God I love Super Audio Compact Disc

steveinaz

Sure, SACD can be played in 2-channel mode.

shack

I NEVER listen to SACD in multichannel ...ok almost never...every now and again I will listen to DSOTM in multichannel on my HT rig...but ususually I only play SACD on the 2 channel rig.

SLOCOOKN

yep 2 channel for sure!

BottomFeeder

Ok, go easy on me; remember, I'm a newbie... I've heard that SACD's can be played on regular, non SACD players, and that they'll sound much better than the original recordings, even though a SACD player is not being used. True?

ben62670

Yep multi channel SACD is like having sex with your sister... Its still sex.. But it just ain't right.
The 2 channel option is in the setup menu. Mine Has to be stopped to change the setting. No adjustment on the fly.

ben62670

BottomFeeder wrote:

Ok, go easy on me; remember, I'm a newbie... I've heard that SACD's can be played on regular, non SACD players, and that they'll sound much better than the original recordings, even though a SACD player is not being used. True?

Some SACDs are hybrids that can be palyed on both. The multi channel is only available on SACD players.
Enjoy

SLOCOOKN

BottomFeeder wrote:

Ok, go easy on me; remember, I'm a newbie... I've heard that SACD's can be played on regular, non SACD players, and that they'll sound much better than the original recordings, even though a SACD player is not being used. True?

SACD can only be played on a SACD player. It will not function on a "regular" player UNLESS it is a HYbrid. A Hybrid contains a "regular" cd format and SACD format.

strider

Some hybrid releases may sound better then the redbook version because they were remastered when making the jump to SACD, I believe.

hearingimpared

Ok, I currently have my Oppo 970 HD's digital output going to my Timbre DAC then of course to my preamp to play CDs. According to what I am reading here, I should be able to take the analog outputs of the 970 and go directly to my preamp and then I can play SACD, correct???

I'm not tauting the quality of the Oppo here just the functionality.

Dennis Gardner

SACD requires analog, it doesn't decode through the digital outputs.

Danny Tse

hearingimpared wrote:

Ok, I currently have my Oppo 970 HD's digital output going to my Timbre DAC then of course to my preamp to play CDs. According to what I am reading here, I should be able to take the analog outputs of the 970 and go directly to my preamp and then I can play SACD, correct???

I'm not tauting the quality of the Oppo here just the functionality.

You are correct with that setup....in fact, that can be done with any CD/SACD player.

However, on the 970, you can also transmit the SACD datastream using the HDMI digital output. The 970 will do a DSD>>>88.2 PCM conversion and transmit the downconverted bitstream using the HDMI output. For those who think this is nuts, the 970 does the same conversion when its analog outputs are used. This was confirmed by an email from Oppo. Given the positive response to the sound quality of this play, whether by professional writers or actual owners, I think the conversion may be very transparent. On the other hand, if you're a purist....

The raw DSD bitstream can be transmitted, without any conversion, using HDMI v1.2, and soon, HDMI v1.3. Denon has already announced its line of AV receivers will be compatible to HDMI v1.3.

hearingimpared

Danny Tse wrote:

You are correct with that setup....in fact, that can be done with any CD/SACD player.

However, on the 970, you can also transmit the SACD datastream using the HDMI digital output. The 970 will do a DSD>>>88.2 PCM conversion and transmit the downconverted bitstream using the HDMI output. For those who think this is nuts, the 970 does the same conversion when its analog outputs are used. This was confirmed by an email from Oppo. Given the positive response to the sound quality of this play, whether by professional writers or actual owners, I think the conversion may be very transparent. On the other hand, if you're a purist....

The raw DSD bitstream can be transmitted, without any conversion, using HDMI v1.2, and soon, HDMI v1.3. Denon has already announced its line of AV receivers will be compatible to HDMI v1.3.

Yeah BABY!!! I've been wanting to own an SACD and get some software but needed to allocate funds. I know this SACD is not going to have the quality of let's say Jesse's or Rich's but what the hell this SACD is better than no SACD, no?

Another question; I'm thinking there is a DAC involved with the SACD, I know my Timbre DAC will not work with the SACD output of the Oppo but doesn't the SACD use some kind of DAC?

EDIT: I've been told that SACD sounds better than vinyl, I hope that doesn't mean I have to have a high end SACD for this to be true.

Danny Tse

hearingimpared wrote:

Yeah BABY!!! I've been wanting to own an SACD and get some software but needed to allocate funds. I know this SACD is not going to have the quality of let's say Jesse's or Rich's but what the hell this SACD is better than no SACD, no?

Another question; I'm thinking there is a DAC involved with the SACD, I know my Timbre DAC will not work with the SACD output of the Oppo but doesn't the SACD use some kind of DAC?

EDIT: I've been told that SACD sounds better than vinyl, I hope that doesn't mean I have to have a high end SACD for this to be true.

Like any format, there're good and bad recordings. SACD doesn't guarantee excellent sound quality, but it does have the potential of sounding better than regular CD.

Correct me if I am incorrect, SACDs are decoded by a dedicated DSD>>>analog DAC within the player. This type of DAC can be found in inexpensive SACD players such as the $150 Sony SCD-CE595 5 disc changer. On the other hand, even mega $$$ SACD players from Accuphase does the DSD>>>PCM conversion. I used to be a "purist" about this type of things, but if it sounds good....why worry?

I have an inexpensive (got it for $180.00 three years ago) Sony DVP-NS500V DVD/SACD/CD player that sounds really good. You just need to get the good sounding SACD titles. I was listening to the SACD of Steely Dan's "Gaucho" and it was good.....real good. It's hard to describe in words. There's just "more" there, and it was really smooth.

Toxis

I absolutely love my 2910... mmmmmm

Danny Tse

I don't think this bit of info belong here, but since this thread is about SACD....

Sony to launch 3 SACD players for cars (note SACD logo on upper left hand side of deck)

F1nut

^^^About damn time!!!^^^

F1nut

Correct me if I am incorrect, SACDs are decoded by a dedicated DSD>>>analog DAC within the player.

That is correct.

F1nut

EDIT: I've been told that SACD sounds better than vinyl, I hope that doesn't mean I have to have a high end SACD for this to be true.

It helps, a lot.

SCompRacer

I've been told that SACD sounds better than vinyl, I hope that doesn't mean I have to have a high end SACD for this to be true.

I go along with Jesse's comment. I also get superb CD playback. You have that covered with a great DAC, I have a stand alone player. Make your choice, spend your money....

TroyD

hearingimpared wrote:

EDIT: I've been told that SACD sounds better than vinyl, I hope that doesn't mean I have to have a high end SACD for this to be true.

It's like anything else. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the better your gear, the better it sounds. Given my choice of, say, a 100 universal player and my Jolida CD player? I'll take the Jolida.

I've got decent SACD playback and I enjoy it. It's different from vinyl to be sure. However cheap SACD playback is just as bad as cheap CD playback.

BDT

hearingimpared

TroyD wrote:

However cheap SACD playback is just as bad as cheap CD playback.

BDT

Yep that is what I have to keep in mind when I buy some SACDs and play them on the Oppo if there is inconsistancy.

Thanks for all the infor guys.:)

reeltrouble1

As a card carrying two-channel geek, I have done my share of multi-blasting, well, I apologize, listen however you like, its all good. HT and surround sound have brought a number of folks back into audio or started them off in the hobby, this resurgence is a good thing in the big picture.

I enjoy my SACD's because the sounds I hear reproduced from these discs are GREAT!! +1 on the recording comments.

RT1

shack

TroyD wrote:

I've got decent SACD playback and I enjoy it. It's different from vinyl to be sure. However cheap SACD playback is just as bad as cheap CD playback.

I really don't agree with this. The Sony SCD-CE595 can be had for around $140 and does an excellent job with SACD and only average for redbook. In my experience I have yet to hear a SACD player that I would consider bad when playing SACD (it doesn't mean they don't exist). Typically even inexpensive multi-format players do a pretty good job with the high rez tracks. There are bad SACD recordings that sound bad regardless of the machine. Some SACD players are better than others and perform at a higher level as price increases, but in my experience and in many of the "professional" reviews I've read, the difference between an inexpensive SACD player and a high end SACD player is not as drastic/noticable as with redbook.

snow

F1nut wrote:

I'm glad you started this thread, Andrew. SACD still needs to be "talked up" as there are far too many folks whom remain clueless as to the superior sound quality.

My only beef is the selection, hopefully some record company executives will read this. We need more rock and blues!!!

agreed on both counts. REGARDS SNOW

steveinaz

BottomFeeder wrote:

Ok, go easy on me; remember, I'm a newbie... I've heard that SACD's can be played on regular, non SACD players, and that they'll sound much better than the original recordings, even though a SACD player is not being used. True?

You're thinking of "HDCD"

reeltrouble1

Snow,

Yes, some SACD called "hybrid" can be played on a non-sacd player and yes, I have seen reviews and heard and enjoyed this redbook layer of the disc played on an non-sacd machine.

The HDCD Steve referred to is something different and these disc offer excellent recordings as well and can be played on any player.

RT1

snow

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Snow,

Yes, some SACD called "hybrid" can be played on a non-sacd player and yes, I have seen reviews and heard and enjoyed this redbook layer of the disc played on an non-sacd machine.

The HDCD Steve referred to is something different and these disc offer excellent recordings as well and can be played on any player.

RT1

very few players can actually play (hdcd) even though they will play on all cd players the hdcd track is diffrent than the cd side you will hear if played on a hdcd capable player. btw the oppo mentioned earlier has true hdcd capability. and to hearing impaired your oppo will play sacds through the analog outs and it sounds great in 2 channel i know because thats how i listen to mine through my lexicon mc-1 through the 2nd room inputs so there is no analog to digital to analog conversion. simply beautiful analog sound. btw in case anyone wants to know the oppo 981 will play both sacd and dvd audio through the hdmi output. the 970 will not because it has an 1.1 hdmi output versus 1.3 for the 981. REGARDS SNOW

TroyD

shack wrote:

I really don't agree with this. The Sony SCD-CE595 can be had for around $140 and does an excellent job with SACD and only average for redbook. In my experience I have yet to hear a SACD player that I would consider bad when playing SACD (it doesn't mean they don't exist). Typically even inexpensive multi-format players do a pretty good job with the high rez tracks. There are bad SACD recordings that sound bad regardless of the machine. Some SACD players are better than others and perform at a higher level as price increases, but in my experience and in many of the "professional" reviews I've read, the difference between an inexpensive SACD player and a high end SACD player is not as drastic/noticable as with redbook.

How dare you disagree with me?

IMHO, the Sony SACD players, even the inexpensive ones are VERY good sounding units. I had a cheapie Pioneer and and other one that I forget...they were terrible.

BDT

reeltrouble1

I now officially agree to agree even if we disagree about the agreed. Agreed!

Oh, oh, Oh, Listen to the music
All the time.........


RT1

shack

TroyD wrote:

How dare you disagree with me?

IMHO, the Sony SACD players, even the inexpensive ones are VERY good sounding units. I had a cheapie Pioneer and and other one that I forget...they were terrible.

BDT

Ok, I'll agree with the Sony statement. For all the crap they get over various stuff, they generally get SACD right.