Are XRCD worth it?

[xk8boy]

I've read the hype from JVC and their philosophy seems to make sense. But as we all know philosophy and actuality are two different things.

Can you experts and everyone give us so practical experiences on this?

[Duke]

I don't know if I am an expert, but I have 2 XRCD's. I have Doug McLeod "come to find" and LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS/GOIN' AWAY. I can say that in my setup, they sound so much better then regular cd's. Everything just sound more there and crisp. I was usure also but I had to know. Now I do. I plan on getting more.

[krellfan]

I have about 30 XRCDs. They are expensive but worth it. I usually buy them the CES or Stereophiles show where they are usually sold for around $20 to $25. There is a significant improvement over the regular CD of the same recording.

[Jack Keck]

Can you play these on a regular CD player or do you need a special kind of CD player?

[scottielee]

another big fan here, although i only have 7. they sound fantastic. eagerly awaiting more releases.

[krellfan]

XRCD can be played on regular cd player.

[akhter]

One question I have is, once a cd is produced by the XRCD way, why would they not press the regular CD with the same bit data. I mean, the whole point of XRCD is controlling the entire chain from recording to pressing, but the actually pressing can be done by any CD cutting machine. In other words, it seems to me (and correctly me if I am wrong), doing a perfect cd bit-duplication of an XRCD using a PCg SHOULD produce another XRCD, so when the production company goes through all that trouble why not do it for the regular version? Surely by charging a dollar more, they'll make far more by selling 100 times more volume then selling a handful at a much higher premium?

[sulapovi]

Though it's XRCD, my observation is quality of recording lot depends on the recording company & it varies. Recently I bought few CDs from Hong Kong, some how I was not that impressed with the quality of the sound. It's just my opinion.

[Fife]

The XRCD24 bit sound very good.
HOwever, some SACD's do sound better than the XRCD 20 bit and 2 bits.