HDCD CDs and transcoding

[simoncn]

(17-05-2014 11:04)AdamWysokinski Wrote:  Hi,

Any idea if transcoding with flac:wav24 would have the same effect for HDCD tracks ripped to standard 16/44 flacs as converting these files with a dedicated plugin (hdcd.exe or sth. that is implemented in the dBpoweramp)?
hdcd.exe produces 20-bit wav files, while dBpoweramp gives 24-bits files.

Regards,
Adam

If you rip an HDCD track to a 16/44.1 FLAC file, the HD information (extra 4 bits) is lost permanently and can't be restored by later transcoding. Ripping these files to 20-bit WAV or 24-bit FLAC preserves the extra 4 bits. By ripping to 24-bit FLAC and transcoding this to WAV for playing, you should get the best of both worlds.

Edit: The above information is incorrect. The HDCD information is still present in a 16/44.1 FLAC file, but in a special format that isn't detected when doing flac:wav24 transcoding. The only way to retrieve this information using MinimServer is to rip the HDCD to a 24/44.1 FLAC file.