DVD-A recording titles to die for

If your setup is multichannel, and you will listen to classical, try TACET DVD D107, Mozart Flute Quartets. To really get the full impact, your rear speakers ought to be as good as the fronts. Other TACET discs are also excellent, but this is the one I use to demo my system.

I have found that DVD-A and SACD audio quality varies greatly between discs. Don't be discouraged by a few duds. However, certain Labels tend to be reliably better, and more expensive. The TACET discs will set you back nearly $30, but worth it.

Jeffreybehr..."transported to the concert hall" is what a really good stereo system will do. Multichannel can do it somewhat better. However, multichannel can also do something that stereo can't...transport a small group of musicians, classical chamber group, jazz, or bluegrass, into your listening room. This makes perfect sense. It's the best "you are there" sound there is. It can also put you into the midst of a larger orchestra, but many folk, probably those who have not performed in an orchestra, find this annoying.

I think that center channel is very important, as it is the logical place to put a soloist. However, I agree that the center level varies a lot. I have violin concertos where, if I crank the volume up enough to really feel the orchestra, the violin is lounder than any real violin can play, and therefore is sonicly poor. It's like looking at your girlfriend's complexion under a magnifying glass!

Finally, I disclaim any status as a guru.

Lej1447...Lately I have not bought any discs as I do not have time to listen to the ones I have. I have both SACD and DVD-A, and a well-engineered disc of either kind outperforms CD. Almost all my discs are classical. A couple of exceptions are AIX80008 John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson, Nitty Gritty Surround (Bluegrass) and Rounder 11661-0516-6 Alison Krauss + Union Station. The AIX disc is recorded on both sides and has an astonishing number of audio and video programs that you can choose from. Sonic quality is excellent. I found the Alison Kraus disc a disappointment not up to the hype.

In summary, the TACET DVD D107 is the best I have found, overall. It does not, however have deep bass or great volume. For the you need TELARC SACD-60579 The Sound of Glory, Morman Tabernacle Choir.

Mrlabguy...Why do you NEED to navigate menus when you play a DVD-A? I know you CAN do that if you are in the mood to experiment, but most of the time I just hit the PLAY button like any other recording. Others have made the same complaint, and I don't understand why.

As Jeffreybehr commented, 2-channel can probably be made your default through the Setup process. My Denon player, and perhaps others, let's you change this setting (but only for SACD) by a front panel button.