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Christine CDs were unlistenable for me a over decade before anyone ever even heard of SACD.

Here are just two problems I have never heard solved be even megabuck CD players including Cary Audio tubed units:

1) CDs have a "real life" artificial midrange boost that makes massed strings very painful for me to experience.

2) CDs have a "real life" rolled off high end that takes all the impact and "ting" out of high percussion instruments.

I say "real life" because CDs actually measure well between 20-20kHz, they just are tonally incorrect and this something I don't think we can measure yet.

Because of the brick wall filters and the upper frequency limit of 20kHz for CDs I do not believe these problems can over be solved for 44.1kHz PCM.

By contrast at 24 Bit 96kHz PCM (on a great sounding DVD player) massed strings do not the coarseness of 44.1kHz but they are still not as smooth as Analog. And percussion interments have impact and that delicate "ting" again not as much as Analog.

Now take SACD. If an SACD is made from a well made Analog or DSD tape, usually the midrange and high frequencies are near correct and enjoyable. And to a lesser degree at PCM 24 Bit 96kHz. But at PCM 24 Bit 48kHz you get sound that is almost as rough in the strings and rolled off in the high percussion instruments as you do with 44.1kHz PCM.

In other words, anyone that says the CD sounds as good as SACD is deluding themselves because it is not true! . Never has been never will be. PCM at low resolution such is CD is a total joke. And I cannot believe anyone is honestly trying to this comparison.

Comparing SACD to CD is like comparing an 8 Track Cartridge to a 2 Track 15ips Reel to Reel tape.

The difference between CD and SACD is drastic and huge, extremely huge.

Even Audiophile analog cassette has greater fidelity than even the best CDs and you can prove that for yourself. Just compare ANY Mobile Fidelity High Fidelity cassettes versus the 24k Gold CD version. CDs are a low fidelity medium and will stay that way.

Teresa


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