Does HDCD make a noticeable difference?

No you are correct Don, DB pads it to 24, I use the same software also for my decodes

 

Effective bit depth of HDCD-decoded material is 17-20 bits...

 

I have the Oppo BDP-105D that decodes HDCD. I bought CSN (couch) to check out the difference. The bass is boosted, that's about all the difference I could hear. Never bought another. The 24 bit version sounds better to my ears, as does the Classic Records vinyl version.

 

I am not sure which one's I have use peak extension so I just rip everything without the +6 selected

 

Are you sure the bass boost has anything to do with HDCD?

 

Actually, no. I don't have a regular CD of it, but I do have the 96/24 of it and it sounds fine to me. Do you have this HDCD or the CD?

 

I've compared "Last Time Around" by Buffalo Springfield with the non HDCD version, This is one where I did hear a noticeable difference with HDCD. The bass was fuller and there was more depth of sound IMO.

 

This is the clearest and most concise explanation of HDCD decoding I have read. There is no extra 4 bits of resolution hidden anywhere. That is where people misunderstand the process. It is a very dynamic process, but it is all in the filtering.

 

The differences noted just come down to different mastering.

 

Clever DSPing mostly...

 

Yes, that's right.
But it was in the mid 90s that this HDCD chip was good for it's filter section. But now 20 years later, it's NOT!

 

That A/D converter was and still is great. Not because of HDCD but it is an costly and "audiophile" designed converter that sounds good in its analogue section.

 

wow!
I don't know about anyone here who disses HDCD but one of the most lifelike recordings I've heard is "the Medinah Sessions" by Chicago Pro Musica on Reference Recordings.
I think even Steve would agree that Keith O Johnson knows what he's doing!

 

Interesting because "The Last Time Around" HDCD insert says it is the same mastering as the non HDCD version.

 

No it doesn't.

 

The little HDCD indicator light turns on, so yes it makes a difference that is noticeable.

 

The only difference is that one says HDCD (on the CD) and the other does not. You are saying the that mastering is different?

 

I'm saying 1) the mastering is different, and 2) the artwork is different.

Original:

"Digitally remastered from the original master tapes by Joe Gastwirt at Ocean View Digital, Los Angeles, February 1992."

HDCD (RE-1 in matrix):

"Remastered from the original master tapes

Analog to HDCD® transfers by John Nowland, assisted by "Pflash" Pflaumer at Pacific Microsonics, Berkeley, CA.
Digital mastering by Tim Mulligan at Redwood Digital, Woodside, CA."

The inserts are also different. The original credits all songs to Springalo-Cotillion, while the HDCD has different notes for each songwriter, indicated by different numbers of asterisks.

 

It may be a 24-bit file, but I think the final 4 bits are just padding - there's only 20-bits of info.

 

Well, as I have literally hundreds of HDCD discs, owning pretty much complete catalogues of the Grateful Dead, Neil Young, King Crimson, Roxy Music and Joni Mitchell HDCD titles, I decided to invest in a Rotel HDCD player about 7 or 8 years ago and I am really pleased with the sound. I actually have different audio setups in three downstairs rooms, and nowadays I pretty much only play the HDCD cds in the room with the Rotel unit. It may of course be that the Pacific Microsonics DAC is the real hero here but I generally notice a really richer dynamic sound with HDCD playback. There seems to be more "punch" and separation. Also, occasionally the HDCD light comes on with a release that is not noted on the cover as HDCD. Two such are Nancy Sinatra's "The Essential Nancy Sinatra" on EMI/Liberty and the bootleg escaped release of Neil Young's "Time Fades Away".

Until I read this thread I had no idea that "Brian Wilson Presents Smile" and Costello's "Painted From Memory" were HDCDs. I have just tested my copies and they both light up as red. Result! I will give them a good listen tomorrow. It's likely I have just never listened to them in that room since I bought the Rotel player...

 

Two years late in responding.....

I just played my copy of this CD single last night and noticed the same thing. My guess is that the reason "Interstate" is not encoded in HDCD is that it was recorded during the Ragged Glory sessions in 1990 and was not from the sessions for Broken Arrow that produced the other two tracks on the single. For whatever reason, they probably just used the old tape for "Interstate" and did not take the time to master it using HDCD. The "Big Time" single was only released in Europe (I think), so it was probably pieced together on the cheap without much involvement from Neil's team in California.

 

yes, exactly

 

definitely a possibility.

thanks for replying.

and i still, even 2 years later, do not know the real answer, although your theory is quite possible.