DVD-A and SACD - are they worth it?

[gargoyle]

I enjoy music a great deal and over the past twenty years have amassed a large collection of cd's and records.
However, over the past few years, I've heard a great deal about the two aforementioned formats - in a nutshell, could anyone tell me if using either format offers a significant improvement over more traditional means?
I have around £300 available and am hoping to make a purchase dependant on your views.

[Stereo Steve]

I would say definately yes. They give you great bang for yer buck if your budget doesn't stretch to a £2000 CD player. I paid £300 for my Pioneer 757i and it's a great player. Also consider Denon 2200. If you just want SACD, the Sony 900/930 are really good and well within your price range.

Listening to Steely Dan's Goucho in 5.1 hi-res surround is an experience that 2ch could never match.

[Floodedstatue]

DVD-A & SACD? Certainly worth it I must say.

http://www.richersounds.com/index.ph...l.php&p=301507

Pioneer DV565 - not sure if this is DVD-A capable (it's not crystal clear from the description), but it's less than £150 at richersounds.com

[PaulBoy]

gargoyle - I agree with (most of what) Steve says - I was always into music vinyl then CDS & DVD - SACD & DVD-A does come in many forms & I would strongly recommend you consider a player that handles both formats (like the Pioneer 565 - £149 at Richer) that way you can pick and choose the best of each format (e.g. Dark Side of The Moon is fabulous SACD & In Absentia is a fabulous DVD-A)
With the 565 you would have £150 to spend on 10 or more discs (pop in again for best places to source them)
HTH ... Paul

[gargoyle]

Thanks for the thoughts people, what I meant specifically is this - I was around at the time of QUAD stereo and I remember the debacle surrounding this - I'v always viewed these new formats with great scepticism given that they're not publicised to any great degree and are seen as more of a niche interest item.
I'm not in a position to buy high end so spending mega hundreds is out of the question, but is it possible to buy a good make for £300 and is there a good range of software for them?
My music varies tremendously from classical to reggae, chief favourites being Steely Dan, Elvis Costello Queen and donald fagen.
Also, can anyone give me any examples of pieces of music which really PERFORM with these formats?

[alexs2]

Originally posted by gargoyle
Thanks for the thoughts people, what I meant specifically is this - I was around at the time of QUAD stereo and I remember the debacle surrounding this - I'v always viewed these new formats with great scepticism given that they're not publicised to any great degree and are seen as more of a niche interest item.
I'm not in a position to buy high end so spending mega hundreds is out of the question, but is it possible to buy a good make for £300 and is there a good range of software for them?
My music varies tremendously from classical to reggae, chief favourites being Steely Dan, Elvis Costello Queen and donald fagen.
Also, can anyone give me any examples of pieces of music which really PERFORM with these formats?

Steely Dan....Two Against Nature,and Everything Must Go.

Absolutely superb on DVD-A

[Philly112]

In Absentia by Porcupine Tree (DVD/A) is awesome. DSTOM (SACD) equally so. The above Steely Dan ones, again, breathtaking. And (an old hippy speaking now) Fragile by Yes (DVD/A) runs rings round the 2 channel version.
And if you get a Universal player, even if the formats go belly up, you'll still have a player you can use for CD's and DVDs.
If you have a standard DVD player now why not just buy a DVD/A disc you like, and see how it sounds in DTS or Dolby Digital? The surround steering is exactly the same as if you had a full DVD/A player, its just that the resolution is a bit lower (and really, its not that much different).
Phil

[captaindobie]

Flaming Lips 'Yoshimi Battles...' is the benchmark DVD Audio disc.
A fantastic example of the potential of this format.

(worth hearing even if you don't like the artist/album)

The ELVIS disc doesn't really benefit from a surround sound mix but the high resolution stereo mix is excellent.

[PaulBoy]

gargoyle - I hear The Nighfly is pretty tasty on DVD-A

[gargoyle]

A lot of you appear to be fans of Steely Dan - my kind of people!!!
I have all the albums mentioned above and hearing that my favourite albums - Gaucho, and Donald fagens album 'nightfly' are much talked about, nay, even reference material, have literally got my mouth watering!
One final question - sorry if its a little simplistic but I'm a complete newcomer to music surround - I already have a dolby digital amp which I'm happy with, would SACD or DVD-A require the purchase of a new amp?

[gargoyle]

Having garnered all the information req'd, I've made my choice and ordered the award winning Pioneer dv 565 from richer sound at £150.
Thanks for the input people, I'll let you know how I get on.

[PaulBoy]

gargoyle - provided your DD amp has 5.1 inputs (which connect to 5.1 outputs from your 565) you'll have no problem
Here's a selection of "must haves" IMHO for that spare cash you'll have ...
Dark Side of the Moon SACD
In Absentia (Porcupine Tree) DVD-A
Brain Salad Surgery (ELP) DVD-A
Hotel California DVD-A
A Night At The Opera DVD-A
Tubular Bells 2003 DVD-A
As far as where to buy? I usually get from Play.com or most recently DVDPacific.com where The Nighfly is £7.58 & postage (go for Airmail at about £3 - Surface Mail is cheaper but I've seen quicker glaciers!)
HTH ... Paul

[Floodedstatue]

Deep Purple - 'Machine Head' is another 'must have'. I think it's available on both formats (?), but I have it on SACD and it's mega!

[MikeNelson]

I would add the Queen DVD-As The Game and A night at the opera. The music DVDs Greatest hits are also awesome. Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is also stunning on DVD-A. Metallica's Black album's pretty good too as is Yes' Fragile.

[gargoyle]

Whilst waiting for the arrival of my eagerly awaited pioneer, I decided to peruse the net for software and plumped on play.
I have to admit to being disapointed by the choice of available titles, a great many of my favourite artists are not available but having said that, I found quite a few titles that I'll definitely picking up in the near future- chief amongst them, albums from REM, Queen, and fleetwood mac.
Titles I,v ordered today are - Donald Fagen - Nightfly, Steely Dan -Gaucho, Two against nature, Everything must go, and finally, Queens a night at the opera.
I'm pretty damned big on classical and next week, hope to pick up (if they're available) Holsts the Planets, Stravinskys the firebird and anything by wagner- somehow, the thought of relaxing in my favourite recliner, eyes closed, listening to my favourite composer wth instruments blaring from 8 speakers just sounds so cool - I can't wait!