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I just heard an SACD for the first time - damn

I just listened to my first ever SACD on my new Marantz SA-7S1. The difference was uncomfortably noticeable, especially going back to listen to a Redbook CD afterwards - the CD sounded pinched and grainy by comparison, like going from a great preamp to a much lesser one. I'm more a smooth and electric jazz listener, so there just aren't many SACD titles for me. Such a damn shame it's not taking off, it's really wonderful stuff!
tinear1

Showing 1 response by garys

garys
65 posts
 
Tinear1, I know what you've mean about the SACD sound. Sure got my attention the first time I heard it.

I've owned a few SACD/CD players, and in every case the sound was better from SACD, even if the redbook CDs I played were of very high quality.

But when I compare SACDs with good redbook--try the K2 Samper from FIM recordings--played on good redbook players, I don't have a clear preference. I do notice a difference in characteristic sound, though I'm not sure I can describe it all that well.

Regardless, I do like SACD, and if I randomly chose an SACD and randomly chose a redbook CD, chances are that the SACD would sound better. I agree, though, that has more to do with the mastering.

Multi-channel SACD really shines for classical music, so no surprise that a good portion of SACD releases are multi-channel classical. I have a dedicated stereo system and a dedicated multi-channel system. Component quality is better in the stereo system, but I'd rather listen to most classical music in multi-channel.

New SACDs are still being released--look at the reviews in Stereophile and TAS--and a fair number of us are buying them.
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