2. digital
  3. 1231549913

Modded SACD player: SACD or Redbook sound best?"

I have a modded SACD player (Sony 9000ES at Vacuum State Level 6 mod) and I only own redbook CD's. Before I run out and buy a bunch of SACD's (they are somewhat hard to find, and not cheap) what can you tell me about the sound quality? I understand that the difference between the two is rather large on an unmodded player: what about a player with a high level of mods such as this one? Do CD's and SACD's seem about equal on a machine such as this?

Any good source of affordable SACDs in the US? I see Ebay has a lot listed, and it seems that SACD's are pretty limited to quality recordings, which is fine with me.
dawgcatching

Showing 1 response by pettyofficer

pettyofficer
462 posts
 
I will leave the difference between SACD/REDBOOK to ones own preference. I still think that SACD remains a 1-bit System, I still hear limited dynamics compared to the best Redbook. SACD still has a larger soundstage and better imaging as well as depth. Quality of SACD Disks seems to be just as varied as CD, Redbook or otherwise.
Multi-channel SACD/DVD-Audio is a whole different animal. They have a much larger soundstage, way better imaging and depth. They also have way better dynamics, or is it the impression of better dynamics. Haven't heard a Multi-channel Disk on a real high quality Multi-speaker system. I have been too busy enjoying Multi-channel Down
Mixes to 2-channels via a Pioneer Universal Player. This seems to be miles ahead of any 2-channel optical Disk that I have ever heard!
Will all of this stuff disappear in the wave of Downloading? That would be one hell of a loss!
More to discover