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SACD

SACD sounds better right???
all of my stuf flooded 4’ 4 days.
i have no money but I am replacing a headphone setup and I feel I must have in CD player SACD because it sounds much better, am I right?????? Help!!
128x128jimmycg
aalenik
67 posts
 

@Elizabeth , I'm really sorry that you haven't heard how good SACD can sound.  I'm really perplexed when you say that SACDs lack air and ambience.  I've found just the opposite, that a well mastered SACD gives me room ambience that even the best CDs cannot match.

I'm not questioning your ears, but there's got to be something 'wrong' for you to hear less 'air' on SACD than Redbook CD.  Not trying to argue, but I bet that one day you will hear this yourself. (When you do, remember me ;-)

Oh, and I'm definitely talking 2-channel... and even mono.

Happy Listening!

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,750 posts
 

Thanks! for sharing- elizabeth

Happy Listening!

ejr1953
916 posts
 
I would say that, in my setup, most of the time my SACDs do sound better than the "regular" CD, MQA from Tidal and high-res downloads, but not always.

Most of the time the mastering seems to produce a more "musical" result, but not always.  With just a few of my SACDs I wonder if the mastering engineer ran the CD quality digital files thru some sort of "up converting" algorithm.  I have the latest CD master of the Steely Dan "Aja" album, which IMO sounds significantly better than the SACD.
stevebraxton
17 posts
 
SACDs sound amazing on my Sony SCD1. So do Redbook CDs. SACD does seem to have more air, detail, and soundstage.
One concern I have is maintenance of the laser assembly for SACD. If I understand correctly, the Redbook section is fixed in position whereas the SACD section requires manual calibration with reference discs and an oscilloscope. No one seems to have these reference discs available. If anyone knows, please share that info.
So where would you find a high-end SACD player to replace what was made back in the day?
I purchased a used SCD-777ES as a backup. The transport assembly required repair to play any disc. It now reads single layer SACDs but will not read SACD layer on a hybrid disc. I am SOL on fixing the laser without proper calibration.
Fortunately, the SCD1 still reads all formats perfectly.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,750 posts
 

stevebraxton

consult Sony customer service in Michigan. This operation used to be located in Laredo TX. The SCD1 and SCD-777ES are very popular, there is a ton of information in these audio forums (Audiogon, Audio Asylum...etc.) Keep us posted on this development.

Happy Listening!

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