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SACD-Heathen David Bowie

At last I can report a disc that shows a noticeable difference on SACD over normal CD replay in my system.
This shows the kind of difference on SACD I was hoping for,more organic and more "real" sounding instruments than the CD version.
To be fair my previous analysis has only been on older source material and the Stones hybrids which I think sound great but arguably better on the CD layer(?!)in my system.
Biggest bonus for me is that this was my favourite record this year (I know some have been disappointed by it.)
The one thing they have messed up is that they've taken the track listing on the slip case direct from the CD version-there are 16 tracks on this as opposed to 12 on the original CD.
Only Converstion Piece has been previously availble (on the original ltd edition double cd which I have)
I would guess the other three tracks are from the Heathen sessions.
The disc is a single layer multichannel-I am refering only to the stereo playback.
ben_campbell
sean
6,231 posts
 
Ben, i was thinking about buying this on SACD. As it is, i wandered into Best Buy today and found it for $10.99 on standard "redbook", so i bought it. I have yet to listen to it though, so i can't comment on either the sonics or performance. If i like it, i'll pick it up on SACD and try comparing the two. Sean
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sean
6,231 posts
 
Ben: After listening to the redbook tonight, i would have to say that the SACD version would have to sound MILES better to even think about spending the money on it. This disc was purposely recorded "lo-fi" so as to simulate much of the sound of Bowie's early work. I can't see increased resolution helping the sound of this disc out any since the recording itself is "hurting" to begin with. Obviously, that's just my take on things having not heard the SACD version. Needless to say, i won't be spending any money to make such a comparison. Sean
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ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Sean-mmm-I think perhaps this is where I and audiophiles start to diverge.
I can find nothing "lo-fi" about this records production whereas you may not like the actual production by Tony Visconti-I tend to think it's been put together with a whole lot of thought-it doesn't sound much like any of Bowie's early work to my ears-I take it you mean pre-'72?-"hurting"-well I'm sure it is to your ears.
You are right of course the SACD offers about a 10/15% improvement to my ears but it doesn't change the overall sound of the record.
I think it's a rather good production but I do listen to the music first and I am no purist when it comes to record production-I think we'll agree to disagree on this one.
My main point was actually outwith the merits of this record in itself I was merely pointing out it's probably the first current SACD release I've heard and it is unusual in that to to me that it shows an improvement I consider noticeable over redbook,in my system.
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