Vote

Though DVD-A or SACD may not be my primary source (with 2000 CD's it's unlikely) it seems shortsighted not to purchase a unit that supports alternate formats "just in case".

I don't buy any cd anymore for more than one year...I'm waiting for the new standart...I won't buy the same records again (Lps, cds,... that's enough .I'm not that rich!)

for how long, are the audio industry and the music industry, playing with our hobby?? The DVD-Video was launched in 1997 and only now is working out.

The really sad thing is that all I want from an audio standard is already offered by normal video DVDs: two channels of 24-bit/96kHz music. The only thing missing is a wide selection of music to play (and at a reasonable price, please).

They can take their Betamax vs. VHS tunes and blow them out their . . .

I don't think the general public is going to care enough to make the investment, so both SACD / DVD-Audio, if they survive at all, and I don't think they will, will be niche products.

Reviews of SACD emphasize not only the high-resolution playback of SACD, but also standard CDs. One machine for all formats? Sounds ideal.

I'd instantly buy a unit that plays SACD, DVD-A, DVD, CD, HDCD, VCD, LD, MD, 8-track, LP, etc. . . . But of course, it MUST be able to record in all of the above-mentioned formats as well!

In the meantime, I'll use the DVD video player.

No sense in wasting money on a format that might be obsolete. I have heard the Sony SACD player and loved it. But I'm not stoopid!!! Still waiting for the manufacturers to get their acts together. If I am asked, I vote for SACD over DVD-A.

My Audio Alchemy transport broke and I replaced it with a DVD player that plays 24-bit/96kHz audio DVDs. I feel regular CD players, even $15,000 ones, are DEAD. I recommend manufacturers start clearing them out, as once you hear high-resolution digital audio, YOU WILL NEVER GO BACK! NO, I AM NOT SELLING ALL MY CDs, but if a recording I love shows up on 24/96 DAD, DVD-A, or SACD, I will rush to replace it, and then I will sell my old one. High-resolution digital gets you even closer to the music than LPs—I'm not kidding, it is that good. Everyone should rush out and buy a DVD player that does 24/96—and, when the price comes down, SACD and DVD-A. One warning, though: if the master tape is no good, then high-resolution digital WILL NOT HELP! To borrow a computer term, garbage in, garbage out. But if the recording is made correctly, then you will be in SONIC HEAVEN!

I hope all-in-one DVD/SACD/DVD-A/CD players predominate both in the mass market and as the basis of audiophile players.

Being a broke audiophile will require me to wait out the survival of the fittest format. Can't make a mistake and load up on the wrong software.

no.

In '99 I purchased the Arcam Alpha 9. I plan to use it until it croaks. I may go SACD in the future. The Arcam can go to my second system.

SACD works magic like a live performance. Gotta get it! DVD-A is good, but I can wait much longer for it.

I want a player that can play DVD movies, CDs, and SACDs. Meanwhile, I've got a CD player and LD player, cable movies (of DSS/LD quality), and VCRs for rental tapes. I could care less about renting or buying DVD movies until someone produces a unit that does it all at a reasonable price. And it's going to take some time for SACD software to become sufficiently abundant to make it all worthwhile. Heck, I'll wait five years, if necessary.

I will wait until SACD players are available that I can afford,and stillbe able to purchase enougn disc to make it worth while. SACD is close enough to good analog that it would be worth purchasing. This is based on a short hearin at Chicago 99.

I won't even buy new speakers or an amp until this is sorted out.

Where are all the disks ?

Another fiasco! I am only interested in quality stereo, but would I bet on SACD?. . .

The low-end manufacturers are already anouncing multi-format machines coming in the near future. I hope the High End will do the same soon.

I definitely do not want to buy three or four boxes to play my optical discs. One transport and one decoder that will decode any format—hope the manufacturers get this message.

I am really looking forward to a new high-quality source, but if I'm going to spend a lot of money on a machine (which I am sure I will), then I don't want to find it's the equivalent of Betamax . . .

I never buy new technology until it is well entrenched in the market. It could become redundant overnight, and there are always huge advancements and cost reductions in the first few years. For this reason I only bought my first CD player in 1992. Being the first to own new technology often comes down to ego rather than common sense.

I have too many CDs (and LPs) to worry about SACD/DVD-A. I like the sound of the Sony SACD player, but not the $25 price per disc. I haven't bought any "audiophile" recordings for the same reason. What I'm worried about is digital downloads. The last thing I want is to be charged to mix, master, and burn my own CD-Rs. I don't want to pay for something that only sounds as good as a CD (which CD are they talking about, anyway?). I want something that sounds better, especially if the record companies want me to spend more money (which they do).

DVD-Audio will leverage off the huge market acceptance of DVD-Video. Most DVD-A players will supposedly also do DVD-Video, possibly providing even better audio for the movies. I don't think SACD can do this. And we don't like technologies controlled and owned by one company. SACD will likely go the same course as Beta tapes.

I guess I just have no trust that the multinational corporate world wants to do right by the consumer.

The quality reproduction of music is one part of the issue and the availability of discs is another. I don't envision myself with three "optimized" transport+DAC setups (either single-box or separates) in my room. Early adopters will pay the highest premium for a not totally tuned package (slow loading, etc.; rings a bell?) and will not be satisfied in the long haul. So better to stay with the uncomfortable compromise between waiting and maintaining a decent enough reproduction of digital without going AGAIN on the high-priced upgrade/lose money cycle. I think everybody is really tired of this.

Just bought a Rotel 971 CD player and when SACD or DVD-A is available and the bugs are worked out, I'll look at them.