Tim D
I got a pornographic memory...
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2001
- Posts
- 2,429
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If I wanted to upgrade my source I'd think about DAC or affordable SACD as well. I don't think all-in-one means a simplification of the signal chain however. Outboard DAC benefits in that they have a dedicated power supply and are devoid of all sorts of interference of a mechanical transport section which no doubt contributes a lot to noise. Lets just say that if one is paranoid about running other sorts of electronics on the same outlet as their audio, than you should be just as aware that there is the same noise and interference within the player that can be seperated as well. That is the biggest benefit to dedicated DAC's, as well as having perhaps better analog output stage.
However Sony apparently put a lot of effort into compartmentalizing and reducing these interferences, which otherwise probably would have masked any benefit of SACD. Course I can't say I'm too overwhelmed by the selection of SACD, the entire catalog being able to be displayed on a webpage with album covers. And even with a small selection, knowing that they wasted time on some on albums like Ricky Martin or Journey's Arrival bothers me(which is an incredibly overcompressed CD and I'd love to see what SACD did in comparison, because if they didn't totally remaster it, it would be like supplying a 10 gallon jug for a drop of water).
Anyhow, I would love to see what SACD did to that overcompressed for radio Journey CD. Honestly, that CD is one of the worst I've heard, and now I see it as an SACD selection...if there is one way to make me an SACD believer would be to hear that first cut. If it sounded 100% better, I'd probably be thinking Sony played some dirty tricks in being a different mastering job because that CD is a very recent Sony/Columbia release...and the original was truly just that bad. It would also show me how much SACD might benefit any recording regardless of being overcompressed arena/pop rock. Anyhow, I'm just so curious because on Headwize I actually posted a rant on just how bad Journey's Arrival disc sounded, and now I see it in the SACD catalog so I'm just perplexed. And if the SACD version doesn't turn out to be 300% better (it'd have to be to sound decent over the CD), than we have a candidate for worst SACD recording, and a testament to the value of good mastering over good media.
However Sony apparently put a lot of effort into compartmentalizing and reducing these interferences, which otherwise probably would have masked any benefit of SACD. Course I can't say I'm too overwhelmed by the selection of SACD, the entire catalog being able to be displayed on a webpage with album covers. And even with a small selection, knowing that they wasted time on some on albums like Ricky Martin or Journey's Arrival bothers me(which is an incredibly overcompressed CD and I'd love to see what SACD did in comparison, because if they didn't totally remaster it, it would be like supplying a 10 gallon jug for a drop of water).
Anyhow, I would love to see what SACD did to that overcompressed for radio Journey CD. Honestly, that CD is one of the worst I've heard, and now I see it as an SACD selection...if there is one way to make me an SACD believer would be to hear that first cut. If it sounded 100% better, I'd probably be thinking Sony played some dirty tricks in being a different mastering job because that CD is a very recent Sony/Columbia release...and the original was truly just that bad. It would also show me how much SACD might benefit any recording regardless of being overcompressed arena/pop rock. Anyhow, I'm just so curious because on Headwize I actually posted a rant on just how bad Journey's Arrival disc sounded, and now I see it in the SACD catalog so I'm just perplexed. And if the SACD version doesn't turn out to be 300% better (it'd have to be to sound decent over the CD), than we have a candidate for worst SACD recording, and a testament to the value of good mastering over good media.