Super Audio CDs: Work on only certain players?

A non-hybrid Super Audio CD will play only on a Super Audio CD player.

A hybrid Super Audio CD will theoretically play on both Super Audio CD players and CD players. Discrete 5.1 channel sound would be only on the SACD layer.

A non-SACD-capable DVD player or DVD-ROM drive might be able to play the regular stereo CD layer of a hybrid SACD. I say "might" because it's also possible that the SACD layer would fool the DVD player into thinking that it saw a defective DVD-Video or DVD-Audio layer, in which case the disc would not work at all.

 

Patrick,

It looks like there may be a possibility that a DVD-A of DSotM will come out in the next year of so. If so, then you would be able to listen in surround on your system. You may be part of a certain demographic that certain format-bashers believe should be ignored.

 

Patrick, just note that most DVD-Audio discs have a DVD-Video-compatible layer with Dolby Digital and/or DTS 5.1 tracks. So, if you have a DVD-Video player, you can access the Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, but not the DVD-Audio tracks.

Before getting a DVD-Audio player, you might want to consider a universal model (DVD player with SACD and DVD-Audio). You didn't state what you budget might be, but Pioneer will be releasing the DV-563A universal player for $270 later this year. Zenith will also be releasing the DV-318 universal model for $200 this year.

 

It's worth the wait to have both. Many of us have had two players for quite some time and it's kind of frustrating, but both formats are worth a whirl.

 

Philip, I have no issues with owning separate components for DVD-Audio and SACD. Given that some of the universal components seem to be compromised, especially on SACD, I am very happy with the separates route. I also put less wear and tear on a component by having separates than if I had a universal machine.

 

The hassle is that very few recievers have 2 5.1 inputs for DVD-A and SACD so that you have to buy a switch and have a mess of cables and most of the switches are either manual (meaning you have to get up and switch them yourself) or they are expensive. I think a unversal player is a great idea and I may even get one myself so i can get rid of my two seperate players.

 

Rob, that's a fair point, though I am using the inexpensive Radio Shack switch boxes ($30 for two) and modestly priced cables (Radio Shack gold for one and Monster Interlink 400mkII for the other) and don't mind the set-up. I think people make too much of a deal about the "rat's nest" or "mess" of cables. Yes, there is a cost involved, which is a bummer, but my cables are out of sight. No big deal for me.

 

What Keith said.

 

I'm sick of the "rat's nest" of cables. I have seperates and I already have more cables than most peope folks. If Pioneer made a pre version of the VSX-49 I'd buy it and a 47Ai. It would cut down on my video cabling too. Audio-vidiots, like us, tolerate the cable mess. Many people just wouldn't. Pioneer used to make lovely seperates...