Norah Jones on SACD.... Excellent!!!

Justin Lane · 06-09-2003, 03:34 PM

Well I just received this disc today (along with Blue Train), and after listening to it once through in stereo and once in multichannel, I am left breathless. The stereo track on this SACD easily bests the CD in terms of sonics as well as dynamics. Not to sound trite, but it is like Ms. Jones is playing in my living room. Every instrument is incredibly clear and recognizable.

The multichannel track is very nice as well. Vocals are placed in the left and right channels while the center channel is used primarily for the bass. Surrounds are used strictly for reverb, with nothing fancy going on there, which suits this music perfectly.

If I had to choose only one track to listen to on this release it would be the stereo track, though the multichannel is no slouch.

I will post some further thoughts after listening to the album a couple more times, but I can say for sure this is a no brainer as far as SACD purchases go.

J

Lee Scoggins · 06-09-2003, 03:34 PM

Thanks Justin for the review. I understand that Arif Marden her producer assisted on this effort so I was expecting big things.

Carlo Medina · 06-09-2003, 04:08 PM

Odd question:

How does the CD layer of the SACD compare with the original CD?

I only ask because as of right now I'm not SACD capable (but plan on it within the next 6-12 months). So if there's a sonic improvement on the CD vs. CD front, I'll buy it now, otherwise I'll wait until I have an SACD player.

Thanks!

Evan S · 06-09-2003, 06:22 PM

I was one of the few people who held out and did NOT buy the Redbook version in anticipation of this title, so I cannot comment on the fidelity of this release in comparison with the redbook release.

What I will say is that I have listened to the whole album once through and it is VERY, VERY good. I still think Alison Krauss and Union Station's LIVE album is my reference, but this is no slouch in comparison.

By the way, I only have a 2.1 setup at the time and cannot comment on the multichannel mix.

Brian E · 06-09-2003, 08:23 PM

I'm in the same situation as Carlo & second his question.

**HTF Ads**

Sathyan · 06-09-2003, 10:43 PM

I listened to the SACD Redbook layer today when I received it (I also have no SACD player - waiting for the Pio 563 to become available). And within a few measures of "Don't Know Why" thought I heard a difference but of course I wouldn't stop the disc to confirm this. Later I listened to "Don't Know Why" on SACD (redbook layer) and CD (which I bought over a year ago) in quick succession. I was controlling the equipment* so this wasn't a blind test. It was roughly level-matched.

it must have been remastered
the SACD redbook sounded better
bigger soundstage
less dynamic compression - confirmed by looking at waveforms
more presence
more detail on acoustical instruments

similar to what you hear from good labels on good CD technology (XRCD, HDCD, SBM)

I can't wait to hear the SACD layer!

Why did I buy this having the CD already? A few reasons: (the political) I want to support minor labels like bluenote and non-clearchannel music and each SACD (I have 8 now) I buy is more justification for a player. If you have no plans to get an SACD player its probably not worth it as an additional copy but buy the hybrid over the CD-only if you've held off purchasing this album.

Sathyan

* equipment:

digital transport: Sony DVD player (NS315)
GE optical interconnect
Onkyo SR500 receiver on "source direct" mode
parts express 16ga speaker wire
klh 900b speakers
grado sr40 headphones

Carlo Medina · 06-09-2003, 10:59 PM

Thanks Sathyan, looks like I'll be picking this up tomorrow. I know the SACD layer will provide benfits down the road, but if the CD layer is also better, then I have no reason to hold off on the purchase.

KeithH · 06-10-2003, 06:36 AM

Justin,

Thanks for the review! By the way, how do you like the Blue Train SACD? Do you have the DAD for comparison?

Sathyan,

Thanks for the comments on the CD layer on the Norah Jones disc. I am often interested in such comparisons, but folks rarely post them. It is my assumption that Come Away With Me was recorded in PCM, perhaps 24/96. If it was recorded in PCM, then perhaps a DSD master then converted to 16/44.1 would sound better than going from 24/96 straight to 16/44.1. I don't know. Or perhaps they simply did a better job mastering the CD layer than the original CD (more attention to detail, better equipment, less EQ'ing, etc.).

Rich Malloy · 06-10-2003, 08:37 AM

Mine didn't arrive yesterday, but the email newsletter from Music Direct had this to say (of course, these guys are in the business of selling these discs, but they do have a good reputation to uphold):

Quote:

Everyone in the world has already heard this album, but we were blown away this morning when we popped in the new SACD version from Blue Note. It trounces the standard CD by such a wide margin, it must be heard to be believed. Even the standard CD layer is a huge improvement. Our congratulations to Blue Note records for doing SACD right!

Mine should be in the mail tonight (but so should the new Jerry Douglas SACD, which I'm just a bit more interested in checking out... at least at this moment!).