I'm really enjoying these SACDs on my new to me Music Hall Maverick. I know some discs are hard to find but am looking for some recommendations on exceptional discs.

Right now I have several Diana Krall discs which are quite lovely. Coltrane The Love Supreme has never sounded better. My favorite so far is Norah Jones Come Away with Me. The sound stage on the title track is unbelieveable!

As good as the my FLAC files sound up sampled through the Music Hall DAC, these SACDs go the next step beyond.

Anyone have highly recommended SACDs to share?

These are out of print (OOP), but are pretty easy to find:

Stones - "Let it Bleed" and "Beggars Banquet" - digipak case rather than plastic case is the giveaway that these are the 2002 CD/SACD hybrids. These are the definitive digital editions.

Another OOP is the Zombies Greatest - mastered by Steve Hoffman.

In print, Miles Davis KOB is good, Moody Blues' "In Search of the Lost Chord," and Allman Brothers Band "Eat a Peach."

Ken

"I'll Play The Blues For You" by Albert King...great album and you do not have to be a blues fan to enjoy ....great mix of blues,r&B, and rock with of course Albert's guitar and the Barkays ...can pick it up on ebay for around $10 bucks if you look around

Lets sticky this thread. I will add

Ray brown's Red Hot

The Yamamoto trio Misty

Peter White - Glow
Steely Dan - Gaucho

Thanks for the input and I will look for these.

I have:

Miles Davis Big Fun (busy as ever but I can actually hear most of the details now)

Dave Brubeck solo piano (puts a piano in my living room)

Getz/Gilberto (one of my favorite albums of all time and I am totally blown away by the SACD version!)

Gary Burton Like Minds (Great!)

Steve Ray Vaughan Texas Flood (you have never heard Lenny until you have heard this SACD version!)

Beck- Sea Change

I will second The Rolling Stones- Let It Bleed

I like the RCA Living Stereo SACD's. The three channel option is great.

I have only one but it's terrific - Pink Floyd - DSOTM.

Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Steely Dan - Gaucho

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

The Peter Malick Group featuring Norah Jones - New York City

Any of the BMG/RCA Living Stereo SACDs

Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out

Any of the Sarah Brightman SACDs

The Best of John Denver - Live

Roy Orbison & Friends - Black and White Night

Thanks guys! Great list!

checked most of the local music stores with no luck with the recommendations listed. I did pick up Edgar Winter TOCOAN and was not impressed. Love this Album but it sounded about the same as the RB version. Sure its the same great album but the SACD version is nothing special
.

Was really hoping to find a few of these on the list. I am a huge Rolling Stone fan so I was hoping to find Let it Bleed. Also Brothers in Arms is one of my favorite albums but no luck.

May have to buy on line?

You should pretty much forget about buying SACD at a brick-and-mortar store. You may find the stray SACD by luck, but if it was me, I'd concentrate on buying online.

The SACD of Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" was not released in the US since the band was signed to a Warner Music label and Warner supported SACD's rival, DVD-A. Therefore, you should look for the SACD online. There're US e-tailers that sells the SACD, but they're generally more expensive.

For the Rolling Stones SACDs, look for those packaged in digipak. Those are the SACD version. The Rolling Stones SACDs are not marked as such on the outside and the digipak packaging is really the only indication to inform you of a disc being SACD. If you're buying online, I would make sure with the seller that you are after the SACD version.

Consider any SACD titles, once released, to be going out-of-print. There're very few instances where SACD titles get reissued. Some SACD titles now command big $$$ because of this reason. Try finding the SACD of Spandau Ballet's "True" for a reasonable amount....

Sam Cooke - Live at the Copa
Santana - Abraxas
Willie Nelson - Stardust

Classics, all which sound great on SACD.

One of my favorites is Patricia Barber "Modern Cool" Still Available from acoustic Sounds website. Also Her Companion Cd and her Cafe Blue Cd are outstanding. Acoustic Sounds has a good selection of SACD still available and a great selection of vinyl.

Paul Weller - Studio 150

I see the Thriller SACD now is over $100! I almost bought one a week ago for $15...

Looks like Amazon has a good selection. Any other online sources of worth?

Berlioz: Requiem; Norrington, Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra. Hanssler Classic
Cleveland Symphonic Winds; Frederick Fennell. Telarc
Mahler: Symphony No. 5; Philharmonia Orchestra, Zander. Telarc
Mahler: Symphony No. 2; Vienna Philharmonic, Kaplan. Deutsche Grammophon
Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Nagano. Harmonia Mundi
Mahler: Symphony No. 2; Budapest Festival Orchestra, Fischer. Channel Classics
Mahler: Symphonies; San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, M. Tilson-Thomas. SFSO
Ditto the RCA Living Stereo SACDs.

I guess this list pretty much pigeon-holes me.

www.half.com is a also a good place to pick up sacds sometimes at very reasonable prices...its the non-bid online "re-sale" partner to ebay if you have an ebay account you do not need to register for it...of course making sure the seller is actually sending you an sacd and not a redbook version is paramount before purchasing

I am a huge Rolling Stone fan so I was hoping to find Let it Bleed.

Patience is key. For a while, the LIB SACD was selling for about $70.00. The price has since gone down. You should be able to get it online (likely eBay) for between $20.00 and $30.00.

I see the Thriller SACD now is over $100! I almost bought one a week ago for $15...

Still available, as of yesterday, from CDJapan and HMB Jp for under US$40.00....which is their regular price.

Found these at Frys today:

David Sanborn - Timeline (great Jazz recording!)

The Stan Getz Quartet - Pure Getz (Excellent re-mix!) - Tempus Fugit is simply like I have never heard it before.

Ordered LIB and BIA on amazon today :)

Couple of my SACD favs:

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (the best version of this seminal album I have)

Pink Floyd - DSOTM (way better than the standard CD or vinyl versions)

Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company (just 'cause I like Ray)

Rubenstein - Beethoven Sonatas, No. 14, No. 26, No. 8, & No. 23. (If you like solo piano, this recording is stunning. The tone of the piano, the power and finesse of Rubinstein's playing, and the sense of the space where this music was recorded are amazing)

Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company (just 'cause I like Ray)


As do I! Picked it up today and is very enjoyable. On a couple of tracks I'm not crazy about the Ray's vocals but most everything else is incredible!

let it Bleed came in the mail today. What a simply magnificent mix of this classic! Every instrument is clear and concise.

Every song has elements that I've never heard before.

This album was meant to be cranked. With the dynamic content of this SACD and a low noise floor of my system the delivery is quite dramatic. "Love in vain" is extra special at full boat!

Just picked up John Coltrane - Lush of life

Although I've heard some of these tracks before, this is the first I have heard the album.

Awesome in SACD!

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Finally got my Dire Straits brothers in arms and pink floyd dark side of the moon. Both of these albums are on my top 10 list (if not top 5) and its a real treat to hear them in SACD!

:thmbsp:

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Wow! what an absolutly stunning Jazz recording in SACD! My living room is a pub in Stockholm!

If you get a chance to hear this in SACD you will find it quite intertaining! :thmbsp:

immortal nystedt on 2L-cloassical choral music that is VERY ethereal.

i ching on chesky

manhattan transfer-vibrate

cal tjader-lo onda va bien

laurindo almeida/charlie byrd-tango

bob belden-black dahlia

ana caram-hollywood rio

i have many other good ones, i just cant find them all right now.

roger waters live in berlin . van morrison doing comfortably numb joni mitchel good by blue sky etc.

The Creedence Clearwater SACD's from Analog Productions are a must have.

Acoustic Sounds is the best place to get them.

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This is a great SACD recording!

Let it Bleed came in the mail today.

"Love in Vain" is extra special at full boat!

Yes indeed. I have an original UK DECCA "ffss" stereo LP pressing of "Bleed" and the SACD compares favorably.

I would highly recommend the "Beggars Banquet" SACD if you dig "Bleed." I would argue that these two are the essential digital versions of the early Stones, along with "12 X 5." All the other Stones SACDs are good, but these three are special.

Ken

Yes indeed. I have an original UK DECCA "ffss" stereo LP pressing of "Bleed" and the SACD compares favorably.

I would highly recommend the "Beggars Banquet" SACD if you dig "Bleed." I would argue that these two are the essential digital versions of the early Stones, along with "12 X 5." All the other Stones SACDs are good, but these three are special.

Ken

So far I have not found BB at a decent price but still looking. I will certainly check out 12 x 5.

I did pick up this gem:
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and what an amazing newer recording of some awesome Jazz!

Found a new copy of Jeff Beck - Blow by Blow. Now this is a fine sounding album, and one of my all time favorites, so I was excited to find it in SACD. I was not disappointed and the SACD version brings this master piece to a whole new level. Sound stage is scary!

"Diamond Dust" has a presence that almost brings tears to your eyes!

Might be my favorite SACD so far because of the dramatic dynamic quality it brings to an already excellent sounding album.

blow by blow is a DIGITAL master which 'blows' me away. it undermines those who keep saying that digital on vinyl is foolish. it isnt it doesnt have to suffer dumbing down to 44.1/16 encoding. you hear the digital convertors in the studio at their original sampling rate.

brothers in arms is a case in point.

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Love Weather Report so was looking forward to listening to this SACD. I was not disappointed! Their music has always been so interesting in that you can listen to it several times and always notice something new. In SACD...IILIHNHIB

Even though the music may not be to your tastes the Jeff Ward's musical version War of the Worlds double album sounds incredible in SACD. Much better than the vinyl version.

how is that? did you hear the vinyl on a dcent system? this is going to be interesting.

Gene Harris Quartet ~ Listen Here!

I find myself listening to this SACD frequently.

Yellowjackets: Time Squared

Still adding to the collection. Many excellent recommendations here. Today I picked up the Allman Bros live Fillmore East SACD. Probably been 10+ years since I've heard this album. Enjoyed every minute of it! Guitars are right there in my living room!

These guys sure were/are great musicians!

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I'm currently diggin' the Elton John - Madman Across The Water SACD - in quiet spots, you can hear the breaths in between verses - him stepping on piano peddles, etc. - pretty impressive stuff.

I too like the Stones stuff via SACD - really liking Get yer ya ya's out and It's only rock and roll.

I'm currently diggin' the Elton John - Madman Across The Water SACD - in quiet spots, you can hear the breaths in between verses - him stepping on piano peddles, etc. - pretty impressive stuff.


Good to hear! YBR is said to be quite bad so Madman may be a better choice...

I'd be interested to know what you think, once you've had a chance to listen. Plus, I just love every song on MATW - stone classic.

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LUX FEMINÆ
900-1600
Various Composers
Montserrat Figueras

Alia Vox

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Of course I've heard the mega hits off this album for years but I don't think I've heard some of the other fine tracks since I was a kid. For a bunch of guys from Oakland the leadbelly stuff sure sounds like their blood is flowing from the south!

Fortunate Son, maybe the best US rock song of all time? Certainly top 10. I've never heard it better than on this SACD....

Creedence, Cosmo's factory sounds excellent on SACD, as well as Elton's Goodbye the yellow brick road, and Marvin Gaye's midnight love. Just love the detail, and great depth on these SACD's.

I have a small collection of SACD discs, but one of my favorites is Jerry Goldsmiths Telarc disc of his movie and tv themes. Nice sound. Kind of Blue is also a god disc as mentioned.

John Hiatt Bring the Family sounds great on SACD. Not very easy to find, unfortunately.

Hi All.

I recently discovered Linn Music as a source for new (to US) and great sound.

Try Linn's "The Super Audio Surround Collection Volume 3" (SACD)-

It has some really good music that is well-recorded (both Jazz and Classical).

-Chas

Walked in to Fry's at lunch today and was surprized to see they had quite a few additions to their SACD selection. Picked up Elton John - Honky Chateau, Elton John - Elton John, The Who - Tommy, Eric Clapton- 461 Ocean Boulevard, and John Mayer - Heavier Things.

Was good to see they contiue to add to their floor stock...

So far I've only listened to Tommy and it is splendid.

Ok, just to pour some oil on unlit fires, while SACD recommendations are being made, how about SACDs to skip since there have to be some, no? Are we just liking SACDs because of the multichannel aspect (atleast some of them), even on those discs where the instruments are splayed across the channels weirdly, or are we liking some because they are SACDs and so they damn better be good....

I love my DSOTM, Dire Straits, Stan Getz/Gilberto and Diana Krall; but I have not been that impressed by Lets Get It On and Slowhand (if you don't know the artistes, then you are in the wrong site). Don't get me wrong, they are great albums in their own standing, but to me they did not stand out as SACD flag-bearers. I just recently laid hands on Tapestry on vinyl so I can compare my SACD version to the vinyl version to see how they stack up.

Have not been able to get Avalon Roxy (backordered from the last 3 months since I ordered it through Amazon Japan) so no comments on that (even though it is very highly rated by sa-cd.net). Anyway, that's my 2 cents... got tired of all the saccharine for the SACDs; let's have some sour milk also to help folks skip spending on the less worthy ones and spending on the more worthy ones....

Agree. I play Redbook through my DAC often upsampled to 24/192 and compare this to the SACD. Sometimes I hear no differance, sometimes the SACD is much better (fuller and more open).

I mostly try to get the Hybrid SACDs. I figure I have nothing to loose if the SACD is not adding anything. Most SACD disks cost little more than the standard redbook versions these days.

I find that a lot of popular music has very little benefit in the SACD version but most of the Jazz cuts are much improved in SACD.

I'll sumerize my impressions of the couple dozen disks I have over the next few weeks.

Still adding to the collection. Many excellent recommendations here. Today I picked up the Allman Bros live Fillmore East SACD. Probably been 10+ years since I've heard this album. Enjoyed every minute of it! Guitars are right there in my living room!

These guys sure were/are great musicians!

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Agreed.

A very good choice (so much that I even sold my pink labeled Capricorn LP.)

I like the Eat A Peach SACD too.

Agreed.

I like the Eat A Peach SACD too.

dido!

...while SACD recommendations are being made, how about SACDs to skip since there have to be some, no?...

Excellent point. This would be the place to share impressions of lukewarm SACDs, or those that seem to offer no benefit over redbook versions.

I cannot say from personal experience, but I can pass on that the Blue Note SACD of John Coltrane's Blue Train has been widely panned, with some saying that it actually sounds worse than some redbook versions.

However, it is important to note that the more recent Analog Productions hybrid SACD of this title remastered by Steve Hoffman has garnered excellent reviews, with most saying it is now the definitive digital version of this title. And since the redbook layer has Steve's remaster, it is worth buying even by those who don't have an SACD capable player.

The take home point it that while DSD mastering and SACD offer better resolution and detail than redbook, the result will only sound as good as the master- "garbage in, garbage out" in other words...

Even though the music may not be to your tastes the Jeff Ward's musical version War of the Worlds double album sounds incredible in SACD. Much better than the vinyl version.

It's Jeff Wayne and yes that is a flagship example of what SACD can do in stereo and multi channel.

along with The Police Syncronicity...wow that one sings in sacd too.

Two I have that I would suggest are:

Allison Krauss & US Live

Stevie Ray Vaughn's Couldn't Stand The Weather

how is that? did you hear the vinyl on a dcent system? this is going to be interesting.

Remember, this selection was re mastered by Jeff Wayne / Sony to show off what SACD is capable of in 2 channel and Multi Channel. Much of what we hear are the individual tracks that wouldn't fit on the original master put back in at the writer's discretion, making the 2005 version ' both different and the same as the 1978 versions. I have the 1978 versions played on a very good analog system, and the 2005 SACD versions along with the Acetate vinyl versions he gave me personaly. The remasered vinyl sounds good but not available anywhere. It just doesnt showcase what the SACD does, and thats what the project was all about. Thats why the 2 channel vinyl editions were scrapped in 2006.

FYI the 1978 masters were recorded on 2-24 track machines slaved together (Maglink), a new system Advision studios was working the bugs out of. There were a lot of tracks dropped from the original album because even with 48 tracks there still wasn't enough room to put it all on the stereo mixdown.

007

However, it is important to note that the more recent Analog Productions hybrid SACD of this title remastered by Steve Hoffman has garnered excellent reviews, with most saying it is now the definitive digital version of this title. And since the redbook layer has Steve's remaster, it is worth buying even by those who don't have an SACD capable player.


Agree, I have the Analog Productions SACD version of Blue Train and it is exceptional (including the redbook layer).