Someone recently gave me an HDCD (Madeline Peyroux, female vocals aren't my thing but) I want to hear what an HDCD sounds like.

EDIT: for those who don't know what I am talking about but might be interested.

What HDCDs are.

This is a list of HDCDs:link



I'm not going to go into the tech stuff here because I figure anyone who tries to answer probably already is familiar.

What I want to know is if there is any way to play these things and get the "HD" benefit on a PC. I am not tracking down an actual standalone HDCD player.

A few things I know and have tried: Microsoft bought HDCD from Sony and pretty much abandoned it, there are a few hundred HDCDs out and likely no more.

Since MS owns the tech they are the only ones who can license a decoder. Supposedly Windows Media Player 10 and 11 can properly decode these things. When I try playing my disc in MP10 there is no indication that it sees it as anything other than a regular CD.

I have checked through audio forums and it seems I might need a high end 24 bit sound card there however seems to be no clear agreement on that condition.

I'm Running XP home with some kind of Realtek on board sound (ASUS P5Q board) Other specs probably don't matter but ask away.

Thanks.