At a convention in Munich that was held recently
One large Dutch audio retailer reported that they now sold more SACD players than CD players.
One of the main record companies had decided to stop CD production and switch to SACD/CD hybrids for all new titles. As Sony cannot as yet produce hybrids, we concluded that the label in question had to be Universal. |
A few days after the Convention, we contacted someone from the record industry, who finally told us the whole story. He confirmed Universal's switch, but added that Sony Music will soon open a hybrid SACD pressing plant somewhere in the US, which will allow SACD prices to fall to around $23 or even below.
All of this finally explains the official announcement about Sonopress not only doubling its capacity but also launching that second production line. It also suggests that the record companies have decided that the CD copy-protection schemes tried out in the last few years are lost causes, and are turning to the well-protected SACD.
Due to the holiday weekend, we were unable on Friday to get anyone at Sony or Universal in the US to comment on this report. We will update our information as soon as we can do so. What about SACD? Can it survive Piracy?
Source: Stereophile
