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SACD remasters- any better than CD version?

I have recently changed from an Ayre CX-7 to the Oppo 105 in my system which is straight forward balanced stereo into an Ayre AX-7 with Proac's 2.5

I have a variety of SACD hybrids and indeed the new and very expensive SACD version of Floyd's Wish You Were Here.

That particular disc is imho not as pleasing sonically as the Gold Mastersound version from years ago...came in the long box...and it is not as good as the last remaster either-smoother yes but lacking in dynamics imho.

The new Mobile Fidelity version of Dylan's Blood On The Tracks is probably the best digital version of that album but the differences between the CD layer and SACD layer are marginal-just different not better.

And that's a theme I hear time and time again...SACD doesn't really seem to bring anything to the party other than a smoothness and I would say that actually sounds a tad dull in most cases.

Indeed I think most interesting on the Oppo through my system is that HDCD's seem to give the best sonic replay-deep sound
stages and loads of detail.

Is it fair to say SACD has not made any of the classic recordings of the rock era sound any better?

Or are there discs I am missing out on?
ben_campbell

Showing 7 responses by ben_campbell

ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Just for clarity in terms of redbook the Oppo is better than the Ayre CX-7 in my opinion-I still have both-My CX-7 though has not had any of the upgrades it is the plain vanilla version and now near ten years old. I deeply love the Ayre equipment I wish I could afford their universal player.

I think in terms of SACD versus CD to use it as the standard is a fair measure.

I've been pleasantly surprised to see much agreement on what I hear-thanks.
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
I wish I did....I have just bought the most expensive single CD of my life and it won't be here till Tuesday.

It got stopped at customs and I have been walloped with a £22 customs charge on top of a very expensive original purchase.

It'll probably arrive broken :-)
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Jafant-one of my big regrets was selling off a number of SACD single layer discs however I do recall at the time several of those were contentious.....I used at that time a Sony DVD player and the Ayre killed it.

But as I recall KOB and IASW by Miles Davis both sounded really flat.....
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
I have just spent a fortune on the Aja version mentioned above....will update when it arrives
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
My Oppo is set up correctly I only use XLR and stereo. HD-Tracks is not available outside of the USA.

A point not picked up on during the debate is my opinion that HDCD discs are probably the best sounding and most consistent format I have heard.
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
The 2L records test bench is quite a nice set of music from the few I've downloaded but if I were being critical they are typically audiophille in source material....don't get me wrong this is not muzak but I would like to hear something more challenging in terms of source material.
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Well the Aja disc arrived and yes on first listens-no comparisons with other versions...it is very very impressive.

It has more dynamics than SACD normally has but it also retains the smooth aspect and the detail is fantastic. Vocals in particular are impressive although paradoxically there were times when the effect seemed a little off putting as if the separation of detail made the music sound unfamiliar.

I wish this level of disc were easier to buy,,,,theses discs and the new SACD's are very very expensive here in the UK.

What I would say about this SACD it is the first time I have heard the format and thought it was bringing more to the table, even if overall it wasn't perfect but this is the first time I have really heard a SACD that stamped it's own identity if you like....
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