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Recommendations discs for SACD/DVD-A trial

Well folks, I'm going to give hi-rez a chance (2 channel, wouldn't want to rush into things). Can anyone recommend a typical and a superb disc that I can buy in both redbook and hi-rez to use to try this out? After reading the latest S'phile article about the Norah Jones SACD being mastered from the redbook digital files and not the analog master tapes, I would like to give this a fair trial. So I am looking for something that is representative of what hi-rez 2 channel can bring to the table, and something that is the best there is. I would like to buy redbook and hi-rez
versions of each of the two discs, so I can put one in a modded Denon 2900 and one in my EMC-1UP SE. I'm not a big classical, rap, metal, or hip-hop but otherwise, I'm open to many musical genre's. I'll be sure to post the results when they are available and would be happy to host some NY/New Englanders at my place in CT for the trial. More details later.
128x128swampwalker
maineiac
649 posts
 
I remember my dealer telling me that the redbook layer on a hybrid was NOT the same quality as a redbook only disc. I am not sure of why this might be. I have not found the DVD-As to be as good as SACD on my system (Denon 2900 stock).

As for SACD, Allison Krauss , Live; Diana Krall, Girl in the Other Room. Patrica Barber, Cafe Blue.

It would be great to know the results of your experiment!!
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swampwalker OP
5,138 posts
 
OK!!! The only thing sweeter than winning the pennent is beating the Yanks to do it. :-D. Now for something completely different. I own the Allison Krauss Live on CD, so I will get the SACD, the Patricia Barber SACD and CD and one or two more. As for the hardware, I have not yet selected the mod I am going for. Underwoodwally has a new tube output stage circuit just about to be released; but the Exemplar HAS gotten raves. Decisions, decisions. This is going to be fun. By the time I get the 2900 and get it modded, it'll probably be winter. A great way to while away the cold months.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Swampwalker...I think you need to get a SACD disc that claims to be "pure" DSD. No PCM involved with the master recording, or the mixdown process. On this disc, the redbook layer will have been made from the same original data, but with conversion to 16 bit 44.1 KHz PCM. Of course this may not be fair to the PCM approach, which might be better if the original master data was 24 bit 96 KHz PCM.

I don't think there is a way to do the redbook comparison for DVDA. However I don't see the need, because DVDA is basically the same PCM approach as redbook, but with higher resolution.

The usual comparison is between SACD and DVDA. Perhaps it is just because I have some superb European DVDA discs, but I give the nod to DVDA.

My Denon 2900 is away for the Underwood mod. I really don't want a tube in my system. Been there, done that.
jdaniel18ee
88 posts
 
Well I would stick with CDs since you don't like Classical, where SACD format is making inroads, otherwise, DVDA releases are too few and far between to justify a machine.
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swampwalker OP
5,138 posts
 
jdaniels- the thought here is that the 2900 plus mods would cost about what I can get out of my EMC. So I keep the one I like best and sell the loser.
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