Xrcd (1 Viewer)

[Dennis Gonzales]

Hello Everybody,

I would like to know more information on the XRCD/XRCD2 format. Basically what it is and if it is compatible with my regular cd player. I hope you guys can help me out.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[Mike Broadman]

Dennis, check out JVC's web site. It's their format and they're the ones who produce it.

Some points about XRCD:

- It is a regular CD, totally compatible with any CD players.

- They're made in like one plant in Japan, and the whole point of the format is that each step of the manufacturing is super-careful monitored, supposedly to insure the highest possible quality of CD.

- Because they're so specialised, they're super expensive- about $30 a pop.

- The few I have sound very, very nice.

IMO, however, XRCDs aren't worth it anymore because many of those titles have been coming out on SACD which is a better value and cheaper.
The Dire Straits one, which I've never heard, is supposed to be really, really good.

 

[Danny Tse]

I just purchased my first XRCD yesterday....FIM's Autumn Yearning Fantasia.



It is shockingly good....even on my 11 year old Sony CD player. Of course, then I read in the booklet that a multi-channel hybrid SACD of this title is coming. A company in Hong Kong is considering putting a XRCD layer on its hybrid SACDs.

 

[Mike Broadman]

Now THAT would be cool!

 

[Danny Tse]

Mike,

This title was the one that Hugo Productions considered for the hybrid XRCD/SACD. This title already has 2 previous versions before the SACD, HDCD and XRCD. In the end, Hugo Productions went with "the ultimate hi-rez" format....180 gram vinyl.

However, the idea of a hybrid XRCD/SACD is still being kicked around. I believe a hybrid HDCD/SACD already exist.

 

[Dennis Gonzales]

Thank you all for the info on XRDC. Now I know i can buy some.
Have you guys heard of the singer "Snow Rose"? She has an album out tht is in XRCD format. She sings jazz/lounge music. Well I first heard her song 3 years ago. The house I visited had a Bang of Olafsen system and she had "Snow Rose" XRDC playing. I was really surprised as I thought somebody in the livingroom with a beautiful voice was there singing! Does anybody know where I can get this specific XRCD????

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[RichardK]

if you live in texas, specifically d/fw area then visit
hi end theater and audio...they sell xrcd there...if i remember i can check on the title/artist you are looking for...if you want to research yourself try hi-endaudio.com is the place...call and ask for Vu...or try ebay.

 

[Michael St. Clair]

To be nit picky, XRCD isn't a true format, it's largely a mastering technique (with a trademarked name) by which higher res audio is downsampled to 16-bit/44.1khz sound. Other techniques like SBM and UV22 do similar things, using noise-shaping. XRCD and these other discs are 100% Redbook CD and nothing else.
As far as any quality control, that is great too, but it doesn't make it a format (just like a THX certified DVD is not a format, it's a certification/brand).

The mastering technique alone is called K2, and anybody who is familiar with CCR CDs knows that K2 discs don't necessarily sound better than discs mastered with other techniques.