The best SHM-SACDs (part3)

I mentioned some previously in this thread:
(above mentioned Velvet Underdround)
Police - Outlandos d'Amour
Dire Straits - Making Movies
Rolling Stones - Goats Head Soup
Not bad:
Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
T Rex - Electric Warrior
Steely Dan - Aja
Berlin Philharmonic (von Karajan) - Adagio

(all SHM-SACD)

 

This has nothing to do with your SACD player, but with a not great mastering of that SACD. Mastering is always more important than the format.

 

So true. I accept the blame for assuming everything out of Japan would be top notch - I've had such good luck with plain old SHM releases in the past.

 

Let us know which titles you are interested in, and I'll give you my honest opinions (if I've heard them).

 

Also Dire Straits - S/T was bettered by the SHM-CD

What is the problem with Goats Head Soup, are you sure that is not just the album?

 

I have nothing to compare it to but it just seems to have that almost shrill harshness - especially when played loud (as it should be). That one is closer to the fence but certainly not rave-worthy.

 

Thanks. Is there a definitive list of SHM-SACDs?

 

A complete list you mean? I don't think so, but check out these posts by forum members Claus and Plan9, they contain most of the pop/rock titles;

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/the-best-shm-sacds-part3.319827/page-43#post-13520940

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/the-best-shm-sacds-part3.319827/page-43#post-13521525

 

I never understood why The Velvet Underground & Nico gets audiophile type releases.

I love the music on that album and I want it to sound as good as possible. But it seems like that recording has limitations that make it a strange choice for SACD, MFSL, etc.

 

Thanks. I did get the VDGG SACDs and like those, but have held off on the PIL so far. I have the original pressing Metal Box vinyl 12" 45s and am skeptical those can be bettered, but I may give it a try anyway.

 

I feel that is one of the worst low-fi recording's to be given a hi-res release - if anything the opposite applies as it's more suited for MP3 . Seriously is there anything actual above like 14K on it???

My guess is its a cheap license for which re-releases sell somewhat well. But I'd be willing to bet even the master tapes sound no better than a 128kbps MP3 - OK a bit of sarcasm on my part but still what a crap-ola recording.

 

From my archive:

JAZZ

2010/06/30

1. Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto Getz / Gilberto
2. Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis
3. Sarah Vaughan Sarah Vaughan
4. John Coltrane A Love Suprime
5. John Coltrane & J. Hartman John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

2010/08/25

1. Miles Davis Relaxin’ with the Miles Davis
2. Wes Montgomery The Incredible Jazz Guitar of…
3. Bill Evans Portrait in Jazz + 1

2010/10/27

1. Art Pepper Art Pepper Meet the Rhythm Section
2. Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus

2010/11/24

1. Bill Evans Waltz for Dabby

2010/12/10

1. Oscar Peterson Please Request
2. John Coltrane Ballades
3. Wes Montgomery A Day in the Life
4. Helen Merrill with Clifford Brown
5. Diana Krall The Girl in the Another Room
6. Dinah Krall The Look of Love

 

From my archive:

Rock

2010/06/30
Marvin Gaye What’s Going On
The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground & Nico
Eric Clapton 161 Ocean Boulevard
Steely Dan Aja
The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed
The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East
The Moody Blues Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

2010/08/25
10CC The Original Soundtrack
The Who Who’s Next
Dire Straits Dire Straits
Blind Faith Blind Faith
Kiss Destroyer
Black Sabbath Paranoid

2010/10/27
Asia Asia
The Police Outlandos D’amour
Rainbow Long Live Rocki’n’Roll
Cream Wheels of Fire
Wishbone Ash Argus

2010/11/24
Traffic John Barleycorn Must Die
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton
Caravan In the Land of Grey and Pink
Rod Steward Gasoline Alley
Free Fire and Water
Steely Dan Goucho

2010/12/10
Whitesnake Come an’ Get It
Gentle Giant Octopus
The Kinks The Kinks are the Village
Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life
The Style Council Café Blue
Humble Pie Smokin’
The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Fairport Convention Liege& Life

2011/02/23
The Who My Generation
CCR Bayou Country
The Rolling Stones Big Hits Vol. 1
Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life
The Kinks The Kinks are the Village (Release Cancelled)

2011/05/25
T.Rex Electric Warrior
Uriah Heep Look at Yourself
B.B.King Live at Regal
The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones Their Satanic Majesties Request
The Rolling Stones Big Hits Vol. 2
Stevie Wonder Innervisions
Stevie Wonder Talking Book
Elvis Costello My Aim Is True

2011/06/22
The Who The Singles
The Rolling Stones Love You Live
The Rolling Stones It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll
Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness’ First Final
Elton John S/T

2011/07/20
Dire Straits Love Over the Gold
Stuff More Suff
Stuff Suff
Pentangle S/T
The Rolling Stones Tattoo You
The Rolling Stones Dirty Work
Dire Straits Love Over Gold
Stevie Wonder Hotter Than July
Rainbow Rising

2011/08/24
Thin Lizzy Black Rose
Black Sabbath Masters of Reality

2011/09/28
The Rolling Stones Goats Head Soup
The Rolling Stones Emotional Rescue
Steely Dan Royal Scam (CANCELLED)

2011/11/23
The Rolling Stones Black and Blue
Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells

2011/12/14
Queen News Of The World
Queen A Day At The Races
Queen A Night At The Opera
Queen Sheer Heart Attack
Queen II
The Rolling Stones Exile on Main St.
The Rolling Stones Still Life (Am. Concert 1981)

01/22/2012
The Rolling Stones Undercover
The Rolling Stones Some Girls

02/22/2012
Queen Flash Gordon
Queen The Game
Queen Jazz
Dire Straits Making Movies
Dire Straits Alchemy: Live
Dire Straits Communique
Mike Oldfield Ommadawn

03/28/2012
Queen A Kind Of Magic
Queen The Works
Queen Hot Space
Black Sabbath Heaven & Hell
Black Sabbath Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

2012/04/25
Queen Made In Heaven
Queen Innuendo
Queen The Miracle
The Who Tommy
Dire Straits Brothers In Arms

2012/05/30
The Who The Who Sell Out
The Who Quadrophenia

2012/06/25
The Who (?)

 

Agreed the one's I've heard on that list are all sonic excrement especially Outlandos d'Amour

 

The Goats Head Soup SHM-SACD is the best digital version - and arguably the best version in any format.

 

Me too!

 

That may be true, and I have nothing to compare it to except for the memory of hearing it on vinyl back in the day - hardly scientific! It just sounds so clinical. Same thing with the aforementioned VU album. Maybe the artists never intended for this music to be so clean and precise? I don't know.

 

I don't have problem with it either (for whatever reason). And I have a nice UK swirl Vertigo pressing (although they sound nothing alike).

 

I prefer the CBS CD.

 

Why? Sounds like it came from a dub tape.

 

So you like the SHM-SACD, even though it sounds nothing like the UK LP? That strikes me as a bit strange.

 

It sounds more natural and easier on the ears to me. The SACD sounds harsh and a bit bright at louder volumes.

 

Yeah, I suppose. I purposely said "I don't have a problem with it" rather than I really like it or it's my preferred version. The SACD is certainly nothing like the Vertigo LP -- and perhaps nothing like most decent versions.

It's not a great recording to begin with, so while the Vertigo is probably the reference and has "woomph", it still lacks in certain ways. The SACD -- while flawed -- brings out some of the things that the LP lacks. I can understand why many dislike it -- in most cases I would probably be cut from the same cloth -- but I don't for some reason.

 

Hmmm. I don't think many agree with you, but everybody's system and ears are different. The SACD sounds the most balanced to me. And with more micro detail and dynamics without harshness as you turn it up.

But it's not a great recording to begin with either (see above re: Paranoid). The Stones were all over the map sonically between Beggars and Undercover.

 

Goats Head Soup is one of the worst productions by the Stones. The CBS is okay, but the SHM-SACD is slightly better.