SACD availability

Other than classical and jazz releases, there are actually new SACDs being released off of new masters right now (e.g., Steely Dan - Aha, Dire Straits - self titled, etc.) but not in the US and they are limited releases (read, very expensive).

There are also a bunch of SACDs still available through amazon and others. Check out sa-cd.net.

I received my first four SHM-SACDs yesterday (Aja, Velvet Underground, Stones (ABKCO 2002 master) and Police (A&M 2003 master)).

I popped in Aja and have been listening to it all morning. It sounds fantastic - open, clear and liquid.

With regard to the last two SHM-SACDs, I only picked them up (they are basically reissues) because I only recently began to get into SACD after I purchased my XDS1, but from all accounts the reissues are slightly better due to the single layer SHM process but are limited by the reuse of the older masters so there is probably not much point in double dipping if you already have them.

In any case, Velvet Underground is next...