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New to SACD--so what do I buy?

Hi folks. Well, I finally went and bought my first SACD player (a used SCD-C222ES). While I anxiously await its arrival, I need to ponder just what SACDs I should buy. I mostly enjoy rock and heavy metal, but I'm not completely afraid of something different as long as it keeps me moving or thinking. Having said that, if you had to pick 4 rock and one "something else" SACDs, what would you recommend? I want stuff that's a marked improvement over the CD release. Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" probably goes without saying, so skip that for now (although I really wish "Wish You Were Here" was available as I've always thought it was way better than DSOTM!). Here are some possibilities based on my early exploration of available titles. This may give you a better idea of what to recommend:

Blue Oyster Cult: Agents of Fortune
Deep Purple: Machine Head
Peter Gabriel: Up (I've never even heard this on CD!)
Aimee Mann: Lost In Space (never heard this either)
Aimee Mann: Bachelor No. 2
Steely Dan: Gaucho
Flim & The BB's: Tricycle (but can it get better than it already is?)

So, what say you?

Butch
bhauke
jdlepera's avatar
jdlepera
234 posts
 
Nektar-Journey to the Centre of the Eye, if you like Pink Floyd.Its a Trip in 5.1!Also Deep Purple Live BBC is basically Machine Head Live minus 1 cut.Both sold here on Audiogon.Also Steely Dan,Gaucho is a must have in surround.Allman Brothers,Fillmore East and Eat a Peach coming in July.JD
bhauke OP
9 posts
 
Aaron -- I'll probably never go back to vinyl. I sold all my LPs a long time ago and just don't want to go there again. It's not that I don't like the sound, it's just all the extra care and attention they need.

I couldn't find Manowar or Korn at Acoustic Sounds (don't really get into Korn, but Manowar could be a possibility). I may check out the Godsmack (although I'm not into them a whole lot either). What I'd really like to see is some Metallica on SACD. But I fear they're going to end up on the other format. I do have a check Toshiba DVD/DVD audio player in the bedroom, so it may eventually have to be called into service. Or I may eventually just buy a better multi player and use the SCD-C222ES for CDs and 2 channel SACD listening.

I do like some classical, but just don't have the cash to buy a ton of stuff just to find what I might like. I'd be interested in your recommendations though.

I'll try to check out Opeth. Never heard of them before.

Butch
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,424 posts
 
Machine Head is is great in DVD-Audio.
Eagles- Hotel California
America- Home Coming
Fleetwood Mac- Rumours
Aerosmith -Toys in the Attic
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Yes I have Machine Head on DVDA and it sounds great {in multi channel}. Sure you get a little of that old pre dolby tape hiss, but it really rocks. Friends are amazed when I play it. Ive been curious about the SACD because Ive seen mixed reactions over it.

A few weeks back I purchased an SACD purely on a whim , Buddy Rich , recorded in 1977 on a label called Audio Fidelity. {Dual layerd Hybrid} Just got around to playing it. I was not expecting much but it is awesome. Big band of course , but very Jazzy as well. A diamond in the rough !
quadophile's avatar
quadophile
418 posts
 
In terms of sound quality nothing will probably beat Roxy Music's Avalon. Its just incredible sounding SACD. I still cannot believe that when it was recorded the engineer had the farsightedness to do it in multi-channel even though it did not really exist in those days.

This is the only SACD disk that does not give an impression of instruments forced to play on each channel. They sound as if they were meant to be played that way. I have a few now but slowly building my collection of SACD's, just orderd three today, hoping I am not disappointed with the sound after what Avalon turned out to be.

I believe anyone buying the first SACD should start from Avalon to know its potential, until something better comes along, Avalon as of today (IMHO) is number one.
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