mr_fred
Veloist
Over on the "SACD Recommendations" thread, I mentioned that I ordered a Cambridge Audio 651BD universal disc player and also sent away for my first SACD: "Brothers in Arms" (the 30th anniversary hybrid SACD) -- this sets up an experiment, because the only other copy of that in our household is the commercially produced cassette tape.
We ran the experiment today. I set things in parallel, such that I could pause either unit (the tape player or the new disc player) and switch the tape monitor button, back and forth. Following are two excerpts of verbatim discourse data:
(After hearing "Money for Nothing")
Fred's wife: "So, what else is on this recording?"
Fred: "Well, the title track will be familiar, because we are fans of 'West Wing' -- 'Brothers in Arms'. Do you want to do the disc/tape comparison on that track also?"
Fred's wife: "Nah. F**k the tape."
(After listening to most of the "Brothers in Arms" SACD)
Fred's wife: "So, this is a different CD format?"
Fred: "Yeah -- you can see its logo there on the case" [I point it out to her.]
Fred's wife: "Oh, you mean the thing that looks like an abstract scorpion?"
OK -- enough of the data points -- now to cut to the chase.
There was no comparison. The SACD brought out a richer tone, with much easier hearing of all instruments and nuances. It truly did not matter if I punched either Dolby button on the tape player. I mean, really: there was never any doubt, was there?
system details:
Receiver: Sansui 6060 (this is destined to be replaced when my budget recoups)
Player: as noted, CA 651BD -- I ran through the setup menu to put this at SACD/Stereo with DSD output, but if I understand the manual correctly, it is really putting out a PCM signal to the receiver. Word to the wise: if you do as I do (buy a unit like this intending it, first, to be in an audio-only system), you need to scrounge a TV somewhere to hook up so that you can navigate the setup menu.
Speakers: pair Cambridge Audio S30s
Tape player -- an old Sony TC-R303
Interconnect btw the Sansui (Aux port) and the CA disc player: Audioquest Golden Gate (1 meter)
We ran the experiment today. I set things in parallel, such that I could pause either unit (the tape player or the new disc player) and switch the tape monitor button, back and forth. Following are two excerpts of verbatim discourse data:
(After hearing "Money for Nothing")
Fred's wife: "So, what else is on this recording?"
Fred: "Well, the title track will be familiar, because we are fans of 'West Wing' -- 'Brothers in Arms'. Do you want to do the disc/tape comparison on that track also?"
Fred's wife: "Nah. F**k the tape."
(After listening to most of the "Brothers in Arms" SACD)
Fred's wife: "So, this is a different CD format?"
Fred: "Yeah -- you can see its logo there on the case" [I point it out to her.]
Fred's wife: "Oh, you mean the thing that looks like an abstract scorpion?"
OK -- enough of the data points -- now to cut to the chase.
There was no comparison. The SACD brought out a richer tone, with much easier hearing of all instruments and nuances. It truly did not matter if I punched either Dolby button on the tape player. I mean, really: there was never any doubt, was there?
system details:
Receiver: Sansui 6060 (this is destined to be replaced when my budget recoups)
Player: as noted, CA 651BD -- I ran through the setup menu to put this at SACD/Stereo with DSD output, but if I understand the manual correctly, it is really putting out a PCM signal to the receiver. Word to the wise: if you do as I do (buy a unit like this intending it, first, to be in an audio-only system), you need to scrounge a TV somewhere to hook up so that you can navigate the setup menu.
Speakers: pair Cambridge Audio S30s
Tape player -- an old Sony TC-R303
Interconnect btw the Sansui (Aux port) and the CA disc player: Audioquest Golden Gate (1 meter)
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