What Hirez Discs Have You Purchased Recently?

Finally tracked down the elusive SACD of David Bowie's Reality. This was a release that sort of misfired, coming in months after three other editions of the album had been released (so no stores bothered to carry it).

Am tempted to buy Sheryl Crow's Globe Sessions now that it is finally on SACD, but I keep wondering if I should wait for the eventual (expected but not announced) DualDisc.

My first and most recently bought DVD-Audio has been R. Kelly-Chocaolate Factory. My next one will be Usher-8701. There doesn't seem to be that much of an R&B selection in DVD-Audio.

Nothing. I must confess that I'm somewhat disillusioned with the whole thing.

Not so much as new encoding format(s), nor with the multichannel aspect, but rather with the fact that very little hi rez content is to my taste. I'm past the stage of making dubious purchases for the sake of acquiring hi rez content... sounds great once.

In fact, I moved in April. Since then I haven't even bothered to hook up my universal player again, and I don't miss it. I have a modest but nice two channel CD setup which makes me smile every time I fire it up.

Martin.

My order of Fantasy's 10 new jazz SACDs is on its way. Will post reviews as I listen to them.

Got Steely Dan Gaucho SACD a few days ago, but only have listened to the first two cuts so far.

Will B, how is the bowie reality sacd?

I picked up John Mayer's "Heavier Things" on hybrid SACD (DSD recording) the other day and it sounds excellent! See my mini-review here:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...72#post2344672

Dave Brubeck - Time Out (original stereo only version)....somehow, this single-layer version seems to sound better than my hybrid version. Maybe I am imagining it.

Billy Joel - An Innocent Man

I haven't popped it in yet but will reply when I do so.

did you order it online or at a store? havent seen it any local to chicago, and have been to lazy to order for now. but i love heathen, so am looking forward. let me know what you think, thanks?

I ordered it online at deepdiscountcd. The disc arrived covered in dust (the shrinkwrap was covered in dust). I imagine there's probably some story behind the way this title never got shipped around the country properly.

Anyway I am listening to it now, and though I do not want anyone taking my words too heavily (for I am not a "golden ears" type person, nor well versed enough in music to use the right words), I must say my initial reaction to the 5.1 mix was that I was seriously dissapointed.

DAVID BOWIE'S HEATHEN 5.1 totally impressed me as the best ever sounding 5.1 disc I've ever heard, due in large part to the way the whole band filled the rear speakers almost as vividly as the fronts.

But this, DAVID BOWIE'S REALITY, keeps a good deal of the band trapped in the front left and front right, almost as if - and this is what ultimately redeemed this 5.1 mix for me -- almost as if they're trying to maintain or recreate the impression of an old-fashioned stereo recording (remember those days? The early 21st century? Good times, good times).

This theory actually makes some sense. If you recall that the beginning of "The Loneliest Guy" purposefully starts out as if it were tuned in on an AM radio and then opens up... perhaps this is the concept of the entire album. I am inclined to believe that is what is going on.

The surrounds are used to greater and greater effect as the album progresses, so, perhaps there is design behind this madness.

There many times when the clarity of Bowie's vocals are so much more vivid than any instrument in the band that it feels like you're listening to Bowie recording his vocal. As such, you better be a fan of Bowie's voice to enjoy this album. (Personally I am so that's fine with me). But generally I'd have prefered the band to have been given a fuller presentation.

That said, the clarity of the high resolution is very nice indeed. And where these comments matter most: Is this better than the stereo CD?

Yes, it is. I never picked up on the sort of "NY in the early 70s vibe" that I now feel is quite obvious. Again I can't explain that because I'm not a music reviewer.

Awesome, I had heard the surround mix was sort of mixed bag. maybe your right about the concept. I will order it, and would have anyways, just was curious how quickly i needed to. Heathen is one of my top 3 discs easily, I really love the music and the mix. I'm really hoping for a 5.1 release of ...hours, earthling, and outside too.

thanks

Well, I just went over the edge (again). First I took advantage of the $7.99 deal at CD Lounge and bought five of their SACD's and then I found CD Quest and spent megabucks on Japanese imports. Miles Davis Cookin' (DVD-A yes DVD-A) at 24/192 is a gem. Santana Abraxas and Canavanseri (both single layer)are outstanding. Since I my SACD player isn't here yet, I had to borrow a Krell SACD player and these disks are noticeably better that the domestic SACD's.

The $7.99 SACD's are a bargain:

Bill Evans - Portrait in Jazz - Very good CD and SACD layers.
John Coltrane - Lush Life - The DCC CD is better than the CD layer but the SACD layer is the best.
Miles Davis - Relaxin' - The XRCD version is a bit better than the SACD layer.
Wes Montgomery - The Incredible Guitar- Great music somewhat disappointing sonics.
James Carter - Gardenias for Lady Day - Outstanding sonics, very good jazz.

Finally the Grant Geissman DVD-A from AIX. Trademark AIX sound which some don't like. At first blush, I am not pleased but I need to listen a few more times. Sometimes music just doesn't "hit your ears" at first. I don't think my appreciation will grow but, who knows.

"Toys in the Attic" by Aerosmith. The redbook CD has just become a coaster.

Amen to that! This title shows what can be done when someone knows how to do a good MC mix. As I have said in various other threads where this title is mentioned, Guthrie and company have somehow managed to take music that I have heard 100's of times, and make it sound fresh and new.

Astounding! And if only they would get on with it and do Rocks!

BGL

Joe Satriani - Engines of Creation

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (Stereo only version)

Picked up this weekend:

SA-CDs:
-Aerosmith "Toys in the Attic" Single Layer (the tracks I've listened to so far sounded really great)
-Dave Brubeck "Time Out" Single Layer
-John Mayer "Heavier Things"
-Elton John "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road w/ Bonus DVD

DVD-As:
-Beach Boys "Pet Sounds"
-Foo Fighters "One By One"

As a side note, the DVD-Audio section of my local Best Buy looks like it's being completely phased out. There are more than 5 times as many SA-CDs as there are DVD-As now. It used to be less than twice as many. The SA-CD selection hasn't increased, however, it's actually decreased slightly recently.

The Best Buy combined both SACD and DVD-A's, mixing them with DVD music videos, into one big section so it's even harder to find something. Then, the Circuit City across the street have completely removed its DVD-A and SACD sections. And this store had a couple of highly coveted SACD rarities.

www.highfidelityreview.com

has the latest Universal release slate and the five Elton John albums are scheduled for October 26th.

Toto - IV (original stereo-only version)

Gloria Estefan - Greatest Hits (original stereo-only version)

Finally just ordered Seal IV on Amazon (just the DVD-A dammit, not the "Deluxe Edition" DVD-A bundled with a CD of the album for $6 more).

Danny: What made you get the original stereo versions of those two albums instead of the more recent m.c. hybrids?

The HFR reviews of both the original stereo and later m.c. Toto IV SACDs made me steer clear of either release of this seminal album (which I have on SBM CD). Do you mind reading Stuart Robinson's review of the stereo SACD and posting your thoughts on whether you agree and/or disagree por favor?

-p

Read the Stuart Robinson's review of the Toto IV SACD (stereo version) hmmmm....excruciating bright? Not on my first listen. I should listen to it some more.

BTW, Cynthia Rhodes is also wife of Richard Marx.

Danny,

You seem to be the resident guru of HK music…

I’m a fan of Sam Hui’s (brother of Michael and Ricky) music, and wondering what to get of his CDs. I know there is an 18-disc collection, but I would probably prefer a “Best of”. Also, I believe there are a few SACDS of his work. Any thoughts?

I also like Teresa Teng and a lot of the music from TVB martial arts epics from the 80s (particularly those sung for Louis Cha adaptations). Any suggestions/compilations?

Links to online shops where I can purchase these would be good.

Thank you!

Joe

Oh, to contribute...

Recent SACD purchases:

Alison Krauss and Union Station: Live (excellent)
Mariah Carey #1s (surprisingly good sound quality)

and have Spyro Gyra's Deep End coming in the post.

Cheers,

joe

Among the standout SACD's I've picked up recently:

Donovan 'Storyteller' Audio Fidelity AFZ 015
This is a woderful sounding Hoffman mastered comp. The music speaks for itself.

John Mayall & Friends 'Along For The Ride' Audio Fidelity AFZ 016
Great Blues with Mayall and very prominent "guest artists".
Iv'e really liked this for a long time now and the SACD brings it to "a whole other level".

Tony Bennett 'Playin' With My Friends' RPM/Columbia CS85833
The "Duet" style seems to be popular over the last while and this one is a great example of why it works. Excellent music and sound quality.

I would like to point out that my opinions are based on two channel listening.

i picked up the allman brothers at the fillmore east and the kinks muswell hillbilies and give the people what they want hybrid sacd's today

Joe,

Just about all available Hong Kong pop SACDs are listed at sa-cd.net. Just click on "Titles", then select "Chinese Pop" in Genre, hit "Go", and you will see all of them listed. Unfortunately for my wallet, I own almost all of them (and upload scans of covers and information to Stephen, the owner of the site).

Regarding Sam Hui, I am a huge fan. He has 3 SACD titles issued. The first 2 are compilations. However, they are mostly his ballads from his Polygram years (1974-1983) and almost none of his rock/uptempo songs. The songs from his Cinepoly years (1985-1989) are completely ignored. Given the age of the recordings, the sound quality is very good. The third, and latest, Sam Hui SACD is the soundtrack to "Private Eyes".



You probably already know that every song on this album was a hit and this is perhaps THE landmark album in Cantopop. Highly recommended! I have the 18 CD boxset and it's really nothing special in terms of sound quality. Yes, highly collectible since only 1,000 are available (I have #547, I think), but no sonic wonder. If you're looking for a good Sam Hui compilation, there's a DSD-remastered 2 CD compilation called "Sam Hui Champion Hits" from Universal Music of Malaysia. It's a legit item and the sound quality is excellent; packaging is much better than the 18 CD boxset as well. You can order it here.

For Teresa Teng, Hong Kong Universal Music also issued 2 compilation SACDs. I highly recommend these but they are going out-of-print. Sound quality, like the Sam Hui releases, is pretty good given the age of the recordings. Just one Teresa Teng album has made it to SACD, but it's her masterpiece "Dann Dann Iuo Chyng" (this was printed on the inside ring of the SACD).



There's an ongoing argument whether which version sounds better....the original CD from the 80s, SACD, XRCD, HK vinyl, Taiwanese vinyl, etc... You can catch the action here. The original master tapes to most 70s and 80s HK Polygram/Philips recordings were probably lost during the big fire at its Dragon Studio several years back. The sources for the SACDs were probably back-up copies of the master tapes.

As for music from TVB martial arts dramas, there's a SACD compilation from Crown Records. But most of the songs are from the 70s. Who's Louis Cha?

As for where you can get these SACDs, malmusic.com is currently have a sale on the HK Universal SACD titles. As much as US$8.00 cheaper than yesasia.com per title (malmusic's price are in Canadian $$, but it does give you the exchange value for US $$ when you click on a specific title). You can also find other HK pop SACDs there, including the now out-of-print HK Warner Music SACDs. Even in San Francisco Bay Area, where I live, there's exactly one store that sells HK pop SACDs.

BTW, all above-mentioned SACD are stereo hybrids.

Edit: OK, finally figured out who's Louis Cha. So you mean music from "The Legend of Condor Hero", "The Swordsman", etc...? Actually, these songs are available on SACD, but they are spreaded out on various SACD compilations from HK Universal, HK EMI, Wing Hang Records, and various singers. Malmusic.com has all of them (Disclaimer: I don't have any association with malmusic.com, other than being a customer).

Edit #2: Looks like Hong Kong Universal has just, as in today, reissued Teresa Teng's "Dann Dann Iuo Chyng" on yet another hi-rez format....vinyl record!!

Hey Danny,

Thanks for the informative reply!

How many songs are on the Sam Hui Champion Hits CDs? Does it span from his first movies (Kwai Mar Seung Sing) through My Sen Kai (The Contract), Private Eyes, Jim Sar Jui Suzie and onto Aces Go Places?

How about this set:

Sam Hui 4in1

Also, any DVDs of his concerts or videos you would recommend? I find his videos quite funny, too!

I might get all 3 of the Teresa Teng SACDs. My parents are big fans and I grew up listening to her songs. A favourite is Siao Chen Gu Ser (Story of a Small Town).

Are sensasian and malmusic reliable? what about yesasia?

Thanks again!

Joe

Oh, forgot...Yes, Louis Cha, or "Gum Yung". Those TVB adaptations are correct.

Joe

The Best of John Denver Live

This title can't even be ordered directly from Sony anymore. Great sound quality from production by Bob Irwin and Vic Anesini. But more importantly, JD was in good voice and gave an excellent peformance throughout. Band also included guitarist James Burton. Now out of print, but highly recommended.