In the early 1980s, music lovers Were tempted by a new kind of audio playback medium that almost seemed like science fiction: the Compact Disc. Known simply as the "CD," the shiny, laser-read Compact Disc was a quantum leap forward in both the quality and longevity of audio recordings. To the vast majority of people, it was inconceivable that the clarity, purity, and durability of the CD could be surpassed. How could you improve on perfection? And for almost tWenty years, no one did.

HoWever, in only the last few years, We have seen the rapid rise and refinement of two new technologies: Digital Video Disc ("DVD"), and poWerful, multi-channel home theater audio systems. Suddenly, the venerable CD seems old-hat next to the multi-channel DVD, even though they appear to be identical discs. As it turns out, the CD-based disc system is flexible and upgradeable. It is now possible to play music in your home that sounds markedly better than a CD, and also makes full use of your multi-channel, multi-speaker home theater system. It's called Super Audio CD or SACD.

1. SACD discs will not play in a "regular" CD player, even though they look like a regular CD and are the same size as a regular CD. SACD players will play your older "regular" CDs, hoWever.

2. SACD discs will not play in a DVD player UNLESS the player is specifically designed to also play SACD discs (several do). Look for SACD compatibility in the specs or look for the SACD icon on the player itself.

3. You DO NOT need a whole new stereo to enjoy the benefits of SACD- but it helps. SACD will take full advantage of current multi-speaker systems.

What so super about SACD? Sound quality- and quantity. SACD discs pack several times more musical information onto the same size disc as a regular CD. It's not that the music is "in surround sound," it's the Wealth of data that makes it sound better. The increased flow of musical information through your stereo results in sound that is more full, more detailed, allowing you to hear subtle touches that a regular CD can't reproduce. It's a difference you can really hear.

William Roberson
Audio Enthusiast
www.goodguys.com

Please Note: Hybrid SACDs are discs with a Super Audio layer and a CD layer. These types of SACDs can be played on regular CD players. Some specialty labels make hybrid SACDs, but Sony does not. Therefore, Sony SACDs cannot be played on regular CD players. The SA layer is a semi-transmissive layer, which a normal CD player’s laser will read through in order to read the CD layer. To read the SA layer, an SACD player is required.