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If the record companies would grow a brain and make just put the SACD version on every CD made (aka Sony hybrids), then SACD would automatically be as available as the CD version, because they're all on the same disc. DVD-Audio, on the other hand, has no future. Not enough releases, and I want to listen to high-quality music without sitting in one spot like a zombie staring at my television. I could care less if it has video extras—in my opinion that just takes away from the musical experience.

I have no interest in either format, but I would be a fool to say there is no future for Hi-Rez. Do we really need to trot out all those comments over the years that declared analog dead?

I just bought 10 new SACDs in one week. While this does not happen every week, it is hard to believe that SACD is dead

High-resolution audio has a future (vinyl) but the current formats of DIGITAL high-rez may not be so secure.

SACD will survive as a niche market for classical and jazz aficionados.

The public has not been convinced that SACD and DVD-Audio sound better than Red Book compact discs. What has hurt the high-rez music market is the competing formats. Consumers, like me, who purchased a betamax and DAT decks do not want to spend the dollars on a format that will end up in a museum in a couple of years. We have been burned engough. Bring back the LP. I will spin a LP on my Linn player any day of the week rather than get sucked into another useless format.

Even if high-rez fails as a mass-market draw, there are enough high-end players out there to justify an extended period of high-end releases. It may be a little sad to contemplate, but SACD could turn into the future's version of direct to disk, half-speed masters, heavy virgin quiet-surface vinyl, HDCD, or gold CDs.

SACD is making decent progress. What I can't beleive is that Universal Music is taking the lead with the releases—what happened to Sony? But even if the major labels slow production, there are enough people buying high-rez that the audiophile companies will produce them. If Mobile Fidelity would get the rights to reissue great catalogues of music (The Beatles, etc...), then what audiophile wouldn't want to own them? I personally own more than 200 SACDs right now. Most of my friends don't have nearly that many regular CDs. The most impressive thing about SACD to me so far has been the reactions of musicians (myself included) to the format. Most musicians are not audiophiles, but they know the difference between a Martin or Taylor guitar and it comes though in DSD. If SACD gets their attention, then it will survive.

as long as prices drop to reasonable levels.

Too little,too late! The technology of CD mastering and playback is nearly as good as most SACD/DVD recordings.Vinyl is still the best format and still readily available for the audiophile.For the masses it's ithe iPod, car radio, and CD, which IMHO can communicate the music. Which is, after all, what it's really all about! If you haven't been moved by a tune on a cheap car radio (or equivalent) then you're not a music lover, but a music (gear) collector!

I can only say maybe, not yet having a SACD player I now don't want one after reading about a number of SACD's that have PCM masters. As for true high-rez... "Audiophiles already have hi-rez: the LP". -John Atkinson

Improvements needed in marketing and choice are necessary for these formats to succeed.We audio fanatics need to help out a little too.Had same experience as Mark G,I brought person up to experience the difference.Now theyre into SACD.

Mikey would say that high res (vinyl) audio is doing just fine. But high resolution digital audio's future is in trouble if the product management geniuses behind SACD and DVD-A have their way. What hi-res digital audio needs is a lossless, efficient compression algorithm that allows online distribution. Otherwise, low-res MP3 is the future of digital audio.

We'll have to go as HD as possible or back to analog to get close to the artist again! No Question. People do want hifi.

Given that most consumers for whatever reason can only seem to appreciate "hi-rez sound" if it is below 40 cps there is propably not going to be a significant market for higher quality full spectrum sound. The relatively small group of consumers who can can appreciate high quality full range sound will still be there but will not provide a big enough market for large companies to gear up for it by developing new and expensive programs to bring it about.

Definitely! But only without the corresponding high prices!

The future appears to be high resolution hard drive devices, just look at the sales figure for the iPod. In fact, at the moment I am much more interested in an iPod then in a DVD-A or SACD play because of its greater flexability. R. Cook Baton Rouge

The listening public has already voted with their ears with iTunes and MP3. Why would they pay a premium price for a better-sounding format?