What do SACD's sound like?

[Bus_Boy]

I'm just wondering how much of a difference there is with SACD recording.My Marantz player says it's compatible with SACD's, and i would like to try one to see what the differences are, but i'm finding them anywhere from $50-100+.Which is a lot of money for me just to try something out, especially when i don't recognise any of the artists.

[Bluroo]

SACD's are great. Well let me clarify that not all SACDs are created equal. Some a trash and not worth the money. So some careful investigation is needed to go down this path now with the current prices. I have a good selection of DVD-A and some SACD's but I paid around $30 for mine. I am not sure that I would go down this trail now with the price that OOP disks are going for and the possible upcoming Bluray audio ( when it arrives)? I would find someone local that has a few disks and give it a try. Careful this could be costly.

All the best with your decision BR

[Boots-n-All]

Hi there,

For me, SACD makes most sense in 5.1 surround (usually 5.0 actually), although I do have some stereo ones - for me stereo SACD offers little over vinyl.

But as a regular concert goer, I find the surround sound to most acurately bring out the dynamics of a concert and with the dramatically improved 'sweet spot' sitting in a different seat in my lounge is like sitting in a different seat in the concert hall.

The regular concert goers that I know that have seriously tried SACD will not go back to redbook.

But that is only my experience and everyone knows that experience isn't as valid as rabidly held opinion.

Boots.

[Bluroo]

Bus_boy try JB for a SACD to try as Dire Straits is about $30 and the SACD layer is great. Red book layer CxxP! but its worth a try and not a big price. My local has two or three copies. So they are still around.

BR

Brothers in Arms 20th Ann edition

[Jake]

Look here. Click SACD on the left.

From $12, and free postage.

[Perth-Ed]

Hi Jake,

Link doesn't seem to work ?

[aechmea]

It seems that www.cdwow.com.au is down. Its not responding to "ping"s.

[tdunster]

Bus_boy try JB for a SACD to try as Dire Straits is about $30 and the SACD layer is great. Red book layer CxxP! but its worth a try and not a big price. My local has two or three copies. So they are still around.

BR

Brothers in Arms 20th Ann edition

I own around 200 or so SACD's. I would say That Dire Straits Brothers in Arms is one of the worst. The original CD sounds a hell of a lot better. Why? The SACD is brickwalled and it distorts.

Overall it's not SACD that's the problem it's the remastering process used by studios since 1991.

My tip is that unless you want a surround version of something always get the redbook version (preferebly the original and not a remaster).

Others will be better informed to comment about classical and Jazz ..and so on.

[mondie]

I own around 200 or so SACD's. I would say That Dire Straits Brothers in Arms is one of the worst. The original CD sounds a hell of a lot better. Why? The SACD is brickwalled and it distorts.

Gee thats odd because l find BIA on SACD mesmerising and certainly l hear none of the issues you do. It smashes the early CD l own, just no comparison

SACD when done right is so far ahead of CD the two may as well be completely different mediums. A great SACD is like excellent vinyl reproduction and its certainly a shame that it never gained a foothold in the industry.

Cheers,
mondie

[Zammo]

Gee thats odd because l find BIA on SACD mesmerising and certainly l hear none of the issues you do. It smashes the early CD l own, just no comparison


Cheers,
mondie

Another one curious about your opinion of this SACD tdunster. I have an early pressing of BIA on RBCD that is quite good, but to my ears the SACD is superior. I may not go so far as to say it smashes it, but I certainly can't recall any overt brickwalling or distortion. Intrigued as to whether we all have simliar pressings or different (of the RBCD and SACD). May have to have another critical listen to these two and compare again.

[Batty]

War of the worlds and Rubycon sound damn fine of sacd to my ears

[Benje]

War of the worlds and Rubycon sound damn fine of sacd to my ears

Rubycon (Tangerine Dream) is stereo only, isn't it Batty?

Benje

[Batty]

ow, now I have to go seek.

[Stump]

Another one curious about your opinion of this SACD tdunster. I have an early pressing of BIA on RBCD that is quite good, but to my ears the SACD is superior. I may not go so far as to say it smashes it, but I certainly can't recall any overt brickwalling or distortion. Intrigued as to whether we all have simliar pressings or different (of the RBCD and SACD). May have to have another critical listen to these two and compare again.

I third that! BIA sounds good to me..

[Jake]

BIA SACD sounds alright to me too but it's far from being my fave DS album.

[tdunster]

Another one curious about your opinion of this SACD tdunster. I have an early pressing of BIA on RBCD that is quite good, but to my ears the SACD is superior. I may not go so far as to say it smashes it, but I certainly can't recall any overt brickwalling or distortion. Intrigued as to whether we all have simliar pressings or different (of the RBCD and SACD). May have to have another critical listen to these two and compare again.

On a more positive note Billy Joels the Stranger on SACD is about the best recording I have ever heard. I can't stand Billy Joel but I have been known to spin that puppy all day because the sound quality is just breath taking. This was done by Ted Jensen at Stirling Sound. Unfortunately he never did one this good again as far as I know.

As for Brothers in Arms:
The one I have is Mercury Records 9871498 (released in 2005). It was mastered by Bob Ludwig and he's a serial offender for poor mastering. I'm guessing everyone else has a different version because on an MCD-201 or a DVD-3910 it sounds very ordinary indeed.

Another shocker I have is the Elton John - Goodbye Yellowbrick Road SACD. Same problems as above.

EDIT:

With respect to prices I wouldn't pay more than $15 for any SACD.

Rolling Stones SACD's - More Bob Ludwig - and brickwalled as well.

Bob Dylan SACD's - same again


For the extra coin it costs and the special hardware required - SACD is just not good enough. It should kill RBCD - but it rarely ever does. The only time I think SACD sounds better than redbook is on DVD players that have average at best RBCD playback.

I currently have a $1100 cd player that kicks the crap out of my $2800 DVD/SACD player [dvd-3910].

[Jake]

Just checked mine, it's actually an XRCD, not SACD. Woops.

[Stump]

Hey Tdunster
My BIA is the same as yours and playing right now! I dont have many SACD but have been collecting the last few months.Given your not paying over $15 sound like your not buying anymore. Like your Billy Joel ,I have been buying artist I wouldn't listen to in a million years (even AIR SUPPLY Greatest Hits) but now listen for the sound of the SACD and consider I can sell in the future without loss of money. Its good to hear peoples MUST HAVE SACD then the hunt is on ..........
P.S Having the hardware to get the most out of the Sacd HELPS.
I do run a Denon 3930 for multi Channel and DVD-A and my newly aquired Sony 9000ES with mods really sets up the sound stage.....

[Boots-n-All]

Hi there,

I have Dark Side of the Moon, Brothers in Arms & Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I have a few other rock titles in SACD, but these are the pick of them and I've come to the conclusion that SACD doesn't really suit rock music.

But I find that it brings classical to life in a way that I hadn't thought possible before I sat down & seriously (deeply?) listened to it and came to realise that SACD (for classical) ticks even more boxes than vinyl. And as for the person that said "pity it didn't catch on" - almost all of the current output from serious classical lables is on SACD! (& if that's not 'catching on' what is?).

Boots.

[tdunster]

Hey Tdunster
My BIA is the same as yours and playing right now! I dont have many SACD but have been collecting the last few months.Given your not paying over $15 sound like your not buying anymore. Like your Billy Joel ,I have been buying artist I wouldn't listen to in a million years (even AIR SUPPLY Greatest Hits) but now listen for the sound of the SACD and consider I can sell in the future without loss of money. Its good to hear peoples MUST HAVE SACD then the hunt is on ..........
P.S Having the hardware to get the most out of the Sacd HELPS.
I do run a Denon 3930 for multi Channel and DVD-A and my newly aquired Sony 9000ES with mods really sets up the sound stage.....

Are you listening to the 5.1 mix of BIA or the 2 channel stereo ? I'm guessing 5.1 ?

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (SACD) is pretty good on the right gear. Your Sony 9000ES will definetly get the job done.

[Benje]

Anyone else got The Moody Blues 'Days of Future Passed'?

It has been a very pleasant surprise, recorded with the London orchestra I think.

Benje

ps also picked up a couple of Movie SACD's by Eric Kunzl/Cincinnatti Orchestra. About $5 plus postage! About 8 Star Wars tracks, plus a few Harry Pootter and a few LOTR. The other is a variety of movie themes. Quite good, for $5!

[Stump]

Hey Benje , I picked up the set of THE MOODY BLUES and there music goes well with the SACD format. For a 1967 album the London Festival Orchestra blends in well. Havent listen to them all yet but getting there..
Eamonn

[Craigandkim]

On a more positive note Billy Joels the Stranger on SACD is about the best recording I have ever heard. I can't stand Billy Joel but I have been known to spin that puppy all day because the sound quality is just breath taking. This was done by Ted Jensen at Stirling Sound. Unfortunately he never did one this good again as far as I know.

Gotta agree with you there, this disc (the Stranger) demonstrates the potential of the SACD format.

Listening to BIA, I have both SACD & DVD-A versions, I'd be lucky to pick them apart. l seem to remember reading somewhere that this was originally recorded digitally at 16bit? Maybe TD, this is where any perceived limitations lie with your sound reproduction?
I certainly cannot hear any distortion-ie physical breakup of the signal.

Regarding "Days of Future Passed", advertised as 5.1- actual transfer nothing more than the original quad mix (4.0). Decent sound quality given the age-1967. Compare this with self titled "Elton John" from 1970 or some of the beatles material from Love (DVD-A).

[Jake]

Anyone else got The Moody Blues 'Days of Future Passed'?

It has been a very pleasant surprise, recorded with the London orchestra I think.

Benje

ps also picked up a couple of Movie SACD's by Eric Kunzl/Cincinnatti Orchestra. About $5 plus postage! About 8 Star Wars tracks, plus a few Harry Pootter and a few LOTR. The other is a variety of movie themes. Quite good, for $5!

Ive got the MFSL vinyl copy of this. Haven't listened to it much yet but so far it's been very good.

[tdunster]

I have all the Elton John SACD's. Honky Chateu probably sounds best to my ears - Good Bye Yellow Brick road though is definetly the worst. Overall thoughI much prefer the vinyl or the Japanese RBCD versions over the SACD's.

The Beatles Love -DVD-A isn't my cup of tea but sound wise it is a beauty and one of th best 5.1 discs I have heard. Shame there is no DVD-A 2channel