Thread: Who doesn't like 5.1?

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Post by tailspn October 22, 2012 (31 of 245)
jackan said:

But my question goes more to here in the USA. I was expecting to see way more 5.1 at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, and, only one demo in 5.1 that I can remember. Is part of what is killing or stifling the SACD format the fact that purists or luddites are refusing to move away from 2.0?

It amazes me also. If one's interest is in the truest recreation of an acoustic event, a correctly recorded (ITU) surround sound recording is far more realistic than stereo. Surround sound's lack of significant adoption says to me that sonic realism of music is not the primary objective of audio interested people.

I see audio surround sound as a high value, yet to achieve critical mass interest, that's very separate from "audiophiles," their stereo centric legacy orientation, and the commercial interests that keep it that way. Surround sound for music will come into its own as computer audio and downloads grow, and new people take up the interest. It's also the only way "surroundophiles" will be able to acquire MCh program material in the not very distant future. Production companies/labels will always mic/record in surround; it costs no more. It's the distribution part that's all screwed up at present. Surround has no perceived value, no worth.

As I stated before in another thread, surround content is currently artificially priced as a give away, accompanying the CD that most people purchase a SACD for, and do not use fully. That's not a long term survivable strategy.

Post by Lute October 22, 2012 (32 of 245)
I agree with so many of YOU!! I love multichannel!!! For new recordings... I CAN'T imagine going back to only 2-channel...except with earphones!! ha ha!!!

I am a big fan of old black & white films. I am glad that many of these are being restored and released on Blu-ray. In the same way... I love to listen to vintage recordings from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc... And I glad that companies like Tahra, Esoteric, etc... are doing their best to give us the best possible versions of them on 2-channel. This is the place for 2-channel!!!

But...I CAN'T understand why (as Kal correctly puts it) the traditional audiophile would eschew multichannel for new & future recordings. It's crazy, isn't it!!? ...UNLESS they haven't experienced it properly (as Seth tried to explain). Even here in Japan, I get the impression that sales staff don't listen to multichannel at home. So, They have NO IDEA of the "Spacial" quality that a multichannel system creates. By "Spacial" quality, I am talking about reproducing the space of the recording location. This "space" allows the MUSIC to be fully and realistically created in our living room.

Because of this, I used to think that multichannel might only be necessary for music recorded acoustically, such as classical, jazz, folk, etc... But.. Having purchased & listened to Pink Floyd's Dark Side and Wish You Were Here, The Moody Blues' On the Threshold of a Dream, etc... I am CONVINCED multichannel is better for such "electric" music as well!!!

Post by Lute October 22, 2012 (33 of 245)
Where the h... is Zeppelin!!?

Post by rammiepie October 22, 2012 (34 of 245)
Kal Rubinson said:



Of course, I have nothing against 2 channel and enjoy it greatly but not exclusively.

I should hope not Kal....would hate opening up a current issue of Stereophile and seeing the moniker "Music In The Square."

Post by rammiepie October 22, 2012 (35 of 245)
Lute said:

Where the h... is Zeppelin!!?

Brett, Led Zeppelin reunited for a "final" concert in 2007 and a video (DVD and BD) is being released next month. Concurrently, a pure 124 minute BD~Audio disc will also be released in DTS Master Audio 5.1 on the Warner Brothers Label.

Post by seth October 22, 2012 (36 of 245)
tailspn said:

As I stated before in another thread, surround content is currently artificially priced as a give away, accompanying the CD that most people purchase a SACD for, and do not use fully. That's not a long term survivable strategy.

You could say the same thing about the SACD stereo layer. Clearly SACDs are being mostly bought by people who only have CD players.

The reason labels pursue this strategy is that having the perception of being an audiophile products helps drive sales -- there is a trickle down effect. Non-SACD owners recognize that SACDs have -- or are supposed to have -- better than average sound. The bottom line is, that you make the best possible product regardless of how many people can enjoy it to its maximum potential.

Further, you could also make the same argument about Blu-ray and movies. I bet the proportion of Blu-ray owners that have the ability to playback DTS-HD tracks in surround sound is smaller is about as tiny as SACD owners with multichannel systems (not to mention the huge number of Blu-ray owners that aren't even using a HDMI cable to connect to their TV).

Post by Lute October 22, 2012 (37 of 245)
rammiepie said:

Brett, Led Zeppelin reunited for a "final" concert in 2007 and a video (DVD and BD) is being released next month. Concurrently, a pure 124 minute BD~Audio disc will also be released in DTS Master Audio 5.1 on the Warner Brothers Label.

Thanks for the info!!
How about all of their old records??? In the past few years, it seems that a lot of other groups' records: the Doobie Bros, Stones, Dylan, even Sinatra... have been released on SACD. This seems to be a promising development. Am I being too hopeful???

Post by rammiepie October 22, 2012 (38 of 245)
Lute said:

Thanks for the info!!
How about all of their old records??? In the past few years, it seems that a lot of other groups' records: the Doobie Bros, Stones, Dylan, even Sinatra... have been released on SACD. This seems to be a promising development. Am I being too hopeful???

Let's keep our fingers crossed that if sales of the BD~Audio disc sell well, perhaps the surviving members of Led Zeppelin will see the wisdom to release their entire back catalog in 5.1 although I suspect that sales of the BD disc (the concert itself) with 2 accompanying RBCDs (of the same event) will preclude sales of the BD~Audio only disc.

Brett, if you have a DVD~Audio capable player, in 2003 Atlantic Records released a stunning live Zep Concert (recorded in 1972 at their artistic peak) in stunning 5.1 sound entitled How The West Was Won.
It was originally a three disc set so it's pretty comprehensive (on 2 DVD~A discs).

On Amazon US, new copies are selling for $300 and a used copy sells for $85. Played loudly, it sounds fantastic.

Post by Lute October 22, 2012 (39 of 245)
rammiepie said:

Brett, if you have a DVD~Audio capable player, in 2003 Atlantic Records released a stunning live Zep Concert (recorded in 1972 at their artistic peak) in stunning 5.1 sound entitled How The West Was Won.
It was originally a three disc set so it's pretty comprehensive (on 2 DVD~A discs).

On Amazon US, new copies are selling for $300 and a used copy sells for $85. Played loudly, it sounds fantastic.

Thanks again!
I've heard of it, but didn't realize it was so good!! I'll definitely try to track down a copy. Hopefully at discount. ha ha ha!! Between classical and modern... music and films... There are so many wonderful choices available. I can't imagine what the future holds with computer audio and downloads ...as tailspn mentioned. We certainly live in a time of plenty. Should be grateful, I guess.
But...I'll keep my fingers crossed too. :)

Post by Oleboyredw October 22, 2012 (40 of 245)
I listened to my first SACD in mid2012 as a result of a bad experience. I sold my DVD player on eBay and after three weeks the guy complained it wouldn't play SACDs. Huh, what's that?

Anyway, curiosity ruled and I went out and bought one to listen to on my replacement DVD player(DV139). Good for me (and bad for the bank manager) it was Dark Side Of The Moon...... Hooked!

I'm pleased with the stereo on re-recordings of old disks (Dylan) and where multi-channel has been created well I'm over the moon. This discovery has caused me to move away from networked MP3 players about the house and back to sitting down to listen to music.

My main concern is cost of media and in particular of getting media in UK and secondly promotion of the format. Unfortunately, for most potential listeners it appears to offer little ove mp3s etc, which is wrong, the best way to demonstrate that is multichannel, which I can't find much evidence of.

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