View source for Super Audio CD

{{short description|Read-only optical disc for high-fidelity audio storage}}
{{infobox media
| logo          = [[File:SACDlogo.svg|frameless|upright=0.7|class=skin-invert]]
| image         = Back_of_SACD.png
| caption       = Reverse side of a hybrid SACD. Unlike a CD, the reflection has a gold hue.
| type          = [[Optical disc]]
| encoding      = Digital ([[Direct Stream Digital|DSD]])
| capacity      = 4.38&nbsp;[[GiB]] (4.7&nbsp;[[Gigabyte|GB]]) single layer and hybrid<br />7.92&nbsp;GiB (8.5&nbsp;GB) dual layer
| read          = 650&nbsp;nm laser (780&nbsp;nm for the CD layer of a hybrid disc)
| owner         = [[Sony]] and [[Philips]]
| use           = Audio storage
| extended from = [[Compact Disc Digital Audio]]
| released      = {{Start date and age|1999}}
| standard      = [[Rainbow Books|Scarlet Book]]
}}
{{Optical disc authoring}}

'''Super Audio CD''' ('''SACD''') is an [[optical disc]] format for [[audio storage]] introduced in 1999. It was developed jointly by [[Sony]] and [[Philips Electronics]] and intended to be the successor to the [[compact disc]] (CD) format.

The SACD format allows multiple audio channels (i.e. [[surround sound]] or multichannel sound). It also provides a higher bit rate and longer playing time than a conventional CD.

An SACD is designed to be played on an SACD player. A '''hybrid SACD''' contains a [[Compact Disc Digital Audio]] (CDDA) layer and can also be played on a standard CD player.

== History ==

The Super Audio CD format was introduced in 1999,<ref name="guardian2007"/> and is defined by the ''Scarlet Book'' standard document. [[Philips]] and [[Crest Digital]] partnered in May 2002 to develop and install the first SACD hybrid disc production line in the United States, with a production capacity of up to three million discs per year.<ref name="newscenter"/> SACD did not achieve the level of growth that compact discs enjoyed in the 1980s,<ref name="digitaltrends"/> and was not accepted by the mainstream market.<ref name="cnet2009"/><ref name="stereophile2006"/><ref name="avrev2006"/>

By 2007, SACD had failed to make a significant impact in the marketplace; consumers were increasingly downloading low-resolution music files over the internet rather than buying music on physical disc formats.<ref name="guardian2007"/> A small and niche market for SACD has remained, serving the [[audiophile]] community.<ref name="availability"/>

== Content ==
Many popular artists have released some or all of their back catalog on SACD. [[Pink Floyd]]'s album ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]'' (1973) sold over 800,000 copies by June 2004 in its SACD Surround Sound edition.<ref name="SACDGold"/> [[The Who]]'s rock opera ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' (1969), and [[Roxy Music]]'s ''[[Avalon (Roxy Music album)|Avalon]]'' (1982), were released on SACD to take advantage of the format's multi-channel capability. All three albums were remixed in [[5.1 surround]], and released as hybrid SACDs with a stereo mix on the standard CD layer.

Some popular artists have released new recordings on SACD. Sales figures for [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]'s ''[[Sacred Love]]'' (2003) album reached number one on SACD sales charts in four European countries in June 2004.<ref name=SACDGold/>

Between 2007 and 2008, the rock band [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] re-released all of their studio albums across three SACD box sets. Each album in these sets contains both new stereo and 5.1 mixes. The original stereo mixes were not included. The US & Canada versions do not use SACD but CD instead.

By August 2009, 443 labels had released one or more SACDs.<ref name="faq13" />

Many SACD discs that were released from 2000 to 2005 are now out of print and available only on the used market.<ref name="availability" /><ref name="availability_2" /> By 2009, the major record companies were no longer regularly releasing discs in the format, with new releases confined to the smaller labels.<ref name="availability_3" />

== Technology ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right"
|+ SA-CD characteristics
! Characteristic
! CD layer (optional)
! SACD layer
|-
| Disc capacity
| 700{{nbsp}}MB<ref name="Middleton, Zak"/>
| 4.7{{nbsp}}GB<ref name=extremetech2001/>
|-
| Audio encoding
| 16-bit [[pulse-code modulation]]
| 1-bit [[Direct Stream Digital]]
|-
| Sampling frequency
| 44.1{{nbsp}}kHz
| 2,822.4{{nbsp}}kHz (2.8224{{nbsp}}MHz)
|-
| Audio channels
| 2 ([[stereo]])
| Up to 6 ([[surround sound|discrete surround]])
|-
| Playback time if stereo
| 80 minutes<ref name="Clifford"/>
| 110 minutes without DST compression<ref name=extremetech2001/>
|}

SACD discs have identical physical dimensions as standard compact discs. The [[Areal density (computer storage)|areal density]] of the disc is the same as a [[DVD]].  There are three types of disc:<ref name="extremetech2001" />

*'''Hybrid''': Hybrid SACDs have a 4.7 GB SACD layer (the ''HD layer''), as well as a CD (Red Book) audio layer readable by most conventional compact disc players.<ref name="Hybrid+SACD"/>
*'''Single-layer''': A disc with one 4.7 GB SACD layer.
*'''Dual-layer''': A disc with two SACD layers, totaling 8.5 GB, and no CD layer. Dual-layer SACDs can store nearly twice as much data as a single-layer SACD. Like most dual-layer DVDs, the data spiral for the first layer is encoded from the inside out, and the second layer is encoded starting from the point where the first layer ends and ending at the innermost part of the disc.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} Unlike hybrid discs, both single- and dual-layer SACDs are incompatible with conventional CD players and cannot be played on them.

A stereo SACD recording has an uncompressed rate of 5.6&nbsp;[[Mbit/s]], four times the rate for [[Red Book (audio CD standard)|Red Book]] CD stereo audio.<ref name="extremetech2001"/>

Commercial releases commonly include both surround sound (five full-range plus [[Low-frequency effects|LFE]] multi-channel) and stereo (dual-channel) mixes on the SACD layer.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} Some reissues retain the mixes of earlier multi-channel formats (examples include the 1973 [[quadraphonic]] mix of [[Mike Oldfield]]'s ''[[Tubular Bells]]'' and the 1957 three-channel stereo recording by the [[Chicago Symphony Orchestra]] of [[Mussorgsky]]'s ''[[Pictures at an Exhibition]]'', reissued on SACD in 2001 and 2004 respectively).

=== Disc reading ===
[[file:Sacd.svg|thumb|A hybrid Super Audio CD uses two layers and the standardized [[focal length]] of conventional CD players to enable both types of player to read the data]]

Objective lenses in conventional CD players have a longer working distance, or [[focal length]], than lenses designed for SACD players. In SACD-capable DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray players, the red DVD laser is used for reading SACDs.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} This means that when a hybrid SACD is placed into a conventional CD player, the infrared laser beam passes through the SACD layer and is reflected by the CD layer at the standard 1.2&nbsp;mm distance, and the SACD layer is out of focus. When the same disc is placed into an SACD player, the red laser is reflected by the SACD layer (at 0.6&nbsp;mm distance) before it can reach the CD layer. Conversely, if a conventional CD is placed into an SACD player, the laser will read the disc as a CD since there is no SACD layer.<ref name=extremetech2001/><ref name="muszeroldal"/>

=== Direct Stream Digital ===
{{Main|Direct Stream Digital}}

SACD audio is stored in [[Direct Stream Digital]] (DSD) format using [[pulse-density modulation]] (PDM) where audio amplitude is determined by the varying proportion of 1s and 0s. This contrasts with [[compact disc]] and conventional computer audio systems using [[pulse-code modulation]] (PCM) where audio amplitude is determined by numbers encoded in the bit stream. Both modulations require neighboring samples to reconstruct the original waveform; the more neighboring samples, the lower the frequency that can be encoded.

DSD is [[1-bit DAC|1-bit]], has a sampling rate of 2.8224&nbsp;[[MHz]], and makes use of [[noise shaping]] [[Quantization (signal processing)|quantization]] techniques in order to push 1-bit quantization noise up to inaudible ultrasonic frequencies. This gives the format a greater [[dynamic range]] and wider frequency response than the CD. The SACD format is capable of delivering a dynamic range of 120&nbsp;[[decibel|dB]] from 20&nbsp;Hz to 20&nbsp;kHz and an extended frequency response up to 100&nbsp;kHz, although most available players list an upper limit of 70–90&nbsp;kHz,<ref name="Reefman"/> and practical limits reduce this to 50&nbsp;kHz.<ref name=extremetech2001/> Because of the nature of [[Delta-sigma modulation|sigma-delta converters]], DSD and PCM cannot be directly compared. DSD's frequency response can be as high as 100&nbsp;kHz, but frequencies that high compete with high levels of ultrasonic [[quantization noise]].<ref name="ambisonic2001"/> With appropriate [[low-pass filter]]ing, a [[frequency response]] of 20&nbsp;kHz can be achieved along with a dynamic range of nearly 120&nbsp;dB, which is about the same dynamic range as PCM audio with a resolution of 20 bits.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

=== Direct Stream Transfer ===

To reduce the space and bandwidth requirements of DSD, a [[lossless data compression]] method called '''Direct Stream Transfer''' ('''DST''') is used. DST compression is compulsory for multi-channel regions and optional for stereo regions. It typically compresses by a factor of between two and three, allowing a disc to contain 80 minutes of both 2-channel and 5.1-channel sound.<ref name="direct-stream-digital"/>

Direct Stream Transfer compression was standardized as an amendment to the [[MPEG-4 Audio]] standard, [[ISO/IEC]] 14496-3:2001/Amd 6:2005 (Lossless coding of oversampled audio), in 2005.<ref name="dst-iso"/><ref name="dst-iso2"/> It contains the DSD and DST definitions as described in the Super Audio CD Specification.<ref name="dst-iso-ipsj"/> The MPEG-4 DST provides lossless coding of oversampled audio signals. Target applications of DST are archiving and storage of [[1-bit DAC|1-bit]] oversampled audio signals and SA-CD.<ref name="dst-chiariglione"/><ref name="dst-chiariglione-old"/><ref name="mpeg4audio-version4-2009"/>

A [[reference implementation]] of MPEG-4 DST was published as ISO/IEC 14496-5:2001/Amd.10:2007 in 2007.<ref name="dst-reference-implementation"/><ref name="dst-reference-implementation-iso"/>

=== Copy protection ===

SACD has several [[copy protection]] features at the physical level, which made the digital content of SACD discs difficult to copy until the [[PlayStation 3 Jailbreak|jailbreak of the PlayStation 3]]. The content may be copyable without SACD quality by resorting to the [[analog hole]], or ripping the conventional 700&nbsp;MB layer on hybrid discs. Copy protection schemes include physical pit modulation and 80-bit [[encryption]] of the audio data, with a key encoded on a special area of the disc that is only readable by a licensed SACD device. The HD layer of an SACD disc cannot be played back on computer CD/DVD drives, and SACDs can only be manufactured at the disc replication facilities in [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] and [[Salzburg]].<ref name="sa-cd-net-news"/><ref name="dvddemystified"/>

Nonetheless, very early versions of the [[PlayStation 3]] with an SACD-compatible drive and appropriate firmware<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Sony's PlayStation 3 could save your SACD collection |url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/how-sony-s-playstation-3-could-save-your-sacd-collection |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Gramophone |language=en}}</ref> and certain Blu-ray players<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-20 |title=SACD Ripping using an Oppo or Pioneer? Yes, it's true! |url=https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/28569-sacd-ripping-using-an-oppo-or-pioneer-yes-its-true/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Audiophile Style |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-06 |title=Music in the Round #93: miniDSP & Ripping SACDs Page 2 |url=https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-93-minidsp-ripping-sacds-page-2 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Stereophile.com |language=en}}</ref> can use specialized software to extract a [[Direct Stream Digital|DSD]] copy of the HD stream.

== Sound quality ==
{{see also|High-resolution audio#Controversy}}

Sound quality parameters achievable by the Red Book [[CD-DA]] and SACD formats compared with the limits of human hearing are as follows:

; CD: Dynamic range: 90&nbsp;dB;<ref name="Fries2005"/> 120&nbsp;dB (with shaped [[dither]]);<ref name="xiph"/> frequency range: 20&nbsp;Hz—20&nbsp;kHz<ref name="Middleton, Zak"/>
; SACD: Dynamic range: 105&nbsp;dB;<ref name="Middleton, Zak"/> frequency range: 20&nbsp;Hz—50&nbsp;kHz<ref name=extremetech2001/>
; Human hearing: Dynamic range: 120&nbsp;dB;<ref name="springer"/> frequency range: 20&nbsp;Hz—20&nbsp;kHz (young person); 20&nbsp;Hz—8–15&nbsp;kHz (middle-aged adult)<ref name="springer" />

In September 2007, the Audio Engineering Society published the results of a year-long trial, in which a range of subjects—including professional recording engineers—were asked to discern the difference between [[high-resolution audio]] sources (including SACD and [[DVD-Audio]]) and a compact disc audio (44.1&nbsp;kHz/16 bit) conversion of the same source material under [[Blind experiment#Double-blind trials|double-blind]] test conditions. Out of 554 trials, there were 276 correct answers, a 49.8% success rate corresponding almost exactly to the 50% that would have been expected by [[Statistical significance|chance guessing]] alone.<ref name="Galo"/> When the level of the signal was elevated by 14&nbsp;dB or more, the test subjects were able to detect the higher [[noise floor]] of the CD-quality loop easily. The authors commented:<ref name="AES"/>

{{ blockquote
| Now, it is very difficult to use negative results to prove the inaudibility of any given phenomenon or process. There is always the remote possibility that a different system or more finely attuned pair of ears would reveal a difference. But we have gathered enough data, using sufficiently varied and capable systems and listeners, to state that the burden of proof has now shifted. Further claims that careful 16/44.1 encoding audibly degrades high resolution signals must be supported by properly controlled double-blind tests.
}}

Following criticism that the original published results of the study were not sufficiently detailed, the AES published a list of the audio equipment and recordings used during the tests.<ref name="mixonline"/> Since the Meyer–Moran study in 2007,<ref name="drew"/> approximately 80 studies have been published on high-resolution audio, about half of which included blind tests. [[Joshua Reiss]] performed a meta-analysis on 20 of the published tests that included sufficient experimental detail and data. In a paper published in the July 2016 issue of the AES Journal,<ref name="reiss"/> Reiss says that, although the individual tests had mixed results, and that the effect was "small and difficult to detect," the overall result was that trained listeners could distinguish between high-resolution recordings and their CD equivalents under blind conditions: "Overall, there was a small but statistically significant ability to discriminate between standard-quality audio (44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 bit) and high-resolution audio (beyond standard quality). When subjects were trained, the ability to discriminate was far more significant." Hiroshi Nittono pointed out that the results in Reiss's paper showed that the ability to distinguish high-resolution audio from CD-quality audio was "only slightly better than chance."<ref name="Nittono"/>

Contradictory results have been found when comparing DSD and high-resolution PCM formats.  [[ABX test|Double-blind listening tests]] in 2004 between DSD and 24-bit, 176.4&nbsp;kHz PCM recordings reported that among test subjects no significant differences could be heard.<ref name="Blech"/> DSD advocates and equipment manufacturers continue to assert an improvement in sound quality above PCM 24-bit 176.4&nbsp;kHz.<ref name="korg"/> A 2003 study found that despite both formats' extended frequency responses, people could not distinguish audio with information above 21&nbsp;kHz from audio without such high-frequency content.<ref name="NHK"/> In a 2014 study, however, Marui et al. found that under double-blind conditions, listeners were able to distinguish between PCM (192&nbsp;kHz/24 bits) and DSD (2.8&nbsp;MHz) or DSD (5.6&nbsp;MHz) recording formats, preferring the qualitative features of DSD, but could not discriminate between the two DSD formats.<ref name="Marui"/>

== Playback hardware ==
In 1999, the Sony SCD-1 player was introduced concurrently with the SACD format, at a price of approximately US$5,000 ({{Inflation|US|5000|1999|fmt=eq|r=-2}}).<ref name="audiophilia"/> It weighed over {{Convert|26|kg|lb st}} and played two-channel SACDs and [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Red Book]] CDs only. Electronics manufacturers, including [[Onkyo]],<ref name="Onkyo"/> [[Denon]],<ref name="Denon"/> [[Marantz]],<ref name="Marantz1"/><ref name="Marantz2"/> [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]],<ref name="Pioneer1"/><ref name="Pioneer2"/> and [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]],<ref name="Yamaha"/> offer or offered SACD players. [[Sony]] has made in-car SACD players.<ref name="highfidelityreview"/>

In order to play back SACD content digitally without any conversion, some players are able to offer an output carrying encrypted streams of DSD, either via [[IEEE 1394]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony SCD-XA9000ES Operating Instructions |url=https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0009494M.pdf |publisher=Sony Electronics Inc. |page=32 |quote=i.LINK section, Format (output)}}</ref> or more commonly, [[HDMI]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harley |first1=Robert |title=New Information on Oppo Blu-ray Player |url=https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/new-information-on-oppo-blu-ray-player-1/ |website=The Absolute Sound |date=2008-12-11 }}</ref>

SACD players are not permitted to offer an output carrying an unencrypted stream of DSD.<ref name="sacd-playback"/>

The first two generations of Sony's PlayStation 3 game console were capable of reading SACD discs. Starting with the third generation (introduced October 2007), SACD playback was removed.<ref name="ps3sacd-faq"/> All PlayStation 3 models, however, will play DSD Disc format. The PlayStation 3 was capable of converting multi-channel DSD to [[lossy]] 1.5&nbsp;Mbit/s [[DTS (sound system)|DTS]] for playback over [[S/PDIF]] using the 2.00 [[PlayStation 3 system software|system software]]. The subsequent revision removed the feature.<ref name="ps3sacd-news-2007-11-22"/>

Several brands have introduced (mostly [[High-end audio|high-end]]) [[Blu-ray Disc]] and [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] players that can play SACD discs.<ref name="ps3sacd-players"/>

Unofficial playback of SACD [[disc image]]s on a PC is possible through [[freeware]] [[Audio player (software)|audio player]] [[foobar2000]] for [[Windows]] using the [[Open-source license|open source]] plug-in extension SACDDecoder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Korzunov |first=Yuri |date=2018-11-01 |title=Foobar2000 {{!}} How to play DSD: DSF DFF SACD ISO? |url=https://samplerateconverter.com/educational/play-dsf-foobar2000 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=samplerateconverter.com |language=en}}</ref> [[macOS]] music software Audirvana also supports playback of SACD disc images.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-14 |title=Is it possible to play SACD .ISO files directly in AUdirvana |url=https://community.audirvana.com/t/is-it-possible-to-play-sacd-iso-files-directly-in-audirvana/23276 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Audirvana |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[DSD-CD]]
* [[DualDisc]]
* [[Extended Resolution Compact Disc]] (XRCD)
* [[High Definition Compatible Digital]] (HDCD)
* [[Timeline of audio formats]]

== References ==

<references>
<ref name="guardian2007">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/aug/02/guardianweeklytechnologysection.digitalmusic |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 August 2007 |title=No taste for high-quality audio |author=Jack Schofield |access-date=May 29, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="newscenter">{{cite web|url=http://www.newscenter.philips.com/main/standard/about/news/press/archive/2002/article-2217.wpd |title=Crest National and Philips Partner to Bring SACD Hybrid Disc Manufacturing to the USA |publisher=Newscenter.philips.com |date=2002-05-30 |access-date=2011-12-31}}</ref>
<ref name=digitaltrends>[http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/are-dvd-audio-and-sacd-doa/ Mark Fleischmann. Are DVD-Audio and SACD DOA? April 2, 2004. Retrieved on January 16, 2010]</ref>
<ref name=cnet2009>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10204536-47.html C|Net News, March 26, 2009, Betamax to Blu-ray: Sony format winners, losers by Steve Guttenberg. Retrieved on May 29, 2009]</ref>
<ref name=stereophile2006>[http://www.stereophile.com/images/newsletter/106Astph.html Stereofile eNewsletter, January 10, 2006. Io Saturnalia! by Wes Phillips. Retrieved on May 28, 2009]</ref>
<ref name=avrev2006>[http://www.avrev.com/news/1006/19.tower.shtml Audio Video Revolution, October 19, 2006. The Symbolism Of Losing Tower Records. Jerry Del Colliano. Retrieved on May 28, 2009]</ref>
<ref name="availability">{{cite web |url=http://audiophilereview.com/sacddvd-audio/the-10-best-audiophile-sacds-ever---many-are-out-of-print.html |title=The 10 Best Audiophile SACDs Ever&nbsp;— Many Are Out Of Print |date=27 November 2010 |publisher=Audiophilereview.com |access-date=2013-03-06}}</ref>
<ref name=SACDGold>[http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=17610285 High Fidelity Review. ''Universal Music Artists Hit SACD Gold and Silver in Europe''. Retrieved on May 18, 2009]</ref>
<ref name="faq13">{{Cite web|url=http://sa-cd.net/faq#playback13|title=SA-CD.net – Super Audio CD – FAQ|website=sa-cd.net}}</ref>
<ref name="availability_2">{{cite web|url=http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/feature/top-10-sacds-you-can-afford-to-buy/ |title=Top 10: SACDs you can afford to buy |first=Paul|last=Sinclair|date=January 30, 2013|access-date=2013-03-11}}</ref>
<ref name="availability_3">{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10287419-47.html |title=Are SACD and DVD-Audio dead yet? |first=Steve|last=Guttenberg|website=CNET|date=July 16, 2009|access-date=2013-03-11}}</ref>
<ref name="Middleton, Zak">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dUw8oha56zwC&pg=PA54 |page=54 |last1=Middleton |first1=Chris |last2=Zuk |first2=Allen |title=The Complete Guide to Digital Audio: A Comprehensive Introduction to Digital Sound and Music-Making |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2003 |isbn=978-1592001026 }}</ref>
<ref name=extremetech2001>{{cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Leslie |date=2001-07-02 |title=Surround Sound: The High-End: SACD and DVD-Audio |url=http://www.extremetech.com/computing/48844-surround-sound/10 |website=Extremetech.com |access-date=2009-05-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111017163419/http://www.extremetech.com/computing/48844-surround-sound/10 |archive-date = 2011-10-17}}</ref>
<ref name="Clifford">Clifford, Martin (1987). "The Complete Compact Disc Player." Prentice Hall. p. 57. {{ISBN|0-13-159294-7}}.</ref>
<ref name="Hybrid+SACD">[https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=Hybrid+SACD&i=44546,00.asp PC Magazine Encyclopedia Definition of Hybrid SACD] Retrieved June 16, 2009</ref>
<ref name=muszeroldal>[http://www.muszeroldal.hu/assistance/SACD1.pdf How A Hybrid Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) Works. Retrieved June 16, 2009]</ref>
<ref name="Reefman">{{Cite web|url=http://tech.juaneda.com/en/articles/dsd.pdf|title=Reefman, Derk; Nuijten, Peter. "Why Direct Stream Digital is the best choice as a digital audio format." (PDF) Audio Engineering Society Convention Paper 5396, May 2001.}}</ref>
<ref name=ambisonic2001>[http://www.ambisonic.net/sacdvdada.html Ambisonic.net. Richard Elen, August 2001. ''Battle of the Discs''. Retrieved on May 20, 2009]</ref>
<ref name="direct-stream-digital">[http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/direct-stream-digital.html Direct Stream Digital Technology. Retrieved June 3, 2009]</ref>
<ref name="dst-iso">{{cite web| url=http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=41811 | title=ISO/IEC 14496-3:2001/Amd 6:2005&nbsp;– Lossless coding of oversampled audio | author=[[ISO/IEC]] | publisher=ISO | date=2006-03-14 | access-date=2009-10-09}}</ref>
<ref name="dst-iso2">{{cite web| url=http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=44357 | title=ISO/IEC 14496-4:2004/Amd 15:2007&nbsp;– Lossless coding of oversampled audio | author=[[ISO/IEC]] | publisher=ISO | date=2007-08-06 | access-date=2009-10-09}}</ref>
<ref name="dst-iso-ipsj">{{citation | url=http://kikaku.itscj.ipsj.or.jp/sc29/open/29view/29n6213t.doc | title=ISO/IEC 14496-3:2001/FPDAM6 (Lossless coding of oversampled audio). | format=DOC | author=ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11/N6674 | date=July 2004 | access-date=2009-10-09}}</ref>
<ref name="dst-chiariglione">{{cite web| url=http://mpeg.chiariglione.org/technologies/mpeg-4/mp04-1bl/index.htm | title=Description Lossless coding of oversampled audio | author= ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11 N7465 | publisher=chiariglione.org | date=July 2005 | access-date=2009-10-09}}</ref>
<ref name="dst-chiariglione-old">{{cite web|url=http://www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/technologies/mp04-1bl/index.htm  |title=Description Lossless coding of oversampled audio |author=ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11 N7465 |date=July 2005 |access-date=2009-12-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070203031201/http://www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/technologies/mp04-1bl/index.htm |archive-date = 2007-02-03}}</ref>
<ref name="mpeg4audio-version4-2009">{{citation | url=http://webstore.iec.ch/preview/info_isoiec14496-3%7Bed4.0%7Den.pdf | title=ISO/IEC 14496-3:2009&nbsp;– Information technology&nbsp;– Coding of audio-visual objects&nbsp;– Part 3: Audio | author=[[ISO/IEC]] | publisher=IEC | date=2009-09-01 | access-date=2009-10-07}}</ref>
<ref name="dst-reference-implementation">{{citation | url=http://standards.iso.org/ittf/PubliclyAvailableStandards/c043465_ISO_IEC_14496-5_2001_Amd_10_2007_Reference_Software.zip | title=ISO/IEC 14496-5:2001/Amd.10:2007&nbsp;– Information technology&nbsp;– Coding of audio-visual objects&nbsp;– Part 5: Reference software&nbsp;– Amendment 10: SSC, DST, ALS and SLS reference software | format=ZIP | author=[[ISO/IEC]] | publisher=ISO | year=2007 | access-date=2009-10-07}}</ref>
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== Bibliography ==

* Janssen, E.; Reefman, D. [https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1226728 "Super-audio CD: an introduction".] ''Signal Processing Magazine, IEEE'' Volume 20, Issue 4, July 2003, pp.&nbsp;83–90.

== External links ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080308232011/http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/dsd/dsd.pdf ''Super Audio Compact Disc: A Technical Proposal''], Sony (archived PDF)
* [http://www.sa-cd.net/ SA-CD.net]  Reviews of SACD releases and a discussion forum.

{{Audio formats}}
{{High-definition}}
{{Rainbow Books}}
{{DVD}}

[[Category:Audiovisual introductions in 1999]]
[[Category:Compact disc]]
[[Category:DVD]]
[[Category:Audio storage]]
[[Category:Digital audio storage]]
[[Category:Optical computer storage media]]