CD's aren't going nowhere soon

I might buy the occasional DVD-A (once I have a DVD-A player) if I feel I really need to hear something in surround.
As long as SACD is geared for rich people I'll pass.
I am rapidly approaching my 2000th CD (3000th if you count all the Cds I have traded/sold through the years).
With a kidney disese that gives me 5-10 years left to live, I don't think I will be switching formats again.
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These chicks know how to party! - MoJo JoJo

 

With a rather large collection of CD's (many of which are remasters), I will not support a format heading in a different technological direction - unless, of course, the QUALITY truly warrants it!
Larry, my thoughts are with you...SINCERELY!
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The Dark Tower

 

quote: As long as SACD is geared for rich people I'll pass.[/quote]
I don't know what you consider a ceiling price for a front-end component, but Sony's SCD-C333ES stereo SACD/CD carousel changer that originally retailed for $1200 is now available from Oade Bros. (1-912-228-0093 or 1-912-228-4480) for $550. I bought mine from J&R Music World (1-800-221-8180) in April for $600. Both are authorized dealers. The 'C333ES was discontinued in favor of multi-channel SACD players, but if stereo is your thing, the 'C333ES is an excellent value. $550-600 is not a lot of money for a component by today's standards, and in this case, you are getting a great bargain. The 'C333ES is a great CD player, and SACD is significantly better than CD.
For $329, you can get the Sony SCD-CE775 multi-channel SACD/CD changer. J&R is taking pre-orders for $329 (retail price is $400). It will be out very soon, if it isn't already. Home Theater gave it a solid review in its current issue. Furthermore, Sony's SCD-C222ES multi-channel SACD/CD changer ($800 retail) and SCD-XE670 multi-channel SACD/CD single-disc player ($300 retail) will be out in September. Mid-priced multi-channel SACD/DVD/CD players should be available from Sony by year's end.
As for the discs themselves, Sony dropped the retail price of SACDs a couple of months ago. Web sites like www.hmv.com , www.acousticsounds.com , www.elusivedisc.com , and www.amazon.com , sell Sony SACD titles for about $18, which is what a lot of CDs still sell for. Not bad for a much better sounding medium. So, you don't have to be rich to own an SACD player.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

But what do you think the industry is going to switch to from standard CDs? SACD or DVD-A?
I think I would rather invest in a DVD-A compatible player.
Now if I can get a DVD-A player that plays DVD-A, DVDs, CDs, SACD, and HDCD for under $700 I'd buy one.
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These chicks know how to party! - MoJo JoJo

 

Larry, I'm not sure that DVD-Audio or SACD will supplant the CD as the audio medium of choice. Frankly, I feel it is unlikely that either will do so. All I was saying was that budget SACD players are coming, which will help to give the format a fighting chance. Of course it depends on how much quality software comes out, how fast it comes out, and how readily available it is. This especially applies to DVD-Audio, where software is lacking.
In the end, I feel that the new formats have a tough road to hoe in order to take over the CD. I don't feel that multi-channel capability will put SACD or DVD-Audio over the top because while home theater is popular on this site (duh!), stereo will reign supreme with the masses. The vast majority of people do not want, cannot afford, or simply do not have the space for "extra" speakers. Along those lines, I feel the menu-driven TV interface of DVD-Audio will hamper its mass acceptance. Sure DVD-Video with its on-screen menus is now the dominant video format, but we are talking about movies, which obviously require a TV or projector. However, there is no reason for an audio format to require a video interface. This prevents people from having DVD-Audio players in every room. Look how easy it is to set up an audio system in small rooms. The requirement of a TV could be a hinderance. Then, what about portable and car players? Finally, and equally important, is that I seriously doubt that the general public has a problem with the sound quality of CDs. So, in the end, I see the CD remaining the dominant audio format for the foreseeable future (even after consideration of MP3s). That said, I have no problem embracing SACD and DVD-Audio.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

I have, as I believe KeithH has, the Sony DVP 9000ES which has 2 channel SACD capability. The quality of SACD is much better on certain discs but my main problem has been the analog signal. I use the bypass mode on my B&K receiver but this makes using my REL subs a bit difficult. Since my speakers are not great below 40 Hz I have mostly listened to material that doesn't require significant bottom octave reproduction.

 

Rob, I don't have the 'S9000ES, but do have the '777ES in one system and the 'C333ES in another. Anyway, when I bought the '777ES last October, I had it connected to a Sony STR-V444ES receiver and engaged the receiver's "Analog Direct" mode. This knocked out the sub, of course. My Energy e:XL 16 bookshelf speakers are only rated down to 50 Hz (not too terrible for bookshelf speakers), but I did not suffer bass-wise. Now I am using an NAD C 370 stereo integrated amp with the '777ES (and an NAD C 350 with the 'C333ES) and am not using the sub. I should figure out how to connect my sub to the C 370 (which could mean buying a sub for the C 350 in the other system).
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

quote: CD's aren't going nowhere soon
Was this intentional? Or is this just horribly atrocious English?[/quote]That's colloquial English, Ric. Gets the point across effectively in the style of normal conversation, not pedantic scholarly prose. But for verisimilitude, maybe that should have been "CDs ain't going nowhere soon"? :>)
Burke
PS -- I happen to agree that CDs still got a lotta life left in 'em. (Redbook-standard Compact Discs will continue to be a sizable presence in the audio-content marketplace for years to come, given the debilitating contest between the higher definition formats, and the reluctance of the purchasing public to embrace a nascent medium that is perceived to proffer only marginal benefits over its predecessor.) :>)

 

Damn, my dictionary just got a real workout. However, in the interest of exacitude, I feel I must point out that the phrase is "row to hoe" not "road to hoe", as in a row of beans, corn, or tomatoes, not asphalt.
Does anyone know when we might see a "universal" multi-channel player from someone other than Apex?

 

This bashing of others' writing style or grammar STOPS RIGHT NOW.
If we really have to stoop so low as to publicly deride another instead of engaging in constructive discussion, perhaps it is time we found a different thread.
If I see any more of these kinds of posts, you can discuss, at length via e-mail with me, why you'd like your posting privileges restored.
Clear?
Mike