I am looking to get some feedback from those who have been fortunate enough to have experimented with the SACD format. More specifically with a 2CH playback of SACD.
I am slowly trying to piece together a system for a sitting room, that I hope will result in excellent sound reproduction. However, I am currently torn between format capability of the source device.
Some background:
I have a mid level home theater settup in the basement, which I am completely satisfied with its' multi-channel performance. I have also come to the conclusion, that some of the tradoffs made when stringing a budget out over a 5 channel system, are the comprimises I now wish to avoid. (Not to mention having a large display device smack in the middle of the soundstage)
This system will be a dedicated 2CH, and with the nature of the room, it will be unlikely that any additional channels will be added.
First question. How available is SACD in a 2 channel format. Moving forward, does this seem to be a supported format. (From what I've read, the regular SACD seems to be having enough trouble.) I've been looking at player's with 2Ch playback, with most having 5 channel capability. Are 2CH players capable of playback of any SACD or only those with specific 2CH track formatting. I have flipped through the racks at the local "record" shop and most of the jacketing list 5.1 format encoding with no mention of a 2CH format. I wouldn't expect the unit could pre-process a 5CH signal into 2CH's. I have also heard that some SACD with 2CH encoding are just that, Redbood CD mastering encoded into 2Ch format. Therefore, sounding exactly like the CD. But, none the less, several upscale manufacturers have moved to universal players, limiting their CD offerings.
Next question. I know this question totally depends on any given implementation. However, would you say that there is usually a compromise of redbook playback on SACD players? Would you still recommend a dedicated CD source, or do SACD players generally produce a considerably close performance that the compromise is worth the future frexibilty. I have a reasonbly large redbook CD collection that would be getting the bulk of the the usage in the near future anyway.
Thanks
I am slowly trying to piece together a system for a sitting room, that I hope will result in excellent sound reproduction. However, I am currently torn between format capability of the source device.
Some background:
I have a mid level home theater settup in the basement, which I am completely satisfied with its' multi-channel performance. I have also come to the conclusion, that some of the tradoffs made when stringing a budget out over a 5 channel system, are the comprimises I now wish to avoid. (Not to mention having a large display device smack in the middle of the soundstage)
This system will be a dedicated 2CH, and with the nature of the room, it will be unlikely that any additional channels will be added.
First question. How available is SACD in a 2 channel format. Moving forward, does this seem to be a supported format. (From what I've read, the regular SACD seems to be having enough trouble.) I've been looking at player's with 2Ch playback, with most having 5 channel capability. Are 2CH players capable of playback of any SACD or only those with specific 2CH track formatting. I have flipped through the racks at the local "record" shop and most of the jacketing list 5.1 format encoding with no mention of a 2CH format. I wouldn't expect the unit could pre-process a 5CH signal into 2CH's. I have also heard that some SACD with 2CH encoding are just that, Redbood CD mastering encoded into 2Ch format. Therefore, sounding exactly like the CD. But, none the less, several upscale manufacturers have moved to universal players, limiting their CD offerings.
Next question. I know this question totally depends on any given implementation. However, would you say that there is usually a compromise of redbook playback on SACD players? Would you still recommend a dedicated CD source, or do SACD players generally produce a considerably close performance that the compromise is worth the future frexibilty. I have a reasonbly large redbook CD collection that would be getting the bulk of the the usage in the near future anyway.
Thanks
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