I understand that Steely Dan has a bunch of old releases reworked for SACD and/or DVD-A but can't get the record company to release them. Too bad, as I agree Aja (and The Royal Scam) would be great.

Rhino put out Yes:Fragile on DVD-A and they were supposed to do Close to the Edge. While I really enjoy Fragile, Close to the Edge would be cat's rear end.

Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged

...no laughing

S. Griff

I've found that all my old material sounds far better than ever using the 990/7700 combo in several of the surround modes or even just plain stereo for the old stereo analog stuff. Also the downstairs unit which so far is 755 amp with two old Crown preamps (awaiting delivery of 990 for downstairs) has been made to sparkle. Clearly the difference is due to the amp.

I even got my old Dual 1229 turntable out of the storage box(hasn't seen daylight for 11 years) and the records sound great. Of course I transcribed them to CD for convenience.

In short it is clear that their stuff reigns supreme. I doubt that I'm going to be concerned about replacement of old CDs with SACD or DVD-A as the stereo is so good.

My only issue with SACD is that not every release is given the same treatment. It's a format that truly depends on what recording you're listening to. That said, however, every time I put on DSOTM, I am completely blown away. It just makes my system sound sooo much better. Basically, when done right, there's a huge difference between SACD and a surround mix that has been derived from a 2 channel mix. The DSP has gotten considerably better over the years, from PL to PLII, but an actual discrete mix beats it any day of the week.

Jason J wrote:

My only issue with SACD is that not every release is given the same treatment. It's a format that truly depends on what recording you're listening to.

...and Jason made a good point. I'll definitely not be in a hurry seeking SACD or even DVD-A. I had not thought about the derivation mentioned. A true mix would indeed be better. My only SACD thus far is Arthur Rubinstein playing Chopin from the RCA living stereo recordings of yesteryear. My understanding (and anyone please correct me if wrong) is that RCA recorded this LIVING STEREO in 3 channels and that this is a 3 channel SACD. That said it is true to form.

Thing is that this outlaw eqpt is so clean that stereo 2 ch shines.

It's my understanding also the the "Living Stereo" releases are 3 channel releases as you stated. They are also supposed to be some of the better SACD releases out there.

If you have a multi-channel SACD set up, you really should go out there and get a copy of Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon". Here's a link to the right version:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008C...v=glance&n=5174

At the price, it's a must have demo. Enjoy!

Jason J wrote

It's my understanding also the the "Living Stereo" releases are 3 channel releases as you stated. They are also supposed to be some of the better SACD releases out there.

My understanding coincides with both of your above sentences. I thknk the reason the 3 channel recordings are so good when played back are that the CD technology now captures the original 3 channels and we can enjoy them as recorded....i.e. spatially across the front. And for the benefit of we who suffer from "AUDIO-PHILIA" they are analog, so there are none of the algorithms applied. Just plain audio. 9Not the I'm knocking surround etc).

My friends and I in the 70-s thru early 90s recorded live music in 4 channels (Crown CX844s etc) with good mics. Our material transferred to 4 channels thru the four of the 7.1 direct inputs (as would SACD Living stereo via 3 inputs) when played thru 4 speakers across the front reproduces the band or whatever recorded the way it was recorded. So we have real live sounds. The four channels do lend themselves to mixdown to stereo (as did RCA''s 3 channel material-though they had to split the center and to L + R.

In my profile I list HYBRID ROOM. That allows me to play 5.1 via the usual choices on the 990 on the usual configuration of 5.1. However having two additional speakers up front I use the SBR and SBL to feed to those with the extra two channels of a 7700. I guess I have the best of both the surround/algorithm modes and straight analog "as recorded" mode.