Sacd

gregure

Just curious. Assuming one has a SACD player, do you have to use the multi-channel outputs to listen to SACD, or will the digital coax suffice. I would assume coax would work if it works for DD and DTS. Thanks.

shack

You MUST use the 6 analog interconnects if you want ot listen to MC SACD. There is NO SACD signal passed via a digital path from the player. This is not DD or DTS...something altogether different.

gregure

Thanks. I wasn't sure about that.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I believe Denon or one of those companies has a set up where you can use the digital out of the DVD player, but not sure...

Seem to remember seeing something on here a while back about that...

gregure

I think I know what you're talking about. Is that what they call Interlink? If that's the case, you need a player and a receiver with interlink terminals.

Oldwriter

Yo - Greg - been doing a LOT of reading on this. If you have an SACD player, you can NOT use digital outputs - EXCEPT. Sony, Onkyo, Denon and some others now have a digital cable that is only available on hi-end models - then you have to have both player and receiver with the special plugs.
Otherwise - only analog output. BUT you can plan the SACDs in either 5.1 or 2-channel output. Your choice, either on the disc or on switches on remote controls. As I understand it, the "hybrid" discs have 5.1, 2-ch. and reg-lar ole CD on their two layers.
Don't I sound like an expert? Yeah, sure - been doing a LOT of reading and asking-around, though! GRIN Larry R

therockman

Originally posted by Oldwriter
Yo - BUT you can plan the SACDs in either 5.1 or 2-channel output. Your choice, either on the disc or on switches on remote controls. As I understand it, the "hybrid" discs have 5.1, 2-ch. and reg-lar ole CD on their two layers.
Don't I sound like an expert? Yeah, sure - been doing a LOT of reading and asking-around, though! GRIN Larry R

This is not necassarily true. Out of the 150 or so SACD's that I own, about 100 of them are hybrids. Out of these 100 hybrid SACDs, only about 50 have a multi-channel track, and only about 30 of these are 5.1. The fact that an album is on SACD does not have anything to do with 5.1, some of my favorite SACDs are stereo or mono only. And there are a lot of excellent multi-channel SACDs that are 3.0, 4.0 or even 5.0.

PolkThug

I've got a Denon 2200 mated with an Onkyo 700, anyone know if it will pass SACD through the optical output?

*my SACD knowledge sucks*

Regards,
PolkThug

shack

Originally posted by PolkThug
I've got a Denon 2200 mated with an Onkyo 700, anyone know if it will pass SACD through the optical output?

It will not.

Oldwriter

Yo - "Rockman" - very good points. I'm brand new to this SACD game, and my posting should have been more along the line of "I guess, I think. . ." Just got my first SACDs - and to my chagrin, one of them is in SACD stereo only, and another is either CD or 5.1 - no 2-channel. The other two are true hybrids. This is getting confusing! I must take better care to read the fine print!
BTW - my wife and I will be out in your excellent state in August, for three operas and some chamber music in Santa Fe. We'd live there if it were not for all the reports of severe water shortage threats. We've spent many happy weeks there, however. We recently moved to Naples from Sedona, AZ and still miss the West! Courage! Larry R.

therockman

Oldwriter,
I myself have lived all over the United States, and New Mexico is where I call "home" for now, I may end up moving to Oregon some day. The water shortage is bad, but the aquafer is plenty loaded with water.

As for the one SACD that you said is only CD or 5.1, this can not be. ALL SACDs by rule HAVE TO have a 2.0 SACD mix, that is a rule that has never been broken.

Rocky

Oldwriter

Well, now I'm REALLY confused! In checking over the Acoustic Sounds web site, I find hybrid 5.1 discs, hybrid stereo discs, and hybrid mono discs. Obviously, there are several formats here, and I have two of them here at home - one SACD only, one SACD 2-channel, and the rest true hybrid with 5.1 and CD.
Hope I'm making sense? Obviously you know more about this than I do! All comments welcome . . Larry R

Oldwriter

I'm sitting here holding my new Sony SACD of Szell and the Cleveland with Dvorak and Smetana - SS89412. It is single-layer, SACD only - no regular CD - and NO 5.1 surround. Just stereo. Any and all comments welcome here, gang! Larry R

therockman

Oldwriter,
Unfortunately I really don't think any of the confusion that you are describing is your fault, it is Sony's fault. I have many single-layer SACDs, these discs are merely an SACD disc with no redbook CD layer. Most of my single-layer SACDs are very scarce now, including all of the original Sony SACD releases. These single-layer discs are highly prized by collectors because there is no chance of Crest cracking in these very beautiful sonic gems. Of course there are many fine hybrids that contain a redbook CD layer and a SACD layer that contains only a stereo or mono mix. These discs are merely dual layered versions of the same material, and my collection is pretty much dominated by this type of disc. All of the Creedence Clearwater discs are hybrid SACDs with only a stereo mix on the SACD layer, as are all of the Audio Fidelity SACD hybrid discs. Like I said earlier, only the very small minority of SACDs contain a 5.1 mix, and some of these are not even hybrids but are single-layer SACDs. The situation, although it may seem complex, is usually clarified on the package of the disc. In fact, the labeling should always indicate exactly what mixes are contained on any release, so you just have to read the package.


Rocky

tonyv1

There is always a 2 channel SACD track with a multichannel SACD disc that's part of the spec.

Here are four SACD labels:
Number 1
SACD Hybrid Multichannel contains SACD stereo / SACD mutlichannel / CD Redbook

tonyv1

Number 2
SACD Hybrid Stereo contains SACD Stereo / CD Redbook

tonyv1

Number 3
SACD Single layer contains SACD Stereo

tonyv1

And Number 4
SACD Single Layer Multichannel contains SACD Stereo / SACD Multichannel

tonyv1

Here's a picture of the layers.

Danny Tse

This is adding to the confusion....

therockman is correct that some of original Sony single-layer SACD are highly prized not only for the "cracking" issue, but also for the different mixes available. The stereo mix on the original stereo-only SACD of Carole King's "Tapestry" is different from the later stereo/multi-channel SACD version. On top of that, some of the original Sony SACD titles are being reissued on hybrid SACD....I hold in my hands the stereo/multi-channel hybrid SACD of Dave Brubeck's "Time Out", which previously was only available as a single-layer SACD.

Check sa-cd.net for just about every title available on the planet.

Oldwriter

Whew! Thanks, guys, for helping out this poor old rather non-technically-oriented fellah. But now you raise yet another issue with which I was not familiar: "Crest cracking?" OK - if you please - what is that? Are these wunnerful new discs of mine subject to some evil force from CD-hell? GRIN Hep, puh-leez!
With many thanks - Larry R.

Danny Tse

As far as I know, Sony SACD titles are pressed by Sony at its Indiana plant. However, titles that are pressed by Crest National, become cracked due to various manufacturing issues. I've read titles being affected include Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me", and Steely Dan's "Gaucho".

Oldwriter

Yo - Danny - thought I was the only person up at this hour of the night! GRIN Thanks for the input - I learn something new here every day. But - how does one determine where the disc was pressed? Not something, I'd imagine, that is printed on the label or box? Your input, please! Larry R.

Danny Tse

The Pink Floyd "DSOTM" SACD is either made by Crest or in Japan. Look for the wording "Made in Japan...." (or words to that effect) on the back to determine whether it's made by Crest or in Japan. They sound the same.

As for other titles, I have no idea.

I am up at this hour adding more titles at sa-cd.net.

Oldwriter

OK! Thanks. And yes, I've just discovered SA.CD.net, and am getting an even broader education! Larry R.

Danny Tse

No problem, Larry.

sa-cd.net is a double edged sword because you will see titles that are available elsewhere and you will want them even though they are expensive imports.

BTW, I am not the webmaster of sa.cd.net. I just contribute titles and info that no one else has provided, especially under the "Chinese Pop" section.

therockman

Actually, the Crest problem is widespread. The Who's TOMMY, and Elton John GOODBYE YELLOW BRICKROAD are also prone to cracking. All Crest discs have the word "Crest" imprinted on the inner ring of the disc itself. You will need a very clean magnifying glass to see the word, it is infitesimal. I have never really had a problem with cracking myself, but I am worried and I plan to take my hybrids out of the digi-paks and transfer them to some kind of CD wallet.


Rocky

Oldwriter

Well, Rocky, again you have proven to be very informative! But what I read so far is that the cracking involves more "pop" music than classical. Do you have first-hand knowledge of classical and opera discs having the cracking problem as well? Thinking of labels such as EMI, DG, etc. Larry R

therockman

Actually I have no personal knowledge or experience with classical music on SACD except Yo Yo Ma. It is my shortcoming, I am classically music deprived, but I hope to learn more about classical music as well as aquire a few sweet titles.


Rocky

Oldwriter

Yo - Rocky - good for you, and I promise that when you join my club of wonderful, wacky "classical nuts" you will find happiness and rapture. No, really - - you probably will find a lot of stuff you don't like! However, join us slowly and carefully and you WILL add a lot to your life. Congrats on your open mind! Larry R

therockman

Thank you Larry, I know that it is my loss that I haven't taken the time to venture into classical sooner. I am 46 years old, and only now am I really learning more about jazz and classical music. It is our pop music oriented societys fault, but I sure do hope to learn to appreciate classical music as it is apparent that you do.


Rocky