State-of-the-Art Recordings of Classical Works (SACDs)

[Kingrex]

Don. Look for a estate sale with CD. The right one could have a lot of good music. But its probably all you have on records. If you want new music you need to stay current on bands you like and get their new releases.

 

[No Regrets]

Don. Look for a estate sale with CD. The right one could have a lot of good music. But its probably all you have on records. If you want new music you need to stay current on bands you like and get their new releases.

Yes, that is a great idea! I used to do that for vinyl records 25-30 years ago and it was an excellent way to pick up some great classics and jazz original pressings that were like new. It seemed those genres were better taken care of then the classic rock pieces.

i've forgotten about that avenue. I wouldn't mind having some duplicate recordings on cd. As I am aging (along with some of my health issues), I don't know how much longer I'll be able to continue to get up every 20 min's to cue another record side, etc.

Thank you for a great reminder!

Best wishes,
Don

 

[Bso]

What I am asking is this... would the Redbook layer of a SACD disc sound better than just a Redbook Only cd disc of the same performance.

I doubt it. Time to stop overthinking?

Or maybe another way to look at it.... is the mastering done differently and/or better on the Redbook layer of a SACD disc than that of a Redbook Only cd disc of the same recording?

There is one example I experienced where the CD of a Broadway show live sounded better - clearly - than the LPs or the SACD. But Mr. Redbook was based on a different tape master or something.

So all things being equal again....

I appreciate everyone's patience with me as I am trying to learn and understand the digital side of music.

Thank you and best wishes to you all,
Don

Consider getting a new (Accuphase) SACD player.
And to all a good night.

 

[Yuen A.]

Hello and thank you for your reply. Can you also help me better understand a couple of things when it comes to these SACD recordings?

1. Do all of these SACD recordings always have a Redbook layer in addition to the SACD layer? Or do I have to be careful when ordering these SACD discs?

2. Let's say I wanted to buy an Orchestral recording. There might be a cd recording that was pressed in just Redbook. Then at a later time, the same Orchestral recording might have been repressed in the SACD format that might also happen to have a Redbook layer. Would you think that the Redbook layer of the SACD recording would sound better than the earlier Redbook only cd?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!
Best wishes,
Don

Yes, (1) almost all the current SACDs (unless stated otherwise, like the early Sony's one layer SACDs) have a Redbook layer. (2) And yes, if the source of the Redbook layer is from a high resolution one, it may sound better.

 

[Bso]

Yes, (1) almost all the current SACDs (unless stated otherwise, like the early Sony's one layer SACDs) have a Redbook layer.

(2) And yes, if the source of the Redbook layer is from a high resolution one, it may sound better.

I stand corrected.

 

[No Regrets]

Yes, (1) almost all the current SACDs (unless stated otherwise, like the early Sony's one layer SACDs) have a Redbook layer. (2) And yes, if the source of the Redbook layer is from a high resolution one, it may sound better.

Awesome, this is very useful information for me!
I truly appreciate your help and I look forward to discovering more new music and recordings which you continue to share on this thread!

Best wishes,
Don

 

[Kal Rubinson]

What I am asking is this... would the Redbook layer of a SACD disc sound better than just a Redbook Only cd disc of the same performance.

No. Not unless something was intentionally changed. Technically, they are identical.

Or maybe another way to look at it.... is the mastering done differently and/or better on the Redbook layer of a SACD disc than that of a Redbook Only cd disc of the same recording?

Not if they are done at the same time and by the same person.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

And yes, if the source of the Redbook layer is from a high resolution one, it may sound better.

Of course, but why would it be?

 

[Yuen A.]

Of course, but why would it be?

I think the current reality is that there is still enough loss of resolution or fidelity in the process down the chain to hear the difference.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I think the current reality is that there is still enough loss of resolution or fidelity in the process down the chain to hear the difference.

The question is why would the CD release and the CD-layer of an SACD be derived from different sources? By default, they would not.

 

[Kingrex]

The question is why would the CD release and the CD-layer of an SACD be derived from different sources? By default, they would not.

Viewed the other way,are you sure your SACD isn't a upsample of the Redbook.

 

[Yuen A.]

Viewed the other way,are you sure your SACD isn't a upsample of the Redbook.

The SACDs that I reviewed here (BIS, Chandos, Linn, Reference Recording, Channel Classics, etc.) are all high resolution recordings (with a few exceptions) and it's plainly stated in the booklets.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Viewed the other way,are you sure your SACD isn't a upsample of the Redbook.

Some are, some are not. If one cares (and I do), one pays attention to the provenance.

 

[Yuen A.]

The question is why would the CD release and the CD-layer of an SACD be derived from different sources? By default, they would not.

I agree!

 

[Yuen A.]

Carl ORFF Carmina Burana (Cantiones profanae) (1936) Laura Claycomb (soprano) Barry Banks (tenor) Christopher Maltman (baritone)
Tiffin Boys’ Choir/Simon Toyne London Symphony Chorus/Joseph Cullen London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox. Recorded live at the Barbican Centrre. Chandos CHSA 5067 SACD (Recorded in DSD)

Gramophone says: "Hickox leads a vibrant performance that has a real sense of occasion." Instead of hearing the usual dry Barbican acoustic well-known from all those LSO Live recordings, I find this recording by Chandos lifelike, spacious, ambient, airy, completely transparent, detailed and has sonic depth and energy. Percussion is visceral and palpable. The bass drum sounded explosive and realistic. Play very loud.