Any DVD-A or SACD enthusiasts out there?

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lchiu7

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#10699 5-Dec-2006 11:12

While I had a 5.1 HT system it wasn't DVD-A or SACD ready since my DVD player couldn't play either format, nor did my receiver have 6 analogue inputs. Then one day saw the Eagles Hotel California on DVD-A for sale at Soundz for $15! So I jumped on it. Even in DD 5.1 it was pretty good which got me to upgrading my entire system.

I now have the Samsung HD841 DVD player which plays DVD-A and SACD and when appropriately hacked with new firmware can upscale to 720P and 1080i over component and also play Divx (as well as being region free) and a new Onkyo 7.1 receiver.

I had been purchasing DVD-A and SACD in preparation, almost all from the US since it's pretty hard to find titles here. In fact the only title I have ever seen here (apart from the Eagles) is the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon which is a SACD release (and the bootleg DVD-A release is apparently much better) and now of course the new Beatles Love remix which comes both as a CD and as a DVD- (and DVD-V) release.

The Love album sounds incredible in 5.1 - especially given the age of the tapes - it's hard to believe the recordings were made so long ago.

So given this is the HT group and many of us I am sure have DD or DTS 5.1 systems, just was wondering how many of us are also in multi-channel hires audio and if so, how do you get the content.

Larry

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

Kiwi Pete

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#54697 5-Dec-2006 12:47

I get most of my SACD software from Amazon in the US. Except forthe Sony shops in NZ most of the DVD-A discs seem to be over priced when NZ retailers do stock them. Have seen some priced around $60. However some of the Warehouse stores have DVD-A discs in the clearance bins for $10 to $15. I agree about your comments on the Beatles Love album. Incredible sound!

lchiu7

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#54709 5-Dec-2006 14:57

The Sony store in Wellington no longer stocks SACD. The salesman told me, given there was demand, they just got rid of them (no idea where).

As I noted I found Eagles Hotel California in a DVD sale bin at Soundz. Haven't seen anything else so far. I get most of my discs from CD Universe who have a larger collection than Amazon and whose service is almost as fast.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

cyril7

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#54711 5-Dec-2006 16:05

I recently upgraded my old Samsung DVD to a Pioneer basic model that plays both SACD's and DVD-A. I have not purchased any DVD-Audio discs but have purchased several SACD's, mostly from the states, but a couple from marbecks.

The ones I have purchased were chosen as being recommended for the sonic strengths rather than artistic merit, however those I have purchased I have well impressed with. Here is a brief selection.

A Pentatone Tchaikovsky Suite No3, and excellent recording with a very natural concert hall sound scape from the Russian Nationl Orchestra. Pentatone seem to have excellent multichannel recordings, probably the top of the heap at the moment.

A Philips Classic release of Dvoraks symphonys 8 and 9, not the type of thing I normally go for, however again a most impressive 4ch recording, and a conductor, Ivan Fischer who seems to be going places with the Budapest Festival orchestra.

Jazz at the Pawn Shop, vol 1, this is a remix to multi channel which I was worried about at first as it was recorded originally with very basic near incident mics as a stereo pair. However as a result of such simple mic techniques a very solid surround playout has been possible. This SACD really is good.

Haydn String Quartet Opp9 No.4 and Opp77 No.2 by the Fry Street Quartet, now Haydn I would normally find a bit dry, however the FSQ are pretty slick, and of most note is their recordings using the IsoMic, which is a set of four omni setup amongst a blimp like sound absorbing structure designed to capture surrond recordings, and all I can say is awsome, just what good multichannel concert recordings are all about.

There are others, and yes I have DSOM which sound pretty damn good.

For me SACD is just so much ahead of Redbook CD, the biggest thing I notice is that lack of intermod especially on mass strings, something which to me most CDs even when great care was taken in the master never seemed to have enough bits and bandwidth to cope with.

Cyril

lchiu7

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#54715 5-Dec-2006 17:03

Good to see another MCH enthusiast. Which DSOTM do you have? The official SACD release or the purported much better DVD-A bootleg? I have the latter and it's incredible. Have not heard the SACD releas.

My collection is pretty minimal also but I have

DSOTM (DVD-A)
Diana Krall - Love Scenes (DVD-A)
Diana Krall - Look of Love (SACD)
Moody Blues - Day of Future Passed (SACD)
Beatles - Love (DVD-A)
War of the Worlds - SACD
ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
Eagles - Hotel California (DVD-A)

and some others I won't list. I do have a Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto (live recording) which is okay but I think there are much better examples of MCH classical out there. The ones you list seem interesting. I am looking to find a good (audio and performance) version of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertoes (2 and 3) and also Debussy piano music.

I first listened to the DVD-A as DD 5.1 and I thought the surround experience was very enveloping. But once I switched to the MLP tracks and also could play my SACD's in 5.1, the difference in audio quality is like night and day. The sonics just open up and become more transparent - it becomes a very involving listening experience. For the longest time I have only listened to music as background music or on portable players - now I want to sit down in my living room and listen to a whole album

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

cyril7

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#54723 5-Dec-2006 19:07

I have found for SACD's that the best resource around is here, keep in mind as with any forum this site has its fanatic supporters, however in general it gives a good resource for reviews of SACD discs, especially for Classical material.

Cyril

lchiu7

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#54765 6-Dec-2006 09:28

Yes thanks, was aware of that site. Good information. Now need something similar for DVD-A

Larry

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.