Redbook CD vs hi-res format - is there a difference?

[jim anderson]

In my opinion, more sonic information, is more sonic information, regardless of whether it's an orchestral recording or a small jazz group.

[mikeweil]

I just spinned the Mobile Fidelity hybrid SACD reissue od Coleman Hawkins' The Hawk Flies High and switched back and forth between SACD and CD layers. This is one of the better sounding Riverside sessions from 1957, in glorious mono, the transfer done well, and the differences are subtle, but they are there, and my wife, who is not in to audiophilia, hears them, too. The SACD layer sounds a bit more detailed, silkier, not as harsh and the soundstage is deeper.

[Daniel A]

If they would publish a list with the samples used, there would be all kinds of reactions and comments.

Patricia Barber – Nightclub (Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 2004)

Chesky: Various -- An Introduction to SACD (SACD204)

Chesky: Various -- Super Audio Collection & Professional Test Disc (CHDVD 171)

Stephen Hartke: Tituli/Cathedral in the Thrashing Rain; Hilliard Ensemble/Crockett (ECM New Series 1861, cat. no. 476 1155, SACD)

Bach Concertos: Perahia et al; Sony SACD

Mozart Piano Concertos: Perahia, Sony SACD

Kimber Kable: Purity, an Inspirational Collection SACD T Minus 5 Vocal Band, no cat. #

Tony Overwater: Op SACD (Turtle Records TRSA 0008)

McCoy Tyner Illuminati SACD (Telarc 63599)

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon SACD (Capitol/EMI 82136)

Steely Dan, Gaucho, Geffen SACD

Alan Parsons, I, Robot DVD-A (Chesky CHDD 2003)

BSO, Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony SACD (RCA 82876-61387-2 RE1)

Carlos Heredia, Gypsy Flamenco SACD (Chesky SACD266)

Shakespeare in Song, Phoenix Bach Choir, Bruffy, SACD (Chandos CHSA 5031)

Livingston Taylor, Ink SACD (Chesky SACD253)

The Persuasions, The Persuasions Sing the Beatles, SACD (Chesky SACD244)

Steely Dan, Two Against Nature, DVD-A (24,96) Giant Records 9 24719-9

McCoy Tyner with Stanley Clark and Al Foster, Telarc SACD 3488

http://www.bostonaudiosociety.org/explanation.htm

[mikeweil]

Thanks!

Now that's a very diverse list, with widely different recording philosophies involved. I cannot imagine anyone not hearing anydifferences!

My guess is that high end equipment coaxes such great sound out of red book CDs that the higher resolution doesn't make the big difference. But in mid-range equipment like mine ...