Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler sacd......WOW!!!

Just hooked up a sacd player................WOW!!
Dark Side of the Moon sounds fantastic. I've listened to that cd a billion times and I'm hearing new things from it now.
I just wish the selection of sacds were better.
I HAD to go into Best Buy to find a somewhat decent selection.
Circuit city had about 5, Best Buy had about 75, Borders I have no idea, because they are mixed in with the regular cds. The salesperson at Borders didnt even know what I was talking about when I said sacd.

That was the first SACD that I heard on the Axioms so call it a shared experience I guess. Those voices are down-right scary. I don't know if you're a big classical fan, but I recently picked up a couple Classical SACD's to give them a try and WOW!! Here's what I picked up:

Antonin Dvorak Syphony No. 8 & 9

Holst: The Planets

Now be warned, these will really shake the walls. They both sound HUGE!! Thank you again Axiom for allowing me to have a concert in my living room.

Spock...both of these are listed as stereo. Is this just a limitation of the CD Universe site, or are these stereo SACDs?

Bray - if you're into the 70s rock thing, try Blue Öyster Cult's Agents of Fortune album on SACD. "Don't Fear The Reaper" coming out in multi-channel just makes me grin.

If you're refering to the "Mono/Stereo Stereo" just ignore it. It's a misprint because both are definately SACD's as listed on the back of the cases.

Jason, I think that what Mike(dmn)was asking was whether those are two -channel SACDs or multi-channel SACDs. Many SACDs are two-channel only, but both these happen to have a 5.0 track as well as a 2.0 track(both in SACD). On classical music where the performers aren't actually placed in the surround channels(only reflected ambience goes there)it typically makes little difference, i.e. when the multi-channel track is compared to the two-channel track played with DPLII or Logic7 steering the ambience to the surround channels. Try the comparison yourself.

Since you enjoyed Fischer's performances of the Dvorak 8th and 9th, you should really like this and here's a really outstanding SACD bargain.

Ok John, quit reading my mind. Rach Piano Concerto 2 & 3 are next on my classical SACD list. I'll have to try out that little experiement you mentioned too.

Jason, it just struck me that unless your receiver will apply DPLII or other ambience steering to SACD(and I don't believe that it does)you won't be able to make the comparison.

I think you're right. Plus all the processing is done by my player and not my receiver. That makes me wonder, does a receiver ever do the processing for SACD? I've only seen players connected through analogue and never digital. To my knowledge there's no such thing as digital SACD output.

Well, the very few very expensive players and receivers that can be digitally connected by I-link/firewire receive the SACD material in digital form and can apply digital processing(e.g. DPLII)to it. Other than that it's the receivers(e.g. some HKs)that first convert the analog SACD back to digital, process it digitally, then again convert it to analog for amplification.

Ah..ok...thanks for the quick lesson. And now back to our regularly scheduled SACD thread.

I just hooked up my new Denon 2200 last Friday and I haven't been able to put in a regular CD since!!

I started out with Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (DVD-A), and Tesla - Some Live Show (DVD-A).

Rumours sounds awesome, I don't know how else to describe it. The Tesla one is really fun (if you like metal), it makes you feel like you are in the concert.

Then I couldn't stop, Monday came, and I picked up Metallica - Metallica (DVD-A), and the soundtrack from Oh Brother - Where Art Though (SACD).

When the drums kick in on "The Unforgiven" I was just floored, that song really stands out on the Metallica SACD. The rest is good as well though.

I was a little disapointed with the Oh Brother - Where Art Thou (SACD). The soundtrack in the movie was awesome. In particular, I was really excited about the scene where Delmar runs down into the river to get "saved" during the baptism scene. On the DVD there is an amazing choir singing, and it just sounds absolutely spectacular in DD5.1. This SACD is recorded in stereo, and has this choir song sung by Allison Krause, with the choir as a background. She is a great singer, but I was really hoping for an awesome 5.1 choir singing in my livingroom. It is still an awesome sounding SACD, I just prefer 6 speakers to 3.

Yesterday, Wednesday, I went out looking for two more. I found Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (SACD), and I was also looking for Joe Satriani - Strange Beautifull Music (SACD). Joe was nowhere to be found, I may have to order this one from Amazom or something.

Miles Davis is the first Jazz CD I have ever purchased. It won't be my last. If all of his SACD's are master by whomever mastered this one, I will buy them all.

I can't stop. Has anyone found a reliable retailer in their area that has a good supply of SACD, DVD-A's. If anyone in Calgary has found a place please share it!!

I have not started getting into the SACD or DVD-A scene yet, but am getting interested. How much more do these things cost then regular cd's? Assume the boxes are labeled SACD or DVD-A? Also, what are you guys using, a cd player with SACD ability, or one of the newer DVD players that play both?

I have been considering looking at one of the newer DVI DVD players that upconvert to 720P or 1080i (momitsu, bravo 2, denon, etc...)

I've only got a small handful:

Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (DVD-A)
Richard Thompson - Rumor & Sigh (DVD-A)
Buena Vista Social Club - BVSC (2 channel DVD-A)
Eagles - Hotel California (DVD-A)
Norah Jones - Come Away With Me (SACD)
Blue Öyster Cult - Agents of Fortune (SACD)
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (SACD)

The Buena Vista Social Club album is the only one that's strictly two channel. The prices for all of these were either the same or less than regularly priced CDs (~$15).

All of them sound great, but there's no question in my mind that I need to buy the Outlaw ICBM unit. Maybe someone can chime in here as to why it works this way, but bass management on most universal players is completely inadequate. My sub is working while I'm playing these discs, but I know there's a lot that I'm missing.

depending on the title, most sacd's are just about the same price as regular cd's. maybe a buck or two more, but thats only on special titles. i buy my sacd's from a local mom and pops store here in town, and he mail orders for me. i think the most i paid for any of them was $17 bucks, but a few were $15.. there are plenty of online stores also offering great dreals on sacd's/dvd-a's. they are clearly labeled, and most often, are in a different section than the regualr cd's.

as far as players, you can get both.. a cd player that plays sacd's.. or a dvd player that pleys em. it just depends on how you wanna set up your system. i have the pioneer 563A, which is a good econo sacd player that i got used. you can find them new online for around $150 bucks.. the denons start around $350 refurb..

bigjohn

Oops - forgot one! I've also got Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks in multi-channel SACD. Highly, highly recommended.

I'm a big Dylan fan so that will be one I'll have to check out...

Din

If you like the O Brother soundtrack (and I do love that CD), check out New Favorite from Allison Krause and Union Station on SACD as well as their Live CD. Both are great.

james

I'd suggest checking out Alison Krause's entire collection. Ralph Stanley is also worth it (mastering quality isn't quite as high...). Blue Highway is good, Lonesome River Band is good, Gillian Welch is excellent (and also on the O Brother soundtrack).

Wow indeed! I have:

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - in 5.1, excellent sound and dynamics

The Stranger - 5.1 Joel. Very nice.

My Generation - classic album. Moon's drumming is alive.

Tommy - see above. SACD version sounds better in my opinion

A Night at the Opera - Brian May's guitars in the surrounds! 39 is the best song ever. Its DVD Audio

Getz/Gilberto - lush vocals (not to mention Getz's sax, oh man)

In A Silent Way - First fusion masterpiece. I highly recommend this album. Its the mood of a late, rainy night.

#1 Record/Radio City - Classic Big Star. Turn the treble down for this recording however. Its a little harsh.

Various Dylan re-releases - Blonde on Blonde is in 5.1!

Dark Side of the Moon- Duh. 'On the Run' is awesome.

Halloween - Classic live Frank Zappa. DVD Audio. Highly recommended for Zappa fans. Its an awesome live sound.

Sea Changes - acoustic guitar on this Beck DVD Audio has impressive sound

oh, and the Doors LA Woman DVD Audio was disappointing in its sound. great album but I was expecting better sound.

Oh, right, we were talking SACD. Nevermind....

Yep! But, I'll still probably have a Gillian CD by the end of the weekend....

jr

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are unbelievable. Rawlings is an absolutely astonishing guitarist. Living in Nashville affords me the opportunity to catch them in tiny venues - I've seen them a few times at the Station Inn, which is a small bluegrass club downtown. I was also at the Ryman for the show that turned into the "Down From the Mountain" CD/DVD.

You can't go wrong with any of their albums, but I'd hold off on Soul Journey until you're convinced you like them. It's a bit of a departure.

I had a bizarre (and uniquely Nashville) experience yesterday. I went to a favorite hole in the wall Jewish deli called Goldie's for lunch, looked up, and there's John Prine sitting at the next table. Five years in this town, and it's still disconcerting every time something like that happens.

Back to Welch/Rawlings - my vote is for Revival or Hell Among The Yearlings. Good luck - I don't think you'll be disappointed with any selection you make.

Cool. Thanks for the heads up. I'll try to grab one of those this weekend. Her page also has MP3s.

jr

I am jealous of some of your collection riffman, I'm also a big Rush fan, any chance they have any SACD or DVD-A's out?

It sure is good to know that I have many more choices than I saw last night. I"m Listening to Norah Jones as I post this and it really sounds great.
However, I have posted a question in Tech Questions concerning stereo sacds so if any of you guys have knowledge ( JohnK you out there) about playing stereo sacds please check out that post.

" ...and I haven't been able to put in a regular CD since!! "

Same here! I LOVE my sacd-dvda's , the difference is really astonishing. Today I bought Ray Charles new sacd 'genius loves company', it is awesome; loved the lush and embellish orchestra arrangements. The Blood, Sweat & Tear sacd is very good, too bad it's 2channel only, If there is a band that would sound great in multichannel is BST.
The rest of my collection is:

Miles Davis -kinda of blue -great
Bucky Pizzarelli - Swing Live -great
Telarc sacd sampler I -good
Getz/ Gilberto (tgf ipanema) -good
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds -average
Toto - Hydra / Toto IV -average / great
Earth Wind & Fire - Alive '75 -good
Pink Floyd -(The?) DSOTM -awesome of course:)

Wow! Riffman, I was just re-reading your list. #1 Record/Radio City is available? How cool is that? Is it multi-channel, or just stereo? I've got the regular CD (and some old vinyl someplace) and "Thirteen" is just gorgeous through Axioms.

Apparently, every upteen years on the 3rd blue moon of the month of whatever, Alex Chilton and Big Star get together and do a show or two. I was fortunate enough to attend this one back in 2001, and it was amazing. I'm going to have to buy a copy on SACD (or is it DVD-A?) this weekend. Thanks for the tip!

An interesting side note... A third blue moon in a month would be utterly impossible! A blue moon, I believe, is the second full moon in one month.

Sheesh...there's always gotta be that one guy in every crowd...

Except around here we're ALL that guy.

Or maybe he is referring to the song "Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone, with out a dream in my heart, without a love of my own da da da da Blue Moon...."

God I love this place...

Other possibilities could take this thread downhill in a hurry...

Blue blue blue blue moooon... dit da dit da dit Blue blue blue blue moooon...

I bet that was the song you were singing that time you had that Viper seeing how fast it goes from 0 to 60? I remember some post I came across, don't ask me how, that showed a pic of you looking like you were breaking into a Viper

Wasn't the song I had in mind, but boy was that thing fun. The guys weren't there for the most fun part, though. I was driving the next day with my very soon to be bride (at the time--now my wife), and was going up an onramp. I didn't feel like I had much time to get up to speed, so I floored it. In first. Then forgot to shift. Until I got up to 40. Man, that thing was a blast.

Sounds similar, although it was not a Viper, I first saw my wife when I was out driving my new 1991 Z28 Convertible and she was in her, don't laugh, 1978 tan AMC Gremlin. I'll just say I didn't even notice the car until after I got her to pull over and talk to me...

Heh... I bet there's quite a story behind that simple paragraph.

Funny, I first started learning how to drive stick in a Gremlin. Didn't take, and I had to "learn" three or four more times after that.

Those Gremlins had lots of torque. I guess that is why I married her and 12 years later we're still going strong, including two sons, 5 1/2yrs and 6 wks, oh and I almost forgot our dauchsund/terrior mix dog Dylan (named after Bob)

Actually my dad always told me to find a rich farm girl that is a good cook. I guess I got the farm girl and cooking part right.

Din
If you liked "Kind of blue",
I'd highly recommend to buy "TUTU" ( Miles Davis)
That album was highly influenced by new at that time electronic music and is HATED and LOVED by Miles fans,
but energy of this album will net let you to push STOP until you'll listen at least 5 times :-)
Even just a CD sounds outstanding
( Sound quality it is )

Also try SOLO MOMK ( If you like piano music in its best )

Hmm...
Solo MONK :-)

dmn23, nice pics! Big Star is definitely an underrated band, don'tcha think? #1 Record/Radio City is hybrid, two channel. its sounds very bright but from what I have read about the original recording, that's how it was recorded many years ago.

these have been a good sites for sacd releases for me (I probably got these links from someone else here, so thanks):

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bmoura/msacdnew.htm

http://www.sa-cd.net/home

well, I still can't get URLs to work but there they are anyways.

sirquack, there was talk of Rush sacds coming out last year but I haven't heard anything since then. I like Rush. Especially 'Moving Pictures' and 'Permanent Waves'.

btw, Tubular Bells is also out on multichannel SACD!

sweeeeeeet, thanks Riffman, maybe since I blew all my money on my Axioms and Denon 2805, I can get a new CD or DVD player that plays SACD or DVD-A for the upcoming holidays...

Dvorak: Symphony no 8 & 9 "New World" / Fischer, Budapest is one of the highest rated SACDs on http://www.sa-cd.net/ and another site that I don't remember now.

see http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/10

Ken, James and anyone else with a modicum of interest - there's an excellent (and very long) feature on Gillian Welch in the latest New Yorker.

Thanks. I saw that on Sunday. It was an interesting read. I'm also going to see her with a friend at the Fillmore in SF on Oct 8.

Thanks for the headsup K

Wow, I'm definitely jealous. It's probably been over a year since I last saw them. I got to meet David Rawlings this year at an OCMS gig, though. Have an awesome time!

Sweet. Wish I was available.

Alright, James. I want details. How was it?

In a word... WOW

Old crow medicine show were great. They have more than one song about grass and cocaine and grain alcohol. 4 young men that like to party I think. Though, if they are poor, I don't know how they afford cocaine. Wouldn't meth be more their speed? (/smartass)
Gillian and Dave were fantastic. There were times I thought there were 3 guitars being played. I'd look at Dave's hands and wonder how on earth he was playing those notes.
I have never heard a sadder or more meloncholy version of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (yes you read that right and I'm not kidding). It was great!
They ended the 2nd set (the show was 3 and 1/2 hours) with I'll fly away. Then, for the encore they brought out the Old Crow Medicine Show and blew us back with a couple of traditional songs (something about Iron John or Iron Henry) and something else.
I enjoy live shows but don't go to many these days. I have seen to many where the performers were working and not enjoying. There was no doubt in my mind at all they they were all having a great time and were excited that we were there to join the fun. I loved it.
I am seriously considering getting a ticket for the show tomorrow night. At the least I'll be hitting Amoeba records for some new CDs tomorrow. If you are near the bay area and can go or if they are coming to your area GO. You will not be disappointed.

jr

Where else are they playing up here?

Tonight at the Fillmore on Geary/Fillmore. It looks like tickets are still sold out thought.
Here is her tour schedule. She is playing at Cal State in Chico on Sunday.

If you are near any of those venues, go! I had a great time.

jr