SACD Quality

gce
gce Posts: 2,158
edited October 2012 in Music & Movies
Because I'm new to SACD's I was wondering why the same SACD can cost $19.98 and $59.99. For example, the Diana Krall "The Girl in the Other Room" is $59.99 for the Japanese/SHM-SACD but the same album on another label Hybrid Multichannel is $19.98. Is the $59.99 that much better then the $19.98 SACD version? :confused:
Anaheim Hills CA,
HT 5.1: Anthem MRX 720 / BDP-Denon DBT1713UD / Polkaudio LSiM703 / W4S mAmp's / Polkaudio LSiM706c / Polkaudio LSiM702F/X's / SVS PC12-NSD / Panasonic TC P55VT30

2 Channel: Rogue RP-5 / WireWorld Electra power cord / Marantz TT-15S1/ Ortofon - Quintet Black MC / Marantz NA8005 DAC / W4S mAmp's / Synology DS 216+ll-4TB / Polkaudio LSiM703
Post edited by gce on
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Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,202
    edited October 2012
    It has to do with supply and demand for some titles as well as the exchange rate for Japanese pressings.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,716
    edited October 2012
    It's more than that Brock. The SHM-SACD's, for the most part, are not from the same master as the hybrid releases and many are from the original master tapes. Regardless of the master source, one could safely say they are all remastered. They all use the Super High Material coating and the physical quality of the discs is excellent. The packaging is unique and also of the highest quality.

    That said, the sound quality is the bottom line and with few exceptions, the SHM-SACD's sound better than their hybrid counterparts.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited October 2012
    Most, not all, SHM-SACD's sound better than their hybrid counterparts. IMHO of course.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • asindc
    asindc Posts: 85
    edited October 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    It's more than that Brock. The SHM-SACD's, for the most part, are not from the same master as the hybrid releases and many are from the original master tapes. Regardless of the master source, one could safely say they are all remastered. They all use the Super High Material coating and the physical quality of the discs is excellent. The packaging is unique and also of the highest quality.

    That said, the sound quality is the bottom line and with few exceptions, the SHM-SACD's sound better than their hybrid counterparts.

    This is it. Not all SACDs (or CDs, HDCDs, LPs, for that matter) are mastered with the same level of quality. In fact, the disparity is quite large, given that the production process is rather standardized for each format. It's all in the details. Google Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs to get a better idea of why some pressings cost more than others.
    Two-Channel System:

    ANALOG AUDIO CHAIN:
    Turntable/Cartridge: CLEARAUDIO Innovation Wood/Kuzma 4Point/Ortofon A95...
    Phono Pre: ASR Basis Exclusive HV——————>

    DIGITAL AUDIO CHAIN:
    Server: ANTIPODES CX (Oladra Upgrade)...
    DAC: CARY DMS-600—————————-———->
    Disc Player: CARY CD 306 SACD PRO—————>

    Pre-Amp: ====> Cary SLP-05 (Ultimate Upgrade Edition)

    Amplifiers: Clayton M-300 monoblocks
    ~~~

    Loudspeakers: MARTIN LOGAN SPIRES/Rel 212SX x2
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited October 2012
    What Jesse said.
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
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  • gce
    gce Posts: 2,158
    edited October 2012
    Thanks guys! I guess the real test is get a copy of both and give em a listen.
    Anaheim Hills CA,
    HT 5.1: Anthem MRX 720 / BDP-Denon DBT1713UD / Polkaudio LSiM703 / W4S mAmp's / Polkaudio LSiM706c / Polkaudio LSiM702F/X's / SVS PC12-NSD / Panasonic TC P55VT30

    2 Channel: Rogue RP-5 / WireWorld Electra power cord / Marantz TT-15S1/ Ortofon - Quintet Black MC / Marantz NA8005 DAC / W4S mAmp's / Synology DS 216+ll-4TB / Polkaudio LSiM703
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited October 2012
    gce wrote: »
    Thanks guys! I guess the real test is get a copy of both and give em a listen.

    We have a winner. Give the man a cigar !!!!!!!
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • gfong
    gfong Posts: 1,079
    edited October 2012
    gce wrote: »
    Thanks guys! I guess the real test is get a copy of both and give em a listen.

    Here is a site that should help with your decision without having to buy both copies.

    http://www.sa-cd.net

    I use it to look for sacds that I do not have and also any user reviews that could assist in my purchase. Also good for comparing prices at the sites that it uses. (Search box is in upper right corner.)
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    It has to do with supply and demand for some titles as well as the exchange rate for Japanese pressings.

    H9
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    Testing
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  • gce
    gce Posts: 2,158
    edited October 2012
    gfong wrote: »
    Here is a site that should help with your decision without having to buy both copies.

    http://www.sa-cd.net

    I use it to look for sacds that I do not have and also any user reviews that could assist in my purchase. Also good for comparing prices at the sites that it uses. (Search box is in upper right corner.)

    Thanks gfong, Just what I was looking for!
    Anaheim Hills CA,
    HT 5.1: Anthem MRX 720 / BDP-Denon DBT1713UD / Polkaudio LSiM703 / W4S mAmp's / Polkaudio LSiM706c / Polkaudio LSiM702F/X's / SVS PC12-NSD / Panasonic TC P55VT30

    2 Channel: Rogue RP-5 / WireWorld Electra power cord / Marantz TT-15S1/ Ortofon - Quintet Black MC / Marantz NA8005 DAC / W4S mAmp's / Synology DS 216+ll-4TB / Polkaudio LSiM703
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,326
    edited October 2012
    Gear still matters for the SHM's to be worth the extra cost though IMO. With that said what Jesse said is spot on..
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

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    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,716
    edited October 2012
    Gear still matters for the SHM's to be worth the extra cost though IMO.

    Excellent point. One shouldn't expect miracles when using an inexpensive CD/SACD player with either a hybrid SACD or a SHM-SACD.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2012
    I was "complaining" about the high cost of the SHM SACD of Exile On Main Street, and I think it was heddrott who made the point that you can play it over and over so the cost per play becomes low over time. If the SACD sounds good it will get played a lot.

    Well, "Exile" sounds fantastic. It has to be the best sounding rock CD I have. I justified the purchase the first night I had it, and every Friday and Saturday night the purchase price gets lower and lower.

    The funny part is the SHM SACD cost is trivial compared to what I paid for power cords, etc. :rolleyes:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
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    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
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  • gigbyt
    gigbyt Posts: 145
    edited October 2012
    I like SACD but not all are great.:cry:
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