"Certified Audiophile Recordings"?

[sdclc126]

Hi Folks,

I usually post in Loudspeakers, where I've seen this subject before, but it looked like this would be a good place to ask my question...

Are there any sources for "certified audiophile" recordings? (Am I remembering the term correctly?) I'm wondering how I can find them so purchasing music isn't so much of a hit-and-miss game. With all that so many of us put into our sound systems I know there are a lot of people who insist on this supposedly highest level of recording quality.

So how do you find these - are there any exclusive online vendors, etc? Or are individual recordings simply labelled that way, and you have to search for them among all the other stuff?

Thanks a lot!

[sam9]

I don't know who would do the certification, but you may find what you want (or need?) at http://www.elusivedisc.com

[sdclc126]

Originally posted by sam9
I don't know who would do the certification, but you may find what you want (or need?) at http://www.elusivedisc.com

Looks like a good start - I ordered their catalog - thanks a bunch. Guess I have to get an SACD player though.

[TerryO]

I'm a little unclear as to what constitutes an "audiophile" recording, but if you're looking for really excellent cd quality then you should look at the products that Winston Ma produces. He's gotten so many awards for his cd's that I wouldn't attempt to list them, you can see that for yourself at his website.

The URL is: www.fimpression.com

I own a number of these and can honestly say that the quality is first class, coming from an absolute Audiophile of legendary proportions. He's graciously consented to be one of our judges in the last two speaker contests (The Puget Sound!) that the PNWAS has held.

If you want to know what he uses as a reference system for his work, you can check out the Athens site or Positive Feedback (issues 1 & 3).

HTH's
TerryO

[sdclc126]

www.fimpression.com

Another good recommendation. Thanks guys - I'm on the right track here.

While we're on the subject - anybody have CD vs. SACD experience? Audible differences? Would you recommend the investment (budget allowing) in an SACD player, and are there brands/models you might suggest?

[sam9]

Also look at some of the RealTime recordings (direct-to-disc ca. 1980 released on CD) from www.mksound.com

[TerryO]

CLC asked:

While we're on the subject - anybody have CD vs. SACD experience? Audible differences? Would you recommend the investment (budget allowing) in an SACD player, and are there brands/models you might suggest?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, if you want to know, SACD is better than redbook cd from a technical standpoint, although it still depends on the mixdown, etc., to determine if it ends up sounding better. I've heard some superb SACD's and there are some real dogs out there as well. However, DVD-A (DAD) is also very good and the word from insiders is that SACD is the next Dodo bird, soon to be extinct.

At this time I would content myself with a good DVD player, which can be rather inexpensive, I picked up my Toshiba 3950 for about $55 USD and it's pretty good on all formats except SACD. When, or if, SACD expires then the playing field will be a little clearer. It may be that the Blue Laser DVD (or other super secret R&D stuff) will come on strong, leaving the other formats obsolete, so at this time I'm not inclined toward investing any real money until it has settled down a bit and it can be discerned what the future holds.

FYI: good analog LP's are still the format to beat, but that will be changing "very" soon (maybe with the fabled 24/192 or the 24/192(x2) formats). I'm afraid the curse is true, we do indeed live in interesting times.

I'm not sure if this is what you wanted, but I hate to see anyone put down healthy money on a dying format.
Best Regards,
TerryO

[sdclc126]

"I'm not sure if this is what you wanted, but I hate to see anyone put down healthy money on a dying format."

Yes indeed this is what I wanted to know - not only would I be investing in the player but the SACDs themselves. I'm quite content to wait for the "next big thing" to come out, AND to wait to see how "durable" it will be.

Thanks!

[clem_o]

On the CD vs SACD (and DVD-A), check the thread:

sacd better/same/worse dvd-a???


Cheers

[sam9]

Would you recommend the investment (budget allowing) in an SACD player, and are there brands/models you might suggest?

There are a number of universal disc players (CD, SACD,DVD-A, DVD, DTS-CD, 24/96 CD) that are very reasonably priced. Samsung and Denon come to mind. Sony would br good too except by policy the refuse to make onr that plays DVD-A. Except for nicer cosmetics and one's perceived status as an audiophile have have beeb unable to discern any advantage the pricey units have over the mass market variety frtom Good Guys, Circuit City, etc.

That said I have been unable to convince my self that two channel SACD have any advantages over CD -- except that hey have been the motivation (or excuse) to re-master some olderbpieces that needed it but which were blocked by economic considerations. Examples are some Miles Davis recordinf, much of the Rolling Stones. In some cases they were re-released in remastered format as hybrids (both a CD and SACD track). It's hard to do a really good AB comparrison without more elaborate equipment, but if there is a difference it is one that is very hard to hear. The original source is a limitation as well.

If you are limiting yourself to two channels I'm not sure spending a lot to get an expendive SACD player is worth it except that there are some remasters available only on SACD. I think most new SACD recordings are nearly always on CD as well. Speaking of remastering, there are a small number of re-mastered recordings from Classic Records that are issued on 24/96 "DAD" which required DVD capability -- this is another reason for a universal player.