best sacd /dvd audio albums?

snow

i got an universal player the other day and would like some ideas on sacd/ dvd audio albums. i listen to mainly rock, pop, and some bluegrass country. any thoughts ideas suggestions are welcome and appreciated. REGARDS SNOW

ESavinon

Pink floyd dsotm.
Moody blues days of future passed.
Dire straits brothers in arms.
Derek and the dominoes layla.
Queensryche empire.
Elton john goodbye yellow brick road.

check out www.elusivedisk.com

cfrizz

Queen, Night at the Opera
Eagles, Hell Freezes Over & Farewell One Concert
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
Olivia Newton-John, Live Concert

strider

Bela Fleck-Drive
Allman Brothers-Live at the Fillmore East
Layla
Dark Side of the Moon
Diana Krall's got some good titles as well

fbwinners

Thanks for the elusive disc site, top notch site for DVD Audio and DVD video in DTS formats!!!!!!!!!


FB

schwarcw

For some bluegrass/country check out Allison Krauss and Union Station Live and New Favorite, both are excellent.

Also anything by Steely Dan or Donald Fagan on DVD-A is excellent. On SACD anything by Diana Krall knocks me out. Norah Jones Fly Away with Me is awesome!

jakelm

Which sounds better, or better transfer, DVD-A or SACD? Do these disk only sound the best when 6 channel analog is used? I ask this because my Denon does not have 5 or 6 channel analog out? My nero software has an option for DVD audio..but never really understood it.

Sorry to change the subject.

Jake

schwarcw

Jake,

It depends more on the recording than the format. Both can play in 2 channel. SACD has many more titles. DVD-A has some excellent titles even though SACD has larger numbers. A good universal player is the way to go IMO. The Denon 3910 or the new Denon 3930ci are very good and can be modified with tubes, clocks, cryo'ed wire and other mods to make them sound better.

jakelm

schwarcw wrote:

Jake,

It depends more on the recording than the format. Both can play in 2 channel. SACD has many more titles. DVD-A has some excellent titles even though SACD has larger numbers. A good universal player is the way to go IMO. The Denon 3910 or the new Denon 3930ci are very good and can be modified with tubes, clocks, cryo'ed wire and other mods to make them sound better.

So with my Denon 1910, you would rocommend analog out instead of digital? My denon will play it right? I have The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over DVD. I always thought this was DVD-A with video, is this right? Take away the video and you have DD5.1 or DTS DVD-A?

Jake

jakelm

Ok...I have more questions...I'll start another thread on this.

mhw58

snow wrote:

i got an universal player the other day and would like some ideas on sacd/ dvd audio albums. i listen to mainly rock, pop, and some bluegrass country. any thoughts ideas suggestions are welcome and appreciated. REGARDS SNOW

Beatles 'Love' dvd audio-stunning in 5.1!
All the Elton John 70's SACD's
Steely Dan Gaucho-SACD
Donald Fagen-The Night Fly-dvd audio
Floyd-DSOTM-SACD
Beck-Sea Change-SACD

If you're into 5.1 music, all of the above are great.
Mike

ben62670

I have about 5 SACD's and I play them down mixed to 2 channel mostly. They just sound more natural. The eagles farewell is really nice, sting's a new day is nice, and for a DVD video you will love Pink Floyd's The Wall. The video has no adverse affect on sound at all! It is in Dolby digital 5.1 which is just fine. I am not using a sub for any music at all. I have SDA2's up front and RTA15tl's for the rear. I am also using a Sony 400 disk DVD changer that does both SCAD and DVDA. It works very nicely except slow disk changes. If you do try using your analog multi channel input make sure you go through your DVD player menu and select no sub there, and large speakers.

Enjoy Ben

schwarcw

Jake, SACD and DVD-A play analog only. The Proprietary chip in the player converts the digital encryption to an analog output signal. That's why for multi channel SACD or DVD-A you need five cables. A lot of hybrid discs out there will play both ways. This inevitably fools some people into believing they are hearing SACD or DVD-A through their coax or glass cable.

carl

jakelm

So if I dont want to use just basic left and right analog and dont have multi channel out on dvd player, I wont hear the full range and experience of SACD or DVD-A on coax or optical ?

cstpeter

Snow, some titles that I don't think have been mentioned yet:

--Roxy Music Avalon
--Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
--Rolling Stones Beggar's Banquet
--Jacques Loussier Best of Play Bach (this is my reference disk)

snow

ok thanks guys looks like a great bunch of selections so far. several of those albums mentioned i have allready on cd but will purchase on sacd or dvd audio also. also thanks for the elusive disc site i have it bookmarked and will do some shopping there. REGARDS SNOW

cstpeter

Amazon.com also has a good selection of used hi-rez discs for cheap.

dudeinaroom

Boston - Boston

schwarcw

jakelm wrote:

So if I dont want to use just basic left and right analog and dont have multi channel out on dvd player, I wont hear the full range and experience of SACD or DVD-A on coax or optical ?

I'm not sure I understand your question Jake. Most universal players have 5 channel analog outputs. The players also offer you the option of selecting 2 channel or multi channel (if your disk is multi-layered - most are).

The coax or glass output will play the disk in standard Dolby Digital or two channel 44.1 kHz (redbook).

Carl

jakelm

schwarcw wrote:

I'm not sure I understand your question Jake. Most universal players have 5 channel analog outputs. The players also offer you the option of selecting 2 channel or multi channel (if your disk is multi-layered - most are).

The coax or glass output will play the disk in standard Dolby Digital or two channel 44.1 kHz (redbook).

Carl

All I have in the back of my Denon 1910 dvd player is optical/coax digital or left and right analog.

The descrete DD 5.1 through optical, will not render the same Sq as 5 channel analog output?

Lets say I buy a DVD-A of Pink Floyd: DSOTM and its 5.1 Dolby Digital. Listening to it through optical wont give the same sample rate or SQ as 5/6 channel analog? The optical connection is a lower SQ than the 5/6 channel analog?

To sum it up. With my Denon being the only player I have to lesten to cd's on. Will I notice a difference in SACD or XRCD or DVD-A compared to regular cd's?

Dennis Gardner

Your Denon isn't SACD/DVD-A Multi channel capable, only DD or DTS 5.1.

jakelm

Dennis Gardner wrote:

Your Denon isn't SACD/DVD-A Multi channel capable, only DD or DTS 5.1.

But the cd or dvd itself is much better quality, and can be played right? Just not the multi channel. But the digital connection is better quality than a regular cd right?

I just want to clear that up before buying The Lord of the Rings DVD-A soundtrack, which is $75. Wouldnt want to waste money if I cant listen to it.

Dennis Gardner

Your 1910 doesn't have the ability to decode SACD or DVD-A..... Period

The confusion on this is due to most SACD/DVD-A discs have normal CD or DVD tracks on the same disc. It may play the disc, just not in the high resolution format.

jakelm

Well that sucks.. Looks like I need to go shopping.. Any good inexpencive players you know of out there?

schwarcw

Don't waste your money on the Lord of the Rings DVD-A soundtrack. The 1910 does not support it.

According to the Denon website:

Powered by the new DCDi by Faroudja FLI-2301 Decoding Engine • Dual, discrete 54 MHz, 10 bit Video D/A Conversion system (1) each for Progressive and Interlaced outputs) • (1) DVI-D (HDCP) Output with selectable 480p/720p/1080i output • (1) each - Component Video, Composite and "S" outputs • Variable Black Level (Setup): 0 and 7.5 IRE • Passes below-black (PLUGE) on progressive and interlace outputs • 2X DVD read speed; 4X CD/CD-R/CD-RW read speed; with 2MB drive buffer memory • MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA 9) Playback • Plays Audio/Video CDs; DVD-R/RW; DVD+R/RW(conditional); Audio CD-R; Audio CD-RW; Decoders for MP3 (128kbps or greater recommended) and WMA-9 (64 ~ 160kbps) CD-R/RW & DVD +/-R/RW discs • JPEG photo file viewer, Kodak Picture and Fujicolor CD compatible • Anamorphic Scaling for 4:3/16:9 Sets • Zoom Control • Burr-Brown PCM-1756, 24 bit, 192 kHz Audio DACs • Serial Remote In/Out ports • Dimensions: 17.1"w x 3.2"h x 9.7"d • Click on the tech note icon to download the Users Manual in Spanish

No mention of DVD-A or SACD. Sorry!

Dennis Gardner

Sorry for the hijack, Snow.

I like:

DVD-A, Donald Fagen-Kamakiriad and Nightfly

SACD- Sheryl Crow-Globe Sessions
Diana Krall - Girl in the Other Room
Pink Floyd - DSOTM "Money" is mastered in a longer version than the CD side. Cool too. The best separation and surround disc I've found.

cstpeter

jakelm wrote:

Well that sucks.. Looks like I need to go shopping.. Any good inexpencive players you know of out there?

The Oppo or the Pioneer DV-578A. Both under $200. I've owned the latter and it's impressive for the price.

jakelm

You know I never accually new that any player said specifically if it played DVD-A or SACD. I assumed they all played it at the high res quality, just some players had 5/6 channel outputs and some you just had to use coax or optical. But all played it the same...I was wrong


LOL...and I thought my sub was my last upgrade. I will keep the Denon for the great PQ upconvert it has, but now I need something that played high res DVD-A, SACD and XRCD.

Jake

jakelm

cstpeter wrote:

The Oppo or the Pioneer DV-578A. Both under $200. I've owned the latter and it's impressive for the price.

Is that the same Oppo upconvert 981? That has a slow responce time, or is it a different one?



Yes I appologize for the hijack as well Snow, I tried to start a new thread on this subject but everyone started answering me here, again I appologize

fbwinners

I just purchased a new system and my a/v receiver is the Onky TXSR 804b and I have listened to the Eagles Farewell from New Zeland and it sounds awesome especially on Hotel California, when the trumpet player from the Mighty Horns comes out and the TRUMPET blares from my surround speakers it is incredible. I'm also wondering if I'm getting the full effect as Jake is asking, I'm using a yamaha SACD/DVDAudio player hooked up the correct way with optical cables and so forth. Below is my specs my a/v supports am I getting true SACD and DVD Audio?


Thanks, FB




Onkyo TX-SR804B

Easily integrate your iPod or XM Satellite Radio service into your home theater system with Onkyo's 7.1-channel TX-SR804S. And its video switching and upconversion allows for 1080p full-HD resolution.



7.1-channel THX Select2 Home Theater Receiver
105 Watts x 7 Surround Channels
HDMI: 1 Rear Output, 2 Rear Inputs
XM Radio-ready
Surround Modes: THX Surround EX, THX Select2, DTS-HD, DTS NEO:6, DTS ES, DTS 96/24, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX
Manufacturer's Description
Driving Home Theater with Pinpoint Accuracy, Potent Power and Multi-Entertainment Options
To create an A/V home theater receiver of exceptional quality, the challenge lies in incorporating the delicate processing circuits and amplifier components into the same chassis. When they both draw on the same power source, the amplifier dominates at peak moments. In a good design, it all works smoothly—as with the THX Select2 certified TX-SR804 7.1-channel A/V surround home theater receiver. You have video switching and upconversion through HDMI (version 1.1) and component video enabling an effortless, high-bandwidth transfer of video and audio signals to the latest HDTV displays. Also, the inclusion of a Time Base Corrector (TBC) will effectively prevent any picture deterioration caused by timing inaccuracies. With numerous other features that help the TX-SR804 to stamp its class—Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT); Vector Liner Shaping Circuitry (VLSC); multizone playback with a 12 V trigger; a wide-ranging crossover adjustment; RS232 & IR connectivity; as well as XM(R) radio and iPod(R) integration capabilities—this receiver stands out for its seamless, powerful functionality.

HDMI and Component Video Upconversion for HDTV Connectivity with Video Switching Capabilities
As the most advanced interface for transporting both uncompressed high definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and 1080p, HDMI has become the most desirable connectivity option for home entertainment. This is superbly demonstrated with the TX-SR804. Its two HDMI (version 1.1) inputs will receive pristine video from HDMI-enabled components like DVD players or set-top boxes for a single-cable output to a display device with an HDMI or DVI connection. If that`s not enough, it`ll also upconvert any other source connected by component, S-Video or composite connections. In effect, you have the power to accommodate all your entertainment needs, from digital recording to spectacular gaming. And if your HDTV doesn`t have HDMI capability, or you have yet to take the plunge, you can use the HD-quality component video connections (also with upconversion) to get the best video images available.

THX(TM) Select2(TM) Certified and THX(TM) Surround EX(TM)
With THX Select2 certification, the TX-SR804 demonstrates that it has met the rigorous design and performance standards set by THX. For the end user, it enhances the overall system`s ability to accurately present movies the way they were mixed by the filmmaker on the dubbing stage and its additional THX listening modes enhance playback performance of music, movies and video games. Furthermore, its Adaptive Speaker Array (ASA) technology optimizes playback of multi-channel movies, music and video games. THX Select2 also includes the THX Surround EX decoder, which enables sound mixers to encircle the audience with 360-degree pans and more realistic fly-over and ambient sound effects.

Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) for All Channels
The TX-SR804 incorporates Onkyo`s VLSC, which employs a unique D/A conversion circuit to mitigate the effect of signal noise. As noise is magnified during the conversion process, even minimal amounts of noise can adversely affect audio quality. With VLSC, data is converted between the sampling points and these discrete sampling points are joined with analog vectors in real-time to produce a smooth output wave form. The result—a noiseless, smooth analog signal based on the digital source.

Access to the Most Advanced Surround Sound Formats
The TX-SR804 has the onboard codecs—Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 and DTS Neo:6—to effectively reproduce stereo and multichannel sources in enveloping 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound. By connecting an HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc player with 5.1- or 7.1-line level outputs to the TX-SR804`s 7.1-multichannel inputs, you will be able to enjoy the full potential of high-definition audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD and Master Audio.

Multiroom Playback Capabilities through Powered Zone 2 with 12 V Trigger
Powered Zone 2 gives you the option of different sources throughout your home. With the Powered Zone 2 function, you can enjoy one input source in the main room and a different source in another room through two different connection methods: using a receiver/integrated amp in Zone 2 (automatically activated by a 12 V trigger) or a pair of speakers in Zone 2. In the former method, you can enjoy 7.1 surround sound in the main room and play a different stereo source in Zone 2. With the latter method, you can use 5.1 surround sound in the main room and play a different stereo source in Zone 2.

Independent Crossover Adjustment for Bass Management
With the TX-SR804`s crossover adjustment for bass management, you can independently set the frequency of your front, center, surround and surround back speakers at 40/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz giving you greater scope to match different speakers and subwoofers to your system.

jakelm

FB, Your AVR has very similar specs to my HK 635, without all the THX mombo jumbo (lol..just picking). I can force a 96 sample rate on mine. There is a playback setting, I can either set it for 44.1 or 96. I dont know excactly what that does, but doesnt DVD-A use 96 sample rate?