CD vs SACD in STEREO

@ericrhodes1 

@big_greg is right.. The first SACD's were 2-channel only. They only had a left and right analog out and usually one digital out for pcm on cd playback. And the first discs were only two channel. Only DVD-A was multi channel for a very long time after that. I sold them both in '99

We are debating whether the chicken or the egg came first (players or the media they play) back 25 years ago.  But what actually came first was the DNA or essential blueprint, the Scarlet Book which defines the multi-channel format.

If Sony, in its rush to be first, decided to only use 2 of the 6 available channels, so be it.  The unit they submitted to Gramophone for review came with a Japanese demonstration SACD which the reviewer found shrill and harsh.

The August 2001 review by Andrew Everard noted the Philips SACD1000 was the first machine able to play multichannel discs, a step towards making SACD a mass-market medium. 

The subsequent October 2001 issue featured a dedicated review column for "Multi-Channel SACD Reviews," which covered the playback experience of 13 multichannel SACD discs using a Sony player and surround sound speakers. Reviewers noted that well-executed multichannel recordings added a significant dimension to the listening experience compared to stereo versions. 

@yoyoyaya 

in 85 it would have been impossible to produce a commercial multitrack album purely digitally because there was no software capable of doing what outboard compressors, equalizers, reverb do. 

Except that well-made classical recordings rarely resort to outboard compressors, equalisers or reverb.  From Mercury Living Presence through RCA Living Stereo and on to 2L today, many classical recordings use purist microphone techniques where sound quality is determined by the conductor and musicians, not some bloke on a mixing desk.

1985 is about 15 years before the SACD specification was released. But Pentatone, for example, has access to quadraphonic recordings made in the 1970s.

@richardbrand "Multichannel Support: The format was designed to support both high-quality stereo and multichannel surround sound (e.g., 5.1 surround). Multichannel SACDs provide a more immersive listening experience with discrete back and center channels.". - Chat GPT

ChatGPT is wrong. I suspect it's getting confused with DVD-Audio. 

@ericrhodes1 

ChatGPT is wrong. I suspect it's getting confused with DVD-Audio

No, I suspect you are the one getting confused.  To settle the debate, all you have to do is read the Scarlet Book but that costs money!

Only DVD-A was multi channel for a very long time after that. I sold them both in '99

Amazing 'cos the SACD defining document was only released in '99.  I suspect you are based in North America whereas SACD is a European / Japanese invention primarily designed for classical music.

SACD was always intended to support multiple formats, 5.1, PCM and Direct Stream Digital 64 imprinted in multiple layers on the disc which is why it immediately superseded DVD audio which I believe is only 96Khz PCM which also supported 5.1. I have a couple examples of those, Pet Sounds and Hotel California from when I had a Denon DVD player that supported the format. Much rather listen to them on vinyl!

Single layer SACD is also available of which I have a few Steely Dan Japanese SHM that are only mastered in stereo.