SA-CD.net - America: Homecoming

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Reviews: America: Homecoming

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Reviews: 3

Review by Rhinojack May 7, 2015 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)	Performance: Sonics:
I have the greatest hits LP "History" which I listened to recently after finally buying a turntable. I was very impressed with "America" as musicians, years later after having grown up with their music on AM radio and being familiar with hits. So when I saw this album was coming out on SACD 5.1, I knew I'd like it. The multichannel mix is worth the price alone, plus the album contains three hits including "Ventura Highway", though all of the songs are strong. This SACD is so clear it's amazing. The bass on certain tracks is very subtle and I had never noticed it before. An immersion mix to be sure really makes the listener appreciate their contribution to American pop music.
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Review by analogue May 11, 2015 (3 of 4 found this review helpful)	Performance: Sonics:
America's second album and a very good follow up to their self titled release. Like its predecessor it contains several hit songs that are still played (rarely) on the radio. I was very much looking forward to this sacd release. I own the Dvd Audio and think its a terrific sounding listening experience. I enjoyed its analogue sound which is detailed and very open. I listened to this new sacd several times. At first it did sound nicely detailed, warmer than the pcm hi rez Dvd Audio, and sported very good overall sound. However the more I listened I felt that something was missing. It didn't bloom quite as much as Id hoped. I found the Dvd Audio the better overall listen. Specifically I feel that the latter disc is simply more open and transparent. I couldn't help but notice that tape hiss was not readily apparent on Steve Hoffman's sacd.....unless you count track 8 which has said tape hiss and is very much open and dynamic than most of the other tracks.. If the other 9 tracks sounded this good my score would have been higher. I purchased many sacd;s mastered by Hoffman and overall I am a huge fan. His sacd transfer of America's SELF TITLED album IS far superior to this new disc. The former being fuller and richer in overall sound with nice hiss to be heard. The new disc is more recessed sounding for my tastes and in direct comparison to the Dvd Audio. When I listen to Hoffmans sacd transfers of say......In the wind, Bread and Super Sessions I am reminded by how open those sacd;s are and how slightly closed in this new America disc is. The three sacd's are tremendous in what they give the listener. Unfortunately ......qualities I found lacking in the new America sacd. I personally am not all the crazy about the stereo portion of this sacd and I don't recommend it. As I said I am not saying this sacd is atrocious.........but I feel it could have been more open and transparent.
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Review by Marpow May 31, 2015 (3 of 6 found this review helpful)	Performance: Sonics:
America: Homecoming, Hybrid Sacd 5.1 Quick Facts: America's 2nd album released in 1972. This disc released by Audio Fidelity 2015 and my number is 0740. Listening time 33:06. Performance: I have never owned any version of this. My only disc was there first release. I like this performance even though it only has the one hit Ventura Highway. It is a very mellow, calming performance with mostly the vocal, acoustic, vibe. There are strong parts with piano and electric guitar. Fantastic use of bass guitar, really pulls the performance together. Stereo Sonics: All the things I listen to on this disc is highly flavored by the performance. The quality of the stereo is a little recessed, flat, if you will. It is a very warm and analogue sound but not deep, the sound just lays in front of the stereo speakers. I listened at 62 decibels, PCM, HDMI, 88.2 Khz. Multichannel Sonics: Very good, loved it. On the first track, the immediate opener of dueling acoustic guitars at rear right and left channels is brilliant. This is a theme that will prevail throughout and that is the active rears. It did seem to be a hair louder in the rears than what I am used to and I contemplated using my fader and/or taking down a notch the decibel level in the rears. I did not do any of that and just went with it. The sound quality is open and airy, clear. The remix of vocals are dead center and for me the best part is all instruments are put in good proportion to the others. The feel of this music is never needed to be loud. I listened at less volume than the stereo, 58 decibels. Packaging: Typical Audio Fidelity packaging with plastic jewel case and paper slip cover. Original liner credits with single gatefold paper insert. Remix credits. Final: At 33 minutes this disc is a very fast listen. The 5.1 is the king here. Not sure I would advise purchase for stereo only as it is to, ho hum. Thanks again AF for a brilliant 5.1 remix.
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