Multi-Ch SACD thru stereo

[myriad1973]

This might seem like a stupid question, but could someone tell me if a receiver can process a multi-channel SACD signal through stereo cables, or do I have to use the 5.1 outputs?

 

[Tawnos]

You will need 5.1 audio connections.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

The stereo SACD material could be Pro*Logic'd into a 5.1.... but why spend money on SACD to begin with? Just use a CD for that.

 

[myriad1973]

I already have the player. I didn't have any media for it until now. And given that a technology like SACD is out there and most releases are hybrids, then why not?

 

[markw]

simply because SACD is not the same as DD/DTS and...

...the powers that be, for anti-copying reasons, are adamant in making it as difficult as possible for receivers to "decode" SACD and DVD-Audio.

As it now stands, your best bet is to get hold of a receiver with the required 5.1 analog inputs. Without them, you'll be limited to 2 channel SACD sound.

And, as to why? Simply because they hold all the cards and they can.

 

[myriad1973]

I have the receiver necessary. No problem there. I just simply wanted to see if I could hear the difference between CD and SACD. When it's Dark Side Of The Moon, wouldn't you want to see if it could ever possibly be better sounding?

 

[markw]

Yes, but that's a fairly difficult comparison.

I have the receiver necessary. No problem there. I just simply wanted to see if I could hear the difference between CD and SACD. When it's Dark Side Of The Moon, wouldn't you want to see if it could ever possibly be better sounding?

The CD is only two channels and the SACD is a multi-channel source, isn't it? Simply take the two channel analog output and feed it to a spare high level input on the receiver while the 5.1 channel output is fed to the corrosponding 5.1 analog input on the receiver. ..or, if it's a DVD player as well it might have a digital output. If so, you might try using that input to see if your receiver's internal DAC decodes anything.

Now, by switching between the two channel input, the 5.1 analog input, and perhapsthe digital input, you should be able to make a comparison, but good luck coming to a meaningful conclusion. If this isn't apples to oranges I don't know what is.

 

[j_garcia]

If you have the SACD, I can't see trying to get it to sound better or how using a DSP on the stereo information would ever possibly come close to sounding like the m/c SACD.

 

[Jack N]

"The stereo SACD material could be Pro*Logic'd into a 5.1.... but why spend money on SACD to begin with? Just use a CD for that."

I've tried that and compared it to real SACD. There's really is no comparison. It doesn't sound anything like real SACD.

 

[Jack Hammer]

It is possible, my PS2 sends a two channel signal to my reciever that is clearly broken into multi-channel sound. The sounds behind me and to the sides all come from the proper speakers. But for music, the sound quaility would be much much better in multichannel SACD format.

The only real reason I see to do it is if you just got an SACD player and hadn't purchased the interconnects for it yet, but still wanted to listen to a disc in multi-channel. I would think it would make you appreciate the quality of a high-res recording that much more once you recieved and hooked up those cables then listened to it via 5 channel.

Jack

 

[j_garcia]

I've tried that and compared it to real SACD. There's really is no comparison. It doesn't sound anything like real SACD.

Ummm, neither does Prologic.... Kind of like putting pump gas in an Indy car.

 

[myriad1973]

Sorry folks. I guess my original question was simply whether or not I had to use the 5.1 output or stereo output on my player. I wasn't attempting to make my SACDs sound better.... although an EQ would probably be nice for it, but I think they sound great on their own. Sorry for the confusion. Didn't want this to turn into a debate.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Sorry folks. I guess my original question was simply whether or not I had to use the 5.1 output or stereo output on my player...

With SACD you need to use the 5.1 output to listen hear all five channels Hires sound. Some discs (hybrids) have a regular 2 channel cd version of the album on the other side that can be listened to via a digital or analog L/R connection.

Jack

 

[allsop4now]

You should be able to use stereo cables for stereo SACD playback. Your player should have an option to select "SACD stereo" as default for playback (mine has CD, SACD stereo, SACD multi-channel as options). In the players speaker setup you should configure it to have only two speakers.

For SACD MCH playback you may use digital cable if the player and reciever supports it, or use 5.1 analogue cables.

 

[allsop4now]

With SACD you need to use the 5.1 output to listen hear all five channels Hires sound. Some discs (hybrids) have a regular 2 channel cd version of the album on the other side that can be listened to via a digital or analog L/R connection.

Jack

Hybrid SACD have CD and SACD layers on the _same_ side. Some SACD are not hybrid, and thus not playable on an ordinary CD player. A SACD MCH should have a SACD stereo "layer" as well.

I dislike dual side discs since they are more difficult to keep in good order as one has to be very careful when handling them.