macnorton

As mentioned in my thread about Porcupine Tree, I wanted to check out some 5.1 mixes of their albums. Problems is what player do I need to do it?

I have a few SACD's (I wanted to snag a few more, but I can't play that layer) and I have no idea what kind of player I should go with.

The same goes for DVD-A. Now, granted DVD-A is really just a DVD, so any player should do on that one (if it is compatible)...I think my Blu-ray player can handle it (I have the Sony s550).

Anyone have any advice on what to look for? Also, if you are inclined, any suggestions on SACD/DVD-A discs to get?

Giles

the upcoming oppo player will play blu-ray discs, SACD and DVD-A (BDP-83)

macnorton

Hmm, what is the price point on that?

Giles

not yet announced, wish I had an answer for you.

here's Oppo's weblink to said player:

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/

atlantamoi

If you already have a Blu-ray player then just look at the current Oppo players. In the $150 price range when I bought two years ago. It's a great DVD player.

macnorton

Good call. I have been looking for a Divx player and for $150 (well the linked item is a little more) that works for me:

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html

Giles

here's just a smattering of 5.1 albums in my album collection (which also include DTS-CD's)

Pink Floyd - Darkside of the Moon (SACD)
Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy (DVD-A)
Cardigans - Long Gone Before Daylight (SACD)
Beck - Sea Change (DVD-A)
Talking Heads - catalogue titles, Special Editions (DVD-A)
Chicago - Motion Picture Soundtrack (SACD)
E. T - Motion Picture Soundrack (SACD)
Titanic - Motion Picture soundtrack (DTS)
Keane - Hopes and Fears (SACD)
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells (SACD)
Crystal Method - Legion of Boom (DTS)
The Who - Tommy (SACD)
Bjork - catalogue titles 5.1 mix editions
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms (SACD)
Vince Guaraldi - Charlie Brown Christmas (DVD-A)
Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft (SACD)

macnorton

Is there a definitive list anywhere of both formats? Curious to see what is out there besides what I have already.

Supermallet

For SACD's I use the PS3. That Oppo is looking mighty nice, though.

GoVegan

I'm sure there's a complete list somewhere, but I don't know of one. To add to Giles' list, here's a few more that I have:

R.E.M. - all the Warner albums
Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral and With Teeth
Flaming Lips - Yoshimi and Soft Parade
Depeche Mode - every album
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and Heroes

Supermallet

IIRC, there's also SACD versions of Scary Monsters, Let's Dance, and Heathen. I may be wrong about the first two, but I've got Heathen, so I know that's correct.

Also a few Peter Gabriel albums were released in 5.1 when his catalog got remastered.

printerati

SA-CD.net is the closest I've found to a definitive SACD list.

printerati

I swore I read something that said it will be in the $500-$600 range, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

GoVegan

That's all correct. Scary Monsters and Let's Dance are both stereo-only, but Heathen is surround. And by "Heroes" I meant "Young Americans." Oops.

Let's see, there's also:

Crowded House's s/t album
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Eagles - Hotel California
T. Rex - Electric Warrior
Metallica's Black album
Neil Young - Harvest
Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily
Bob Dylan - 14 album SACD box set

That's about it for what I own, but there's certainly quite a bit more out there.

macnorton

Cool link...thanks

Giles

I think THAT price range is indeed correct - unfortunately closer to the higher end though.

Giles

is Ziggy multichannel?

CRM114

Does the Playstation 3 have 6 analog outputs?

CRM114

I have an older version of this Pioneer unit.
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DV-578.../dp/B0002ERY6W

Keep in mind, at least for DVD-A, to get the surround mix, you need to connect the 6 analog outputs to the analog inputs on your receiver. You can't just use the digital coax or optical like a DVD.

I only have one SACD - Dark Side of the Moon. I have many DVD-A though. Both formats are pretty much dead now though right?

GoVegan

It is. I seem to remember people complaining about the surround mix, but I like it. I really just enjoy being able to hear albums in different ways, though, even if the mix is slightly different than the original.

Well, they've never been particularly vibrant, but there are still occasional releases in both formats. Dead Can Dance's catalogue was just released as stereo SACDs, as has the Pixies' Doolittle, Surfer Rosa and Bossanova. Porcupine Tree has steadily been releasing DVD-As of their recent albums, as well as a few older ones. There have been more than that, of course - I'm just mentioning the ones I've purchased within the past year or two.

macnorton

I assume for the PS3 and the link I provided will do that through HDMI, right?

CRM114

The best DVD-A surround mix in my opinion is the Flaming Lips Yoshimi disk.

CRM114

I don't believe surround mixes on DVD-A will pass through HDMI either.

My post should have read: "You can't just use the digital coax or optical like a DVD."

CRM114

It seems you can use HDMI. From SA-CD.net

"In terms of connections: It depends on whether you want to connect an SA-CD player with multichannel output rather than just stereo. If so, you'll need a receiver with multichannel input: depending on the SA-CD player's outputs you may use i.LINK or HDMI (see Are there any amplifiers or AV receivers that accept DSD input?) but the most obvious (though not the most convenient) solution is using 6 analog connections. This is common on all modern AV receivers but truly audiophile amplifiers in many cases are still stereo."

Giles

It might be an acquired taste, since it's VERY prog, but the 5.1 soundmix for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of War of the World's is outstanding