Originally Posted by Nightbrace
The technology is good and in my opinion fully utilized with the right op amps and certain processing can be perfect sound reproduction, any better than this level would not be noticable. I guess thats what they said about the CD when it first came out, but up-scaling the audio at the recording studio is what really makes the difference. Many 24-bit 192 Khz master recordings have found their way onto regular recordings if you know where to look,.
The problem with HDCD, DVD-audio and SACD's. is the lack of adequate ways to have it decoded properly in 2 channel stereo. The end result is a sound in 2 channel mode, using the DAC's in from moderately priced DVD players and SACD players, is a result actually a bit worse than a 16-bit 44.1 Khz on a player of the same price. I have heard systems in which this technology can be utilized, but the price is enormous. The upside is that the 16-bit recordings can be up-converted to 24-bit using these systems giving a more transparent background and just overall improved audio.
The unfortuate problem, at least for now, is that older recordings have, for the most part, been already digitally remastered using 16-bit 44.1 Khz as the standard, so there is little hope for these to get the All-Star treatment unless the market calls for it, and I really don't see that happening too soon. Newer recordings when originally mastered at the SACD level and transposed onto a normal CD with the proper equipment, is still very good. To get to the next level, its just not worth it given the lack of interest and limited number of recordings, more worthwhile is using an external 24-bit, 192 KHz compatible DAC to greatly improve the quality of the normal 16-bit CD's. But again thats very expensive too, but at least all formats will exhibit their full potential this way.