Post by decal July 4, 2010 (71 of 152)
|
|
My copy is on the plane as we speak.I hope it lives up to the hype.This is the most I've ever paid for an SACD.
|
|
|
Post by danfaz July 6, 2010 (72 of 152)
|
|
Just got mine in the mail. Will give it a listen tonight after work. Certainly part of the cost is in the packaging. Very nice. The disc even looks pretty LOL!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claude said:
First impressions here:
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=214060&page=40
First impressions consisted, among others, of one poster comparing his Cisco LP to the new SHM-SACD version and preferring by a wide margin the Cisco LP version. It's like comparing apples and oranges: If one were to use a Playback Design MPS~5 SACD player and compare it to the vinyl, I would like to know how THAT comparison would fare? Using a universal player and a pricey turntable (the info on the turntable is unknown) would certainly IMO null and void such a comparison.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yeah,
This SACD is probably one of the worst that I've ever heard, - rivaling the Pixies SACD, or even worse. The redbook SHM is much better. Our speculation was that this thing had added compression, or that the polarity was reversed in the SACD process.
1. Dull, closed in, - everything happens in the middle.
2. reduced dynamics
3. Tizzy in the highs, - yet muted in the upper mids, lower highs.
Yech
|
|
|
|
|
|
My take on Aja.
I have to say the packaging is top notch, although I wish I could read Japanese. The clear plastic resealable (is that a word?) pouch is made from heavy material, so it should last. It also has the SACD/SHM symbols and words printed on the lower right corner. There is the usual Obi strip, but it also covers the entire back. The cover, back and inside panels have a flat sheen with high quality artwork. The whole thing opens up into 4 panels with the disc tucked into one of the panels. The disc is in a plastic sleeve, which is inside a white paper sleeve with the SACD/SHM symbols and words embossed in one side. The only downside is trying to get the white paper sleeve out of the panel is a bit tricky. The disc is green on the top side and silver on the other. I inspected the disc, it is well made with very smooth edges and a thick center ring.
Ok, the meat......
Aja sounds fantastic. There is more air and much more decay. The horns are exquisite and the cymbals simply shimmer. The sound stage is huge and just floats out in space. Where the bass on the CD's sounds slightly muffled, it is clean, clear and growls on the SACD. In fact, all of it sounds clean and clear...you really get to hear into the music. No matter the volume level, the music remains silky smooth......so nice!
I've read a few reviews where the person liked the original CD better saying the SACD sounded flat. I honestly don't know what they are talking about because it is the exact opposite.
|
|
|
|
|
|
So the SHM designation really stands for Sizzling Hot Music.....Yeah, baby! Now how about Countdown to Ecstasy and Can't Buy a Thrill in multi~channel SHM~SACD (as the Quad masters do exist for both)......two albums I particularly have a yen for.........
|
|
|
Post by terence July 8, 2010 (77 of 152)
|
|
Merganser said:
I've read a few reviews where the person liked the original CD better saying the SACD sounded flat. I honestly don't know what they are talking about because it is the exact opposite.
i have the bog-standard UK CD first issue and have always thought it disappointing. what i want to know is, is this new mastering significantly better? i.e. £50+ better?!
|
|
|
Post by MNSACD July 8, 2010 (78 of 152)
|
|
sordidman said:
Yeah,
This SACD is probably one of the worst that I've ever heard, - rivaling the Pixies SACD, or even worse. The redbook SHM is much better. Our speculation was that this thing had added compression, or that the polarity was reversed in the SACD process.
1. Dull, closed in, - everything happens in the middle.
2. reduced dynamics
3. Tizzy in the highs, - yet muted in the upper mids, lower highs.
Yech
I got mine in the mail last week and listened over the weekend.........your comments are right on here.......exactly how I would describe it. I played my regular cd of Aja after the SACD and prefer the regular cd......well live and learn. I feel like I wasted 50 bucks. Well the package is nice. :(
MNSACD
|
|
|
Post by terence July 8, 2010 (79 of 152)
|
|
extraordinary how utterly polarised opinions are on this disc already.
whither truth??!!
|
|
|
Post by danfaz July 8, 2010 (80 of 152)
|
|
terence said:
extraordinary how utterly polarised opinions are on this disc already.
whither truth??!!
And I'll add to the confusion:
I just got my Aja SACD. I don't have the previous versions, so I can't make a comparison. However, it is a beautiful sounding SACD. It sounds very clear, no hisses, spits, crackles, etc. Despite being 2 channel, there is a pretty good sense of separation of the instrumentation, as well.
I can see why these are expensive (other than the SHM label)...the packaging is very ornate.
|
|
