Is SACD an insidious nasty weasel plot ???

I'm beginning to think so. After more extensive listening to SACD I'm starting not to want to listen to regular CDs, I don't care how well recorded they are. All things being equal it's not even close. The only saving grace in CDs favour is the lack of SACD software. Maybe I will have to separate my listening sessions 'cause you don't really want to listen to SACD and regular CD back to back. They knew that when they brought it out. THE WEASELS.

 

I think that CDs can still sound very musically satisfying Unless the SACD is a "pure" DSD recoring then you are still probably experiencing a PCM element in the recording chain. It then boils down not to the media but on the processing - I am going to arrange a demonstration for myself of a PCM to DSD converter and compare that to SACD.

All the best - Andrew

 

Andrew, I'm starting to think that there is more to it than that. While probably the best results would be obtained through a "pure DSD" chain that doesn't explain what I'm hearing with a lot of stuff that is of older vintage. Take the Carole King Tapestry it sounds fantastic and check my posts about the Joe Weed 'Vultures" album that was done in 24/96. The sound on this one is "a whole 'nother level" so to speak, its really amazing.
I've been waiting for reproduction like this since I traded my pro Denon table and SAEC arm for that "perfect sound forever" deal back in '84 or so.
The "Real Deal" is finally here and I ain't talkin about Evander Holyfield.

 

Khorn - I am very happy that you have found what you were looking for Until I have gone through a little searching for myself I will have a little doubt at the back of my mind around the pre or post processing issue. If a source has been PCM processed during the reproduction chain then that should define the highest resolution - the fact that a conversion process and filtering can improve the sound is a wonder of modern science. SACD is an excellent packager of this pre-processed conversion and all power to it - but the thought still remains if I can undertake the same conversion myself can I reproduce the magic that you experience in SACD froma PCM source (read CD).

I live in hope - Andrew

 

Hi,

Where is Tom Port when you need him?

-Jeffrey

 

This is probably why I haven't bought into high-rez. I don't want to fall in love and have to tolerate an inferior CD or, even worse, the mp3's the guys play at work.

 

Khorn, You are a cruel, heartless villain. No I'm not going to tone down my opinion with a smiley face.
When you started this thread, did you deliberately set out to ruin my marriage??
If I hadn't known about SACD's advantages, I wouldn't want to buy one. If I don't buy one now I'll get so frustrated that my wife will get sick of me and leave. If I do buy one, and spend hours and hours and hours listening in rapture, my wife will leave me for spending the money and ignoring her.
Why did you do it??

 

Same for albums, SACD will render them useless and unlistenable. And my poor Victrola, I'll have to kick it to the curb.

 

Me too. My goal is never to hear SACD. Must...pretend...like it...ugh...doesn't exist... I hate all the squabbling over minute discrepancies in versions. I will be educated enough to know the differences and get the best possible sound, but dammit I will never in my life have so much money as to be as anal as SOME are. Even if I did have that kind of money, I'd spend most of it on other things that are ultimately more important (though still musical - for my creative purposes/musicianship/career). Still, I'm ever cogniscent of all this stuff. That's "good-bad." I'll focus on mastering.

Anyone have comments on that?

 

I am beginning to feel the same way. I just don't listen to the regulars the same anymore. SACD may have it's faults but across the table it wins in my book hands down.

Let's hope that the industry sticks to at least the standards that hey have set for themselves in these early days!

 

John, do you have a young Greek "pool boy" yet? You're gonna need one if you get that SACD player.

 

Better yet, that small speaker planted under her pillow each night: He needs an SACD player.....He needs an SACD player.....He needs an SACD player.....He needs an SACD player.....He needs an SACD player.....

 

Sounds like my situation. Ever since I got an SACD player - and even upgraded my SACD player to the XA777ES (as well as gotten back into vinyl) my wifes tells me all I want to do with my free time is stare into space listening to music.

And she is right. I find myself wanting to listen to music more and more. She has even suggested that I rent a space (outside of our home) where I can go listen to music to my hearts content.

 

I remember people saying the same thing when CD first arrived. How they could never listen to LP's again.

I will always be listening to LP's and CD's, and when I have the urge to listen to my 10 SACD titles, I will listen to those.

In other words, I will always be listening to the music I enjoy listening to, regardless of what format it's in. And I will use the best sounding source. For example, I will listen to the Toto IV LP before the SACD. I will listen to the SRV Couldn't Stand The Weather SACD before the LP. And so on...

 

I've been enjoying my SACD's very much too. Recently, I find myself holding off on buying redbook CD's (even tasty audiophile ones) with the thought that I'd prefer to have a future SACD version of it, hopefully done by Steve & other great people out there. I'm still buying tons of vinyl (different beast) but I think it's becoming pretty clear to me that I prefer to spend my hard earned cash (lost my money growing tree because I forgot to water it) on SACD's rather than redbook CD's (exceptions sometimes, of course). For example, why would I buy the old DCC Gold of 'Willy & the Poor Boys' when the new SACD Hybrid version by Steve is coming out in a few weeks??

Todd

 

For me, the person embarked upon the search for the better versions of his favorite music, SACD is another option as well as another opportunity. That's a good thing (!!), but I refuse to take it to obsessive levels. NO, I won't be selling my DCCs.