Just an observation of SACD in Hong Kong

[soundboy]

Just returned from Hong Kong, suffering serious jet lag as I type this.

I visited several music stores in HK, including one at Ocean Galleries and Win Win Shop in Mongkok, and looks like SACD is making serious inroads into the mainstream. Most Western titles are available, including those not available in the States....hybrid MC Dave Brubeck "Time Out", hybrid MC Beyonce....not to mention the Simple Minds studio albums on hybrids. This in addition to the local SACD productions, which seems to be making a deeper penetration into the mass market than here. Surprisingly, very little DVD-A software.

 

[Mr.PD]

I take it that you didn't purchase any.
Are they good quality, legit discs?
Do you think these will show up on eBay like the HDCD discs that are there?
Which I finally ordered one of.
Get some rest, and tell us more.

 

[soundboy]

Actually, I purchased 3 SACDs on this trip. The multi-channel hybrid SACD of Dave Brubeck's "Time Out", not available in the US, was a "must buy". I also purchased 2 other Chinese language SACDs. Oh yes, these are good quality legit discs....there're no pirated SACDs that I can see since most SACD titles are also available on CDs, the CD versions would get pirated.

Oh, let me correct the above. Hong Kong Universal just released their second single-inventory new SACD title and I did see pirated version of it. I assume it's only the CD layer that got pirated.

Prices are about the same as those in the US....just that the selection of titles is much better. Well, depend on your musical taste, of course. However, I do get a sense that SACD has made a much deeper penetration into the mainstream in Hong Kong than here. All of the music store clerks know what I am talking about when I asked for SACDs.

 

[Mr.PD]

That is so cool.
I wish SACD would take off here like that. Since I'm in to rock music, there seems to be a limited selection of SACD titles when compared to DVD-A. But it is getting better.
Thank you for this information.

 

[soundboy]

The thing about Hong Kong is that besides its own Chinese pop and traditional music, its music scene is also strongly influenced by European and American artists. I believe that's why there are so many SACD titles released there.

Linkin Park just played HK while I was there. During this mouth, the Count Basie Orchestra is also playing there, not to mention the musical "Mama Mia".

 

[lojay]

Simple, I live in HK and I've bought over 100 CD/DVD/SACDs from HMV, and their CD's are WAY expensive. So expensive that SACDs are actually priced only a BIT more expensive than them. I.e. A Ziggy Stardust hybrid and DSOM hybrid I bought went for $24 and the CD versions were $20 (!!!!!). I wonder if this is the same in US, but to me the price difference is small enough for me to buy the SACD hybrids instead.

Another point is, I believe HK has the most audiophiles per km of land on EARTH! We have 2 to 4 Audio magazines just for 1 city! And most audio mags have a seperate book about SACDs, you get the pic!

 

[soundboy]

lojay,

The hybrid SACD of DSOTM and Ziggy Stardust can be purchased here in the States for about US$14.00. HMV is very expensive, which is why I passed by there without going inside on my way to Starbucks. The music store inside Ocean Galleries is a lot more reasonable....HK$125 for the Sarah Brightman SACDs. Generally, I found prices on SACD in HK is pretty good. I paid way too much for Cantopop SACDs here in the US.

I agree with you about the audiophiles in Hong Kong. I didn't get a chance this time to visit, but is that "audiophile basement" in Mongkok still packed with people. For those who don't know, there's this corner basement in the Mongkok district where there're a number of tiny businesses catering to audiophiles....tube amps, cables, audiophile recordings, turntables, etc... I remember there was an analog-only store there. Click here and check out the audiophile highrise. (Just click on the numbers and look at the photos)

I am off on a tangent now.

 

[lojay]

Whoa...can you give me more details on where to buy CDs? I usually listen to everything, esp. Jazz, except pop, and especially canto pop. So are there any places you recommend for that, both CDs and SACDs? (I know places where they sell audiophile pop and "Jazz" (which suck) recordings, also with some "female vocal" stuff cheap, but I don't listen to those, ever!...

)

I just can't wait to stop buying from the damned HMV or Tower Records, those money leeching vampires!!

 

[soundboy]

I found Win Win Shop in Mongkok to be my favorite music store, with the best combination of titles for various styles. Great prices as well. It's located on Women's Street.

 

[lojay]

Thanks!

I'll go there to check ASAP..

 

[soundboy]

lojay,

Let me know what you think about Win Win Shop. I like to get an idea on how good is their selection.

 

[FalconP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundboy Linkin Park just played HK while I was there. During this mouth, the Count Basie Orchestra is also playing there, not to mention the musical "Mama Mia".

But you were here for Sam Hui right?

Tickets were impossible to get.

I've seen the Count Bassie Orchestra -- delightfully slick, leaving nothing to chance. The audience were just ectastic.

As for SACD in Hong Kong: I have no personal experience with the format, but sure it has a great following here. Another place you may go for SACDs (especially small-label classical and jazz) is Shun Cheong Records

 

[soundboy]

FalconP,

How did you guess? Yes, I actually got reservations for 2 tix to the first night of the Sam Hui concerts. My trip was planned long ago and Sam Hui's concert was purely coincidental. To cut a long story short, I didn't attend the concert....instead I had dinner with my cousin and his wife, then did karaoke of Sam Hui songs. Surprisingly, I am not disappointed....had a good time with my cousin.

Rumor is that Sam Hui will be touring North America....with an entirely different show.