DVD-A recording titles to die for

I wasnt thinking. Eldartford is indeed the dvd a software guru to seek out just as I would seek Ben Campbell for cd s .

First, my principle criterion for great-sounding classical recordings is naturalness--I want to be transported to the concert hall.

With that in mind, all of the several Naxos clasical DVD-As ( http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/default.asp?label=NaxosDVDAudio&active=CD&Title1=NAXOS%20DVD%20Audio&InParam=((iv_type=3)AND((class_code='NDL')or(class_code='NDS'))) ) are at least very good. My favorite is the Shostakovich 7th Symphony by Yablonsky and the Russian Philharmonic O., # 5.110020. I also have several of the Silverlines with Abravenal conducting the Utah SO. They're all at least good; those produced and recorded by Mark Aubort and Joann Nikrenz of Elite Productions are best. My favorite is the Sibelius Symphonies 2 and 3, #288255-9. Evey time I listen to the 3rd and 4th movements of the 2nd I get goosebumps.

I agree heartily with Eldartford--quality is highly variable.

Also, there seems to be great differences of opinions among producers/engineers on how loud the centerchannel should be...from not used at all to (IMO) WAY too loud. I like the solidity that use of the CC brings, but often I turn it down.

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.

Eldartford,
Between listening to concert DVDs in DTS via a coaxial digital interconnet and listening to live stage performance on DVD-A recording title via multichannel interconnect, which you find yourself listen more? Eventually, I'll develop my own preference, but I am new, and I am not always correct. Thus, I like to inquire the opinions of others. I know that not all DVD-A recordings have the same high quality and good sound engineering mix, but what have you bought lately, SACD or DVD-A titles? Thanks for the input.

Another surprisingly excellent DVD-A is Basie Swings on Denon, if you're into this kind of music. I just played it last night on my new Denon DVD-3910 and couldn't stop tapping.