Are DVD-A and SACD growing formats?

[radaray58]

Hi,

I need to replace my DVD player when I get an HDTV next spring. I've been looking at some progressive scan models (my current one is not) and am wondering if I should spend more for one that will play these newer formats. There is not that much content available compared to CD. Are these formats really the wave of the future, or could they be a phase that will die out????

 

[Rob Babcock]

Sure, they could die out. But I'm betting they won't. Nowadays you don't really need to spend an arm & a leg to get a Universal Player, either. The new Pioneer 578a will play DVD-A & SACD and is priced around $200. It's a prog scan, too. Denon makes one for $600 and there's a new Onkyo universal 5 disc changer for $500.

There's about 1,500 discs for the two Hi Res formats combined, although much of this is budget rehash material and classical stuff (the latter of which I really like). I think it's worth the effort & money, but that's just me.

Both really sound amazing.

 

[Dan]

When I bring this up to nonaudiophile friends they generally have never heard of them. Often the response is groans of not another new format or not another beta vs. VHS war. People are impressed if I can get them to listen however.

I think price is a big factor. Best Buy sells em cheap. That is one of the very few things I like about BB. Also the hybrid discs are a big help. I like them because I can play them in my car.

Much also hinges on the future of the music industry and the album format which is in some doubt. Retread recording in my experience don't sound much better than a CD ( I usually listen in two channel). The new recordings are much better but I haven't heard much except Blue Man Group and McCoy Tyner that I like that isn't classical. I don't have a crystal ball, but there has to be a balance between new technologies and letting something hang around lomg enough to gain wide acceptance.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I guess you could call it a retread, too, but Porcupine Tree's "In Absentia" is an amazing DVD-A disc. The last two Steeley Dan DVD-As are astonishing sonically, too, and were originally written with surround in mind. If you've never heard The Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" on DVD-A, you're missing out on one of the best sounding recordings ever made, IMO (and it got a 9 or 10 rating for sound by TAS, and is on their list of the best surround recordings in existance). Beck's "Sea Change" is also a DVD-A & SACD "killer app." And one of my very faves is still the Crowded House s/t DVD-A; it's another TAS recommendation.

One really good retread on SACD is Pink Floyd's DSotM. Really amazing how good it sounds considering it's 30 years old. Ditto for Brubeck's "Time Out." Joe Satriani's "Strange Beautiful Music" is a great sounding newer SACD that's mixed for surround.

 

[Hawkeye]

Rob, I can second your recommendations, as I have most of them you mentioned. Look for a new Porcupine Tree cd coming late summer or fall. Hopefully in 5.1 as well. Keep your eyes out for "A Valid Point," Alan Parsons' first release in 5 years. Regular cd Aug 24th, with a DVD-A to follow shortly after. According to David Pack (Ambrosia), who collaborated with Parsons on the album, "It is going to set the standard for a true 5:1 experience for years to come--this CD is nothing short of amazing."
Listen to two cuts (in stereo of course), at http://www.theavenueonline.info/site1/discog/valid.htm

 

[MarkSJohnson]

Longevity of the new formats?

I, too, have concerns about the acceptance of the new formats.

What's scariest to me is how hard they are to find. In the last couple of days, I've been to a few places here in New Hampshire in search of discs and have been dissapointed. (As an aside, I don't have a player yet, but I figure if I buy a bunch of hybrid discs, it'll be easier to justify that new Denon universal player in a month or two!).

At a Circuit City I found an end-cap display with maybe 25-30 discs total. At a Best Buy, they had a decent amount of real estate devoted to the formats, but not much in stock. Actually, two BB's I checked were in misirable condition: nothing was in the correct "space" or "bin" and though the selection was better than CC's, it was absolutely nothing to brag about. In a mall, I went into an FYE (For Your Entertainment?) and was told they don't carry them at all. Even online, the Amazon selection seemed kind of dismal.

It certainly doesn't bode well for the formats when a person can't even find a decent selection of discs! Anyone have a web recommendation?

 

[Unregistered]

Anyone have a web recommendation?

http://www.towerrecords.com

 

[rgriffin25]

I remember a day when dvds were a tiny little section at bestbuy and circuit city. I realize that neither format has taken off like DVD. I will say that in the last few years the selection has greatly increased.

I have also learned not to lean on either of those stores for my music. I rarely find what I want and often walk out empty handed. So I have decided from this point forward I will be buying all my multi-channel music online. Check out Acoustic Sounds, they have great service and a huge selection from each format.

 

[petermwilson]

Hi,
When I first got into HT and a 5.1 system I invested in a couple of DTS 5.1 audio discs.

Now I've changed my music speakers to Totem Model 1 signatures including the sig center (these speakers are well regarded for small monitors) and about 300 dvd-a/sacd discs. My players are discontinued mltidisc for each format and I use a separate dvd player for video.

I've put my money where my mouth is and commited to the formats.

The big diference in listening to these formats is that you generally have to listen to them with the enjoyment of music in mind and not as a background thing while some other activity is the priority.

If the number of people who can listen to music for its own sake grows then I feel dvd-a and sacd will thrive. If not I think the formats will grow in tandem with the gowth of HT because the people don't have to make a special investment except in the records.

Peter m.

 

[Unregistered]

no way

was soll das denn hier werden? Mit solchen übersetzungen kann doch keiner etwas anfangen, oder?

 

[Dessayfan]

SACD for classical/opera

Unfortunately, we're still in a "VHS-BETA" war - but I'm betting on SACD to come out ahead - especially in the areas of classical music and opera. Plus, if you buy a "universal" player - you've got all bases covered.
For me, SACD is the format of choice - now with more than 2,000 titles on disc - and more coming all the time.
Check out Renee Fleming's new "Bel Canto" or some of the Mahler symphonies recorded either by Benjamin Zander or (yum) the silk-smooth performances of Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony - with his new #2 soon to be released. Zander's #3 is absolute - and MTT's fall right in there.
Sonically - heck, you can't tell the difference. I don't think Sony et al would come out with a new format if they weren't about to support it. BUT remember that VHS-Beta war!!!
The problem, as you probably know, is how to get "the masses" turned on by the new formats. With more "pop" stuff on SACD, for example, more folks will buy the players - which is what's really needed.
The new(est) players coming out this year should blow away everything in the past - and all I can say is to have high-quality amps and speakers to go with them. Garbage in, garbage out - true - but each part of the audio chain is equally as important. If you have a $200 amp - and $45 speakers - well, you can't expect concert hall sound!
Hope that all helps - but don't give up on SACD!

 

[Unregistered]

Online SACD & DVD-A source

This goes back a couple of posts but, Circuit City online has about 1200 DVD-A & SACD's online. CC's "brick & mortar" selection is awful but there is a lot of decent stuff online and its free shipping for orders over $25.

 

[mazmaximus]

I'm looking to try the SACD classical titles. What your favorite?

 

[rgriffin25]

A place I buy a lot of my music from is www.acousticsounds.com

A couple of good titles to check out are:

Mahler Symphony #4 Michael Tilson Thomas / San Francisco Symphony.
(They are doing the entire Mahler symphony cycle. So if you like this one thay have others availale, 1,3, and 6)

Beethoven Violin Concerto- Romances Anne-Sophie Mutter / Kurt Masur / NY Phil

Both are available on SACD.

Mahler
Symphony #4

Beethoven SACD

Hope this helps!