At this point, I only have one, and it is interesting that you bring it up since I played part of this XRCD2 a little earlier:
With my new speakers and Acoustic Room Treatments this CD sounds spectacular. Unfortunately the vinyl version is no longer available; I have heard part of the vinyl version but that is prior to my acquisition of the new speakers and the new Acoustic Room Treatments.
At this point, I only have one, and it is interesting that you bring it up since I played part of this XRCD2 a little earlier:
With my new speakers and Acoustic Room Treatments this CD sounds spectacular. Unfortunately the vinyl version is no longer available; I have heard part of the vinyl version but that is prior to my acquisition of the new speakers and the new Acoustic Room Treatments.
One of thge best classical album ever is Rossini Overtures Gamba /LSO on Decca 1961. Fantastic music and brilliant played. I have it on original vinyl, Speakers corners reissue 180g and on XRCD.
Played on my Nagra CDP and on my Hanss Acoustic T60/SMEV/Clearaudio Goldfinger me and my two audiophile friends could compare the formats.
The orignal DECCA vinyl was very good but a little thin and lacks weigth. The reissue was exeptional. More bass and much cleaner sound but still all the vibrant musicality you get with the best vinyl. The XRCD was better that the orignal vinyl and just a little behind the reissue lacking some air and flow. For a CD to be that close to the best vinyl is rare! (difficult to describe when english is not your first language).
Other great XRCDs:
Holst Planets LA phil/Meta Decca 1971/JVC XRCD24 an Absolute Sound favorite!
Jacintha /Autumn Leaves on FIM Smoth jazz for everyone!
The Reiymo DAC and player use a version of JVC's proprietary K2 h/w, used in the mastering process, for playback. I heard the player a few years ago and was quite impressed, with both the sonics and price.
I have been skeptical of XRCD for some time. What sealed the deal for me was the ABXing of Dire Straights Brothers in Arms to the vinyl and org. CD. The XRCD had way extra Reeeeveeerb(b)(b)(b), plus it added warmth (at 100 to 150hz). I went back to a couple jazz XRCDs, I now forget which, and ditto, same thing. Perhaps the new Blue Notes are better or perhaps I bought a bum batch.
I think the OP nailed it. Why doesn’t everyone use it? Hmmmm.
Some early XRCDs like Jacintha-Here's to Ben were overblown like Peter says. Too much "air" to sound natural. I can't help but be reminded of the wild panning on early stereo recordings. Subsequent releases settled down by a huge margin. I guess what can be gleaned from this is that the process adds some capabilities to the CD format proof is that it can be abused.
No offense to the folks that worked on Here's to Ben. It's just my honest opinion.
All of the FIM and LIM XRCDs are excellent in my experience. Most of the XRCDs are excellent but when Alan Yoshida is the mastering engineer they tend to be a bit better than average.
The new Blue Note reissues on Audio Wave XRCDs are outstanding. I'm buying them all.
I have been skeptical of XRCD for some time. What sealed the deal for me was the ABXing of Dire Straights Brothers in Arms to the vinyl and org. CD. The XRCD had way extra Reeeeveeerb(b)(b)(b), plus it added warmth (at 100 to 150hz). I went back to a couple jazz XRCDs, I now forget which, and ditto, same thing. Perhaps the new Blue Notes are better or perhaps I bought a bum batch.
I think the OP nailed it. Why doesn’t everyone use it? Hmmmm.