DTS CDs: Is it worth upgrading to the DVD-A or SACD?

[bradavon78]

I own Sting's: Brand New Day and Sheryl Crow's: The Globe Sessions on DTS CD as at the time they weren't available on either HD Audio format.

Whilst they are decent, like most DTS CDs I find them a bit in your face and harsh. Compared to the subtlety of both DVD-A and SACD.

My questions are these:

1. Is it worth upgrading? Is there "that" much difference? (Yes I know one is HD and the other not).
2. Which should I get SACD or DVD-A?

Of course if I do upgrade I've got to work out how to get rid of the DTS CDs. There are only a few on eBay and no bidders.

Thanks

[bradavon78]

Anyone?

[Kenny Glasgow]

I find most official dts Discs to sound good, strange?

I haven't got any of the discs you mention on either DVD-A or dts but I've heard a few of the unofficial dts discs in comparison to the DVD-A and yes the DVD-A does sound "better"

I'll have a look on ebay

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

I find most official dts Discs to sound good, strange?

You can get unofficial ones?

Don't get me wrong they aren't bad just harsh, like how so some DTS film soundtracks can sound. They sound forced but as I hear both albums on DVD-A use the same surround mix I'm wondering if it will sound any better.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

I haven't got any of the discs you mention on either DVD-A or dts but I've heard a few of the unofficial dts discs in comparison to the DVD-A and yes the DVD-A does sound "better"

How much better? Worth upgrading?

Thanks btw.

[Kenny Glasgow]

Maybe it's you kit that's making the DTS track on discs sound harsh, what are you using?

For DVDs I normally prefer the dts track and never noticed any harshness

Yes you can get loads of unofficial dts CDs on the net, for example the complete Beatles, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan etc etc etc as well as the Who, Bowie, Sting, Deep Purple, Eagles, Paul Simon, Stones, Yes, Jethro Tull, Nirvana etc etc etc

"Better" is very subjective....

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Maybe it's you kit that's making the DTS track on discs sound harsh, what are you using?

For DVDs I normally prefer the dts track and never noticed any harshness

I should explain what I meant properly:

You know how sometimes when they remix Mono/Stereo into 5.1 it can sometimes sound fake/over the top? I meant exactly that.

Which if of course what the DTS CDs are 5.1 remixes. It sounds harsher on Sheryl Crow, it's pretty good on Sting. The DVD-A/SACD mixes are 5.1 remixes too of course but to me they don't have that "possibly fake/over the top" 5.1 remix feel.

Have you heard any (well most) of the Anchor Bay DVD remixes or some by Hong Kong outputs? The same thing. Of course it's not half as bad as Anchor Bay's worst efforts where the centre channel is through all 5 speakers (such as BOTH the Withnail and I DVDs, even the new SE).

Agreed DTS usually sounds awesome on films. I'm using a Sony dedicated "separates" amp with 4 floor standers, a separate powered sub and centre speaker.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Yes you can get loads of unofficial dts CDs on the net, for example the complete Beatles, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan etc etc etc as well as the Who, Bowie, Sting, Deep Purple, Eagles, Paul Simon, Stones, Yes, Jethro Tull, Nirvana etc etc etc

Oww Beatles. Why there is no HD Audio Beatles music it's beyond me.

Any links to any Beatles or Paul Simon stuff? I can't find it on eBay. I've got Paul Simon's only DVD-A but it really is far from his best album.

"Better" is very subjective....

Okay why is it better in your opinion? I'm trying to work out if I should upgrade.

[Kenny Glasgow]

Well there is no Beatles SACDs or DVD-As yet as Apple keeps a close reign on EMI and EMI can't release anything without Apple saying they can

Love is out on DVD-A this month and Abbey Road was mixed into 5.1 a couple of years ago. Apple have stated that they are currently working through the catalogue and releases should start to appear in 2007

I have Hotel California on DTS CD and DVD-A and the DVD-A is better.
I have Ziggy Stardust on SACD and DTS CD and the SACD is better
I have DSOTM on SACD and DVD-A and it depends on what day it is
I have the DVD-A of Simple Minds' New Gold Dream and the DTS 96/24 track is just as good as the DVD-A track

You can actually do your own DVD-A's at home with a nice piece of software called DVD-A Solo. It up converts 44/16 CDs to 96/24 DVD-As but only 2 channel for now. It's a nice piece of software and I'm please on the ones I've tried so far

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Well there is no Beatles SACDs or DVD-As yet as Apple keeps a close reign on EMI and EMI can't release anything without Apple saying they can

Michael Jackson would get his cut too.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Love is out on DVD-A this month and Abbey Road was mixed into 5.1 a couple of years ago. Apple have stated that they are currently working through the catalogue and releases should start to appear in 2007

What Abbey Road on DTS CD? Brad wanders off to go searching.

I wonder if Apple or SACD or DVD-A guys. I can't wait.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

You can actually do your own DVD-A's at home with a nice piece of software called DVD-A Solo. It up converts 44/16 CDs to 96/24 DVD-As but only 2 channel for now. It's a nice piece of software and I'm please on the ones I've tried so far

Cool idea but surely they won't sound "that" much better, right? The source material is only 44/16.

Thanks for the info on the DTS CDs.

[Kenny Glasgow]

Wacko would only get song publishing royalties

You can get all the UK & Foreign Beatles albums on DTS CDs, well over 30

A couple of years I would have said SACD but if I was a betting man I'd say DVD-A

You'd be surprised Give it a go you get 5 free trys

Just look at all the people who buy upscaling DVD players, in theory you're doing the same thing. Meridian CD players up-sample and dcs produce a fine range of up-sampling gear (amongst others)

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

A couple of years I would have said SACD but if I was a betting man I'd say DVD-A

Probably, both have their worth. Personally I prefer SACD for it's Hybrid nature (DualDisc pah) and they have no gimmicky video content.

I'm paying more for the CD + DVD-A version on Beatles because they can't get Hybrid working.

Just look at all the people who buy upscaling DVD players, in theory you're doing the same thing. Meridian CD players up-sample and dcs produce a fine range of up-sampling gear (amongst others)

Fair point. I'll give it a try thanks.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

You can get all the UK & Foreign Beatles albums on DTS CDs, well over 30

Really? Where? Whenever I've browsed DTS CD listing I've never seen any.

[Kenny Glasgow]

The reason they have gone down the DVD-A/V route is that the 5.1 can be played back on DVD-Video players. Not many peole have SACD capeable machines

Give DVD-A Solo a try

http://www.cirlinca.com

The DTS-CDs can be found on the interweb thingy

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

The reason they have gone down the DVD-A/V route is that the 5.1 can be played back on DVD-Video players. Not many peole have SACD capeable machines

True. IMO DVD-V 5.1 sounds rubbish in comparison. Personally I prefer SACD as the same disc can be played in my CD player (but then I can SACD).

It's a shame (like all those 4:3 DVDs in America) by providing a format for those who don't want to upgrade they're actually slowing the growth of the format.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Give DVD-A Solo a try http://www.cirlinca.com

I gave it a try last night and I'm impressed. At first I couldn't really tell any differences but the more I compare the two I'm sure their are subtle differences. The upsampled DVD-Audio is more fluid, less harsh and an all round better sound.

It's not as pronounced as a proper DVD Remix but a definite improvement. I'm not sure I'd go to the length to do this for all my music mind you.

I went the full hog up to 192Kbps. It does show how OLD 44/16 CDs are, it's a real pity we're still stuck with them. They're fine for portable music and even music in the car (both of which I use MP3s) but at home in your living room they're very dated.

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

The DTS-CDs can be found on the interweb thingy

Any ideas where official discs can be sourced? I can't find any.

[Kenny Glasgow]

Glad you enjoyed DVD-A Solo

As for finding DTS discs on the web, I'm not sure that the mods will allow posting of such links, you'll just have to search

The only official DTS releases concerning the beatles are Macca's Band on the Run & Venus & Mars, although I think they may now be deleted as the entire Macca back catalogue is due for re-issue next year by MPL/EMI

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Kenny Glasgow

Apple have stated that they are currently working through the catalogue and releases should start to appear in 2007

I hope so, considering how big The Beatles still are it's crazy they're taking so long.

[Kenny Glasgow]

The first problem is that everything at Apple is decided by committee with Paul, Ringo, Oliva & Yoko each having an equal voice. That's why the 4 "Love" tracks available on the website are one from each Beatle

The second problem is that Apple are constantly in dispute with EMI (and anyone else that crosses their path). EMI* cannot do anything without Apple's consent even though technically EMI own the recordings (which Apple are now trying to win)

The third is that the Beatles are classed by Apple as a premium product and that's why you will now never see any of the music of compilations or films (like the Stones) and even in the past these were few and far between

If you want to hear how good the albums can sound try and track down the Dr.Ebbett's discs. They are not DTS discs but "normal" stereo and mono discs, but then you can get DTS mixes else where