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IT WOULD NOT BE AS IMPORTANT IF MANUFACTUERS WOULD STOP INTRODUCING SOMETHING NEW EVERY OTHER MONTH. WHO WANTS TO BUY SOMETHING IF ITS GOING TO BE OBSOLETE IN 3-6 MONTHS.
Sony and Philips claim that a big advantage to SACD is that the high-resolution SACD discs can be back-compatible with regular CD players. DVD-Audio proponents say that DVD-Audio discs can be made back-compatible with CD players as well if consumers want it. Do you want it?
As a 22 year old college student I feel that back compatibility is very important just because I have many CD's and don't want to have to replace them with the new format, whatever it is. The new audio format will be very exciting but it must be backcompatible with current CD's. In my opinion if there is no backwardcompatibility there will be an alienation of non Audiophiles who are only the casual listener, and not concerned with the increase in sound quality
We audiophiles will go to great lengths to purchase separate components whenever possible. Witness the popularity of separate CD transport/D.A.C.vs.compact disc players of recent years,not to mention separate amplifier,preamplifier,phono-preamplifier&tuner vs. receiver. Would it not follow then that a multi purpose component be anathema to the audiophile?
Back-compatibility is more important to the manufacturers than users! If they can get us to buy those pricier discs, sooner or later we will upgrade our hardware to get the full benefit. Without back-compatibility, they are creating niches that might remain just that, rather than becoming the mainstream.
I could care less. The only issue is whether my existing CDs can be played on a DVD-Audio or SACD player. Nobody wants to find that their existing music collection will be unplayable on a new player. Back-compatibility with respect to playability of a DVD-Audio or SACD disc on a CD player is a moot point for those who buy the new players. If you are a record company and want to release only a single, back-compatible format to avoid multi-format runs, it is an issue.
With 2000 CDs, I would feel a huge loss if audiophilia adopted a standard that would shut me off from the ability to play my collection. Anxiety over formats has driven me back to an even earlier format, LPs, where I do not have to worry about format changes any more.
Compatibility is important not only from the point of view of protecting your investment in software (the CD's), but also from the standpoint that a great deal of audio gear - especially higher quality classic gear - do not offer multiple AUX inputs. If forced to make a choice, I'd stay with CD's for the forseeable future for this one reason.
This whole thing reminds me of quadraphonic/stereo compatibility issues years ago. I give this audio form the same chance of making 5 years. People don't listen to recordings, they listen to performances. Spend an evening watching an incredible still photograph of a boxing match and you might get what I'm talking about.