SA CD is the new multi-channel Compact Disc standard developed by Sony and Philips: its Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Encoding offers multi-channel, high-resolution sound, with a frequency response five times greater than other audio CDs. SACD is supported by the majority of the industry.
The Super Audio CD stand was a new promotion initiative of the joint industry supporters of SACD, aiming to acquaint a large audience with the unique benefits of SACD. On the stand, a large six-channel Alcons system was installed, consisting of five VR12 loudspeakers (12" with RBN601 6" ribbon driver) and one BF302 subwoofer (double 15" woofer), all powered by three Alcons ALC2 controller-amps.
Prior to the show's opening, Philips, Sony and Universal Media organized a press event to inform more than 350 journalists from around the world on the progress of SACD. For this event, a large Alcons 6-channel system was utilized, consisting of five VR12 and five BF302 subwoofers; one of each per channel. For the sub channel, a deep-tuned double 8" subwoofer system was applied. The system was powered by five Alcons ALC2 controller-amps, with a total output power of 10,000W.
Hein Dekker, technical coordinator of SACD demos at Philips, commented: "SACD is superior quality music surrounding you, creating an amazing musical experience. From the beginning we've been demonstrating in our tweaked demo room with 10 to 15 seats max. With SACD coming in the next phase of development, getting into the mainstream market, we've been looking for ways of up scaling the demonstrations. But upscaling such a high-end audio and multi-channel sound experience is not easy, especially since larger demos mean higher SPL systems that are usually not known for their sonic accuracy. Tom Back joined in the first stage of our try-outs some years ago, and with his new pro-ribbon-based Alcons systems, we feel we've now found the missing tool to get the unique SACD experience across to larger groups of listeners."
He added: "We'll be using Alcons systems for our future Super Audio CD experience, from small to very large demonstrations."
(Lee Baldock)
