What is SACD?

I'll try to guide you the maze of these formats with both the geek explanations and my own simple-minded vocab. Damnit Jim...I'm only a writer not some kind of techno- whiz...

What is SACD?

Super Audio CD is a new format developed by Sony and Philips. It uses DSD (Direct stream digital) recording technology and a 4.7GB disc to give the consumer an audio experience so real you think you are in the recording studio or front row at a concert. ....or in the middle of the orchestra pit. Says me....as the anagram suggests, SACD is designed to play on your cd players. SACD discs come in 3 different formats. A single layer SACD will play on an SACD compatible player only. Dual layer SACDs can hold almost double the information as a single layer SACD.

In other words; those double cds in your collection can be transferred to one dual-layered SACD. Like the single layer SACD, dual-layered SACDs will only play on an SACD compatible cd player. And finally, the hybrid SACD has a single high density layer and a cd layer. These SACDs will play on your fancy SACD player in the livingroom, in your car stereo and on that crappy cd player on your bedside table. Important to note: SACD compatible players will play any type of cd available. SACDs can come in multichannel or stereo variants. Some titles, like Jeff Beck's "Blow by Blow" are offered in either a stereo version or a multichannel version. Other artists with SACD releases include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Aerosmith, and Pink Floyd and hundreds(!) of others.

Comments

[Ron Wheeler]

Dear Lono...

If the side encoded in dolby digital plays through your speakers than your system is enabled enough. As an aside, when you watch a movie on dvd, do you get surround sound? Most movies are encoded with dolby digital. If a movie "surrounds" ...than the Mac recording should too...

If movies don't surround for you, than you might want to consider upgrading to an AV receiver.

"The Dance" is a DVD-Music disc...as opposed to a DVD-Audio disc. The surround sound effect is just ok. Overall. you'll probably get better fidelity from the cd side than the dvd side...

To my knowledge, Fleetwood Mac only has 3 DVD-Audio discs..."Rumours", "Say You Will", and "Live at the BBC"...

Another example; The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" is available as either a DVD-M or DVD-A disc. The 5.1 DVD-A version sounds spectacular...the DVD-M version sounds good but has the advantage of complete concert video footage.

Keep in mind that most live recordings transferred to 5.1 sound are generally underwhelming. The only ones that have impressed me are Roger Waters "In the Flesh" DVD-A, The Allman Brothers "Filmore East" in DTS and Humble Pie "live at the Whiskey A-Go-Go" DVD-A.

Anyhow...try the disc out at volume...listening and preference is often highly personal...

Ron

[Lono]

Question for you:
I have a Fleetwood Mac DVD (The Dance). One side says Dolby Digital 5.1 and the other side says LPCM Stereo. What is that (LPCM Stereo) and what would sound best on my system? I have full surroung with a self powered sub. However, my receiver (Harmon Kardon) is NOT digital. So, am I ever getting proper or even decent surroung? And which side would sound best on my Fleetwood Mac disc?

thanks in advance,
Kevin L
Parker, CO

lono@mindspring.com