[dvda-sacd]

Please, could you vote for your favourite format for music?

Thanks.

[manny]

i voted DVD-A. i know it seems to have almost vanished, that seems a huge shame to me. SACD sounds good, but to me DVD-A always sounded better. it's like, it had that warmth everyone goes on about with vinyl, while SACD has a certain sterility to it.

of course, i still enjoy my cd's, a lot of HDCD discs sound great, and i still spin the odd record. i just live in hope that the DVD-A camp is so quiet becuase they're re-grouping for a big push! if only they'd make proper use of dual-disc instead of having the same stereo mixes in veeeeery slightly higher sample rates... complete waste.

[MartinImber]

I wanted joint DVD-A SACD

[shahedz]

i voted vinyl because i prefer it over CD, have never heard DVD-a and SACD

[MartinImber]

Originally Posted by shahedz

i voted vinyl because i prefer it over CD, have never heard DVD-a and SACD

They are better than Vinyl when done properly!

I have heard a Doors track on DVD-A, CD and Vinyl and the DVD-A was best.

There are also poor ones!

CD - I cannot make my mind up with it, always seems a bit raspy!

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by MartinImber

They are better than Vinyl when done properly!

I have heard a Doors track on DVD-A, CD and Vinyl and the DVD-A was best.

Well as a statement I think you could say that about (almost) any format.
Every format excels when someone bothers to get of their ar** to produce a fine recording.

Looking at the poll I'm rather surprised that as formats go those who've voted for CD have not given a passing thought for HDCD. Either it's not liked or many do not have the capable machines.

While I like SACD and DVD-A very much, after cranking up my turntable after a long rest a few months ago I have to say it still does it for me for many a recorded LP. It just seems to have harmony,musicality and ebb & flo that digital formats seem to miss. So my vote went Vinyl.

[PJTX100]

I voted CD though paradoxically I'm throwing myself into MP3 "big style".

I've got lots of vinyl, decent turntable, glass platter, Linn arm etc etc... and I still thank the Lord for the day when CD arrived. Vinyl was and is a lottery. Period.

SACD and DVD-A are fun and interesting but doomed so not really worth worrying about.

And why no DAT and DCC on the list?

[dvda-sacd]

Originally Posted by PJTX100

SACD and DVD-A are fun and interesting but doomed so not really worth worrying about.

I suppose you are not a classical music lover. There are new classical SACD releases weekly.

[shahedz]

gonna go and demo a SACD and DVD Audio machine now, if it adds some of the magic back to music that vinyl has and CD lacks it can only be a good thing!

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by shahedz

gonna go and demo a SACD and DVD Audio machine now, if it adds some of the magic back to music that vinyl has and CD lacks it can only be a good thing!

You should find DVD-A will give a closer resemblence to vinyl while SACD just gives yet more clear defined detail over CD although the upper range Marantz SACD players give a rather more rosy outcome which I rather like.

[MartinImber]

A good record is still great to listen to - better than CD AFAIAC, DVD-A on my PC or the DV575 sounds sublime, only have one SACD so need more to test

SACD makes CD sounds pretty average even with the help of a top end DAC. Since having the SA-11, I do favour SACD over vinyl.

Haven't compared SACD vs DVD-A, but having to use screen menu to switch Stereo/Multichannel requires the need of turning on the video side of the amp and transport... just seems a bit of a backward step to make the disc more user friendly.

[dvda-sacd]

You can also vote on this poll:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums...ad.php?t=23293

Thanks.

[manny]

Originally Posted by monotone

Haven't compared SACD vs DVD-A, but having to use screen menu to switch Stereo/Multichannel requires the need of turning on the video side of the amp and transport... just seems a bit of a backward step to make the disc more user friendly.

you don't need the tv on, it can all be done from the remote without using the video side of things, although how varies from player to player, and i can't actually remember how to do it right now

they can sound great though! which is the main plus point, i think you'll agree

Originally Posted by manny

you don't need the tv on, it can all be done from the remote without using the video side of things, although how varies from player to player, and i can't actually remember how to do it right now

You have to navigate through DVD-Audio screen menu to switch PCM stereo mix. In addition, I have some DVDAs which don't contain stereo mix.

[neilwilkes]

DVD-Audio, no question of it.
If there had been an option for DVD-A/V though, that would be even better.
DVD-A/V would contain both Audio_TS and Video_TS, and as such will play on all DVD players.
I know most commercial DVD-A have a Video_TS as well, but it's often overlooked as a selling point.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

Well as a statement I think you could say that about (almost) any format.
Every format excels when someone bothers to get of their ar** to produce a fine recording.

Looking at the poll I'm rather surprised that as formats go those who've voted for CD have not given a passing thought for HDCD. Either it's not liked or many do not have the capable machines.

While I like SACD and DVD-A very much, after cranking up my turntable after a long rest a few months ago I have to say it still does it for me for many a recorded LP. It just seems to have harmony,musicality and ebb & flo that digital formats seem to miss. So my vote went Vinyl.

Ditto. On all of that really.

The comment that 'vinyls a lottery' can be applied to any format. I enjoy DVD-A and SACD very much but I still have albums on those formats that really don't compare to the original vinyl and were (and are) a huge disappointment to me. CD is even worse. Some modern recordings are fabulous on CD, but some are still, and quite frankly I find this disgusting as there's no excuse with modern studios, absolutely awful. Muses excellent album 'Absolution' is case in point. Terrific songs, lousy recording. I re-mastered it in 24/96 to a DVD. It's better, but still not great.

On the Linn comment PJT, I'm not surprised frankly. I dealt with loads of customers who said the words 'I've moved to CD', after saying 'I used to own a Linn'. I found the Linn enough to send anyone digital!


I voted vinyl. Still gives the greatest satisfaction with so many recordings, even when compared to my SACD/DVD-A discs.

[s70rmp]

DAT !

I love listening to music recorded on to DAT.

I've got cd's that I've copied to DAT and they sound warmer and smoother on that then the cd

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by overkill

On the Linn comment PJT, I'm not surprised frankly. I dealt with loads of customers who said the words 'I've moved to CD', after saying 'I used to own a Linn'. I found the Linn enough to send anyone digital!

something amiss there as vinyl is my vote and Linn is my source.

However I do understand that a less than well set-up and underachieved Linn can drive people bonkers. Particularly in the bass department where it certainly can smear over many a note.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

something amiss there as vinyl is my vote and Linn is my source.

However I do understand that a less than well set-up and underachieved Linn can drive people bonkers. Particularly in the bass department where it certainly can smear over many a note.

Exactly! Thank you Per-sony. I have heard some very good Linn setups, but as a rule the problems with the over-effusive bass, gave the Linn a very 'old fashioned' sound that appeared, when contrasted with a decent CD setup to be 'woolly' or lacking in focus. Linn relied to heavily on reputation at a crucial moment (mid 80's), and as such the torch passed to the likes of Roksan etc, who's TT's are anything but 'lacking in focus'.

Hence they lost loads of customers to CD. Shame really, because the Linn, as you say, can sound very musical when setup correctly.

Equally baffling is that in that period, people seemed to be buying Linns second hand because they liked that sound. Bizarre really. I bought my Xerxes through the shop I was working for at the time, as a guy traded it in against a Linn. Again for that reason. He claimed the Xerxes was 'too analytical'.

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by overkill

Exactly! Thank you Per-sony. I have heard some very good Linn setups, but as a rule the problems with the over-effusive bass, gave the Linn a very 'old fashioned' sound that appeared, when contrasted with a decent CD setup to be 'woolly' or lacking in focus.

Slightly loose comes to mind which is a trademark of Linn equipment per say.

Partnered with the right equipment and a Lingo PSU tightens up the bass no end.

Originally Posted by overkill

Linn relied to heavily on reputation at a crucial moment (mid 80's), and as such the torch passed to the likes of Roksan etc, who's TT's are anything but 'lacking in focus'.

Indeed so many turntables started to get the recognition they deserved and slowly but surely pushed the Linn to oneside. To be honest if I could afford to part with my Linn I would as I've heard many a more pleasing TT.

Originally Posted by overkill

Hence they lost loads of customers to CD. Shame really, because the Linn, as you say, can sound very musical when setup correctly.

Umm how ironic. A recent Linn dem showed that the Sondek still outperformed a rather expensive Linn CD player.

Originally Posted by overkill

Equally baffling is that in that period, people seemed to be buying Linns second hand because they liked that sound. Bizarre really.

Maybe not that bizarre. Possibly bought on reputation rather than honestly freeing their mind and considering alternatives. I know of 1 guy who'd been saving his hard earned sheckles for such a Linn because he's believed through clever marketing and popularity that the Linn Sondek was THEE deck to buy!!!

Originally Posted by overkill

I bought my Xerxes through the shop I was working for at the time, as a guy traded it in against a Linn. Again for that reason. He claimed the Xerxes was 'too analytical'.

I can whole hartedly understand where he his coming from. Something that I've always considered too. Prefering the warmer and more seducing nature of the Michell Orbe to name just 1.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

I can whole hartedly understand where he his coming from. Something that I've always considered too. Prefering the warmer and more seducing nature of the Michell Orbe to name just 1.

Nah, I'm wedded to a more precise sound. I like the Orbe, but If I was going to shell out that much I'd save up for the Xerxes 20.

It's interesting though that people's taste in TT's is so diverse. I've found much less polarisation in CD players over the years. Only 'stand out' players, usually from the high end specialists, or one off 'SE's' have really divided the digital crowd. Even then I found the majority very similair across price brackets. DAC's tended to cause more contraversy.

Agree on the Sondek and the Linn CD player. I've never been mad on their CD's. Unlike Roksans, some of which I really enjoyed.

[per-Sony-fied]

Originally Posted by overkill

Nah, I'm wedded to a more precise sound. I like the Orbe, but If I was going to shell out that much I'd save up for the Xerxes 20.

Well we all have our preferences, as you say (& thank god) and perhaps if I had not bought the Linn at a time when there was small competition (the truly good un's were silly money) I may have just ended up with something entirely different. I started with a Linn Axis (1st sensible TT) & being resonably happy until my mate bought a Sondek and well the rest is history.....

The Xerxes20 is a sublime bit of enginnering with a decent attention to detail... the centre spindle removal for example. A deck that seems to emulate CD clarity with alacrity. Perhaps a (thee) reason why I've steered clear... not liking CD replay for many a year.

It's interesting though that people's taste in TT's is so diverse. I've found much less polarisation in CD players over the years. Only 'stand out' players, usually from the high end specialists, or one off 'SE's' have really divided the digital crowd. Even then I found the majority very similair across price brackets. DAC's tended to cause more contraversy.

To me CD players have always sounded pretty much like CD players... full stop, if you get my meaning? Bad designs sound like bad designs and should be trashed and good designs clearly stand out but only by the way they handle music & not so much their individual capabilities. DAC's as you say is more contraversal and is one area where they have a affect on CD replay for the listener & some CD tuning to the listeners ears can be spent & adjusted here.

Agree on the Sondek and the Linn CD player. I've never been mad on their CD's. Unlike Roksans, some of which I really enjoyed.

In truth never been mad on any Linn gear but from time to time they make some fantastic products (imo).