HDX SACD or HDCD ripping
Posted by: JB76 on 14 June 2009
Ok so i buy a HDCD or SACD which is a 24 recording.
Will the HDX rip this in that format - assume it will?
Will the HDX rip this in that format - assume it will?
Posted on: 14 June 2009 by JB76
"WMA files are lossless at various high bit rates for example, 48KHz, 88.2KHz and 96KHz (check each title for actual details). This download is offered for those who desire the best sound possible. The quality is identical to that of an SACD (stereo only). The format will be dependent on the actual recording method we used originally. No DSD files are offered as it is not possible to play them back on a PC so an equivalent PCM format is offered. These files offer true "studio quality" and are what was used by Linn to produce the production version of our CD releases. Be sure to check compatibility with your computer sound card etc before you download a file and note that large amounts of storage space are required for each track."
I don't mean will it rip multichannel just will it rip the higher quality stereo sound file.
I don't mean will it rip multichannel just will it rip the higher quality stereo sound file.
Posted on: 14 June 2009 by Klout10
Regarding HDCD, the HDX will create a "bit-perfect" copy of any HDCD encoded disk inserted into it.
However, to enjoy the full capabilities of an HDCD encoded disc, the player must have a HDCD decoder/digital filter (e.g. Pacific Microsonics PMD-200) which is activated when playing encoded discs.
As far as I know, the HDX doen't have one...
Regards,
Michel
However, to enjoy the full capabilities of an HDCD encoded disc, the player must have a HDCD decoder/digital filter (e.g. Pacific Microsonics PMD-200) which is activated when playing encoded discs.
As far as I know, the HDX doen't have one...
Regards,
Michel
Posted on: 14 June 2009 by Guido Fawkes
You can't rip SACDs - you can play them on a SACD player and make an analogue recording.
Posted on: 14 June 2009 by David Dever
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Klout10:
Regarding HDCD, the HDX will create a "bit-perfect" copy of any HDCD encoded disk inserted into it.
However, to enjoy the full capabilities of an HDCD encoded disc, the player must have a HDCD decoder/digital filter (e.g. Pacific Microsonics PMD-200) which is activated when playing encoded discs.
As far as I know, the HDX doen't have one.../QUOTE]
...but if you've got a DAC that can decode HDCD streams, you're in business.
Regarding HDCD, the HDX will create a "bit-perfect" copy of any HDCD encoded disk inserted into it.
However, to enjoy the full capabilities of an HDCD encoded disc, the player must have a HDCD decoder/digital filter (e.g. Pacific Microsonics PMD-200) which is activated when playing encoded discs.
As far as I know, the HDX doen't have one.../QUOTE]
...but if you've got a DAC that can decode HDCD streams, you're in business.
Posted on: 14 June 2009 by Klout10
You're absolutely right!
Posted on: 14 June 2009 by John R.
I have a HDX but I ripped all my HDCDs using my PC/Exact Audio Copy/Plextor Plexwriter Premium 2 (CD only drive). This way I got a bit perfect 16 bit/44,1 kHz rip as a WAV file. I used the program dBpoweramp Music Converter which offers HDCD decoding. This way you get a 24 bit/44,1 kHz WAV file, whereas only 20bit are used, since HDCD is only 20bit resolution after the decoding. I transfered all these WAV files on a 16 GB USB stick which I plugged into one of the rear USB ports... This way you get the full resolution that HDCD offers... Soundwise slighly better than the very same HDCD ripped with the HDX to its internal hard disc and of course only played back with 16 bit resolution due to the lack of HDCD decoding this way.
And please do not tell my that ripping with a PC is not bit perfect if all the settings are right - otherwise I would have not been able to decode to HDCD resolution.
And please do not tell my that ripping with a PC is not bit perfect if all the settings are right - otherwise I would have not been able to decode to HDCD resolution.
Posted on: 15 June 2009 by gone
quote:Originally posted by David Dever:
...but if you've got a DAC that can decode HDCD streams, you're in business.
David, are you hinting that the Naim DAC will have HDCD decoding? That would be nice....
Cheers
John
Posted on: 15 June 2009 by js
Nope. HDCD is not truely 20 bit and as an encode/decode was deemed not as good as standard 16 bit in sound by many. It is useful to to have the HDCD decode portion of the chip if it's an HDCD disc as the decoding is more correct but we haven't found HDCD better overall when used as encode/decode. You could simply convert once from HDCD to standard 16 bit wave and probably be better off than with multiple conversions. HDCD is 16 bit resolution with a form of gain riding and digital interpolation which includes moving the least significant bit. Extra processing.quote:Originally posted by John R.:
I have a HDX but I ripped all my HDCDs using my PC/Exact Audio Copy/Plextor Plexwriter Premium 2 (CD only drive). This way I got a bit perfect 16 bit/44,1 kHz rip as a WAV file. I used the program dBpoweramp Music Converter which offers HDCD decoding. This way you get a 24 bit/44,1 kHz WAV file, whereas only 20bit are used, since HDCD is only 20bit resolution after the decoding. I transfered all these WAV files on a 16 GB USB stick which I plugged into one of the rear USB ports... This way you get the full resolution that HDCD offers... Soundwise slighly better than the very same HDCD ripped with the HDX to its internal hard disc and of course only played back with 16 bit resolution due to the lack of HDCD decoding this way.
And please do not tell my that ripping with a PC is not bit perfect if all the settings are right - otherwise I would have not been able to decode to HDCD resolution.
I do believe that when properly set up, EAC/DBpoweramp do great rips but your reasoning for that isn't sound. Ripping HDCD discs is no more difficult that ripping standard CDs.