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User Details - windhoek
Name: |
Derek | |
Details: |
Although I've had a handful of SACDs for a few years now, it wasn't until spring 2012 when I changed my setup in an attempt to simplify things that I truly discovered the superb sound of SACD. I used to use an AVR for multi-channel audio (MCA) playback and a stereo amp for CD and vinyl playback. Both amp and AVR however, were connected to the one pair of front speakers via a speaker switch in a 4.0 setup. Although this allowed stereo and surround sound to co-exist, it was frustratingly complex (more boxes and extended signal path). I decided therefore to remove the speaker switch, connect my AVR via its pre-outs to the stereo amp and use the stereo amp to power the front speakers in all cases. Not only is my setup now simpler, it's also much better; my SACD listening experience has transformed into something special! The amazing improvement can be described in one word - sonic cohesion (OK, two words); something I never knew my AVR was lacking. It now seems like music from the front speakers comes right out to meet music from the rear speakers to make one complete unit of sound. It's also easier to determine the directionality of each instrument, note by note. No longer does MCA sound like it's coming from speakers over there and back there, it's now up close and personal, has me by the scruff of the neck and is right in my face (and ears!)! My favourite MCA SACD is Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds; it's a real tour de force in surround sound! Each of the speakers get a good workout during playback because the mix is so dynamic - perhaps as dynamic as the music itself. I think the moment that typifies the aforementioned sonic cohesion best occurs during The Spirit Of Man when the spacecraft crashes into the house. The alien ship approaches sonically from behind the listener, travels forward and then crashes at the front speakers; it really sounded like a spacecraft flew just above my head and crashed into my front speakers, that's how good the surround mix is! Using my stereo amp in this way has also improved the sound of stereo-only SACDs. The Roling Stones' Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed, Bob Dylan's Highway 61 and Can's Tago Mago and Future Days albums to name but a few, sound better than ever. If only SACD were the original digital format and oh, if only, I'd bought more SACD's before they went OOP and WOOMB ('out of print' and 'way out of my budget' respectively). |
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Location: |
Somewhere in your mind as a memory... | |
HiFi: |
Source: LP - Project 6 Perspex (Denon DL-160 cartridge) CD - Naim Nait 5i (MkII) SACD - Pioneer DVD-600 Amplification: Stereo - Naim Nait 3 Surround - Yamaha RX-V3800* Speakers: Front - Mordaunt Short Mezzo 6 Rear - Mordaunt Short Mezzo 1 Centre - no centre Sub - no sub Other: Headphones - Sennheiser HD800 Headphone Amp - NJC Audio Monitor II Equipment Stands - Mana Acoustics * As previously stated, my AVR powers the front speakers via pre-outs to my stereo amp so that the front speakers are powered in all cases by the stereo amp. |
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March 30, 2013
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| I thought that would be the case, thanks. ... more | |
March 30, 2013
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| I wonder though, if by using analogue connections, would that bypass the AVR's DSP features such as room setup (speaker distance, levelling and EQ etc)? ... more | |
March 24, 2013
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| I think there's a few of us who've given up on Amazon UK delivering this item; that's probably why we've been ordering from Amazon US or in your case, JPC. ... more | |
March 20, 2013
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| My copy is on its way from the US (to UK) and so should arrive in a couple of weeks or so and because it cost less than £15, shouldn't raise eyebrows at HMRC ;) ... more | |
February 11, 2013
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| Welcome to the site ;) I'm a late-comer to the DM party and have bought a few of their SACDs, but Exciter and Violator are currently out of my budget, so it looks like I'll be buying the recent CD+DVD versions. I've not heard either album, but I'm prepared to take a punt on these cheaper releases because at least they contains multi-channel mixes ... more | |
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(6 of 6 found this review helpful) 
