Unican_Eric
Pioneerious Collecticus
Charivari said:
Nope, all Mine has on it is SFX, Surround Sound(aint that one cool) and it says under the Telarc badge Digital 20 bit CD.
Bravo, Telarc!
- Thread starter emaidel
- Start date
Nope, all Mine has on it is SFX, Surround Sound(aint that one cool) and it says under the Telarc badge Digital 20 bit CD.
I don't question for a minute the superiority of an SACD over an "ordinary" CD, but Telarc has wisely not abandoned the millions of people who have CD players, and are hesitant to purchase an SACD player (and, I'd have to include myself within this group). Fortunately, they use a proprietary circuit utilizing "Direct Stream Mapping," in which, in their own words, much of the benefit of the DSD recording (that used for SACD's) is maintained in standard CD playback.
I'm sure the TOTL Marantz unit, mentioned in a posting to this thread, will provide stunning results, but I'm just not about to plop down close to $3,300 for a new piece of equipment. Some day, maybe, but not today.
I'm sure the TOTL Marantz unit, mentioned in a posting to this thread, will provide stunning results, but I'm just not about to plop down close to $3,300 for a new piece of equipment. Some day, maybe, but not today.
uofmtiger
Addicted Member
I think you can find an SACD player that will give you great sound for much less than that. The law of diminishing returns is in effect here. I am guessing that you could improve your current system by spending thousands on cables and power cleaners, but it is not absolutely necessary to enjoy great sound.
Every single SACD I have by Telarc is a hybrid. It can play on any CD player.
jt1stcav
Up and Coming Bottlehead
As long as my Telarc CDs sound this good, I'm in no rush to buy an expensive SACD player. I've got 10 Telarc classical organ CDs that are totally spectacular...I'm very impressed with their digital, transformerless, minimalist recording techniques; I'll always be a Telarc fan!
Another label that's as dedicated to the art of recorded organ music as Telarc is Dorian. Their organ CDs are truely phenomenal in their life-like sound quality.
And there's also the Pro Organo label. Simply breathtaking digital reproduction of classical organ music.
My hat's off to all three record labels for outstanding technical achievement!
Another label that's as dedicated to the art of recorded organ music as Telarc is Dorian. Their organ CDs are truely phenomenal in their life-like sound quality.
And there's also the Pro Organo label. Simply breathtaking digital reproduction of classical organ music.
My hat's off to all three record labels for outstanding technical achievement!
uofmtiger
Addicted Member
There are plenty of inexpensive players to choose from that will offer you great sound. Saint Saens: Symphony No.3 on RCA Living Stereo has been issued in SACD format that was cut directly from the 3 track master tape. If you are an organ fan, it does not get any better than this.
If you want to stick to the tried and true that is obviously your choice, but you can get a nice SACD player for a couple hundred bucks or even less.
If you want to stick to the tried and true that is obviously your choice, but you can get a nice SACD player for a couple hundred bucks or even less.
goldear
Certifiable Audio Junkie
Admittedly, Tellarc makes some very good sounding redbook CDs. But when I switch from the CD to the SACD layer on my modified SONY player, it is almost like removing a stuffed down comforter from in front of my speakers. The increase in transparency really is that noticable. It's difficult to undestand or explain what is missing on a really good Redbook CD until you suddenly hear it for the first time on an SACD.jt1stcav said:
jt1stcav
Up and Coming Bottlehead
I don't doubt what either Derek or goldear are saying about SACD, as my two younger brothers who live in my house with me both have HT systems with inexpensive universal players from Sony and Pioneer that sound quite good with all formats. I do know how fantastic SACD sounds, but the only affordable SACD players I've ever seen are all-in-one universal players like my brother's units. Since my audio system is strictly a dedicated 2-channel stereo setup, I don't need or want a universal "DVD" player, especially since I don't have a monitor (CRT or flat screen) in my listening room. I'd want a dedicated 2-channel SACD/CD player only, and the only models I've ever seen anywhere were $999 and up.
Charivari
Fighting Naïve Realism
Well, jt1stcav, I've a Toshiba SD-4960 (listed by some of the modding companies as their reference player after mods, beating out the Pioneer 963) and I can say that it does SACD and DVD-A very well, be it surround sound or just two channel. In fact, I've my player connected to both of my systems (surround for movies and DVD-A, 2-channel for music) thanks to the multiple analog outs (multi channel and separate 2-channel). It can regularly be found for ~$60 new shipped now. Aside from the horribly done remote, its quite easy to use and doesn't require a screen to play SACDS -- once it is set up -- just pop the disk in and enjoy. DVD-As, on the other hand, do have a graphical navigation menu requiring a monitor.
On topic: I've a single Telarc SACD that I surprisingly found at a used book store, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky- Symphonie Fantastique, Nutcracker Suite - Lorin Mazel - The Cleveland Orchestra -- and I can attest that Telarc SACDs are most excellent.
- JP
On topic: I've a single Telarc SACD that I surprisingly found at a used book store, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky- Symphonie Fantastique, Nutcracker Suite - Lorin Mazel - The Cleveland Orchestra -- and I can attest that Telarc SACDs are most excellent.
- JP
Universal Player?
Having the capability to play multi-channel or DVD-A does give one an easy way to try those formats in the future. I have found that I really enjoy the benefits of multi-channel (5.1). In addition, there are some titles that are available on DVD-A that are not available on SACD and almost every one of them has a two channel track.
Back to the original topic, for those of you who really like the Telarc recordings, could you each recommend five or ten of the ones you feel are the best? Thanks.
Every "universal player" will play two-channel. Just because there are extra channels available, does not mean one has to use them. Just because a universal player has DVD-A capability does not mean one has to play or use DVD-A.jt1stcav said:
Having the capability to play multi-channel or DVD-A does give one an easy way to try those formats in the future. I have found that I really enjoy the benefits of multi-channel (5.1). In addition, there are some titles that are available on DVD-A that are not available on SACD and almost every one of them has a two channel track.
Back to the original topic, for those of you who really like the Telarc recordings, could you each recommend five or ten of the ones you feel are the best? Thanks.
jt1stcav
Up and Coming Bottlehead
JP and tc...I know how great these and other universal players are; I'm not disputing their qualities, especially since both my brothers use excellent (and affordable) Pioneer and Sony universal players as well in their systems.
But if I wanted a universal player, then I'd probably want a stereo receiver instead of the seperate vacuum tube power amp and preamp I own now. It's just my preference, mind you...I'd rather have a dedicated SACD-only player if I'm gonna own one, but they're out of my reach financially at the moment.
So I know; it's my loss.
But if I wanted a universal player, then I'd probably want a stereo receiver instead of the seperate vacuum tube power amp and preamp I own now. It's just my preference, mind you...I'd rather have a dedicated SACD-only player if I'm gonna own one, but they're out of my reach financially at the moment.
So I know; it's my loss.
bill irvin
Well-Known Member
I work with a guy and his wife works at telarc.
I recently went on a tour of their facility.
Very nice in deed all their recordings are excellent.
Great group of people who care about what they do as their product demostrates.
I recently went on a tour of their facility.
Very nice in deed all their recordings are excellent.
Great group of people who care about what they do as their product demostrates.
goldear
Certifiable Audio Junkie
Understood. I also run high-end two channel with tubes. But there are some affordable very nice souding players out there; especially on the used market. The old phillips 1000 is one of the best sounding SACD players I have heard in stock form. Now it does have DVD Video (not Audio), but the video qualiy is a joke. I would never use it as a Video player. But as an SACD player, it sounds fantastic. I bet that these can be found for cheap used nowadays...jt1stcav said:
I understand hesitation at "universal" models, as most of these do involve some sonic compromise by converting the DSD to PCM before conversion to analog; thus loosing some of the advantage of the SACD format. The phillips player that I described above does not do this, and is sonically in the same league as the Sony SCD-777ES. OTOH, you can get some of the old Sony's two channel unit like the SCD-C333ES, or the DVP-s9000ES and later have them modified to a level where they will sonically trounce even the mighty 777ES with the installation of one of Allen Wrights boards.
Marantz sell some excellent 5 channel SACD only units that can be had for between $500, and $700 used too.
Anway, enough preaching for today. Do what you will. But many of us are willing to help, if you should deceide to pursue high-res SACD on the cheap.
I've purchased my Telarc stuff over the years from bricks and mortar, though I don't think I've bought any music from them since the late 90's. I often see their stuff in used record stores and 'Half-Price' books.
Another great lable is Chesky....turns out I have four of their discs in my collection that I'm 're-discovering' through this new hobby.....
Another great lable is Chesky....turns out I have four of their discs in my collection that I'm 're-discovering' through this new hobby.....
goldear
Certifiable Audio Junkie
I used to buy them at normal record shops. But I usally buy them online now. Sometimes I do so straight from Tellarc when they have sales. Otherwise I will simply order them from any number of online retailers. However I prefer to buy them from retailers who sell lots of SACDs, so as to keep the guys in business who are actually selling the SACDs that most of us want to buy.cubdog said:
uofmtiger
Addicted Member
AccousticSounds.com has the ability to sort by Record Label and this is one easy way to find them. I have also bought them from sendmemovies.com because they are less expensive.
For SACD, I really like the LAGQ SACDs, but "Berlioz: Requiem" is a great reference quality multi-channel recording.
Does anyone own the Telarc SACD samplers? I am curious to hear what people think about them.