SA - CD

[druiaghtagh]

What is an SA- CD and can it be played on an ordinary cd player please?

[Greedyfly]

You can buy specific sacd players - Super Audio cds are exactly that, better quality of sound. But you would not benefit this from your run of the mill player.  Sacd players are quite expensive though and very easy to come by yet.  Your average Sacd costs anything from �18.99-�23.99 in a shop.

[jenky]

Super Audio CD uses a new technology called Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to convert music into a digital signal that can be stored on a disc. Compared to the traditional PCM method (the technology used for CD), DSD offers a much higher resolution by following more closely the original wave form of music. With a frequency response of over 100kHz and a dynamic range over 120dB across the audible frequency range � some 64 times higher resolution then CD - Super Audio CD offers music reproduction that reveals details you just can�t hear on a normal CD., or so they claim. It is one of the most popular new forms of digital storage technology, but to play it you will need an SA-CD compatible player. Many new DVD players incorporate this, as do some home cinema recievers, or you can invest in a pure audio SA-CD player.

[bobbyx]

If you get a 'Hybrid' SACD it will play on a normal CD player. However, some SACDs may have a full 5.1 audio mix and a stereo version on the same disk and when you play on a regular CD player it will be the stereo version that you hear.

Check out Sony's (Other brands are available) range of DVD/Home cinema systems (DAV-S880), as most of them have SACD compatibility, and it's a not too expensive way of getting into it - Plus you get DVD / Tuner & TV surround sound.