Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) is a new audio disc format and technology from Philips and Sony Electronics. SACDs look like regular CDs, but have much higher storage capacity, so they can hold super high-quality audio in 2-channel Stereo and multi-channel Surround Sound. SACD disc use a new audio encoding format called Direct Sound Digital that promises much better fidelity over CD audio.
In
addition to high-quality DSD audio, Super Audio CDs also allow the addition
of second physical CD layer to the disc so as to provide compatibility
with conventional CD players. Because of all the different configurations
possible with SACDs, Universal Music Group provides an easy reference
guide on each SACD describing what type of music content the disc contains.
Of course, to take advantage of the improved sound quality with SACDs, you will need an SACD player and a Surround Sound audio system to enjoy the multichannel audio.
Many SACD players also function as conventional CD and DVD-Video players, allowing you to have one player that supports all three formats.
Be sure to visit the Releases
section of this site to see the current SACD releases from Universal Music
Group!