Is SACD really this lousy?


Bought a Sony SCD 1 and this is boring me in my system. Have had it for 2 weeks and just cannot get interested. Previously I had a CAL CL2o and we were astounded by how the DVD DAD's sounded-fall into the soundstage, reach out and touch the performers. Also the dynamic range used every bit of the VTL's 275 watts into the Maggies. The 44/16 side of the CL20 was at best lukewarm. This after coming off a Meridian 508 20. Then I tried the Wadia 270/27ix. In my system, all the write ups were proven wrong. Then I went to the Linn Ikemi. It was great except I couldn't forget that sound of the DVD's with the CL20. Sooooo....off I went to get the Sony SCD 1. I don't have a dealer here but trusted it wouldn't dissappoint. WRONNNG! I called Steve Huntley at Great Northern Sound to see if he could do anything. He said it was a great player, it's just that Sony missed the boat when it came to the analog section. He is in fact drawing up a mod to deal with this very thing that he says will approach the Accuphase. That however will cost anywhere from $1500 roonies for the SACD side to $3500 for both. Anybody have any comment on this or am I the only one experiencing disappointment?
jmazur402f

Showing 18 responses by david99

When are all you digit-heads going to stop chasing analog sound from digital and just buy a turntable??
My response is VERY constructive.Very brief,but to the point.I could write all night about Vinyl vs analog.You have a state of the art machine but your still not happy.Do you want analog quality music?? You must not have it now.Well then,whats the problem with going analog?
Garfish- vinyl vs analog obviously was an error.Will you start correcting others as well?? Anyway the man asked for comments on his problem.He invited responses.I gave mine and stand by it.This guy has a SACD player!! What you have all been waiting for.He is not happy.Everyone knows digital has alwys strived to sound like analog.Well do I really have to explain again?? Your statement that"good digital sounds different than good analog,but not worse"really makes no sense.and if it sounds different, then case closed.
Well,so far I have been able to find any recording on vinyl I have looked for.E-Bay alone has over 70 thousand L.P.'s to bid on,many still sealed.I pay usually under a dollar for most L.P.s I buy that demolish the $16.00 CD versions.Sometimes I splurge and spend $8-$10 on a still sealed L.P. The truth is there are way more records avaliable then you are aware of.
Rfeno,If your analog front end causes you to experiance annoying surface noise you really should get a better table and cartridge.Also good condition vinyl is a must.I have occasional surface noise but if done right its not an issue.
Garfish,the "war"you refer to between analog vs digital in the early 80's was TOTALLY irrevelant to which sounded better.The mass public couldn't care less and were just waiting for something more convienent to stick in their $300.00 Sony "stereos" and boom boxes.If your friend prefers the sound of analog but listens to CD's 90 % of the time because they are 'quick and easy"then he couldn't care less either. Me? I care!!!
Garfish,I have a job too!!(darn) But I love music enough to find time to get all I can out of it and find it fun also.I have mentioned else where that anyone can go around the corner and buy a CD / SACD player.Go buy a CD put it in and push a button.VERY EASY AND CONVENIENT,but it takes talent and time to get the best music has to offer.the man who started this post said he is not happy with the latest digital format.He asked for suggestions.I said if you want analog sound just like every true audiophile then go with a true analog format.I gave my suggestion,OK? Hey Carl! Where the HELL ya been while I've been being beat up here?? I'm getting impatient on news of your new toy!!!
Sorry,I missed one.Tryhoss? why do you assume I havent heard a SACD set up?? Well as a matter of fact I have a close friend that has the very same one this man is disappointed with.My opinion of the SCD-1 is it sounds like a mid priced CD player.My friend thinks its awesome but always wants to come to my house for some vinyl.He thinks my system sounds awesome also but spends more time in front of mine than his.He has never said mine sounds better but actions speak louder than words.Besides read the other posts.For the most part SACD is just another marketing ploy.And please dont ask me not to respond to questons on this site if I havent heard a product.You said your self you havent heard it,so why are YOU here??
Cornboy-now this is getting absurd.As far as my spelling go back and check yours,teacher.As far as your comment on the prices and avaliability of new music,it just shows how out of touch you are.Have to play LPs at a whisper?? Again,know what you are talking about before you jump in.
Albert-yes you are right.I guess Im tired of being bashed here and want to give a little back.You are always level headed and a true gentleman.By the way,you were right about Telefunkens,they are AWESOME!! I call for a truce.
Yes,the Rega Planet is a fine sounding CD player.If I ever decide to upgrade my $20.00 NEC yard sale player it will be a planet.But until I have at least 20 Cd's I wont bother.Right now I have 2 CD's I have purchaced in 3 years so it will be a while.The Rega Planet is Stereophile Class B.The reviewer described it as sounding "almost analog like" I guess with digital this must be a high compliment because I hardly ever see a CD player described as that.
I am finally figuring out why people devoted to digital get so defensive.You want the best of both worlds but dont want to put any work into it.You want a "easy and convienient" format but think you can get analog sound with all these different digital machines coming out. When you find out your dreams have not come true(again)then you have someone like me say if you want analog sound you need to get a turntable and put some REAL effort into it.And it is alot of work,no doubt.But no need to get ticked off.One guy for lack of better argument attacked my speling!!!! CHIL!!!!
Garfish,this is in reponse to your question of what study I referred to comparing digital vs analog.You had made a statement that digital listeners were more serene than analog listenes. I have seen while browsing several studies that all came to the same conclussin.Indeed that people subjected to listening to digital became more easily figidty,bored,distracted and felt an uneasiness compared to analog listening.You can search the net for these if you want to as I can't recall where I found them.What came to mind initially was a study I had read in the Jan.2000 issue of Stereophile VOL.23 NO.1 The article starts on page 55 and is called "God is in the Nuances" It is a long article and I wish I had time to copy it all.Here is just a small part of the study...Lets start with the emotional states of the participants.The participants began with a base tension level of 3.26,with the dgital system this dropped to 2.35 and with the analog system to 1.75.Nervousness was raised from a base level of 1.8 to 2.2 by the digital system,but fell to 1.1 with the analog system.The need for relaxation fell from a base level of 2.6 to 1.9 with the analog system,but rose to 2.9 with the digital system.The ability to concentrate remained constant with the analog system at 4.3 but fell to 3.6 with the digital system.Relaxedness stayed constant with the digital system at 4.0,but rose to 4.6 with the analog system.This shows that the analog system worked toward a feeling of serenity in the participants,whereas the digital system heightened tension and stress.Equally interesting was the response to the question of whether the participants liked the music they were played.With the analog system,43 out of 53 participants said they liked the Larry Conklin piece,46 the baroque music,and 38 the Sally Barker piece.The music was heard as interesting,emotionally appealing,and engaging.Via the digital system the levels fell to 31,33,and 35 respectively.The same music was now more often experienced as boring.Food for thought........The article goes on and on all pointing to analog as the most preferred set up.Read the entire study,it was done very well.
Albert, I have in front of me a once played,good as when first opened, copy of Matchbox-20 on vinyl.It is their first one,the multi-million seller "Your Self Or Someone Like You" I had a friend who loved this album so I bought it for $9.00 brand new at a shop in Roch.N.Y. He bought the CD at the same time for $14.00 or $15.00 can't remember.WE did a A/B and well,the vinyl kills the CD version.Overall its not one of the better recordings out there but its stll pretty good.Anyway if this is something you would want for your collection and would get use out of it you can have it.Im not much into them anyway and as I said its been spun one time.I will send to you.I dont have your E-mail address anymore.If you still have mine send me your home address and its on its way.If someone told you this was not out on vinyl,still dont give up.The people in some stores have done searches for me and have told me "no vinyl"and they have been wrong many times.I wanted a vinyl copy of a Tool LP called Aenima and pretty much had given up.I looked for months for it and called all over.One eve.I was in E-Bay and there it was.There is TONS of 90's music on vinyl.If you are looking for something and cant find it E-mail me.I have a good nose for vinyl!! Mario,my dealer sends me on "assignments"for a long wanted copy of something he cant find.Check out CDNOW.com they have lots of new music on vinyl.$2-3 less than the CD!! If you feel funny accepting the LP from me I have been looking for a mint Pink Floyd "The Wall" I know you guys with thousands of LPs have several copies of the classics.Just a generic copy would be fine.No need for a MOFI.I have a copy in G- but want a better one.Either way,the Matchbox-20 is yours.Its just collecting dust here.Let me know.
Carl,I have bitten all my finger nails till they are bloody waiting for a full report on your new TUBE amp.What gives? As far as buying new music on vinyl the best place I have found is e-bay.Sometimes still sealed.I will do search for you and Albert but the best thing to do is snatch up the new stuff right away.Creeds "My Own Prison" will never be out on vinyl unless there is an import or an audiopile label picks it up.I called Wind up records which is the bands label and the producer said he was a vinyl guy and understood but to release it on vinyl was not cost efective.I begged him make on copy for me!! Well,one time a while back I walked into my favorite music store and proudly on the new releases rack were 2 vinyl copies of Creed's new one "Human Clay"I should have bought them both but that wouldnt have been right.So you never know what you will find! Maybe I got to the producers "kind side"
I dont feel analog is dying.Of course it will never dominate again.From all I have read there is a renewed interest in analog.I feel some people are disappointed in the state of digital and are starting to doubt the future.I know we are a minority and are looked upon as old folks(Im just 45) My kids never saw a record until 3 years ago and refer to them as "big CD's" There are so many albums for sale its not funny.I buy mint LP's frequently for almost nothing.To me they sound so awesome compared to CD's.I will NEVER go back.I sold ALL my CD's 3 years ago and dont regret it at all.All my stereo money goes into analog now.My $20 NEC yard sale CDP is fine for the amount of time I use it.If a friend brings a CD over I dont have on vinyl or the kids want to listen to Britney Spears (she's HOT,especially since she got a boob job) Did I write that??? Anyway,No analog wont die in my life time. Beyond that,I dont care.
3141510- I have seen some of your comments in other areas of audiogon.You appear to be a very angry person and often make confusing and irrational comments.Are you a music lover? What artists do you like the most? What is your format preference? Do you like tubes or solid state? I am interested to know more about your genuin likes and dislike concerning music reproduction. Thanks!!