (3)

One of the poster children for DSD - ted_b 17:02:34 03/31/12 (1)

Deal...yes..pain in th arse? again, yes - rich121 19:22:07 03/31/12 (0)

RE: Andreas Koch on the new Open Standard for DSD - nevillekapadia 00:09:09 03/25/12 (0)

2nd that n/ - reuben 06:15:23 02/19/12 (0)

question - Joe Murphy Jr 16:41:03 02/18/12 (0)

Follow Ups

Computer Based Audio (CA) - lenw 11:05:10 02/19/12 (2)

RE: Computer Based Audio (CA) - nairb 04:15:58 03/25/12 (0)

RE: Computer Based Audio (CA) - MINGSU 15:45:13 02/21/12 (0)

Computer Based Audio (CA)

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