SHM Universal Japan SACDs


I have noticed the emerging catalogue of remastered SACD recordings from Universal of Japan on the Esoteric Discs web site. These discuss are quite expensive and I was wondering if any Forum member could advise me on how these discs compare with some of the other remastered recordings available from Esoteric, JVC XRCD, Analogue Productions, Mobile Fidelity etc. I mainly prefer classical and jazz recordings. Any recommendations or advice is gratefully received.
hbsmith
I listened to the Who's Next SHM-SACD today. I wish I could say I was impressed, but I'd swear my CD version sounds better. It's too bad; I had high hopes for the SACD. I compared it with the CD on two different players and even with the Classic Records LP. There was no clear winner in terms of sound quality alone. The CD might have been the most enjoyable. Considering price and convenience then, the CD is the best bet.
Perhaps it's the source material.
Hopefully Yellow Brick Road will be better (it was backordered at musicdirect). If not, I'm through with SACD.
Hi Lenny, hope the car is doing great and the speeding tickets are elusive :)

I just bought 6 more SHM titles today. I was so impressed with Bill Evan's Alone, I just had a try a few more. I'll report back next weekend. One title Getz/Gilberto I have on SACD (verve), vinyl, and now SHM. So can compare formats some...
Hi, yes to both. When you get the discs and have some time, let's get together and listen.
Hi Achilles,

Your assessment of the Cream - Wheels of Fire SHM-SACD is valid, although far from poor I prefer the DCC Gold CD of this one. Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is an excellent SHM-SACD; I have the DVD-Audio of this as well and I much prefer the SHM-SACD. Regarding the Steely Dan - Aja SHM-SACD and Gaucho SHM-SACD, these are outstanding reproductions of meticulously produced recordings. I highly recommend these discs!

The CD medium is the only alternative when considering "bang for the buck,” but if one possesses equipment that can realistically reproduce the sound of a live performance, an investment in high-end recordings can be a new frontier!

Give me your impression of Yellow Brick Road.

All the best,

MikeC