SACD recommendations

[wanders]

Do you guys prefer the sound quality of a good LP mastering over the SACD version, or the other way around?

Just curious; and of course it also depends of your gear's quality (TT vs SACD player).

______________

* For many of my SACD music selections I purchase them based from these reviews:=> http://audaud.com/sacdhi-res/

Like many of you, I can listen to cd, sacd, r-2-r and vinyl. I've pretty much stopped listening to regular cd's; imo, they cannot match the sq available from other media. Good quality vinyl, the new audiophile reissues as well as some of the good stuff from the late fifties and sixties (like some Columbia 6-eyes), can be great. Factory recorded r-2-r, 7.5 ips, from serious producers can be as good, or better, than vinyl. However, again IMHO, nothing exceeds newly recorded, seriously produced sacds. The Japanese, shm-sacd, Diana Krall, "Girl in the Other Room," is just a tiny bit better than anything else I own. When comparing other Japanese shm-sacds, like the Bill Evans "Waltz or Debbie," which was recorded in the sixties, I think that vinyl and factory r-2-r can compare favorably with sacds. Just my two cents.

 

[Sanc]

If I had to choose, I'd go with vinyl. There are some notable exceptions,
Brothers In Arms and Wish You Were Here coming immediately to mind.

Having said that, I'm stating a personal preference, not advocating one format over the other. I enjoy the hell out of all my music, digital and analog. :yes:

Some people dislike the BIA early SACD 5.1, I for one think its awesome. That album wasn't originally recorded in the highest frequencies and whatnot but the SACD format still squeezes a lot out of it. Because it was recorded in a fully digital domain to my understanding, I would stay away from BIA on LP. WYWH is just downright amazing tho. I have the SACD and the new 2011 LP and I like the SACD much more. The LP is sourced from digital as well.

At the end of the day it comes down to mastering.

 

[OneMalt]

Some people dislike the BIA early SACD 5.1, I for one think its awesome. That album wasn't originally recorded in the highest frequencies and whatnot but the SACD format still squeezes a lot out of it. Because it was recorded in a fully digital domain to my understanding, I would stay away from BIA on LP. WYWH is just downright amazing tho. I have the SACD and the new 2011 LP and I like the SACD much more. The LP is sourced from digital as well.

At the end of the day it comes down to mastering.

I agree with your mastering comment 100%.

I have the 20th Anniversary BIA SACD released in 2005 and it sends shivers down my spine every time I listen! My WYWH is the one just released a month or 2 back.

 

[Sanc]

Yup I have the same BIA. It's great, I don't understand how people dislike it. And yea that is the same WYWH I have. It's the only WYWH SACD, I personally think it is one of the best digital releases I have ever heard. I know I've said it multiple times but it really is just such an awesome release. The box it is in is so well made with amazing artwork, the booklet notes are interesting. To think that this cost a little more than half of an SHM-SACD, although those do have very nice packaging too.

Big Norah Jones reissue by Acoustic Sounds on SACD and LP. One of the SACDs is a multichannel, and after how successful they were with the WYWH 5.1 I might get hers.

EDIT: Figured I would mention. Don't know if anyone here has heard it but the Black Sabbath Paranoid SHM-SACD is frigging awesome. I kind of compare it to the Dire Straits S/T SHM-SACD. You can tell whoever mastered them chose to leave tape hiss in for more information.

 

[OneMalt]

EDIT: Figured I would mention. Don't know if anyone here has heard it but the Black Sabbath Paranoid SHM-SACD is frigging awesome. I kind of compare it to the Dire Straits S/T SHM-SACD. You can tell whoever mastered them chose to leave tape hiss in for more information.

Thanks for the heads up on Paranoid. I always liked early Sabbath and this sounds like it could be a keeper. :yes:

 

[OneMalt]

Sanc,

Just thought I'd mention that I got the Paranoid SHM-SACD yesterday. I haven't played it yet but will probably load it up tonight. Looking forward to it! :yes: Thanks for the recomendation!

Tim

 

[AMCNUT]

I agree with all the people who mentioned Brothers in Arms - that album sounds superb on SACD in my opinion.

 

[Sanc]

Here is a bit of a review on a rare OOP SACD. The 2003 Deep Purple Machine Head quad SACD that features the original quad mix. This is one of my favorite multichannel discs. Just a lot of fun to listen to. It just feels as if it was originally made to be in multichannel. As awesome as Smoke On The Water is, I really do not think it is the best song on the album when listening to in MC. Lazy and Space Truckin just kick ASS. The opening organs to Lazy just all around you is incredible. If anyone ever has a chance to get the 2003 version, go for it. I have yet to hear the new Japanese 5.1 but I assume it is great.

Just loaded up the Aja SHM-SACD. This is one of the better SHM-SACDs.

 

[stoutblock]

Here is a bit of a review on a rare OOP SACD. The 2003 Deep Purple Machine Head quad SACD that features the original quad mix. This is one of my favorite multichannel discs. Just a lot of fun to listen to. It just feels as if it was originally made to be in multichannel. As awesome as Smoke On The Water is, I really do not think it is the best song on the album when listening to in MC. Lazy and Space Truckin just kick ASS. The opening organs to Lazy just all around you is incredible. If anyone ever has a chance to get the 2003 version, go for it. I have yet to hear the new Japanese 5.1 but I assume it is great.

Just loaded up the Aja SHM-SACD. This is one of the better SHM-SACDs.

I have the 5.1 Machine Head and I'm very impressed! Have only listened in stereo but the quality of the instruments on this recording is a new experience.

 

[tubesNtape]

Some people dislike the BIA early SACD 5.1, I for one think its awesome. That album wasn't originally recorded in the highest frequencies and whatnot but the SACD format still squeezes a lot out of it. Because it was recorded in a fully digital domain to my understanding, I would stay away from BIA on LP. WYWH is just downright amazing tho. I have the SACD and the new 2011 LP and I like the SACD much more. The LP is sourced from digital as well.

At the end of the day it comes down to mastering.

Agree, mastering is huge.

Was curious what you preferred about the SACD releases over the vinyl? I respect the opinion, but sometimes if our preferences are different then we may not agree.

In my experience A/Bing regular CDs to vinyl, the one advantage I tend to find for each is that sometimes the CD is a little "cleaner" sounding, while the vinyl usually sounds "fuller" with a more relaxed top end. This is often the norm, and on good vinyl you tend to get the bonus of more open sound and ambience especially if sourced from an analog tape master.

I own Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" on regular CD and standard pressed vinyl. As many of you know this was a full digital recording. Much prefer it on vinyl, and mostly for the fact that the drums sound a lot fatter and natural....the drums on "The nightfly" CD are very tinny sounding, but on vinyl not as much. It's been awhile since I heard it on vinyl but I believe there was more bass as well.

Great CD/SACD/DVD-A vs. top notch vinyl/R2R can be close....just a matter of preference as to which one is "better".

 

[Sanc]

The Wish You Were Here SACD is honestly perfect in my opinion. The LP is definitely good and from what I have heard better than the DSOTM 2011 LP, but it just doesn't feel as dynamic as the SACD, perhaps a more narrow sound. I have not listened to the new double LP BIA so I can't comment on it, but what I do know is that for a very early digital recording that apparently was not in the highest resolution (I could be wrong), the SACD is excellent and is one of the highest selling multichannel albums ever.

Regarding The Nightfly, which is an awesome album, is it possible that it was recorded on a higher resolution than CD and the digital to analog came from a higher resolution file such as a 24/96 as opposed to the CD only offering the downsampled lower resolution? If so, than that would explain why. I have this on DVD-A and it sounds superb. I also have an LP rip of the MFSL LP which also sounds very very good, haven't compared it to the DVD-A though.

 

[olds442111]

2 of my favorite SACD's are Carole King - Tapestry and John Denver Live. Really good recordings in my opinion.

 

[Deacon Jubal]

The Wish You Were Here SACD is honestly perfect in my opinion. The LP is definitely good and from what I have heard better than the DSOTM 2011 LP, but it just doesn't feel as dynamic as the SACD, perhaps a more narrow sound. I have not listened to the new double LP BIA so I can't comment on it, but what I do know is that for a very early digital recording that apparently was not in the highest resolution (I could be wrong), the SACD is excellent and is one of the highest selling multichannel albums ever.

Regarding The Nightfly, which is an awesome album, is it possible that it was recorded on a higher resolution than CD and the digital to analog came from a higher resolution file such as a 24/96 as opposed to the CD only offering the downsampled lower resolution? If so, than that would explain why. I have this on DVD-A and it sounds superb. I also have an LP rip of the MFSL LP which also sounds very very good, haven't compared it to the DVD-A though.

I completely concur on the WYWH SACD. It don't get no better than this.

Your suspicions on a higher bit rate may possibly be true, but I simply think that long time Steely Dan Producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols were such perfectionists that getting a great sound with digital was relatively easy.
I have the Fagen box set. It has both DTS & DD 5.1 layers as well as Advanced Resolution PCM Stereo. All layers of the Nightfly disc are 48k/24bit.
The other two discs are 96k/24bit. It is my understanding that the 5.1 mix of all three are exactly the same as their DVD-Audio conterparts. In other words, I doubt The Nightfly DVD-A 5.1 can have any appreciably better sound than the DTS 5.1. I have over 100 hi-rez and/or 5.1 discs. For Pop/Jazz recordings, it simply doesn't get any better than the Fagen MVI Box.

 

[Hoffius]

I don't have many sacd's, and my Cambridge Audio 640 C only plays cd's but these two sacd's sound really terrific. The Analogue Productions versions of Creedence Clearwater Revival Bayou Country and Creedence Clearwater's first, both mastered by Steve Hoffman. I have the original Fantasy pressings on vinyl so that's all I have to compare other than the Chronicle greatest hits cds. These sound amazing.:thmbsp: I'm looking at picking up a nice SACD player soon.

 

[Sanc]

I don't have many sacd's, and my Cambridge Audio 640 C only plays cd's but these two sacd's sound really terrific. The Analogue Productions versions of Creedence Clearwater Revival Bayou Country and Creedence Clearwater's first, both mastered by Steve Hoffman. I have the original Fantasy pressings on vinyl so that's all I have to compare other than the Chronicle greatest hits cds. These sound amazing.:thmbsp: I'm looking at picking up a nice SACD player soon.

Yea those were a great series. I have Wily and the Poor Boys and it rocks. The LPs that were released at the same time are excellent too. I believe they have the same mixes.

 

[Dennie]

I hate to see this thread sitting idle, so I'm getting Pro-active!

If you are a hard core Beatles Fan, you should probably stay away from this. But, if you're a Persuasions fan, A Capella Fan or High Resolution fan, check this out if you get a chance, it is a fantastic recording....

.........

The Persuasions Sing The Beatles -- SACD

The Persuasions

2002 Chesky Records

Superb vocal stylings March 19, 2002
By J. Schor
Format:Audio CD

Chesky Records is well known for their fantastic "Audiophile" CD's, and the acoustics on this album are absolutely unbelievable. Innovative and smooth......I highly recommend it.

Album Tracks

1. Eight Days a Week
2. Oh! Darling
3. Come Together
4. Rocky Raccoon
5. Octopus's Garden
6. Love Me Do
7. With a Little Help from My Friends
8. From Me to You
9. Yesterday
10. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
11. Don't Let Me Down
12. Ballad of John and Yoko
13. Imagine
14. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)

 

[dark_philli]

Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection sounds fantastic IMO. Good 5.1 mix too if you like surround sound

 

[captouch]

If anyone picks up the new Analogue Productions Norah Jones reissues, please comment on SQ (and if possible compared to original CD's).

Thanks!

 

[PAGS]

Jazz-classical fusion

A recent purchase. This SACD is outstanding:

Jacques Loussier's "The Best of Play Bach"

$11 on Amazon right new, which in my view is a steal.

 

[captouch]

If anyone picks up the new Analogue Productions Norah Jones reissues, please comment on SQ (and if possible compared to original CD's).

Thanks!

OK, I'll answer my own question, soon.

Just ordered Come Away with Me and The Fall on SACD. . .hopefully they'll arrive soon. . .