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Since the new discs will require new hardware and "obsolete" what we have, a lower price (compared to the $15 or so we now pay for Red Book CDs) is necessary.
Recent announcements indicate that DVD-Audio may soon emerge as a set of standards. Assuming that a DVD-Audio disc is not backward-compatible with CD players, but will play on the new DVD player (with DVD-Audio update) you just bought, how much would you spend for the special discs?
The question is not well enough defined. I presently pay at several different price levels, depending on the particular disc (CD). If I feel the music I want warrants it, I will pay the going rate; it is only when the disc is substandard that I become disappointed.
A DVD-Audio standard would be great, but my growing cynicism at ever getting consistant at-or-near quality master tape sound is growing. How about tying in standards for producers, recording engineers and production people for getting a pristine transfer - right down the line!
Most of us almost certainly have not had a chance to hear a DVD-audio disk, much less do a critical comparison between DVD and standard CD, much less with the most likely alternative, DSD, which offers 20 bits of resolution, and IS backward compatible. As none of the other equipment I own -- amp, preamp, or speakers -- is capable of anywhere NEAR 140 dB of resolution, the benefits of the extra 4 bits of resolution would appear to be precisely $0.00. My opinion could, however, change once I have a chance to listen to the medium.
Who came up with this absurd range of suggested prices? In the psychometrics business, this would be construed as an obvious attempt to skew responses toward the high side. Any ulterior motives here? And why no mention of the competing SACD standard that is backward compatible?
It's hard to generalize because recording quality will vary depending on the quality of the master tape more than anything else. All other factors remaining the same, DVD-Audio will sound better; but how often does that occur?
As a long time collector of CD's, with a collection of over 1500, I still think it's silly to replace CD's. It makes me sick and sad to think that I will once again have to buy my favorite albums for a new format. I could definately hear the difference between CD's and LP's. Is this new format worth it?