HDCD signal not being passed through

[Xhorder]

Hi,

I have a few HDCDs, and from searching around, it appears that SB2 should pass the signal through, and that others have gotten it to work.

However, I can't seem to do it, and I'm at a loss as to where it's going wrong.

I'm using linux, and ripping to flac using grip (cdparanoia ripper/flac encoder). My SB2 is connected to my HDCD compatable amp via the optical digital out.

When I play the actual CD using my DVD player, the amp shows the HDCD logo, so I know it should work, in theory.

I've tried both .wav and .flac, and neither showed up as HDCD. And from google, I've learned the cdparanoia should keep the HDCD info when ripping.

Anyone have any ideas? It seems what I'm doing should work, yet it doesn't. I even booted into windows and played the .wav using WMP10, but could not determine if the HDCD info was present since it's unclear whether WMP10 accurately displays the HDCD logo...

Chris

[Triode]

This should definately work - it does for me.

Do you have replay gain active or have not set the player audio setting to "Digital output level is fixed"? If your player is altering the volume this will corrupt the bit pattern containing the HDCD information.

[Xhorder]

That was it!

I had both replay gain and volume adjustment active. Turning them off made it work..

Thanks...this forum is such a great resource.

Chris

[cepheid]

I know this is an old thread, but it's relevant so I figured I'd ask. =)

Do you know if Apple Lossless also preserves HDCD information? Specifically when ripped through iTunes?

Also, is HDCD 5.1 or stereo? It turns out I've got an HDCD that I didn't know about (the Independence Day soundtrack), but when played through my DVD player it sounds like a "regular" CD. My DVD player supports SACD but maybe not HDCD (there's no mention of that particular format in the manual)... certainly no special lights come on.

The other reason I ask is that the Apple Lossless files say they're only 2-channel, so if HDCD is supposed to be 5.1, that means ALAC is downconverting to stereo, which isn't good.

[Mark Lanctot]

Also, is HDCD 5.1 or stereo? It turns out I've got an HDCD that I didn't know about (the Independence Day soundtrack), but when played through my DVD player it sounds like a "regular" CD. My DVD player supports SACD but maybe not HDCD (there's no mention of that particular format in the manual)... certainly no special lights come on.

Stereo. It's a conventional CD with extra bits.

You need a processor that specifically supports HDCD. Typically any playback device that outputs a digital signal, including the Squeezebox, can pass HDCD, but there needs to be a decoder in the processor.

As to whether it makes a difference, it can be hard to notice.

Note the HDCD codec may occupy the DSP, meaning you can't use any other playback mode but stereo or "direct". On my Marantz 8400, for example, I can't use Dolby Pro-Logic IIx Music and HDCD at the same time.

[cepheid]

Stereo. It's a conventional CD with extra bits.

Hey Mark, thanks for the info... that definitely helps.

It appears that my equipment probably doesn't support HDCD... neither of the user manuals for both my DVD player and my receiver mention anything about HDCD. My receiver also doesn't have an HDCD light, so I'm guessing the support isn't there. (Just FYI my receiver is a Pioneer VSX-D814.)

Oh well... at least now I know. =) Thanks for clarifying!

[bp-plickner]

This should definately work - it does for me.

Do you have replay gain active or have not set the player audio setting to "Digital output level is fixed"? If your player is altering the volume this will corrupt the bit pattern containing the HDCD information.

Thanks for an excellent tip from 7+ years ago. The HDCD flac files from my library now light up the HDCD light on my DAC