Why Super Audio CD Failed

When we look back at the different audio and video technologies that hit the market with a lot of promise, several options that were great ideas at the time never reached critical mass.

The story starts with Beta tapes and 8-tracks. Although these options were popular briefly, they were quickly replaced by VHS and cassettes.

Those cassettes were eventually upstaged by Compact Discs. DVDs took over VHS tapes.

At the time HD-DVD formats were reaching stores, a shift in Compact Discs was also happening.  Here is the story of the Super Audio CD.

Why Super Audio CD Failed

Philips and Sony introduced SACD technology in 1999. It featured six Direct Stream Digital (DSD) channels to deliver the highest audio resolution possible to home listeners at the time. If Apple hadn’t released the iPod, the Super Audio CDs might have had a chance.

The advantages of the SACDs were clear. You didn’t need to purchase a fancy surround-sound system to get depth and quality to your favorite songs. They could be played on any device to deliver an outstanding result

SACDs had the same royalty as a standard CD, which gave it an advantage over the DVD-CDs that were being released by some bands at the time. A DVD-CD had a $0.40 royalty (or higher!).

As we came into the 21^st century, the record labels started taking sides on what format to use.

Although MP3 players were out at the time, the designs were clunky and difficult to manage. You start seeing some SACDs, others on DVD-CDs, standard CDs, and MP3 options.

When Steve Jobs and Apple released the first iPod, it became a straightforward solution for portable music.

You could carry dozens of albums, avoid the ridiculous folders of discs, and even run while wearing the product – the CDs would skip if you tried that.

It would become an instant success, which meant SACD would end up taking the same path that Blockbuster followed one day.

Once you could buy music for $1 a track through iTunes or other platforms, the writing was on the wall for the SACD.

Although SACD only had a couple of years in the marketplace, it still did better than the DVD-audio format.

Some audiophile labels are still using it to deliver a unique listening experience for those who have the equipment to maximize this format.

Why Does SACD Still Have Avid Followers?

Without going into a complete review of the technical comparisons, you’ll get a broader frequency response and a better dynamic range than a standard Compact Disc.

It uses an encoding process with sampling rates that are 64 times higher than what is found on a standard CD.

The skeptics and critics jumped on that information immediately.

Those specs go beyond the human hearing range, but SACD technology supporters say that exposure to those frequencies makes the music sound lifelike when played through accommodating speakers.

After you listen to an SACD, it’s tricky to go back to the standard CD. The instruments on a Compact Disc often sound muddy. It’s almost as if the music lacks definition when trying to play.

With the SACD, you get something louder, edgier, and brighter to enjoy on almost any system.

Although the earliest discs weren’t the best because the mastering didn’t take advantage of the technology, you can hear the recording’s distinctiveness.

Instead of it sounding like everything being on the same track, you can get the sensation of having an entire soundstage supporting the recording.

An SACD delivers more nuanced, resonant vibrations and plenty of reverberation.

That’s why boutique publishers are still using this format to create music, even in 2022.

What Are the Best Hi-Res SACD Albums to Buy Today?

When you look at the current SACD market, it is primarily classical or jazz.

Although those compositions have a rightful place in any library, you’ll need to go back a few years to find some of the best stuff that got released on this medium.

If you have an SACD player at home to use, you’ll want to consider grabbing these records first to enjoy the hi-res formatting this technology provides.

1. Eat a Peach by the Allman Brothers Band

When you choose this album for your SACD enjoyment, you’ll hear the bass grooves, organ chords, and percussion all working together while providing an individual definition.

Those incredible riffs feel like they’re coming from an amp right in front of you, providing over 30 minutes of listening enjoyment. It’s worth the investment.

2. Tumbleweed Connection by Elton John

Elton John might receive the most advantages from the SACD format when compared to other artists. His label issued six of his all-time classic albums with this medium.

The truth is that all of them could be on a list like this. Although Tumbleweed Connection doesn’t have as many hit singles, the western themes provide some of the best listening experiences you’ll find anywhere.

This album also has the original version of “Madman Across the Water.” It’s worth getting the SACD for that fact alone!

It isn’t always easy to find the SACD album, so the vinyl is a suitable substitute if you want an authentic listening experience.

3. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

This album was already a sonic adventure before it got mastered to a hi-res format. Although the SACD version will set you back a little, you’ll appreciate the depth of this masterpiece even more than usual.

Everyone has their favorite son from the album. Many people like to rank them in order, but I’ve found the experience is somewhat personal. I’m a big fan of “The Great Gig in the Sky,” which isn’t typically chosen as a favorite title.

4. Tommy by the Who

When you give this classic album a spin using the SACD formatting, you’ll never want to go back to any other version. The percussion kit feels like it is there in the room with you, bringing the performance to life.

When you’ve got Townshend’s and Daltrey’s vocals coming through the speakers, it’s almost as close to heaven as you can get from a musical perspective.

It’s such a useful format for this album that you’ll often see the SACD set retailing for over $100 today. Although some might balk at paying that much for the music, it’s worth the investment if you love The Who.

5. Gaucho by Steely Dan

If you think about the artists who considered themselves to be perfectionists, the two names that come to mind immediately are Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

The number of retakes they’d demand for each album was legendary. Although the work was undeniably tricky, the finished result created the perfect outcome from a hi-rest format like SACD.

Some critics say that this album is too polished, but that feedback came out before you could listen to the work on SACD. You’ll find it to be absolutely brilliant, especially when you get the horns driving the melody.

Is It Worth the Cost of Buying SACDs Today?

Almost all of the SACDs that record companies printed from 1999 to 2007 have gone out of print. If you want to get your hands on one of your favorites, the scarcity of the hi-res recordings drives the prices higher.

If you want to buy something from Peter Gabriel on SACD, you’ll pay at least $150 in most marketplaces for the privilege.

Even something like “Tubular Bells” from Mike Oldfield retails from around $85, and the Ultimate Edition that got released with this format didn’t even use surround sound on the master.

When you want something like Black Celebration from Depeche Mode, you’ll need to budget between $150 to $500 for the SACD.

If you listen to music while working, driving, or taking care of your chores, the investment into SACD technology might not make sense. For me, I enjoy this format when I’ve got time to decompress at night after a long day.

I can kick back, put on a favorite album, and enjoy the immersive atmosphere the hi-res SACD provides.

The best way to play an SACD is to use a player equipped with this hi-rest format option. Although you can put it into almost anything, something like the Sony X800 delivers a better result.

I like this player personally because it comes with Dolby Atmos while letting you use DTS:X for whatever experience you prefer.

You can even use streaming audio formats when using the Sony X800.

If you want to explore the world of SACD, it’s not too late to try some of the best albums ever released.

You can also find boutique bands providing new music to enjoy. Although it is a bit of an investment, your ears will thank you every time a song plays!