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SACD remasters- any better than CD version?

I have recently changed from an Ayre CX-7 to the Oppo 105 in my system which is straight forward balanced stereo into an Ayre AX-7 with Proac's 2.5

I have a variety of SACD hybrids and indeed the new and very expensive SACD version of Floyd's Wish You Were Here.

That particular disc is imho not as pleasing sonically as the Gold Mastersound version from years ago...came in the long box...and it is not as good as the last remaster either-smoother yes but lacking in dynamics imho.

The new Mobile Fidelity version of Dylan's Blood On The Tracks is probably the best digital version of that album but the differences between the CD layer and SACD layer are marginal-just different not better.

And that's a theme I hear time and time again...SACD doesn't really seem to bring anything to the party other than a smoothness and I would say that actually sounds a tad dull in most cases.

Indeed I think most interesting on the Oppo through my system is that HDCD's seem to give the best sonic replay-deep sound
stages and loads of detail.

Is it fair to say SACD has not made any of the classic recordings of the rock era sound any better?

Or are there discs I am missing out on?
ben_campbell
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,733 posts
 
Ben-

SACD really shines on those single-layer, SACD only discs from 1998-2001. The hybrid discs (CD/SACD) are hit-and-miss.

Happy Listening!
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Jafant-one of my big regrets was selling off a number of SACD single layer discs however I do recall at the time several of those were contentious.....I used at that time a Sony DVD player and the Ayre killed it.

But as I recall KOB and IASW by Miles Davis both sounded really flat.....
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
I have just spent a fortune on the Aja version mentioned above....will update when it arrives
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,405 posts
 
I just compared the SHM sacd version of Quadrophenia by The Who with the Mobile Fidelity version and the original version on MCA Records. I found the MoFi to sound the best with the original version coming in a close second. The SHM SACD came in a far away third and sounded distant, almost like it was 5.1 channels and only playing the front speakers. I listened to the 2 channel stereo version on the SHM SACD.. Although the drums in particular sounded better on the sacd, the overall sound was hollow and distant. I am quite disappointed I wasted my money on the sacd version. NOT recommended..
importer485
6 posts
 
Peter Gabriel So SACD is a good choice.
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