Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Why bother with buying SACD/DVD-A in stereo?

Phil A · 06-13-2006, 04:22 PM

I can hear huge difference on my system on CD and SACD in 2-channel. Even with a high end outboard DAC that sounds great on CDs, the $400 Sony ES changer in the bedroom system sounds better vs. better CD playback. I've put the changer in the main system on several occasions and demoed it for others.

An expensive system does also automatically equate to one that is set-up right. You'd be reallty surprised at how many buy things because of a ranking in a magazine vs. stuff that has good system synergy. I had a friend who worked at a high end shop and for over a 5 yr. period I did virtually every delivery and install with him. I saw lots of expensive stuff that did not sound all that great in the particular room/set-up incl. $85k speakers hooked to $20k amps and a $16k preamp with expensive source components. Also don't assume a universal player or a CD/SACD player will be equally optimum on the formats it plays. Also don't assume that every hybrid disc will have huge differences. There are things I have that are just a little bit better and things that are a lot better. There is lots of skill involved in the mixing and mastering process and I have CDs that are really much better sounding than other CDs.

I have quite the opposite taste/approach. I don't like about 85% of the multi-channel mixes I have (over 250 discs) on hi-rez discs. So I could care less if it has 5.1 or not. I'll listen to the 5.1 mix and if I like it is a bonus. Even on the 15% I like, there is a fair % of those that I still prefer the stereo mix.

That being said, I have great CD playback and on most things don't feel the need to re-buy most item on hi-rez should it be released later. If it is music that I really love, I will.

06-13-2006, 04:22 PM	#6 of 111
Phil A Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Local Time: 08:01 AM Local Date: 12-03-2008 Posts: 3,293	Re: Why bother with buying SACD/DVD-A in stereo? I can hear huge difference on my system on CD and SACD in 2-channel. Even with a high end outboard DAC that sounds great on CDs, the $400 Sony ES changer in the bedroom system sounds better vs. better CD playback. I've put the changer in the main system on several occasions and demoed it for others. An expensive system does also automatically equate to one that is set-up right. You'd be reallty surprised at how many buy things because of a ranking in a magazine vs. stuff that has good system synergy. I had a friend who worked at a high end shop and for over a 5 yr. period I did virtually every delivery and install with him. I saw lots of expensive stuff that did not sound all that great in the particular room/set-up incl. $85k speakers hooked to $20k amps and a $16k preamp with expensive source components. Also don't assume a universal player or a CD/SACD player will be equally optimum on the formats it plays. Also don't assume that every hybrid disc will have huge differences. There are things I have that are just a little bit better and things that are a lot better. There is lots of skill involved in the mixing and mastering process and I have CDs that are really much better sounding than other CDs. I have quite the opposite taste/approach. I don't like about 85% of the multi-channel mixes I have (over 250 discs) on hi-rez discs. So I could care less if it has 5.1 or not. I'll listen to the 5.1 mix and if I like it is a bonus. Even on the 15% I like, there is a fair % of those that I still prefer the stereo mix. That being said, I have great CD playback and on most things don't feel the need to re-buy most item on hi-rez should it be released later. If it is music that I really love, I will.