SACD recommendations
- Thread starter stoutblock
- Start date
Sanc
I'm Hiding in Honduras
Nooooooooooooooooo........
Deacon Jubal
Active Member
PAGS
Super Member
As mentioned, http://www.importcds.com/ has good prices, and a large in-stock inventory. Go the the home page, click on the Music button at the top, then select SACD.
I ordered from them once, and will do so again. They're in California, so it takes a little while for orders to get to the East Coast (with the cheapest shipping option).
PAGS
Super Member
I'll start of with a caveat, I'm no expert. However, here are some thoughts on the 3 formats of which you write.
DVD-A may only be playable on a limited number of players, those than can decode the DVD-A format (Oppo maybe?). Also, the DVD-As of Hotel California that I've seen for sale seem to be super expensive.
I believe that SHM, or Super High Material, refers to the stuff out of which the CD itself is made. It's still encoded with "red book" (audiophile-speak for CD) data. So, in theory, the digital code should be identical to the code on an ordinary CD, assuming the same remastering.
The "hybrid" disk should be encoded with both SACD ("scarlet book"?) and red book data. So, it should work on both SACD and CD-only players. I think these discs can be had new for around $50.
The 1984 CD remastering of Hotel California (which is still being peddled in the U.S. after almost 30 years) is less than stellar in my opinion. If it were me, I'd go for the hybrid as long as it's not the 1984 remastering -- or vinyl, if you have a TT.
Thank you for the info on SHM. I was under tge impression that they were remastered into 5.1 surround but a bit of reading and it appears you are absolutely right. This further muddies the water as to what a SACD actually is.
My player (Yamaha dvd-s2700) plays dvd-a so i am good there and i have found the dvd-a and hybrid for close to the same price.
I suppose unless someone who has heard both chimes in i will just get whichever is the better deal at the time. I have the album on reg cd and vinyl, but want to hear the 5.1 mix.
My player (Yamaha dvd-s2700) plays dvd-a so i am good there and i have found the dvd-a and hybrid for close to the same price.
I suppose unless someone who has heard both chimes in i will just get whichever is the better deal at the time. I have the album on reg cd and vinyl, but want to hear the 5.1 mix.
soundboy
Super Member
I believe you're thinking of the Japan Universal Music SHM-SACD that cost more than $50.00 per disc. The Japan Warner Music SACD of "Hotel California" can be had for about $35.00 from cdjapan.co.jp. I have only listened to the 2 channel stereo hi-rez mix of the disc and it sounds wonderful. Go here to see comparisons of the SACD to its previous DVD-A version.
Sanc
I'm Hiding in Honduras
For some awesome multichannel mixes, check out...
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon 2003 SACD
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here 2011 Analogue Productions SACD
Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms (early 2000s)
All three can be readily found for less than $40.
Deacon Jubal
Active Member
The 5.1 mix for the SACD is the same mix as the DVD-Audio disc. The DVD-Audio disc is generally rare, and you will pay a huge amount for a used disc. IMO, the SACD is your best bet if you have a SACD player.
Those were the first 3 I picked up from reommndations here. I also recommend them to anyone. Slowhand by Clapton is another favorite, it is hard to turn off.
Sanc
I'm Hiding in Honduras
Slowhand is very good, agreed. The best track on that SACD is The Core by far. 461 Oceans is also a very good one. Layla is also very fun.
Sanc
I'm Hiding in Honduras
The way to tell is by the case. The SACD has the cardboard digipack while the Redbook CD is the normal Jewel case. It took me 3 tries on ebay for a seller to send me the real SACD. The digipack SACD is a hybrid.
On my to get list :thmbsp: