What's the preferece? I assume it depends on what's on the disc, but does one or the other have a better catalog? Anyone know of a website that has a comprehensive list of both?

Let's throw a poll in here!

I find that classical music is much better represented on SACD while DVD-A has some unique recordings, sometimes mixed in a controversial way. I doubt there is really audible advantage to either technology.

It's a mixed bag for me. I find myself preferring two-channel to the surround format as a whole. Some of the surround mixes are gimmicky and don't add anything to the musical experience. There are notable exceptions. My favorite so far is the Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots." The songs are given a unique interpretation in the surround format. Yes, it can be gimmicky, but in a good way--highlighting the fun one can have in surround. Other mixes I like are "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John, "Sea Change" by Beck, "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd, and "The Downward Spiral" by NIN. These mixes seem to be done with care creating a nice soundstage and seamless presentation. I don't find myself buying multichannel recordings anymore. Also, I can't stand the faulty hybrid disc format. I have a Ben Folds disc that sounds incredible for the first minute or so in the standard cd format, but then it gets choppy. I listened to it again last week and the multichannel format is just missing something. Maybe it's just me.

Ken, to answer your original question--I can't hear much difference between the two formats. If you want to split hairs I will say I like SACD better because I own a lot more those over the other.

Something tells me that they are both flash in the pan technologies. Copyright holders need to find a way to deal with digital media. There needs to be a compromise between the justified expectation for casual consumers to want to make copies wth with the content providers justified desire to get paid for the products they produce. Until then media with 'extra clarity' probably isn't going to take off. The mass market wants convenience. It doesn't care about a few extra bits in the sound recording. The next big shift will almost certainly be a variation of DRM yet to be invented yet. Content provided digitally will open up a lot of distribution options that I think consumers would appreciate-and in the process the content providers can create something that would make those of us with audio OCD happy for another few years.

Yeah, I probably misphrased. I'm pretty sure that they all sound similar (boy it's weird to type right after playing the piano). It's more of a question of which one has the better recordings, if either.

I was quite enamored of DSOTM (even though I'm not really a Floyd fan) when I heard it on my friend's system.

I've got 2, and I repeat 2 SACD's which blown302 bought me as Xmas presents. I've never heard a DVDA, so I don't have a preference.

I've got a few of each. Sonicly, I consider them interchangable. The multichannel thing is more of a "special treat" than anything else. Someone on this board once made the comment that if you sit down to listen, sacd/dvd-a is worth it. 20 years ago I sat and listened all the time, not so much these days. Which brings me to my little rant.
The one place where I and everyone else sits and listens, almost always with surround speakers already installed, is the car. You cannot get a sacd/dvd-a car player that does multichannel,at any price. You can get a bloddy video setup complete with dd sound and screens all around, but the few that play dvd-a downmix to 2 channel, WTF? Stupid bastards, anyway. DPL2 is a big (and expensive) deal in car audio. Am I the only one who sees the boat being missed here?

I've always had a hard time seeing how surround could be implemented in a car; I mean, no one's going to be in the sweet spot other than the kid in the middle seat in the back, right?

I see that the item that's currently winning is for me to just buy something already... gimme a week or two, ok, guys?

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I've always had a hard time seeing how surround could be implemented in a car; I mean, no one's going to be in the sweet spot other than the kid in the middle seat in the back, right?

Well yes and no, the decent aftermarket stuff has time correction just like our home gear. The big boys do pretty well at getting 2 ch right with thoughtfull speaker placement and room treatments (no kidding). Really, with time correction and the ability to calibrate levels- basic features on home gear, I think it could be pretty special.
One of these days I'm gonna hook my sms-1 up to my car system and see what I can do.

If you like rock music - I think you would probably enjoy DVD-A a bit more. It is real hard to find good 5.1 Rock SACDs. There is an Alice In Chains Greatest Hits SACD, but the mixing is poor. The same is true for Oasis - What's the Story Morning Glory. The NIN - Downward Spiral is good, but could be had for a lot cheaper as a DVD-A. The same goes for The Who's Tommy. I own Johnny Cash - Live from Folsom Prison SACD and it is not that spectacular in 5.1. Most of my good rock SACDs (Rolling Stones, Birds) are stereo SACDs. Also, I own both Pink Floyd's DSOTM and Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic and they are great recordings.

I have been more satisfied with DVD-A's rock recordings - especially the REM Double Discs - one redbook CD and one DVD-A (seperate, not Dual Discs). They are must haves for any REM fan. The Foo Fighters and Stone Temple Pilot DVD-As are fun as well. In October, the Doors will be releasing DVD-As of all their studio albums, the crown jewel of all DVD-As in my opinion. On the other hand, Metallica's Black Album is a bit of a dissapointment.

I think SACD classical & jazz selections blow DVD-A out of the water from what I heard. I believe these formats are still thriving on SACD.

EDITED TO ADD (and this is important)- I see by your equipment profile you own the HK 525. The beauty of this receiver is that it CAN do bass management for hi-res. Just use the 6 channel or 8 channel DVD-Audio settings (do not use Direct as that defaults BM to your player. No need to spend lots of dollars on a high-end machine that does BM. I have an HK525 as well and I get really good bass using the 8 Channel DVD-Audio setting. Bass is pretty flat on Direct, though.

Thanks for the input. I am mostly looking for hard rock in the catalog, though I'd love to get my hands on DSOTM and Allison Krause, which puts me back over on SACD. I think I'll probably end up with a universal player, unless the model I want is completely sold out.

I vote universal player and get the recordings you want be thay SACD or DVD-A. I got the Pioneer DV-563A that many championed a while ago and am very happy with it. I don't seem to see any for sale now thought, so it seems my recommendation is useless. Sorry.

james

I think the 578 (which I own) took over for the 563.

Seems like a decent universal player but I can't say I have given it a real workout -- I never had enough cables to run 5.1 analog without disconnecting video and digital audio

Go to SA-CD.Net for a comprehensive list of SACDs and where they can be found.

As for a universal player, I have the Denon 1920 which has really good DACs. It can be had for around $300-$320. The non-Elite Pioneer players don't do DSD but down convert DSD into PCM so be aware if you go the SACD route

DVD-A because of its fall back capability to regular DVD (most of the time).

I'm totally in love with surround music now... I was a 2 channel purist all my life but ever since I finnaly built a good surround system and tried the latest surround mixes and modes (NEO6) I'm hooked. 2channel is just boring now.

I have the Denon 3910 that is a universal player, but I've stayed mostly with SACD's, DSOTM, Allison Krauss-Union Station and Brothers in Arms are truly exceptional when using surround sound either through 5 analog cables or the new one cable links that Denon and some other brands have out now. I haven't found a DVD-A yet that I feel matches the quality of the 3 I mentioned above, but it may just be the type of music I listen to.

I'm currently investigating whether I can get the Onk DV CP 802 in black... I'll know tomorrow, hopefully. And my handy amazon gift cert will then be put to use.

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DVD-A because of its fall back capability to regular DVD (most of the time).

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Though, like HomeDad, I tend to favor SACD (only slightly), I can't argue with this one bit. I have purchased several DTS surround discs which have a 5.1 DTS mix, a 5.1 DVD-A mix (my preference), and a stereo mix. Now thats covering all the bases.

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I'm totally in love with surround music now... I was a 2 channel purist all my life but ever since I finnaly built a good surround system and tried the latest surround mixes and modes (NEO6) I'm hooked. 2channel is just boring now.

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It is very comforting to find others who feel as I do. I cannot deny that some disc's surround mixes are less than optimal, but any good one, and there are a substantial number of them, is a joy. No offense meant to those who are 2 channel aficionados. Vive le difference!