Pure Super Audio

No speed limits on the hi-rez highway for DSD USB DACs

2012-02-05T16:39:00.001+01:00

Audiophiles have always been obsessed by the sampling speeds, and for good reason. Sampling at higher rates improves digital converters' temporal resolution and impulse response, leading to more organic and lifelike sound. It's what made the SACD so compelling a proposition in the first place. Although today the evidence mounts against using higher frequencies in traditional (PCM) DACs - read Benchmark's Vice President opinion on the 96kHz vs 192kHz issue here - DSD DACs streamlined architecture opens new possibilities for audio engineers.

Built by Japanese researchers at the Waseda University Acoustic Laboratory (1bit Audio Consortium) DSD USB DAC supports sampling rates from 2.8224MHz all the way up to 24.576MHz (512fs). The USB D/A converter takes the idea of a future proof device to another level, and could become a blueprint for Japanese companies which are members of 1bit Audio Consortium (TEAC, KORG, Yamaha, Pioneer and others), and which are yet to introduce their DSD-enabled computer audio products...

DSD over Eth update not possible for Yamaha's NP-S2000 network player

2012-02-03T21:56:00.000+01:00

DSD streaming won't be implemented in the NP-S2000 due to hardware and software issues, we were able to confirm in an e-mail conversation with Yamaha. On a positive note, the company expressed its interest in incorporating DSD playback in an all new network streamer. A DSD Network Player from the Japanese electronics giant, and 1bit Audio Consortium member, Yamaha, would be without doubt an important addition to the growing number of DSD-ready computer audio products.

Could a USB-X like update turn current SACD players - with digital inputs - into DSD USB DACs?

2012-01-22T15:17:00.000+01:00

Playback Designs has been at the forefront of the super computer audio movement for some time now, manufacturing first DSD-capable USB DACs and making DSD streaming possible on both Mac (Pure Music) and Windows (Emotion) platforms.

The introduction of the USB-X is another noteworthy development by the manufacturer. The small eXteneder box (included with the purchase of Playback Designs SACD player) enables 64x and 128x DSD files streaming on the MPS-5 SACD player, sparing its users the expense of investing in a new DSD USB DAC. A very smart solution, you must admit, considering that the MPD-5 DSD DAC offered by the company "is identical in every way to the MPS-5 SACD / CD Player except it does not have a transport mechanism"

With the string of innovations coming from the US manufacturer, a question springs to mind - where are other long-time SACD/DSD format supporters, especially those in Japan, like Marantz, Denon, Esoteric when it comes to DSD over USB streaming? Could they enhance their SACD players to support DSD streaming by releasing USB-X like or even pure-software updates? The answer to this question is of great importance to anyone considering a purchase of a stand-alone DSD DAC, as the device is essentially identical to an SACD player (without transport), and.. well, no one likes to buy the same device twice.

Grimm Audio A/DSD transfer suggestions

2012-01-08T14:13:00.002+01:00

Now that the Nat King Cole SACD series - the very first Analogue Productions SACD project done entirely with the Grimm Audio Converter - turned out to be a success for the company, and boy what a success it's been (as it turns out, some of the Nat Cole titles are already awaiting repressing), many audiophiles are wondering what other artists and albums could benefit from the Grimm Audio treatment. Here are a couple of our suggestions for the folks at AP/AcousTech:

Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny

The Clash - London Calling

King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

Van Morrison - Moondance

DSD Amplifier Reloaded

2011-12-26T12:44:00.004+01:00

DSD files and mobile DSD recorders recent gain in popularity among audiophiles, who are now able to rip their own LPs to 5.6448MHz DSD or even make 1:1 copies of SACD collections, has spurred innovative efforts on the manufacturers side this year. Playback Designs, dCS and Mytek added DSD support to their USB DACs, while FOSTEX enabled DSD files playback from high-capacity flash memory cards (SDHC) in their headphone amp/DAC. A come back of a DSD amplifier, tweaked for 2012, could shake things up even more in the upcoming year.

Although the concept of 1-bit DSD amplifier may seem completely new, a bulk of time-consuming and costly R&D work was already done by SHARP company, almost a decade ago. The engineering concept of a DSD amplifier was successfully implemented in an actual commercial product. Introduced in the early 2000s, the world's first 2.8MHz DSD amplifier SM-SX100 ($16000) amazed with its sound quality and stellar tonal neutrality.

„A number of people listened to this amplifier, including myself, my wife, Jason Serinus, and some professional speaker manufacturers. The opinion was universal. The SX100 is an awesome-sounding product. It does not have a "solid-state" sound or a "tube" sound. It is the most neutral sound I have yet heard from an audio product.”

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_1/sharp-sm-sx100-digital-amp-1-2002.html

Following the well-received SM-SX100 SHARP released two more models in the line, SM-SX200 and SM-SX300 (pictured below), working at 5.6MHz and 11.2MHz respectively .

http://mardius.world.coocan.jp/overture/cgi-bin/nicky/nicky200703.html

The three SHARP units had only one problem (aside from the very steep 'high-end' price tag), they were ahead of their times. The lack of an open standard at that time for sending DSD over digital interfaces forced SHARP engineers to create their own interface, shutting the doors to wider popularization of those amplifiers (they could only be connected to one SACD player model from SHARP). Today, with the advent of DSD over USB streaming and computer apps (like Pure Music) allowing for streaming DSD from a computer to external devices the problem is no more.

DSD DAC/Power Amplifier with asynchronous USB interface provides numerous advantages such as:

highest resolution audio files playback support, DSD amplifier can handle DSD files up to 6.1MHz DSD (~140 times the sampling speed of CD).
unparalleled temporal resolution and quick impulse response, due to extremely high sampling speed utilized by the amplifier (latest machines are able to work at 24.5MHz /512fs).
elimination of lossy conversions between PCM and delta sigma present in traditional computer audio setups (either PCM-only USB DACs connected to digital amplifiers or PCM DAC/Integrated Amplifiers such as Bel Canto C5i, or ORB Jade Quartet).
no need for purchasing separate USB DACs, USB/SPDIF converters, clocks, docking stations usually cramming up the space in computer audio setups.
backward compatibility; as all of today's delta sigma amplifiers, a DSD amplifier also accepts PCM data on its digital inputs.

Channel D and Playback Designs unveil Super Computer Audio at the Axpona audio show in NYC

2011-07-02T21:47:00.001+02:00

DSD downloads have just become less virtual, as the two audiophile companies teamed up and introduced world's first consumer audio products enabling DSD files streaming. The latest released version (v1.8) of Channel D's Pure Music software ($129) allows Mac users stream DSD studio master files to Playback Designs MPD-3 D/A converter over USB. The software player/DSD DAC combo is surely a more consumer friendly option than playing DSD files on Korg DSD recorders (lacking USB streaming capability), but also much more expensive. Capable of handling DSD files (up to 6.1MHz) Playback Designs MPD-3 USB DAC is priced at $6500.

There’s no word if Pure Music app will work with the upcoming 192-DSD DAC from MYTEK USA ($1500)

Korg prepares a revolutionary Digital Audio Workstation, boasts pure DSD capability

2010-11-08T19:57:00.009+01:00

An interesting bit of news from the 129th AES Convention that took place in San Francisco, USA on November 4-7th. Korg, earlier awarded by the 1bit Audio Consortium for its MR-2000s 5.6MHz DSD recorder, has just demoed its latest product, Clarity. The prototype Digital Audio Workstation from Korg takes the concept of 128 x DSD audio a one step further. By allowing not only DSD recording but also editing and mixing, DSD pure, at 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz sampling rates, Clarity DAW is able to maintain all the natural characteristics of the original analog signal captured during the recording session up to the final DSD master. Read more...
http://www.recordingmag.com/news/display/501.html

Lyric Nmode presents a new line of 1bit amplifiers at Tokyo Hi-End Show 2010

2010-10-17T17:38:00.019+02:00

The company lead by a former SHARP engineer (involved in the development of SHARP's SM-SX100/200/300 1bit integrated amps) unveiled its new line of digital amplifiers at the Hi-end Show in Tokyo last week. Both units, Nmode X-PM2F (¥140000) and X-PM10 (¥330000), take advantage of 1-bit technology and extremely high sampling speed (24,5MHz!) promising to deliver sound of unprecedented resolution and transparency. Now, if that's not a technology capable of extracting every single detail from SACD, I don't know what is.

Rachel Podger performs Bach with Brecon Baroque (must-see video)

2010-10-02T13:31:00.025+02:00

Her new SACD, Bach Violin Concertos, ships this Monday (October 4th)!

Customers don't want regular CDs anymore, says owner of Music Direct

2010-09-23T19:41:00.008+02:00

"You can't collect a download. There's no physical attachment to a download; the sense of ownership is less clear. Vinyl has the large cover, the whole ritual of playing LPs, the warm sound, and they've all contributed to the resurgence and interest in vinyl from younger consumers. Surprisingly, our digital sales [SACDs] are doing just as well as our vinyl sales right now. Music Direct can hardly sell regular CDs at all—the customers just don't want regular CDs anymore."

- Jim Davis (owner of Music Direct), Stereophile, October 2010 issue

New music from Arvo Pärt, SACD out now!

2010-09-22T20:23:00.020+02:00

In case you've missed our recent tweet about the new Arvo Pärt recording, Cantique, here's a video promoting the release of the latest Sony Classical SACD. Kristjan Järvi really does a splendid job conducting the Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin and the RIAS Kammerchor, the new version of Stabat Mater for Choir and String Orchestra with its transcendent and ethereal character, is especially appealing.

MoFi announces 5 Stevie Ray Vaughan SACDs, first title in October!

2010-08-28T13:38:00.021+02:00

From Music Direct's Facebook page:

Mobile Fidelity proudly announces five Stevie Ray Vaughan SACDs in honor of the guitarist’s legacy! Twenty years ago today, the world lost a musical great. Upon hearing about Vaughan’s death in a tragic helicopter crash that immediately followed a triumphant performance with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray, our collective hearts still sink, knowing that a legend was taken before his time. Vaughan played each note as if it might be his last, infusing his original mix of Texas roadhouse blues, hot-wired rock, and fluid jazz with a soulful passion that permanently left its mark on everyone who heard his huge tones and lived-in drawl. The instantly recognizable guitarist might be gone in person, but he remains with us in spirit on records that remain as vibrant, visceral, and engaging as the day they were originally released. Mastered from the original master tapes and possessing a sound that takes the listener into the recording studio, Mobile Fidelity's hybrid SACDs are a tribute to one of the most beloved players to ever pick up the guitar and ignite our imaginations.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood (Release date: October 2010)

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand The Weather (Release date: TBD)

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Soul To Soul (Release date: TBD)

Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Step (Release date: TBD)

Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Sky Is Crying (Release date: TBD)

Mytek Digital USA to unlock DSD files playback capability via stand-alone USB/FireWire DAC -- a game changer?

2010-08-15T08:42:00.022+02:00

Despite growing attention at audio shows and hype in specialist magazines, the increasing buzz around the subject of computer audio has not in fact translated to making the idea of hi-rez files playback take off in a real way, with many customers satisfied with their hi-end Bose iPod docking stations. Although a few small firms have taken a more serious approach (Linn, Naim et al), aiming to convert the mp3 crowd and bury the legacy 16/44 RBCD format by offering 24/96 PCM files support, they couldn't provide the organic sound we got used to listening to native DSD recordings (available on SACDs).

In comes MYTEK DIGITAL, the US leading manufacturer of digital audio converters, with its new DAC. Aside from basic capabilities of handling hi-rez PCM files (up to 24/192), it will be a first device letting you play native DSD files directly from your hard drive, "with absolute state of the art accuracy and transparency". Mytek has not yet revealed if the device will support both DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz files (although already available Mytek A/D converters offer support for both sampling speeds).

Planned release date: 4Q 2010, price $1500. Now, if only labels like Sony could open their vaults and start selling DSD records through digital distribution...

Specifications:

New 1/2 rack wide series
audiophile quality conversion, 120dB, 192 kHz, DSD
USB2.0 and Firewire interfaces
Standard AES, SPDIF, SDIF, WCK, optical ins/outs
Audiophile quality headphone ampliﬁer
Precision analog stepper attenuator
Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs
Built in optional upsampling to 192k w/ jitter reduction
ultra stable clock reference source with wordclock out

The 'Nat King Cole SACD Project' Launch Center

2010-05-16T16:52:00.092+02:00

With Love is the Thing and The Very Thought of You 45RPM's now shipping, we are less than a month from the release of the (very) special edition SACD versions, containing mono, stereo, and three-track programs (mastered to DSD via the next generation DSD converter - Grimm AD1).

In anticipation for the biggest reissue project of the year, visit our launch center for the latest updates, reviews, and more...

Update 4: Love Is The Thing SACD now shipping!

"Just recieved my copy of the new SACD. This is one incredible sounding disc... It blows my mind that it took 53 years -- Nat Cole was only alive for 44 years! -- to give this classic album its due. On one Super Audio disc, you have the classic mono version, a stereo mix and a multi-channel mix ... I don't see how the SACD release of this album could ever be equaled, let alone bettered."
- Clark Kauffman, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"Oh, Man.
The SACD is wonderful; it is hard to say which (MC/Stereo/Mono) layer I like best. Incredibly beautiful.
I got the Ray Charles "Genius Sings The Blues" SACD a couple of weeks ago. As good as it is -- and it is great, IMO -- the SQ on "Love Is The Thing" leaves it in the dust. Ray's recording sounds old; Nat's sounds new. Nice Work. Just Beautiful."
- jmrife, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"I have literally listened to this SACD a dozen times in the last couple of days; it is phenomenal. Thank you to everybody involved."
- therockman, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"Just got mine... I'm on the third track. Sound quality is spectacular, with a real you are right next to Nat and the musicians feel. I think it may be even better than Very Thought."
- benjaminhuf, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"After listening to the SACD multi channel mixes of "Love Is the Thing", I have to hope that Nat is up in heaven smiling, because I believe that I may have died and gone to heaven and I'm smiling, listening to what seems as if Nat is, "in the room", with me. The stereo and mono mixes are also great sounding. This is exactly what EVERY reissue, from here on out, should strive for, in excellence."
- Chris C, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"got the SACD today, holy cow!!!"
- DJ WILBUR, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"I Love that the close mic'd mono mix is included on the disc!! A whole different perspective..... Very, very cool..... That cello is awesome."
- wes, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"I got my copy of "Love Is The Thing" today (SACD) and it is fantastic. I can't believe how good it sounds, NKC sounds like he is right in the room. Amazing. Somebody at Analogue Productions should send complimentary copies of these Nat King Cole releases to Nancy Sinatra and the Sinatra Estate to demonstrate to them how great Frank could sound if they let Steve and Kevin master his music."
- jpm-boston, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

Update 3: The Very Thought Of You SACD out now!

"Oh Yeah -- it's here and so good. It doesn't disappoint."
- Dale, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"It's the only version I have of this classic, but I am very pleased with the sound of the stereo and mono SACD tracks."
- KeithH, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"Just did an A/B comparison of one song with the 1987 Capitol version of the album, which is actually pretty good, with the new SACD.The SACD stereo seems to me more immediate and richer in sound. Clear winner."
- benjaminhuf, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"SACD (3-channel Multi) Nat is so in the room, that he scared me at first. Very interesting to hear these songs in 3-channel and if you don't have a set-up for this, you need to get one soon."
- Chris C, Steve Hoffman Music Forums

"The orchestra, rhythm section, massed strings, and harp, sits in a semi-circle behind the singer, and EVERY nuance and coloration of his velvet voice is captured and presented with a depth, intimacy, nuance, and subtlety I have NEVER experienced while listening to previous issues of this disc. The Gordon Jenkins arrangements, with all their lushness, chromatic complexities, and melodic contrapuntal invention, are reproduced, nay, ETCHED, like a luminous cloud behind the singer. Also, the DSD resolution allows subtle colors of the instrumental sound to emerge that were buried in previous incarnations of these recordings."
- gonzostick, SA-CD.net

Update 2: Nat King Cole SACDs pushed back... (see updated schedule below)

Update 1: Steve Hoffman talks After Midnight mastering

Our new AFTER MIDNIGHT is of course mono only but we struck our disks and DSD master from the session tapes, some untouched for 53 years. You will be surprised at the amazing sound quality... read more

Release dates:

Nat "King" Cole - The Very Thought of You [Out Now]

Nat "King" Cole - Love Is The Thing [Out Now]

Nat "King" Cole - The Nat King Cole Story [Out Now]

Nat "King" Cole - After Midnight [Out Now]

Nat "King" Cole - Where Did Everyone Go? [Out Now]

Nat "King" Cole - St. Louis Blues [Out Now]

Nat "King" Cole - Just One of Those Things [Out Now]

Nat King Cole: 'The Pianist' (NPR's Jazz Profiles podcast, hosted by Jazz singer Nancy Wilson):
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18715138

Nat King Cole: 'The Singer' (NPR's Jazz Profiles podcast, hosted by Jazz singer Nancy Wilson):
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18913382

Nat King Cole: An Incandescent Voice (NPR's 50 Great Voices podcast):
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126110985

Michael Fremer's Essay on the Nat King Cole Mastering Efforts
http://store.acousticsounds.com/PDF/NKC_Liner-Fremer.pdf

Steve Hoffman on the new release of the Nat King Cole SACD/45 RPM LP series (Positive Feedback podcast)
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue46/hoffman_podcast.htm

Achieving a balance between voice and music on the famous "Love Is The Thing" album. Kevin Gray running the tape machine.

More pics from Nat King Cole SACD mastering sessions...
http://www.stevehoffman.info/pic-mastering-2.html

Verve goes SACD - AP reveals its next reissue series, uses Grimm AD1?

2010-05-09T11:47:00.019+02:00

Just announced, the selection of the best 25 Verve records, all mastered from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at AcousTech, will be available on SACD and 45 RPM Vinyl. Add that number up to the top 50 from Blue Note and 25 from Impulse and you got yourself a not too shabby SACD collection of Jazz classics.

Mr. Gray said in a recent interview: I didn't like the sound of a lot of the convertors that people were using, but I've heard a couple of new ones that I really, really like, and that's what were using on the projects that's were doing. One is made by a company called Grimm Audio in Holland. And I think that's changing the whole complexion of the thing.

Planned release date: early 2011.

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Ella and Louis
Ella Fitzgerald - Like Someone In Love
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella And Louis Again
Ella Fitzgerald - Let No Man Write My Epitaph
Ella Fitzgerald - Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!
Coleman Hawkins - Coleman Hawkins and Confreres
Sonny Stitt - Blows The Blues
Ben Webster Quintet - Soulville
Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges - Back to Back
Coleman Hawkins - Encounters Ben Webster
Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges - Side By Side
Ben Webster - Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson
Johnny Hodges - Blues A Plenty
Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba
Johnny Hodges - Johnny Hodges With Billy Strayhorn
Shelly Manne/Bill Evans - Empathy
Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto - Getz and Gilberto
Wynton Kelly Trio - Smokin' At The Half Note
Ben Webster - The Soul Of Ben Webster
Illinois Jacquet - Swing's The Thing
Billie Holiday - Body And Soul
Billie Holiday - Songs For Distinguished Lovers
Billie Holiday - All Or Nothing At All
Oscar Peterson Trio - West Side Story
Oscar Peterson Trio - We Get Requests

Channel Classics celebrates Pergolesi's 300th birthday. New SACD gets Grimm treatment.

2010-05-08T18:48:00.026+02:00

Scheduled for release next week, the SACD will feature one of the most famous piece of Baroque music, Stabat Mater, written shortly before composer's death, and three other works of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. World renowned performers, Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano) and Robin Blaze (countertenor) share their thoughts on the Italian composer's masterwork during the recording session in South London...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAO0FsU4ABE

Universal Japan announces SHM-SACD, first batch of 20 titles to be released in June.

2010-05-01T14:03:00.014+02:00

There has been a lot of talk and speculation in the week since the announcement at a press conference held in Tokyo, April 21. What we know so far is that the "hybrid" of two technologies (Super High Material CD & Super Audio CD) will not be a hybrid disc (so it goes without saying SACD capable player will come in handy), only stereo program will be included (no multichannel, sorry), the recent highly publicized Universal Music Group price drop in the U.S. will not extend to UM Japan SHM-SACD pricing (￥4500/$48). The initial set of 20 SHM-SACDs will be out on June 30. Next batches should be expected every two months, according to the press release.

SHM-SACDs - first batch (30 June 2010)

Steely Dan - Aja
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
The Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
The Who - Who's Next
Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground and Nico
The Allman Brothers Band - Live At Fillmore East
Derek & The Dominoes - Layla
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
The Police - Synchronicity
The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed
Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto - Getz / Gilberto
John Coltrane - John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Ella And Louis
Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan W/ Clifford Brown
Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem - Herbert von Karajan
Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3 "Organ" / Danse Macabre, etc. - Daniel Barenboim
Bartok: Concerto For Orchestra / Dance Suite, etc. - Sir Georg Solti
Liszt: Sonata In B Minor - Claudio Arrau
J.S.Bach: Orchestral Suites No.1 & No.2 - Karl Richter

Stereo Sound issues Pure DSD SACDs

2010-03-29T20:55:00.023+02:00

It is only right that native DSD records should be recognized by the audiophile magazines in the mecca of high-end audio. Japanese Stereo Sound has just released two compilations aiming to demonstrate the benefits of pure DSD recording method. Both discs - Classical and Jazz & Vocal, in what seems to be the beginning of a series, are great chance to find out why pure DSD has recently sparked new life into the struggling SACD format.

Will European and US publishers follow suit remains to be seen but amidst all the politics and payola, the sooner they realize the technology can no longer be ignored, the better for their tarnished credibility and great sound enthusiasts on both continents. Hopefully, growing awareness and numbers of DSD ~~fanatics~~ purists will put pressure on record labels as well to update their recording equipment and make a switch to pure DSD ASAP.

Korg to launch a new DSD portable MR-2 in May

2010-03-25T20:18:00.020+01:00

The latest in the line of Korg DSD recorders will be available in May 2010. Priced at 75,600 yen (around $800), the device will offer 1bit/2.8224MHz SACD sound quality, USB 2.0 interface and a capability of recording directly to SD and SDHC cards among other innovative features.

More details at:
http://www.korg.co.uk/products/digital_recording/mr/dr_mr2.php

The best is yet to come, industry’s leading SACD companies switching to next-gen Grimm Audio AD1 DSD converter

2010-02-06T18:30:00.027+01:00

Although you won't find any fancy sticker on the cover of Mahler: Symphony no. 4, Fischer/BFO or Nat King Cole SACD’s, a major sonic enhancement was achieved in the production process of these new SACD releases from Channel Classics and Analogue Productions. In the recording/ mastering chain both specialist labels employed the next-gen A/D converter, Grimm AD1. Designed by the high-end Dutch manufacturer, Grimm Audio, the device could be the most groundbreaking invention yet in the 10-year history of the SACD format (and the history of high resolution digital audio).

Minimizing distortions (THD -129 dB) and maintaining extremely low jitter of the clock down to very low jitter frequencies, the team of Grimm Audio engineers managed to design the Analog to Digital converter that lets the perfect impulse response sound of the SACD format shine in its full glory.

The sound of Grimm recorded SACD's is AMAZING, it totally closes the gap between analog and digital in terms of enjoyment one takes from listening to music (it completely removes digital feel from the listening experience!), sonic image captured by Grimm AD1 is extremely transparent and spacious, full of subtle detail and vivid tone colors which are strikingly realistic - that's how music should sound in our homes in the XXI century!

52nd Grammy Awards SACD Nominees List

2009-12-29T20:50:00.037+01:00

The 52nd Grammy Awards nominees have been announced earlier this month. Among the SACD labels recognized by The Recording Academy this year are Mariinsky Label, Harmonia Mundi, Telarc, Boston Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony. Worth noting is great success of BSO's release Daphnis et Chloe and SFS' Mahler: Symphony No. 8, both recordings receiving nominations in three categories. Another notable achievement is multiple nominations for the first two releases by the newly formed label Mariinsky, Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15 and Shostakovich: Nose. SACD releases dominated in Best Engineered Album (Classical) , Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance and Best Surround Sound Album categories

Congratulations to all the nominees!

Best Engineered Album, Classical

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15

John Newton & Dirk Sobotka, engineers (Valery Gergiev & Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre) [Mariinsky]

Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé

Jesse Lewis & John Newton, engineers (James Levine, Tanglewood Festival Chorus & Boston Symphony Orchestra) [BSO Classics]

Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10

Peter Laenger, engineer (Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony) [SFS Media]

Best Classical Album

Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé

James Levine, conductor; Elizabeth Ostrow, producer; Jesse Lewis & John Newton, engineers/mixers; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Boston Symphony Orchestra; Tanglewood Festival Chorus)

[BSO Classics]

Shostakovich: The Nose

Valery Gergiev, conductor; Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur & Vladislav Sulimsky; James Mallinson, producer; John Newton & Dirk Sobotka, engineers/mixers; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre; Chorus Of The Mariinsky Theatre)

[Mariinsky]

Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10

Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors; Andreas Neubronner, producer;

Peter Laenger, engineer/mixer; Andreas Neubronner, mastering engineer (Laura Claycomb, Anthony Dean Griffey, Katarina Karnéus, Quinn Kelsey, James Morris, Yvonne Naef, Elza van den Heever & Erin Wall; San Francisco Symphony; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Girls Chorus & San Francisco Symphony Chorus)

[SFS Media]

Best Orchestral Performance

Bruckner: Symphony No. 5

Benjamin Zander, conductor (Philharmonia Orchestra)

[Telarc]

Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé

James Levine, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra; Tanglewood Festival Chorus)

[BSO Classics]

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15

Valery Gergiev, conductor (Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)

[Mariinsky]

Best Opera Recording

Shostakovich: The Nose

Valery Gergiev, conductor; Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur & Vladislav Sulimsky; James Mallinson, producer (Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre; Chorus Of The Mariinsky Theatre)

[Mariinsky]

Best Choral Performance

Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10

Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors

(Laura Claycomb, Anthony Dean Griffey, Elza van den Heever, Katarina Karnéus, Quinn Kelsey, James Morris, Yvonne Naef & Erin Wall; San Francisco Symphony; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Girls Chorus)

[SFS Media]

Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra)

Bermel, Derek: Voices For Solo Clarinet And Orchestra

Gil Rose, conductor; Derek Bermel (Boston Modern Orchestra Project)

Track from: Bermel, Derek: Voices

[BMOP/Sound]

Best Small Ensemble Performance

Lang, David: The Little Match Girl Passion

Paul Hillier, conductor; Ars Nova Copenhagen & Theatre Of Voices

[Harmonia Mundi]

Song Of Songs

Stile Antico (Alison Hill & Benedict Hymas)

[harmonia mundi]

Best Surround Sound Album

Transmigration

Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Elaine Martone, surround producer (Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses)

[Telarc]

Flute Mystery

Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L'Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Emily Beynon, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Fred Johnny Berg, Catherine Beynon & Philharmonia Orchestra)

[2L/Lindberg Lyd]

Kleiberg: Treble & Bass

Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L'Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Daniel Reuss, Trondheim Symfoniorkester, Marianne Thorsen & Göran Sjölin)

[2L/Lindberg Lyd]

Genesis 1970 - 1975

Nick Davis, surround mix engineer; Tony Cousins, surround mastering engineer; Nick Davis, surround producer (Genesis)

[Atlantic/Rhino]

Producer Of The Year, Classical

James Mallinson

MacMillan, James: St. John Passion (Sir Colin Davis, Christopher Maltman, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra)

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 (Valery Gergiev, Choir Of Eltham College, Choral Arts Society Of Washington, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra)

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15 (Valery Gergiev & Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)

Shostakovich: The Nose (Valery Gergiev, Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur, Vladislav Sulimsky, Chorus Of The Mariinsky Theatre & Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)

Esoteric RZ-1 Super Audio CD music system

2009-12-12T16:08:00.009+01:00

Anyone remember Linn Classik? A one box CD / amplifier combo introduced by the Scottish manufacturer around 1999? Well, here's a more up to date take on the concept of an all-in-one audio device which much better addresses audiophiles' needs of today. Whether you've just received some new SACDs in the mail or downloaded hi-rez files on to your PC, the new Esoteric RZ-1 Super Audio music system will handle them effortlessly - the device integrates a Super Audio CD player, USB DAC (for PC audio) and a class D amplifier (2x100W).

Jazz on SACD, it doesn't get any better than this.

2009-11-25T11:59:00.042+01:00

Those having some issues with the dominant role of Classical music in the SACD format and willing to shell out a couple bucks more for carefully made DSD transfers, should take note of the great job these small, specialist labels are doing. The Blue Note/Impulse SACD project launched this year by Analogue Productions is destined for "you gotta collect 'em all" status, similar to the Living Stereo reissue series of legendary Classical performances. Some of the best albums recorded in Jazz are on the APO's ambitious schedule, which includes such classics as Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Moanin', Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady, John Coltrane - Blue Train, Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder. The complete list is presented for your pleasure and budget planning below (updated as of June 3, 2010).

Analogue Productions – Blue Note series SACD:

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Moanin' Product No: CBNJ 84003 SA stereo [released]
Art Taylor - A.T.'s Delight Product No: CBNJ 84047 SA stereo [released]
Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else Product No: CBNJ 81595 SA stereo [released]
Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore - Blowing In From Chicago Product No: CBNJ 81549 SA stereo
Dexter Gordon - Dexter Calling Product No: CBNJ 84083 SA stereo [released]
Dexter Gordon - Go Product No: CBNJ 84112 SA stereo [released]
Dizzy Reece - Soundin' Off Product No: CBNJ 84033 SA stereo
Duke Jordan - Flight to Jordan Product No: CBNJ 84046 SA stereo
Fred Jackson - Hootin' 'N Tootin' Product No: CBNJ 84094 SA stereo [released]
Freddie Hubbard - Hub Cap Product No: CBNJ 84073 SA stereo
Freddie Hubbard - Hub-Tones Product No: CBNJ 84115 SA stereo
Grant Green - Grantstand Product No: CBNJ 84086 SA stereo
Grant Green - Green Street Product No: CBNJ 84071 SA stereo [released]
Grant Green - Idle Moments Product No: CBNJ 84154 SA stereo [released]
Hank Mobley - A Caddy For Daddy Product No: CBNJ 84230 SA stereo [released]
Hank Mobley - Dippin' Product No: CBNJ 84209 SA stereo
Hank Mobley - No Room For Squares Product No: CBNJ 84149 SA stereo
Hank Mobley - Peckin' Time Product No: CBNJ 81574 SA stereo
Hank Mobley - Workout Product No: CBNJ 84080 SA stereo
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage Product No: CBNJ 84195 SA stereo
Horace Parlan - Movin' & Groovin' Product No: CBNJ 84028 SA stereo
Horace Silver - The Tokyo Blues Product No: CBNJ 84110 SA stereo [released]
Horace Silver Quintet & Trio - Blowin' The Blues Away Product No: CBNJ 84017 SA stereo
Ike Quebec - Blue & Sentimental Product No: CBNJ 84098 SA stereo
Ike Quebec - It Might As Well Be Spring Product No: CBNJ 84105 SA stereo [released]
Ike Quebec - Soul Samba Bossa Nova Product No: CBNJ 84114 SA stereo [released]
Jackie McLean - Capuchin Swing Product No: CBNJ 84038 SA stereo [released]
Jackie McLean - Jackie's Bag Product No: CBNJ 84051 SA stereo [released]
Jackie McLean - New Soil Product No: CBNJ 84013 SA stereo
Jimmy Smith - Back At The Chicken Shack Product No: CBNJ 84117 SA stereo
Jimmy Smith - Midnight Special Product No: CBNJ 84078 SA stereo
Joe Henderson - Page One Product No: CBNJ 84140 SA stereo [released]
John Coltrane - Blue Train Product No: CBNJ 81577 SA stereo [released]
John Patton - Along Came John Product No: CBNJ 84130 SA stereo [released]
Johnny Griffin - Introducing Johnny Griffin Product No: CBNJ 81533 SA mono
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue Product No: CBNJ 84123 SA stereo [coming June 15, 2010]
Kenny Burrell - On View at the Five Spot Cafe Product No: CBNJ 84021 SA stereo
Kenny Dorham - Whistle Stop Product No: CBNJ 84063 SA stereo [released]
Lee Morgan - Lee-way Product No: CBNJ 84034 SA stereo [released]
Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder Product No: CBNJ 84157 SA stereo
Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk Product No: CBNJ 81593 SA stereo [released]
Lou Donaldson - Here 'Tis Product No: CBNJ 84066 SA stereo [released]
Lou Donaldson - Sunny Side Up Product No: CBNJ 84036 SA stereo
Lou Donaldson - The Time Is Right Product No: CBNJ 84025 SA stereo
Paul Chambers - Whims of Chambers Product No: CBNJ 1534 SA mono [coming June 15, 2010]
Sonny Rollins - Vol. 2 Product No: CBNJ 1558 SA mono [coming June 15, 2010]
Stanley Turrentine - Up At Minton's Volume 1 Product No: CBNJ 84069 SA stereo
The 3 Sounds - Bottom's Up Product No: CBNJ 84014 SA stereo [released]
The 3 Sounds - Introducing The 3 Sounds Product No: CBNJ 81600 SA stereo
Walter Davis Jr. - Davis Cup Product No: CBNJ 84018 SA stereo

Analogue Productions - Impulse Series SACD:

Art Blakey - !!Art Blakey!! Jazz Messengers!! Product No: CIPJ 7 SA stereo
Ben Webster - See You at the Fair Product No: CIPJ 65 SA stereo [released]
Charles Mingus - Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus Product No: CIPJ 54 SA stereo [released]
Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady Product No: CIPJ 35 SA stereo
Coleman Hawkins - Today And Now Product No: CIPJ 34 SA stereo
Coleman Hawkins - Wrapped Tight Product No: CIPJ 87 SA stereo
Count Basie - Count Basie & The Kansas City 7 Product No: CIPJ 15 SA stereo
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane Product No: CIPJ 30 SA stereo
Duke Ellington and Coleman Hawkins - Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins Product No: CIPJ 26 SA stereo
Elvin Jones - Dear John C. Product No: CIPJ 88 SA stereo
Freddie Hubbard - The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard Product No: CIPJ 27 SA stereo
Freddie Hubbard - The Body & The Soul Product No: CIPJ 38 SA stereo
Gil Evans - Out Of The Cool Product No: CIPJ 4 SA stereo [released]
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Product No: CIPJ 77 SA stereo
John Coltrane - Coltrane Product No: CIPJ 21 SA stereo [released]
John Coltrane - John Coltrane Quartet Plays Product No: CIPJ 85 SA stereo
John Lee Hooker - It Serve You Right To Suffer Product No: CIPJ 9103 SA stereo
Johnny Hartman - The Voice That Is Product No: CIPJ 74 SA stereo
McCoy Tyner - Inception Product No: CIPJ 18 SA stereo
McCoy Tyner - Nights Of Ballads And Blues Product No: CIPJ 39 SA stereo
Oliver Nelson - The Blues and the Abstract Truth Product No: CIPJ 5 SA stereo
Roy Haynes Quartet - Out Of The Afternoon Product No: CIPJ 23 SA stereo
Shelly Manne - 2, 3, 4 Product No: CIPJ 20 SA stereo
Sonny Rollins - On Impulse Product No: CIPJ 91 SA stereo
Sonny Stitt & Paul Gonsalves - Salt & Pepper Product No: CIPJ 52 SA stereo

PD-D9mk2 SACD player gets reviewed in the latest issue of Hi-Fi Choice magazine

2009-11-08T16:00:00.018+01:00

"The new SACD player is a winner with all kinds of music, especially classical...

...We listened to a few opera tracks and were struck by the way this most complex of musical forms was always homogenous and dramatic, but still clearly composed of individual voices and instruments. It's a bit like the ornate front of a cathedral - you can admire its outline from a distance or walk up close and appreciate the details of the stone-carves' art."

Full review on page 28, enjoy!

http://es-cat.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416101526&o=int&prev=sub&p=123

(click to enlarge)

Wish You Were Here 35th Anniversary Edition [HYBRID SACD - DSD]

2009-11-07T08:53:00.005+01:00

Just when everyone thought the SACD edition of the classic Pink Floyd album had already entered the urban legend territory, we finally get some information about the project that sounds pretty solid and believable. According to Gus Skinas, Super Audio Center (Boulder, Colorado USA), as of October 2009, the WYWH DSD master is finished and expected to come out soon. One of the first people who got a chance to listen to the WYWH SACD was Chad Kassem, owner of Acoustic Sounds. The recording "knocked his socks off".

Although no release date was set just yet, 2010 seems very realistic as it coincides with the 35th anniversary of Wish You Were Here original release. Stay tuned!

"Elvis Is Back" and "Elvis 24 Karat Hits" coming to SACD!

2009-10-30T18:55:00.029+01:00

Great news for all Elvis fans, the release of two albums by the King of Rock 'N' Roll, "Elvis Is Back" SACD and "Elvis 24 Karat Hits" SACD, was announced yesterday at SH.TV forum. Steve Hoffman, responsible for the mastering, has additionally confirmed he will be using Grimm Audio AD1 DSD converter for the SACD transfers.

Elvis Presley - 24 Karat Hits (Hybrid SACD)

Elvis Presley - Elvis Is Back (Hybrid SACD)

Nat King Cole SACDs to be premiered at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2009

2009-09-28T21:48:00.012+02:00

Following the rumors of Steve Hoffman undertaking an epic project of re-issuing the Nat King Cole catalogue on SACD, this year's Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (2-4 October) held in Denver, USA will finally let the listeners hear the new SACDs.

The preview presentation will be a part of the lecture on the art of mastering Steve Hoffman and Chad Kassem (Analogue Productions) are about to give during the hi-end audio show. DSD engineer, Gus Skinas (Super Audio PROJECT) will be responsible for assuring highest quality playback for these brand new DSD transfers.

A complete list of the Nat King Cole SACD re-issues includes the following titles:

After Midnight
Love Is The Thing
Just One Of Those Things
Songs From "St. Louis Blues"
The Very Thought Of You
Where Did Everyone Go?
The Nat "King" Cole Story

The exact release dates for the SACDs are expected to be revealed by Chad Kassem during the show.

More details:
http://audiofest.net/2009/index.php
http://audiofest.net/2009/seminars.php

Marantz Super Audio-CD/CD player SA8003 awarded Best Audio Source 2009-2010 by EISA

2009-09-05T14:48:00.031+02:00

When asked about the current situation of the SACD format (in its 10th year anniversary), the founder of Channel Classics, Jared Sacks, comments without hesitation the format is still the best. Well it looks like the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) must have come to the same conclusion as it has just awarded the latest Marantz SA8003 Super Audio CD player Best European Audio Source 2009-2010.

Here are some of its main features:

Super Audio CD/CD playback
DSD DAC Chip
Toroidal Transformer
new Xyron loading mechanism
HDAM-SA2
Rigid dual-layer chassis
Gold-plated outputs

You'll find more information about the SACD player at the link below:

http://www.marantz.com/

San Francisco Symphony to release its new recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 on SACD!

2009-08-23T18:05:00.010+02:00

"...this promises to be a triumphant capstone to the entire cycle." -San Francisco Chronicle

Mahler's immense creation-featuring hundreds of musicians, three choruses, and soloists-is a symphony so epic in scope that it has been dubbed the "Symphony of A Thousand." Mahler's Eighth—a tale of damnation and salvation—is quintessentially a romantic work, but it owes a great debt to the towering Baroque choral works of J.S. Bach.

The recently released by SFS video footage from the recording presents truly stunning performance excerpts as well as interesting insights from the music director of the San Francisco Symphony Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the piece, Erin Wall (Soprano), Robert Ward (Principal Horn) and Andreas Neubronner, the SACD recording producer.

San Francisco Symphony

Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

Erin Wall, soprano

Elza van den Heever, soprano

Laura Claycomb, soprano

Katarina Karnéus, mezzo-soprano

Yvonne Naef, mezzo-soprano

Anthony Dean Griffey, tenor

Quinn Kelsey, baritone

James Morris, bass-baritone

San Francisco Symphony Chorus Ragnar Bohlin, director

Pacific Boychoir Kevin Fox, director

San Francisco Girls Chorus Susan McMane, director

Recorded live at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco

Symphony No. 8 November 19-23, 2008

Adagio from Symphony No. 10 April 6-8, 2006

The SACD should be available on August 25.

Source: http://shopsfsymphony.org/shop/product.php?productid=1510&cat=22&page=1

New SACD titles from Mobile Fidelity

2009-08-13T20:31:00.033+02:00

Although the recent introduction of the new Sony SACD player SCD-XA5400ES and its surprising success (according to the Sony website the next production run should be available in November 2009) made many audiophiles wonder if the Sony corporation would finally start showing some more support for its hi-rez format, no such thing happened (aside from a few SACD releases from Sony owned RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical).

This month we got a reply from Brad Olson (Legacy Recordings website admin) that sheds more light on the situation at hand. As you may already know, Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music that's in control of Sony BMG Masterworks, Columbia, RCA, Epic and Jive catalogs, some time ago started gathering Reissue Requests from customers on-line.

Despite the considerable number of votes for SACD reissues on the Legacy Recordings website here's what Brad Olson (Legacy Recordings website admin) had to say after seeing yet another SACD reissue suggestion (Kansas - Leftoverture SACD) added to the website...

"The market for SACD really isn't that huge for popular music, and most people who buy these releases are audiophiles, so Sony would most likely try and license this title as an SACD to Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab or Analogue Productions or some other audiophile label that requests it from Sony."

The reply is rather disappointing, as it clearly shows that Sony isn't interested in releasing music in high resolution, but there's still some (business) sense to it. Sony, being a major record label, has to focus its strategy on expanding market share in mass consumer segment (Sony prepares new digital format to compete with Apple, read more here http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/aug/10/major-labels-new-digital-format) but is also willing to license their own titles for Hybrid SACD reissues to specialist labels like the mentioned Analogue Productions and Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab that are targeting high resolution music segment, the latter has just announced new SACD titles:

The Band - Rock of Ages (SACD)

The Band - Northern Lights, Southern Cross (SACD)

The Band - Cahoots (SACD)

The Doobie Brothers - The Captain and Me (SACD)

The Doobie Brothers - Takin' It To The Streets (SACD)

St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra launches its own label, employs pure DSD recording technology.

2009-07-14T18:14:00.062+02:00

While major record labels keep concentrating on quick profits, still releasing classical music on low resolution Compact Discs, more and more orchestras look to Super Audio CD as the more appropriate medium for presenting their works to the fans worldwide. Taking things into their own hands the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra have already started their own record labels releasing Hybrid SACDs. Today another household name, St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, joins in. Recognizing the need to record the music without decimation process of pcm, Mariinsky Label will be releasing pure DSD recordings letting listeners hear the music exactly as intended by musicians performing in Mariinsky Concert Hall.

Their first two titles are Shostakovich: The Nose (Valery Gergiev/ Mariinsky Orchestra) and Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 1 & 15 (Valery Gergiev/ Mariinsky Orchestra). The first SACD already received rave reviews from The Guardian (5/5), and BBC Music Magazine (Recording of the Month).

I highly recommend anyone to check the snippets of the recordings at the link below.

http://www.mariinskylabel.com/page/2/Catalogue/1

"SACD works by using a method of capturing the audio signal called Direct Stream Digital (DSD). The process eliminates many of the steps previously used to get audio on to a standard CD. These stages resulted in the waveform of a sound being 'translated' into a digital interpretation which led to nuances and details of sounds being lost. DSD eliminates these stages and produces an audio signal that is true to the original sound."

http://www.mariinskylabel.com/page/13/FAQs

PD-D9MK2, a new SACD Player from Pioneer

2009-06-09T11:05:00.047+02:00

Following the last year's highly acclaimed PD-D9 SACD player (one of the best selling machines in Japan during 2008) here comes the new and upgraded version PD-D9MK2 and the matching amplifier A-A9MK2.

Although the previous Pioneer system (amplifier A-A9 and SACD player PD-D9) equipped with highly-efficient twin toroidal transformers, quick response power supply circuit and twin Wolfson DSD DACs could produce very resolving and open sound (which is a prerequisite for proper hi-rez playback), the setup was occasionally lacking in the lowest bass region. The new MK2 version of Pioneer's flagship audio system improves on its low frequencies performance, in result giving a greater sense of scale to the sound we get during our Super Audio CD experience.

Sounds promising? Let's just wait for the new Pioneer SACD player to hit the stores so we have the opportunity to feed it our favorite SACDs and hear for ourselves how much of an improvement it really is.

(click on the image to enlarge)

Nat King Cole titles coming to SACD!

2009-05-30T18:56:00.060+02:00

Nat King Cole - Love is the Thing (SACD)

Nat King Cole - After Midnight (SACD)

Nat King Cole - Just One of Those Things (SACD)

Nat King Cole - The Very Thought of You (SACD)

Just announced in a recent Acoustic Sounds catalog (check p. 75 for a complete list of the upcoming SACDs).

"As some of you know, Kevin Gray and I have been working on a bunch of wonderful Nat "King" Cole Capitol Records' reissues for Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions over the past 1/2 year. We are doing three-channel surround SACD's direct from three-track tapes with a two-channel and CD layer plus some extra-special 45 RPM 180 gram vinyl. So you will be able to hear Nat coming out of your center channel (on the three-channel SACD layer) and nicely balanced on your CD and SACD two channel layers and then on the uniquely mixed vinyl versions. Get an SACD player."
- Steve Hoffman

"...in addition to the SACD three-channel surround, SACD two-channel and CD layer there will be for four Nat albums the authentic original dedicated monaural LP mixes on the SACD/CD as well. Chad Kassem understands the significance of the mono versions (being the "hit" versions that sold millions of records).

LOVE IS THE THING, THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU, JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS and ST. LOUIS BLUES.

By the way The Very Thought Of You will have the bonus tracks DON'T BLAME ME & THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE (rejected from original sessions) in mono, never issued that way. And, St. Louis Blues will have the full overture restored in mono for the first time since 1960.

This means you will be able to hear the real deal plus a surround and stereo mix of these legendary albums. By real deal I mean the close-miked mono creation, done live in Capitol Tower Studios A & B along with the "upstairs" control room creation, the stereo versions with a different set of microphones and parameters. This is very exciting to me. These mono versions have been out of print since the 1960's and we will use the original mono reels, mastered flat to DSD via the awesome Grimm A/DSD converter."

"For us, in that situation the Grimm [A/D DSD converter] killed the Meitner. It sounded exactly like the analog, both tone wise and ambiance wise. Very impressive."
- Steve Hoffman

It looks like we are in for a musical feast!

...and I don't even want to bring up Ella Fitzgerald SACD reissue plans yet.

Stereophile magazine anti-SACD tactics exposed again!

2009-05-16T13:08:00.024+02:00

Stereophile magazine CD & vinyl propaganda and the ongoing mudslinging of the most successful high resolution format SACD, is making audiophile community stand against the magazine's shady tactics more firmly, with SACD.net becoming the new battleground in the clash between high resolution music enthusiasts and Stereophile represented on the forum by John Atkinson, Kal Rubinson and Jason Victor Serinus.

Some recent examples of Stereophile notoriously biased coverage of SACD:

Review of the new Marantz SA-11S2 SACD player http://puresuperaudio.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-marantz-sa-11s2-sacd-player-review.html

Review of the new Sony 5400ES SACD player with disturbing "Sony's Last SACD Player?" front cover headline!

Review of the new McIntosh MCD500 SACD player...
"SACD: Born 1999 Died 2009? I didn't know, I didn't particularly care. I did discover, much to my surprise I have about 500 SACDs-most of them sonically spectacular and musically worthless. Still, it's nice to have a machine to play them . The CD layers of SACD discs almost invariably sound like shit. Deliberate?"

You can check the discussion and drop your feedback at the official SA-CD.net boards: http://sa-cd.net/showthread/37874//y?page=first

Hi-rez demystified: Is RBCD (16bit/44,1kHz) a low resolution audio format?

2009-05-13T20:43:00.020+02:00

In order to give a sound and honest answer to this question, one has to first look at audio formats currently available as it's important to put a redbook CD in the right perspective, we currently have:

16-bit/44,1kHz
20-bit/44,1kHz
24-bit/48kHz
24-bit/88,2kHz
24-bit/96kHz
24-bit/176,4kHz
24-bit/192kHz
DSD 2,8MHz

Another very important thing we all should keep in mind is the fact that even analogue recording systems used in the 50's, 60's and 70's also had greater resolution than 16bit/44,1kHz (our first attempt at digital audio) so today no one at major record labels is even thinking about archiving master tapes in 16bit/44,1kHz resolution, why?

Because major record labels (contrary to many CD players dealers) know very well that 16bit/44,1kHz is too low resolution for recording music and/or archiving master tapes.

So going back to the original question, 16bit/44,1kHz (RBCD) is not only a low resolution format, it is actually the lowest resolution audio format in music history!

Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band - Hoodoo Man Blues now on SACD!

2009-05-03T09:38:00.010+02:00

Another classic recording which to this day was unfortunately missing in the SACD catalogue, Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band (with Buddy Guy) - Hoodoo Man Blues is now available on the SACD format! With its funk and rock influences Hoodoo Man Blues has been considered one of the greatest blues albums of the 60's. The recording received great critical acclaim and you can read much about it in many reviews available, but there's this one quote which most accurately describes what you can expect from the tune: "Hoodoo Man Blues is so full of bravado and snap it'll make you feel tough just listening to it." - truer words have never been said about the recording!

Having already a chance to listen to 180g vinyl of Hoodoo Man Blues (which sounds marvelous) my appetite for the SACD has only grown bigger, can't wait to hear the full dynamic range of the original master!

SACD mastered by Kevin Gray.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=57731

Why record labels continue ripping us off with redbook CDs?

2009-04-18T15:44:00.037+02:00

"44,1kHz was never enough for music" - the what seems to be a widely known fact in the audiophile world, highly publicized recently by the latest "Deep Listening: why audio quality matters" discussion, was actually quite a news for a lot of people (especially from the younger generation). But the issue raised during the panel isn't of course a new revelation, as the subject was discussed as early as 1982 or 1993...

Here's a short yet very interesting video from '93 where Peter Gabriel and Neil Young among others speak their thoughts. Neil Young throws in a very valuable comment that although with digital PCM 44,1kHz we are able to easily manipulate the signal and edit it, we lost the analog sound, "we don't have the sound anymore, unfortunately it's gone" he comments... Point taken - it's high time we finally went back to sound merits instead of ease of editing and copying.

The best part in the video are in my opinion the concluding words concentrating on how to improve digital sound (hint at Hybrid SACD?)

"Perhaps the best way to make digital sound more like a continuous (analog) thing is to have more samples per second, the technology exists to do that now, but until such a system can be made compatible with current CDs we‘re unlikely to get it."

Today, although we finally have all the ingredients of the next-gen digital audio format realized in Hybrid SACD discs which carry the high density (DSD) layer and backwards compatible 44,1kHz (CD) layer, many record labels still try to feed us with low resolution redbook CDs, when we already told the waiter the soup is too thin and unpalatable!

New Pioneer PDX-Z10 SACD/Network player.

2009-04-16T23:25:00.006+02:00

Pioneer is set to release a new SACD/Network player in May - PDX-Z10. Although the all-in-one receiver sports the same design as the predecessor Z9, according to producer's website (http://pioneer.jp/components/z10/) PDX-Z10 has some significant upgrades under the hood with the emphasis on sound quality improvement, purity of amplification and machine's resolving power.

As far as functionalities go, we have Super Audio CD playback, FLAC files support, USB port, Ethernet connectivity for Internet radio and/or streaming music from NAS in your LAN network, among other useful features.

Price: 150000 yen ($1500)

Channel Classics records to receive "Technical Excellence in Recording" 2009 Award for pure DSD recording!

2009-04-06T21:22:00.004+02:00

As recently announced by Jared Sacks himself, Channel Classics will be honored BBC Music Magazine's "Technical Excellence in Recording" 2009 Award for its Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 2 - Pieter Wispelwey SACD release.

The Award ceremony is going to take place in London on April 7, 2009.

Congratulations!

Source: SA-CD.net

Exit LP --> Enter DSD.

2009-04-04T09:37:00.017+02:00

The idea of ripping Vinyl records to digital isn't new, and the aim was always clear - to stop degrading the sound quality of Vinyl, make the playback more easier and preserve any slightest detail of the analog recording. Earlier attempts at transferring LPs to PCM, whether due to insufficient resolution or the signature of PCM decimation filters applied in PCM converters, couldn't guarantee fulfillment of the most important requirement - the Analog sound.

Today the discussion on audiogon, head-fi and other forums has already started, all eyes or rather ears are on recently released devices by Korg, MR-1000 and MR-2000S. It looks like audiophiles may have finally found the solution they have always been looking for.

You can watch Korg MR-2000S in action in the video presentation below, the device offers DSD (DSF, DSDIFF and WSD files) recording and playback functionality.

What's very important here, during DSD recording no decimation filters are applied, no decimation errors occur and no decimation filter signature is introduced to the analog signal. Result, I think everybody had already a chance to listen and find out how realistic DSD (SACD) recordings sourced from Original Master Tapes sound.

Korg devices allow for recording at 2,8224MHz sampling rate (SACD) so they are not only able to produce better quality than hi-rez PCM (as SACD/DSD2,8MHz recordings proved already), but also offer DSD 5,6448MHz recording option (there is no higher resolution available to audiophiles, period).

(click on image to enlarge)

Additional info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYPuiRVA4jA (English)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rGud5y7raA (French)

http://www.korg.co.jp/Product/DRS/MR-2000S/
http://www.korg.com/Product.aspx?pd=417
http://www.korg.co.uk/products/digital_recording/mr/dr_mr2000s.asp

Mahler - Symphony No. 4 (Budapest Festival Orchestra/Ivan Fischer) receives 10/10 review from Classics Today!

2009-03-28T21:31:00.006+01:00

"When orchestral musicians miss a note or botch an entrance, it's called a "mistake". When conductors screw up, it's called (as likely as not) "interpretation". While it helps to have first-hand experience of podium misfeasance, astute listeners often can tell when the conductor controls the orchestra, and when he's basically out of his depth. The fact is, podium incompetence isn't nearly as rare as you might think. So when I say that there is no better-conducted recording of Mahler's Fourth Symphony available than this one, it's in this very special context."

Full review:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=12151

New high definition pure audio players from Japanese audio giants, Luxman and Esoteric...

2009-03-27T22:03:00.021+01:00

Luxman D-06 SACD/CD player

(click on the image to enlarge)

Luxman D-06 specifications:
http://www.phileweb.com/ec/index.php?p=20205

Price: 525000 yen ($5300)

Esoteric SA-50 SACD/CD player

(click on the image to enlarge)

Esoteric SA-50 specifications:
http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esoteric/sa50/indexe.html

Esoteric SA-50 SACD review:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/esoteric18/sa50.html

SA-50 video presentation from Esoteric's booth (from this years CES 2009): http://uk.cinenow.com/videos/2024-esoteric-sa50-cd-player-e03-phono-pre-amp-a03-power-amp

Price: 409000 yen ($4100)

Both Super Audio CD players, Luxman D-06 and Esoteric SA-50, can play SACD natively in studio quality 1-bit DSD mode (without decimation).

What's also worth mentioning SA-50 comes with additional USB port ready for connection with external music server [can't say based on the information provided by Esoteric whether SA-50 can handle DSD 2,8MHz and DSD 5,6MHz (DFF or DSF files) through USB input though]

Please take note that since these SACD players have been released in Japan in March, it may take a month or two until they will be released in other countries as well.

Polyhymnia 10th Year Anniversary.

2009-03-24T21:06:00.001+01:00

Equipped with high definition recording workstations Sadie 8, Sonoma, Pyramix, A/D and D/A converters from dCS, EMM Labs, Mytek, sample rate converters from dCS, Philips, Weiss and last but definitely not least, equipped with huge recording knowledge and experience, Polyhymnia for 10 years already, has continued to astonish us with state-of-the-art DSD recordings.

If you're interested in their story, how Polyhymnia formed and developed throughout its first 10 years, what record labels they worked with and what their biggest achievements are so far, please head to Audiophile Audition website as they recently did a nice special feature acknowledging the company.

http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=5628

First two Impulse SACD reissue titles coming in April!

2009-03-21T14:48:00.014+01:00

Gil Evans - Out of the Cool (AP SACD)

Charles Mingus - Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus (AP SACD)

SACDs mastered by Kevin Gray

Requiem - Conspirare/Craig Hella Johnson receives 10/10 review from Classics Today!

2009-03-20T19:32:00.008+01:00

You can read the review here:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=12115

More SACD titles from Mofi coming in Q2

2009-03-18T23:04:00.005+01:00

According to elusivedisc.com, we can expect two brand new SACD releases from Mobile Fidelity next month: Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates and Music From Big Pink by The Band (ranked at number 34 on The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6598242/34_music_from_big_pink ).

SACDs mastered from original analogue master tapes (release date: April 21, 2009)

The Band - Music From Big Pink (Hybrid SACD)

Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates (Hybrid SACD)

You can find more information about new Mofi SACD releases at:

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MOBSA2040
http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MOBSA2044

Onkyo presents new hi-rez player prototype...

2009-03-13T21:50:00.005+01:00

According to press notes released after premiere presentation of new C-S5VL Onkyo SACD player and matching stereo amplifier (A-5VL) first impressions from listeners are very positive and can possibly be even more so in few months, as Onkyo's engineers are still putting finishing touches on both machines.

Unfortunately no technical details (implemented DAC, available outputs, inputs etc) on the player have been released yet.

C-S5VL Super Audio CD player will be available in stores in June '09 (priced under 500 GBP).

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

Source: http://www.avforums.com/

Jean Michel Jarre speaks on CD, Vinyl and the future of High Definition discs...

2009-03-07T11:45:00.021+01:00

As recently one can hear more frequent voices from audiophiles and sound engineers finally speaking the truth about redbook CDs, it was very interesting for me to also read an opinion from an artist's perspective. Here's what Jean Michel Jarre had to say about the issue in one of his most recent intervews...

You said a while ago that the invention of Compact Disc was a mistake. Why do you continue releasing them then?

I'm a realist, not a suicide. Maybe the idea itself wasn't bad, but its realization turned out to be a wrong move, although the move in the right direction. Compact Disc just didn't live up to its expectations. It was supposed to sound better than Vinyl, yet even today, it sounds worse, although it doesn't have static. It was supposed to be with us till the end of our days, and after years passed many of them won't play. It gave the start to the era of commercialisation in music, contradicting the spirit of music. It's everywhere, in every possible market, between jam and jeans, on street stalls. In result, the music became just a product, which doesn't deserve to be treated with respect. In times when High Definition dominates we need something new. Maybe a new generation of better CDs? I don't have any doubts and I know that people won't go back to vinyl, but I believe they can go back to this certain type of feel, which records once were able to create. They can go back to real emotions. This revolution might be sooner than we think…

- Jaen Michel Jarre (excerpt from JMJ interview, 4 November 2008)

I must say I agree with Jean Michel Jarre completely, and when he says that "this revolution might be sooner than we think" he's certainly more on point than he even assumes himself as we already have a definitive medium for high definition music (Hybrid SACD) and he's just not aware of its existence yet (shame on you Sony), additionally when he speaks about releasing CDs as no choice option (from economical side) releasing Hybrid SACD can actually reach all customers, those who do not care about sound quality (and want to buy CD) and those demanding music in high definition (listening to SACD layer).

Moreover, it's great to hear that Jaen Michel Jarre talks about migrating to "better CDs" and not virtual downloads for example, as personally I prefer Super Audio CD experience much better to downloading virtual files.

So... can anybody release Oxygene and Equinoxe on SACD? Now, that's a great idea!

The idea that luckily - if more and more audiophiles, sound engineers, and artists start seeing the need for high resolution, better sounding discs - might come to fruition soon…

Recommended Super Audio CD player: Yamaha CD-S2000

2009-03-05T00:35:00.019+01:00

Don't let the retro look of this machine fool you, CD-S2000 is Yamaha's latest SACD player (natively supporting DSD) marking Yamaha's comeback to stereo Hi-Fi components.

If you're looking for superb sound quality and build, you're willing to spend about $1800 you should definitely add this SACD player to your listening list. Additionally, if the price of Yamaha's top SACD player (CD-S2000) is over your budget, you can also check CD-S1000, especially if you don't plan to use balanced outputs.

WARNING: Beware of Yamaha CD-S700 model though - it only supports low resolution CDs and mp3s.

One more thing, if you've heard about problems with so-called clicks between tracks played on CD-S2000, according to information provided by ramsac on Hi-rez Highway Audioasylum forum the problem is now removed with latest firmware update.

Price: CD-S2000 SACD player: $1800 (CD-S1000 SACD player: $1300)

New SACDs from Boston Symphony Orchestra!

2009-02-28T18:43:00.019+01:00

Here are two new SACDs just released by BSO Classics.

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (Boston Symphony Orchestra/James Levine)

Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (Boston Symphony Orchestra/James Levine)

At the press conference (February 19, 2009) announcing new SACDs James Levine himself discussed the releases and played some excerpts. Here's how he commented on one of the excerpts he played from Daphnis et Chloé (SACD recorded in DSD):

"Did you hear the dynamic range? Did you hear the top to bottom range? The left to right range? And especially the front to back range... now, you're not sitting in the Hall and they're not playing live but if this is not as close to an electronic souvenir of what was it like when you were in the Hall listening to it, that was the aesthetic idea..."

- James Levine (press conference, February 19, 2009)

Press conference video (part 1):

Press conference video (part 2):

You can download full video here http://podcasts.bso.org/images/mp3/podcast/ levinepress.m4v (right click the link and save the file).

Source: http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/c09genimages.jsp?id=36700016

Do you have an idea for an SACD reissue?

2009-02-28T13:39:00.025+01:00

Is there any recording from labels such as Sony BMG Masterworks, Columbia, Epic, RCA that's of interest to you but is currently available as master tape to low resolution 16bit/44,1kHz redbook CD transfer only?

If that is so, and you want to hear your favourite recording(s) as brand new Original Master Tape to DSD transfer on high resolution Hybrid SACD here is a great opportunity to have your voice heard!

Please vote for SACD ideas which are already generated on the site, like the one below:

http://legacyrecordings.uservoice.com/pages/general/suggestions/sacd

or check/add other SACD reissue ideas here: http://legacyrecordings.uservoice.com/pages/general
(in the search field, please type in SACD).

It would be great, if you could tell about the link to any person you know, on every forum you visit etc. as obviously the more our votes the better, and it’s probably the only way we can be successful with our Hybrid SACD recommendations!

Gramophone Recording of the Month (March): Tchaikovsky – Hamlet / Romeo and Juliet (Russian National Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski)

2009-02-22T11:07:00.015+01:00

"There are various qualities that raise Vladimir Jurowski above the ranks of many similarly (or indeed more) feted conductors of his generation and thereabouts. One is his questing journey to discover and refresh hidden corners of the repertoire. His concerts with the London Philharmonic are testament to that, as are recordings like this one. Think you know your Tchaikovsky? Think again."

Read full review here: http://www.gramophone.co.uk/recofthe month.asp

Don't forget to also check:

Gramophone Recording of the Month (February): Holst - Orchestral Works, Vol 1 (BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Richard Hickox). http://www.gramophone.co.uk/edschoice.asp?edsdate=01/02/2009

Gramophone Recording of the Month (January): Handel - Acis and Galatea (Dunedin Consort & Players / John Butt). http://www.gramophone.co.uk/edschoice.asp?edsdate=01/01/2009

Sony presenting new SCD-XA5400ES SACD player and Vaio DSD capable computers at A&V 2009 show in Japan

2009-02-21T12:27:00.016+01:00

On the first day of A&V2009 show that is being currently (21-23.02.2009) held in Japan, Sony has presented their latest developments in high resolution Super Audio equipment...

Along with their top of the line SCD-DR1 they showed their new SCD-XA5400ES SACD player, and Vaio computers with SonicStage Mastering Studio software allowing for playback of SACDs as well as recording / editing in Direct Stream Digital (DSF files).

New Marantz SA-11S2 SACD player review creates controversy

2009-02-18T22:50:00.037+01:00

If you are a Stereophile magazine subscriber or visit their website from time to time you could stumble upon a quite controversial review of the new Marantz SACD player (http://www.stereophile.com/hirezplayers/marantz_sa-11s2_reference_sacdcd_player/) and the reviewer's rather extreme take on the future of the high resolution audio dominant format - SACD. Although Super Audio CD is given very rarely a spotlight (or is mentioned at all) on the pages of Stereophile, this yet another SACD dis by the magazine couldn't be left with no comment from the high resolution audiophile community ("Michael Fremer Review of Marantz SA-11S2 was disappointing" http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl? f=hirez&m=252772).

Personally, as I haven't yet listened to Marantz SA-11S2, I'd only like to comment on Michael Fremer's introduction to the above review which basically tries to kill any interest for going into high resolution audio and building an SACD collection.

Here's how Michael Fremer starts his review:

"Unless you've already acquired a large collection of SACDs, buying a player in 2009 necessitates an act of faith similar to the one turntable buyers faced back in 1992. As with the LP back then, the major labels today have all but abandoned the SACD to such niche players as Chesky, Proprius, Harmonia Mundi, Pentatone, Channel Classics, 2L, Telarc, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Groove Note, and Acoustic Sounds.”

I'm myself a good example confirming that the above statement is just wrong. When I bought my SACD player and it was only two years ago I didn't even have 1 SACD, In just two years I managed to build a nice collection of SACDs, and since I'm still interested in many more titles I will have queued SACDs on my to buy list for a few more years at least, and new SACD titles are still coming out... if I had read similar SACD player review back then I don't think I would have invested in SACD player in the first place...

Of course major record labels are moving to mp3 and not caring about quality, it is a problem indeed, but we shouldn't ignore record labels like Harmonia Mundi, BIS, RCA Victor, Mobile Fidelity, Analogue Productions, Pentatone, Channel Classics, Alia Vox, Chandos, etc releasing great music in high definition, we also shouldn't ignore SACD recordings released by major record labels that are already available on the market.

Stereophile should stop claiming that SACD is dead, SACD is already 10 years on the market, so everybody can see that such claims were, and still are, just high resolution SACD bashing talk, nothing more...

Also please take note that while Stereophile is quick to issue a death certificate for SACD, the chances you will ever see a CD player review written in a similar vain are very slim. Picture a CD player review in Stereophile with the introduction voicing negative thoughts and facts about Red Book CDs , limitations of RBCD format or thousands of music stores selling CDs getting closed, dramatically dropping CD sales (20% in 2008) or predictions by research companies like Gartner saying that RBCD has only 1-2 years ahead of it...

“Meanwhile, at least for the time being, major labels—even Sony—have gotten back into vinyl in a big way; between them and the independent and reissue labels, there are now far more new and reissued titles on LP than on SACD. It's not even close. A decade ago, who could have predicted that? “

The increase of popularity of vinyl is of course positive, as it clearly shows that there are more and more people who realize the fact that low resolution (16bit/44,1kHz) offered by redbook CD is not enough, it was never enough. It also suggests that there's a room for high resolution SACDs, as many people prefer high resolution recordings to vinyl, no doubt there are stereophiles who want stereo high resolution music, and also multichannelphiles who want high resolution multichannel sound.

“SACD enthusiasts counter that with the DVD-Audio format pretty much a bust, SACD is the only high-resolution choice for new classical and music-only surround-sound recordings. Undercutting that argument is the arrival of high-resolution PCM downloads from AIX, Chesky, Reference Recordings, and others, with more sure to follow.”

This opinion is not logical to me, as firstly Mr. Fremer is writing that "only niche labels are releasing SACDs", "there are limited number of titles" (which is about 6000 BTW) and then he's saying that "SACD enthusiasts" underestimate the arrival of about 100 hi-rez PCM downloads available from labels such as AIX or Reference Recordings :/

So I, or anyone else, shouldn't be getting a new SACD player because there are 100 hi-rez PCM downloads? Or is it confusing for Stereophile in any way that Marantz is employing SACD playback in their new player?

I can understand that not every player has HDCD decoding, as the resolution of HDCD isn't actually much bigger than that of RBCD (HDCD is still stuck on 44,1kHz!), but when it comes to SACD, it's a whole different story, it's true high resolution format, and there are almost 6000 high resolution SACDs on the market already ...so it's most natural thing to see SACD playback in new Marantz, Pioneer, Mark Levinson, Esoteric, Yamaha etc players. I think that encountering a new disc player without SACD playback these days should raise more eyebrows than seeing another SACD/CD player being released on the market.

Knowing the fact that many audiophiles already posses SACDs in their collections and there are 6000 SACD titles to choose from, a serious audio manufacturer shouldn't even think about overlooking SACD playback in their machines anymore.

I think we will see more titles available as hi-rez PCM downloads in the upcoming years and it's a good thing that catalogue of high resolution music will grow bigger in the future, but it will take years for the number of hi-rez PCM downloads to actually outnumber SACD titles currently available on the market, and even if one day, it will eventually happen, it won't affect SACD in any way, as sound quality of my SACD recordings has nothing to be ashamed of compared to quality offered by high resolution PCM downloads, but the same cannot be said regarding already technologically dated (and obsolete in the future) low resolution RBCDs (16/44 kHz standard from 1980).

Hi-rez demystified: "I've just ordered SHM-CDs from online music store, I'm hoping they are remastered with care and they are even better than SACDs"

2009-02-14T15:08:00.030+01:00

There are two things I'd like to clarify regarding the above statement about SHM-CDs as I see many people are confused with what they actually might expect from these releases and what they are actually paying for.

First of all, have you ever wondered why record labels are so fast with SHM-CD releases while Steve Hoffman and Analogue Productions for example work for months on their SACD reissues?... the reason behind this is simple, SHM-CDs are not new remasters, they are mass market remasters already done and available on the market, they have just been plunked on a new type of plastic.

What about the new type of plastic then, it's supposed to be so clear that your player should read such discs without errors, but the essential question is how many errors normal CD playback generates, on better players, the playback is bit-perfect meaning no errors occur during listening, on cheaper players (up to $150), the laser isn't that precise so it may generate 0,03%, 0,1% or 1% errors. As you see, even if you're playing SHM-CD you are only getting 1% more bits (at best) compared to the same mass market remaster pressed on a normal CD, is such "uprgade" worth your money, only you can decide...

Let me just add that while SHM-CD can give you 0,03% or 1% more bits, on high resolution SACD recording there's 400% bits (musical information) more than on a normal CD.

SHM-CD can never be better than a high resolution SACD recording.

New SACDs from Alia Vox, BIS, Harmonia Mundi, Chandos and Channel Classics...

2009-02-14T11:46:00.006+01:00

I already posted information on new Mofi and APO SACD releases, here are some of the upcoming titles scheduled for release by classical labels in February and March '09

For complete list of new titles please visit http://sa-cd.net/recent or http://www.elusivedisc.com/products.asp?dept=978

Ministriles Reales - Jordi Savall. Alia Vox.

Haydn: Acide - Haydn Sinfonietta Wien /Manfred Huss. BIS.

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos - Richard Egarr. Harmonia Mundi.

Mahler: Symphony No. 4 - Budapest Festival Orchestra /Ivan

Fischer. Channel Classics.

Alban Berg: Orchestral Works - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra /Mario Venzago. Chandos.

Must have SACDs: Tarik O'Regan - Threshold of Night. Harmonia Mundi USA.

2009-02-08T16:27:00.008+01:00

What I love about music, especially classical music, is its ability to transport a listener to different times and places, sometimes even imaginary ones, and create a strong emotional bond with the listener. Tarik O'Regan's music is somewhat different as this wonderful piece of choral music actually makes for a perfect soundtrack to the times we live in... but it's no less captivating!

The recording has received great reviews by the press from allmusic.com, Gramophone to Classics Today rating it 10/10 (Artistic Quality/Sound Quality), and after listening to the SACD for the last two months I have no doubt that Tarik O'Regan's composition fully deserves all the critical praise and mainstream attention it's been getting - this is a must have SACD!

Threshold of Night has also been recently nominated for 2009 Grammy Awards in two categories, Best Classical Album and Best Choral Performance.

SACD recorded, edited and mastered in DSD.

Mark Levinson's first SACD player.

2009-01-30T14:56:00.018+01:00

"Most music lovers feel that there is something wrong with the CD. Many prefer the sound of their LP's, or have cut down or stopped listening to music without even realizing why. Classical CD's aren't selling, while LP's of the same repertoire fetch hundreds of dollars a copy. People used to have 20 or 30 LP's and enjoy them, while now, people have hundreds or thousands of CD's which they rarely listen to, and almost never hear all the way through...

...DSD sounds much better than PCM, but more importantly, it is like analogue in the sense that it is very relaxing and joyful to listen to...

With good SACD recordings, people find they want to listen to music again with excitement and satisfaction."

Do such comments sound familiar to you? Well, if you visit for example hi-rez highway forum on audioasylum.com or sa-cd.net regularly, they should, as more and more audiophiles voice their disapproval (and disgust) with how music industry continues to rip consumers off with Redbook CDs.

The particular quotes aren't taken from forum discussions though, it is Mark Levinson speaking his mind on CD vs. SACD/LP issue in one of his articles (http://www.redrosemusic.com/essay.shtml) and the reason I've brought his words up today, is because you see, although he himself has been a long time fan of SACD, only recently has Mark Levinson's original company released its first SACD player – No 512.

Mark Levinson first SACD player is finally here, and it's definitely a good information, the not so good part is it's priced at $22000 so only few will be given a chance to listen to it and check what ought to be one of today's top achievements in SACD playback.

Here's some more info on ML SACD player: No512

Must have SACDs: John Hiatt - Bring The Family (A&M/Universal)

2009-01-24T22:37:00.008+01:00

The masterpiece recorded by John Hiatt (vocal, acoustic guitar, piano) with Ry Cooder (guitar), Nick Lowe (bass) and Jim Keltner (drums) as a backup band is a very interesting mixture of rock, blues, country and r&b. Even if you own Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recording CD edition of this album already, you should definitely get the real deal, master sound quality and upgrade to Super Audio CD, as Bring The Family, produced beautifully by John Chelew (Spirit of the Century, Blind Boys of Alabama), really shines in high definition. It's a shame Universal let this SACD go out of print but you will be doing yourself a favor if you can hunt it down on ebay or at your local music store.

More SACD titles from Mofi coming in Q1

2009-01-21T18:51:00.007+01:00

Although I'm a classical fan and many SACDs in my collection are classical titles, throughout the years of music listening I have developed rather eclectic taste and always welcome with open SACD tray new titles ranging from jazz, rock, blues.

Here are five new SACDs scheduled for release by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab - all recordings are transferred into DSD from original analog master tapes...I think its high time I dumped my What's Going On compact disc on ebay.

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (SACD) - Shipping January 2009

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (SACD) - Shipping January 2009

Foghat - Fool For The City (SACD) - Shipping January 2009

Marshall Crenshaw - Marshall Crenshaw (SACD) - Shipping February 2009

The Doobie Brothers - Toulouse Street (SACD) - Shipping March 2009

Must have SACDs: The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (Columbia/Legacy Records)

2009-01-20T20:20:00.008+01:00

It is surely one of the greatest recordings in jazz music history, personally I find it on par with albums like Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby or Sunday at the Village Vanguard, Art Blakey - A Night in Tunisia, Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, 'Round About Midnight, John Coltrane - Love Supreme, Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain... on a side note, great thing is all these albums are also available, or will soon be available as master tape-to-DSD transfers on SACD, anyways, Dave Brubeck - Time Out SACD is an album you simply can't miss in your collection, the high resolution recording really does justice to this classic Dave Brubeck Quartet performance.

The SACD proves that what's been said during Deep Listening: Why Audio Quality Matters discussion was absolutely true - while you can enjoy music on mp3 and CD, on 3inch speakers, or on your ipod, door to the music can be opened wider...

McIntosh first mini hi-fi system (offers SACD playback)

2009-01-17T20:14:00.005+01:00

Looks like McIntosh designed their first mini hi-fi system (MXA60) with audiophiles in mind, it comes with two-channel SACD player, hybrid transistor/tube preamp, 2x75-watt amp, and speakers (each with 4-inch midwoofer, 20mm dome tweeter).

MXA60 was recently presented at CES 2009, but it won’t be commercially available until third quarter of 2009.

Hi-rez demystified: Are there high resolution red book CDs?

2009-01-15T19:01:00.010+01:00

No, red book CD standard is capable of delivering audio in 16bit/44,1kHz resolution only.

There are some companies who want to hide this, what must seem to them, embarrassing fact by naming their CDs for example: XRCD, XRCD2, and XRCD24, as customers demand high resolution content and even blu-ray concerts are recorded in greater resolution than CDs. It's definitely not a good look for "audiophile" recording to have lower resolution than blu-ray video concert (24bit/48kHz).

For those unaware of the meaning of XRCD – the acronym stands for eXtended Resolution CD, truth is, although all these CDs claim extended resolution, their resolution is in fact 16bit/44,1kHz. Another example could be latest K2HD discs which also hint at High Definition when in reality they are still 16/44,1kHz resolution recordings.

Sometimes these releases are even falsely advertised in online record stores as new "formats", this is also not true as their format is standard red book CD (16/44,1kHz).

All red book CD releases like XRCD, XRCD24, K2HD are high resolution only during mastering process when analogue recording is transferred into high resolution digital master, during later mastering phases the recording is eventually downgraded to low resolution (16/44,1kHz). Labelling CDs that are eventually made available to the customers Extended Resolution CDs or High Definition CDs creates confusion. Analogically they could label their CDs "Analog Master Tapes" because during mastering process Analog Master Tapes were used. Again, these are not Analog Master Tapes or high resolution recordings.

Analogue Productions Blue Note Hybrid SACD's out now!

2009-01-13T22:09:00.013+01:00

The information about Analogue Productions and Steve Hoffman's joint initiative of creating definitive Blue Note Jazz re-masters using original analog master tapes was revealed some time ago, but for months the releases haven't hit the stores showing dispiriting "pre-order" status... All we knew was that in order to ensure faithful reproduction of sound of Blue Note master tapes on both analog and digital media, APO decided to go with best of both worlds, 45 RPM vinyl and analog-to-DSD transfer, SACD format.

Today, audiophiles around the world may start preparing for another, well deserved, and long awaited deep listening sessions as the first four Blue Note SACD's are finally being shipped.

SACDs mastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering. Authored for SACD by Gus Skinas on the SONOMA at the Super Audio Center.

Lee Morgan - Lee-way (SACD)

John Coltrane - Blue Train (SACD)

Jackie McLean - Capuchin Swing (SACD)

Kenny Dorham - Whistle Stop (SACD)

Must have SACDs: Górecki - Symphony No. 3 "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" (The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra). Membran Records.

2009-01-12T22:05:00.005+01:00

Although historical background which inspired Górecki to write "Symphony of sorrowful songs" were dramatic events that took place in 1920 and later during world war II, the meaning and emotion captured in the piece are still touching and relevant. Brilliant performance by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and filled with passion Susan Gritton soprano guarantee you'll be taken away from the first moments the recording starts playing. Personally I find it the best performance of Górecki Symphony No.3 recorded to date.

More news from CES 2009: Playback Designs presenting SACD player MPS-5 and MPD-5 USB DAC.

2009-01-12T21:34:00.015+01:00

You can find more details about MPS-5 SACD player visiting Playback Designs website http://www.playbackdesigns.com/mps5.html

Telarc’s new SACD Classical sampler premiered at CES 2009.

2009-01-12T18:40:00.003+01:00

More details about Telarc's new SACD release: http://sa-cd.net/showtitle/5746

Classical music CD sales dropped 26% in 2008.

2009-01-12T18:33:00.006+01:00

The question is if more classical record labels started releasing music on Hybrid SACD's, and classical magazines joined their efforts promoting them, could the above number look different? I wouldn't assume that going from CD to SACD would reverse the number to 26% increase, but improving quality, giving listeners more value (Hybrid SACD's with stereo and multichannel high resolution music) seems to be natural business move for record labels in this situation...

Source: http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/01/music-sales-2008/

According to recent data published by Nielsen Soundscan CD sales dropped 20% in 2008!

2009-01-12T18:26:00.008+01:00

The drop marks a 7th consecutive fall in CD sales. The numbers say it all - compact disc (digital audio standard from 1982) is ending.

Source: Nielsen SoundScan

More news from CES 2009: Esoteric presenting new DECCA SACD series and new SACD player prototype!

2009-01-10T13:16:00.018+01:00

Music lovers visiting CES 2009 had great opportunity to listen to some of the greatest classical performances in best possible quality as Esoteric demonstrated their new DECCA SACD transfers on their prototype SACD player SA-50. SACD player is equipped with digital inputs (optical, coaxial) as well as USB interface allowing for connecting with PC/music server.

Source: http://www.phileweb.com/news/audio/200901/10/8654.html

Luxman's first stereo only SACD/CD player in 10 years to be presented at CES 2009!

2009-01-10T00:42:00.010+01:00

New reference Luxman D-08 SACD player which was introduced to Japanese market a month ago, will now be demonstrated at CES 2009 in Las Vegas from 8- 12 January at suite 31-219 in the Venetian.

Luxman D-08 already managed to win a "2008 Grand Prix Award" from Japanese Stereo Sound magazine.

DECCA Esoteric SACD series out now!

2009-01-10T00:14:00.011+01:00

The first three SACD's from the series are:

Mozart Piano Concertos (Curzon/Britten, English Chamber Orchestra)

Dvorak: From the New World (Istvan Kertesz, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)

Manuel de Falla : El sombrero de tres picos (Ernesto Ansermet, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande)

You'll find all details clicking on the below link, let me just add that each of DECCA Esoteric titles sadly doesn't come cheap, as it's priced at 3300 yen which is $35, so you have to decide whether it's worth the price or not for yourselves, personally I'm definitely a subscriber!

http://www.teac.com/esoteric/documents/SACDPreCES2009sq_000.pdf

Rolling Stones SACD Reissues - Respecting the Original Masters

2009-01-07T12:53:00.021+01:00

The superb sonic qualities achieved during the process of transferring original analog master tapes to hi-rez DSD/SACD are described here beyond any shadow of doubt as audible and having positive impact on recording quality. Although to many of us, especially those having a chance to listen, for example, to Let It Bleed or Beggars Banquet on SACD such findings are obvious I hope you'll still find it a good read...

Excerpt from the article:

"We were determined to transfer this material only once and go to three formats with it," says Klein. "We wanted to go to half-inch, 30 ips analog tape. Then there was the PCM world, which we knew how to do. And then there was this DSD thing, which I'd heard about. We set up a chain where we could listen to all three. We played the analog against the original master as it was transferring, and it sounded okay; the PCM was better. The DSD button didn't work, because I didn't hear any difference between the source and the DSD! Then, I finally got it. The DSD sounded like it didn't work because it was exactly like the master."

check the article here:
http://mixonline.com/internet/newformats/audio_satisfaction/

Deep Listening: Why Audio Quality Matters

2009-01-06T12:36:00.027+01:00

Here's a very interesting discussion on audio quality that took place in New York on 6th of December 2008. The participants who shared their experience and views on audio quality were sound engineers as well as audiophiles: Steve Berkowitz (Sony), Greg Calbi (moderator), Evan Cornog, Michael Fremer (Stereophile), Kevin Killen, Craig Street.

Quotes from the discussion:

"Super Audio CD was the closest we ever get to the master tape"

"I never thought 16 bit 44k was good enough."

"SACD is so many orders of magnitudes better than red book CD."

You can check the whole video discussion clicking on the link below:

http://philoctetes.org/Past_Programs/Deep_Listening_Why_Audio_Quality_Matters

PS on minute 71:50 you'll also find a great story about Miles Davis - 'Round About Midnight SACD reissue