DVD-A recording titles to die for

First, my principle criterion for great-sounding classical recordings is naturalness--I want to be transported to the concert hall.

With that in mind, all of the several Naxos clasical DVD-As ( http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/default.asp?label=NaxosDVDAudio&active=CD&Title1=NAXOS%20DVD%20Audio&InParam=((iv_type=3)AND((class_code='NDL')or(class_code='NDS'))) ) are at least very good. My favorite is the Shostakovich 7th Symphony by Yablonsky and the Russian Philharmonic O., # 5.110020. I also have several of the Silverlines with Abravenal conducting the Utah SO. They're all at least good; those produced and recorded by Mark Aubort and Joann Nikrenz of Elite Productions are best. My favorite is the Sibelius Symphonies 2 and 3, #288255-9. Evey time I listen to the 3rd and 4th movements of the 2nd I get goosebumps.

I agree heartily with Eldartford--quality is highly variable.

Also, there seems to be great differences of opinions among producers/engineers on how loud the centerchannel should be...from not used at all to (IMO) WAY too loud. I like the solidity that use of the CC brings, but often I turn it down.

Jeffreybehr..."transported to the concert hall" is what a really good stereo system will do. Multichannel can do it somewhat better. However, multichannel can also do something that stereo can't...transport a small group of musicians, classical chamber group, jazz, or bluegrass, into your listening room. This makes perfect sense. It's the best "you are there" sound there is. It can also put you into the midst of a larger orchestra, but many folk, probably those who have not performed in an orchestra, find this annoying.

I think that center channel is very important, as it is the logical place to put a soloist. However, I agree that the center level varies a lot. I have violin concertos where, if I crank the volume up enough to really feel the orchestra, the violin is lounder than any real violin can play, and therefore is sonicly poor. It's like looking at your girlfriend's complexion under a magnifying glass!

Finally, I disclaim any status as a guru.

Eldartford,
Between listening to concert DVDs in DTS via a coaxial digital interconnet and listening to live stage performance on DVD-A recording title via multichannel interconnect, which you find yourself listen more? Eventually, I'll develop my own preference, but I am new, and I am not always correct. Thus, I like to inquire the opinions of others. I know that not all DVD-A recordings have the same high quality and good sound engineering mix, but what have you bought lately, SACD or DVD-A titles? Thanks for the input.

Another surprisingly excellent DVD-A is Basie Swings on Denon, if you're into this kind of music. I just played it last night on my new Denon DVD-3910 and couldn't stop tapping.

Lej1447...Lately I have not bought any discs as I do not have time to listen to the ones I have. I have both SACD and DVD-A, and a well-engineered disc of either kind outperforms CD. Almost all my discs are classical. A couple of exceptions are AIX80008 John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson, Nitty Gritty Surround (Bluegrass) and Rounder 11661-0516-6 Alison Krauss + Union Station. The AIX disc is recorded on both sides and has an astonishing number of audio and video programs that you can choose from. Sonic quality is excellent. I found the Alison Kraus disc a disappointment not up to the hype.

In summary, the TACET DVD D107 is the best I have found, overall. It does not, however have deep bass or great volume. For the you need TELARC SACD-60579 The Sound of Glory, Morman Tabernacle Choir.