Multi channel CD

acmf74

Does this format work better in 5 ch stereo than a regular disc?

vc69

I do not understand the question. Can you clarify?

acmf74

Sure..

What makes a Multi Channel CD different from a regular CD? Meaning I can play music through my AVR in stereo and 5 channel. Does a multi channel CD sound different in 5 ch?

munk

I have questions about this subject myself. (but I've exceeded my quota for asking the forum dumb questions so I've been holding back...)

Older music was recorded for two channel stereo. Music before that was recorded for mono. Is today's music being recorded for multi channel? I purchased the Kinks Muswell Hillbillies recently and it was a SACD recording which could also be played on a normal CD deck. I got a shock when I played it, however, because it did not sound like the older version, it had been remixed.

acmf74

I think I got it. Answered my own question. :rolleyes:

In brief, multi-channel SACD is a full 5.1 channel audio reproduction format, outwardly similar to Dolby Digital and DTS in that it takes advantage of the same speaker configuration (Center, L/R, LS, RS, and Subwoofer). However, unlike DD and DTS, the digital processing employed and sonic characteristics of multi-channel SACD are tailored to the reproduction of music rather than dialog and sound effects emphasized by the aforementioned 5.1 channel formats. Also, in addition to 5.1 channels, SACD recordings can also be mixed in a 3 or 4 channel configuration as well. This flexibility gives the recording artist and engineer creative options limited by current audio CD technology.

http://hometheater.about.com/library/weekly/aa081301a.htm

vc69

acmf74 wrote: »

Sure..

What makes a Multi Channel CD different from a regular CD?

Regular CD's have only 2 channels

However, I have never heard of a multichannel CD. DVD-Audio yes.. SACD yes...
CD... no.

acmf74 wrote: »

Meaning I can play music through my AVR in stereo and 5 channel.

Sometimes even 5.1 (6 channels)

acmf74 wrote: »

Does a multi channel CD sound different in 5 ch?

You bet. But you should try them both to see what you prefer. I am a 2 channel guy myself but there are many a dedicated multi-channel aficionados out there.

You should understand that the setup for a proper multi-channel experience is different than for surround sound (HT) applications.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IyZ3UD7QK7Z/learn/learningcenter/home/speaker_placement.html

http://www.dolby.com/uploadedFiles/zz-_Shared_Assets/English_PDFs/Professional/4_Multichannel_Music_Mixing.pdf
Have fun!

acmf74

Thanks VC.

Reason I ask is that I recently purchased Jazz at the Pawn Shop SACD. This is a multi-channel disc and wanted to know what the difference is. I'm going to try it through my BluRay/SACD player and set my AVR to 5ch then 2 and see what I like best.

vc69

acmf74 wrote: »

Thanks VC.

Reason I ask is that I recently purchased Jazz at the Pawn Shop SACD. This is a multi-channel disc and wanted to know what the difference is. I'm going to try it through my BluRay/SACD player and set my AVR to 5ch then 2 and see what I like best.

That is an awesome disc and a great demo of the different mixes. Enjoy!

tonyb

acmf74 wrote: »

Thanks VC.

Reason I ask is that I recently purchased Jazz at the Pawn Shop SACD. This is a multi-channel disc and wanted to know what the difference is. I'm going to try it through my BluRay/SACD player and set my AVR to 5ch then 2 and see what I like best.

SACD,if you want to run 5 channels,need those 5 channels connected by analog cables to your receiver. Don't think HDMI carries it yet. Won't work over a digital toslink connection either.
I can't find anywhere if that player supports sacd over hdmi in multichannel.

BlueFox

tonyb wrote: »

SACD,if you want to run 5 channels,need those 5 channels connected by analog cables to your receiver. Don't think HDMI carries it yet.

If you want multi-channel SACD with the Sony XA5400ES you need HDMI. It only provides stereo (XLR and RCA) analog outputs.

Fongolio

Keiko wrote: »

There are a few DTS multi channel CDs out there. Predecessors to the DVD-A format. I have a couple of titles. BTO-Not Fragile and Steve Miller-Fly Like an Eagle. Different, and they don't sound bad, but I still prefer 2ch mixes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.1_Music_Disc

I actually have several hundred DTS music disks. I was an avid fan of mult channel formats until I went hardcore vinyl again. I also have almost a hundred DVD-Audio disks and quite a few SACD's. Some day I will have a high end multichannel setup and be able to really appreciate all that music that right now sits and collects dust for the most part. By the way Dark Side of The Moon in SACD multi channel is on of my very favorites. There is both 5.1 and a "black market" 4.0 DVDAudio version and I must confess I like the 4.0 version better as it was the "official" Pink Floyd approved quadraphonic release ripped from a 8 track tape. Sounds great though.

tonyb

Keiko wrote: »

There's a few players that will carry the DSD signal via HDMI. I think the Oppo BDP-83 is one of them.

Yeah,I thought there was a few that did. Don't know about the receiver though. Point is, if he's not useing hdmi, and thinks just switching the receiver from 2 channel to 5 will play SACD, he's mistaken. He may have his BDP just hooked up by optical.

mdaudioguy

I have The Police - Greatest Hits on DTS 5.1 CD. The mix really isn't the greatest.

The Beatles, Love, in DVD-Audio, however is simply stunning.

Danny Tse

vc69 wrote: »

Regular CD's have only 2 channels

However, I have never heard of a multichannel CD.

CDs are indeed 2 channels only. However, there were Dolby Surround CDs from the early 90s that were engineered to be decoded using a Dolby Surround processor. The processing resulted in a surround effect generated from the original 2 channel L/R signal and played back on a 4.0 system.

As a charter member of the Home Theater Owners Association (we are certified to call Dolby Digital by its earliest moniker, AC3), I present the Association's first (and last) surround sound demo CD....



Where else can you find Stevie Nicks' "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" engineered for surround sound?

vc69

Thanks for the education Danny, I have heard of some of those DTS discs but a "Compact Disc" player won't play those AFAIK.

Edit:
According to Keiko's link, they are a "redbook" standard CD. Huh...

praedet

^^^Your processor just has to be able to decode DTS from the digital signal...