SACD, how many layers?

[eljr]

I thought I understood this, but

please explain to me the difference between:
Hybrid Multichannel SACD and
Hybrid Stereo SACD

I understand that both have a red book layer so they can be played on all cd players.
But, does the Hybrid Multichannel SACD only have a multi layer and a red book layer? Not a stereo SACD layer?

[Kal Rubinson]

Almost all SACDs, hybrid or not, have a stereo SACD track.

Kal

[eljr]

Almost all SACDs, hybrid or not, have a stereo SACD track.

Kal

Thanks for the reply but then if "Almost all SACDs" how does one know definitively?
Also, there seems to be a lot of confusion on this as I seem to get a different answer from everyone I ask. Most people seems to feel that SACD's are two layer, either a multichannel or stereo layer and a red book. Not three layers.
:huh:

At these prices, both players and discs it should be clear.

[eljr]

Ok, so I can be comfortable that if I go to let's say
http://store.acousticsounds.com/sacd.cfm all titles under
Hybrid Multichannel SACD have a stereo SACD layer?

[Kevin P]

SACDs are constructed much like DVDs, with 1 or 2 layers. For hybrid SACDs, one layer is the Redbook (CD) layer, and the other is the SACD layer.

Stereo vs. multichannel SACD isn't layer dependent. A single layer SACD can have both stereo and multichannel tracks, just like a single layer DVD can have multiple audio tracks.

[Ovation]

The official specs require a stereo SACD (can also be mono, if the original was mono) group. The redbook layer and the MCH group are optional. However, there is a tiny number of discs without a stereo group (too tiny to worry about, but they are out there). Officially, those cannot be called SACD (just as the "CD-layer" of a Dual-Disc does not conform officially to redbook standards and is not "officially" a CD).

[Martyn]

It should say somewhere on the sleeve whether the disc will play on a CD player or on an SACD player only. I have two-channel and multi-channel SACDs that will play in stereo on a CD player or CD-ROM drive, but I also have a Louis Armstrong SACD that will not play on anything except an SACD player!