Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater High Definition Audio

It'll be next to impossible to make a fair DVD-A vs SACD comparison, as I don't think there are any titles available in both formats. Listening to two different titles will bring in so many variables, it could be any one of those variables that will make one sound better than the other.

As I said, I believe Deep Purple "Machine Head" is one of the titles that exists in both formats. Diana Krall may be another one, too. If there are no duplicate titles, you are absolutely correct. Making comparisons between the two formats will be impossible due to variables between any two titles in the same format.

Thanks

Todd

Todd

Todd, I'd suggest that even if there're duplicate titles, no accurate comparison between the two formats would be possible. As others, including the motion picture music editor I've previously quoted have pointed out, differences in remixing and remastering the same performance(even different tracks on the same disc) change the sound significantly and could account for any difference in what was heard, rather than some inherent difference in the two formats. The improvements often heard in the new formats can be attributed to this and to the use of multi-channel surround(if present). It's highly unlikely that differences in bits or sampling rate between the two or regular CDs are audible.

Beck Sea Change is also available in both SACD and DVD-A. Personally, I think both SACD and DVD-A are outstanding when done right. I have a Denon 2200, and both hi-rez options have the capability of sounding great.

To my ears, SACD is a bit warmer sounding than DVD-A, which is a great blend with the Axioms. But DVD-A is still a nice blend with Axioms.

I agree that HDCD is bogus.

There are a lot of Universal releases on both formats:

Ryan Adams- Gold
Beck- Sea Change
3 Doors Down- Away From the Sun
Diana Krall- The Look of Love, When I look Into Your Eyes
Shania Twain- Up!

I have the DVD-A's of almost all of these titles, so if anyone in CA has the SACD versions and wants to do a comparison, give me a PM.

Other great DVD-A's are:
Yes- Fragile
Fleetwood Mac- Say You Will
Linkin Park - Reanimation
Steely Dan- Everything Must Go
Grateful Dead- American Beauty
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

In reply to:

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I agree that HDCD is bogus.

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hehehehe....HDCD technology is owned by Microsoft.

HDCD and Microsoft--ironic I suppose.

But I'm with those who agree HDCD is bogus. My ex HK AVR7000 receiver and FL8550 CD player both supported HDCD, but I could hear no difference. The few HDCDs I bought sounded no better than their original release.

I do own Diana Krall "The Look of Love" on CD. When I've got a few extra bucks, I'll buy the DVD-A and SACD versions so that I can attempt to make a comparison between the three.

Todd

I would have to emphatically add Emerson, Lake and Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery" to the list of great DVD-A's. Agree with "Rumours" and Fragile". I also like Fleetwood Mac's new release "Say You Will"

Mark