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Post by yves on Apr 8, 2016 16:55:21 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the industry doesn't care about anything except making a profit, and besides, SACD never was a step in the right direction anyway in the first place because DSD64 isn't even truly Hi Res. I'm totally with you about "The Industry". This guy might be in disagreement with you about the Barber SACD, tho... www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=11412&showall=1DJ It was recorded in 16-bit 48 kHz on a 32-track Otari machine at Chicago Recording Company in early 1994 by recording engineer Jim Anderson. 16-bit 48 kHz PCM audio is Standard Res, and, converting PCM to DSD is, as a matter of true fact, still only a lossy conversion process so, technically, it's kind of like being in disagreement about whether there are any colors in a rainbow.  |
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djreef
Sensei
Thoroughly enjoying my Schiit
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Post by djreef on Apr 22, 2016 10:46:04 GMT -5
Well, I finally received my copy of the Barber (Cafe Blue Unmastered) SACD. It is nothing short of amazing, and my new 'go to' reference. I really really really hope others follow suit in demanding flat transfers of their works in the future.
DJ
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KeithL
Administrator 
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Post by KeithL on Apr 22, 2016 11:30:44 GMT -5
I agree - and I would evaluate any high-res re-master of an album on its individual merits - just as I would any other re-master or re-issue. I've heard quite a lot of content from HDTRacks. To me, the Grateful Dead Studio Albums reissue sounds wonderful; the mix is absolutely the best I've heard so far, and I highly recommend it. However, some others don't sound any better at all to me, and others may not be the best version available. (Only you can decide if a great re-master of a mix you don't like sounds better than a poor quality copy of a mix you DO like.) (And, yes, this makes it a little more difficult to decide which ones are worth buying and which ones aren't.... ) |
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Apr 22, 2016 11:41:14 GMT -5
I have to say that I think that some people are "taking this all a bit too personally". While I agree that every high-resolution re-master or re-issue isn't going to be great, or even good, I can't really accept that "it's risen to the level of a conspiracy". After all, just look at how many times popular albums get reissued.... The last time I counted there were literally DOZENS of reissues of Dark Side of the Moon - on everything from 8-track tape, to cassette, to vinyl, to half-speed vinyl, to CD, to GOLD CD, to SACD, to DVD-A, to Blu-Ray. I hardly find it any more "offensive" or "exploitative" that we're getting one more wave of re-masters and re-issues.... especially since, in at least a few cases, they really are better.... and a least there seems to be a little increase in the level of public awareness of the actual quality of the recordings. I would also like to expand on your comment about file size.... I just bought a 6 tB USB hard drive for $199, so I wholeheartedly agree that file size is totally meaningless... which means that I don't see the larger file size of high-res recordings as a benefit - or a drawback, but I also don't see the smaller file size of Red Book CD files, or even MP3 files, as being a significant benefit either. The more credible proponents of high res audio will concede that a properly done recording in 16/44 lossless will sound absolutely stunning and satisfy any listener. When I am honest and properly test myself, I can not reliably distinguish between lossy and lossless beginning at approximately 200 kbps on up. So wouldn't it make sense to actually produce decent recordings in the widely used formats before we explore the higher cost large file options that have (in the opinion of most with proper scientific credentials) dubious audible benefits? My point is no matter what you believe re: high res audio, I think most reasonably informed people can agree file size is meaningless if the recordings are crap. Of course the industry sees an opportunity to make a buck, so in march the marketers and their useful idiots in the audiophile press. |
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Post by 509Paul on Apr 22, 2016 13:14:29 GMT -5
Well, I finally received my copy of the Barber (Cafe Blue Unmastered) SACD. It is nothing short of amazing, and my new 'go to' reference. I really really really hope others follow suit in demanding flat transfers of their works in the future. DJ Mines in the mail right now. Looking forward to listening to it! |
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djreef
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Thoroughly enjoying my Schiit
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Post by djreef on Apr 22, 2016 20:17:14 GMT -5
Let me know what you think of it.
DJ
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Post by novisnick on Apr 22, 2016 20:35:34 GMT -5
Let me know what you think of it. DJ HimRes, I think I s great! Especially when played on this!   |
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djreef
Sensei
Thoroughly enjoying my Schiit
Posts: 353
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Post by djreef on Apr 22, 2016 21:49:23 GMT -5
...and a lot of the resurgence of vinyl, I believe, can be traced to the dynamics of the medium. If you check the numbers @ dr.loudness-war.info you'll see that many LPs crush their CD counterparts, sadly enough. Of course the reasoning behind this is obvious - no radio stations play LPs any more - only digital - so there's no incentive to pump and limit the source to make it louder than the next guy, so the indirect benefit is a more dynamic/ 3 dimensional rendering. DJ |
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Post by novisnick on Apr 22, 2016 21:53:37 GMT -5
HimRes, I think I s great! Especially when played on this! ...and a lot of the resurgence of vinyl, I believe, can be traced to the dynamics of the medium. If you check the numbers @ dr.loudness-war.info you'll see that many LPs crush their CD counterparts, sadly enough. Of course the reasoning behind this is obvious - no radio stations play LPs any more - only digital - so there's no incentive to pump and limit the source to make it louder than the next guy, so the indirect benefit is a more dynamic/realistic rendering. DJ My friend,,I am Not a numbers kind of guy when it comes to music, I like it or I don't. I likes it a lot more when I hear it on vinyl, I could go on and on about it but im not willing to bore the ney sayers or have a long discussion about it. Many prefer CD and thats fine, others "hi res" digital. Matters not, let me spin my discs of vinyl,,,,,,,,Im happy. |
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Post by yves on Apr 23, 2016 13:07:10 GMT -5
...and a lot of the resurgence of vinyl, I believe, can be traced to the dynamics of the medium. If you check the numbers @ dr.loudness-war.info you'll see that many LPs crush their CD counterparts, sadly enough. Of course the reasoning behind this is obvious - no radio stations play LPs any more - only digital - so there's no incentive to pump and limit the source to make it louder than the next guy, so the indirect benefit is a more dynamic/ 3 dimensional rendering. DJ TT Dynamic Range meter can't be used to prove anything about the dynamics of a vinyl release compared to a digital release. It doesn't even measure Dynamic Range, but nevertheless it can give a rudimentary indication of how likely a digital release has (loudness war) overly brickwalled / hypercompression. |
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djreef
Sensei
Thoroughly enjoying my Schiit
Posts: 353
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Post by djreef on Apr 29, 2016 16:48:58 GMT -5
...and a lot of the resurgence of vinyl, I believe, can be traced to the dynamics of the medium. If you check the numbers @ dr.loudness-war.info you'll see that many LPs crush their CD counterparts, sadly enough. Of course the reasoning behind this is obvious - no radio stations play LPs any more - only digital - so there's no incentive to pump and limit the source to make it louder than the next guy, so the indirect benefit is a more dynamic/ 3 dimensional rendering. DJ TT Dynamic Range meter can't be used to prove anything about the dynamics of a vinyl release compared to a digital release. It doesn't even measure Dynamic Range, but nevertheless it can give a rudimentary indication of how likely a digital release has (loudness war) overly brickwalled / hypercompression. Hey Man, Throw me some links up concerning this topic. I'm trying to research the hell outta this. I have done side by sides with OG redbook vs remasters (level matched), and there is absolutely no comparison. The original issues kill the remasters in almost every case where punch and depth of field are concerned. Unfortunately, I don't have a turn table or I'd do my own comparisons here, as well. Anything you got would be appreciated. DJ |
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Post by yves on Apr 30, 2016 12:36:49 GMT -5
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djreef
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Thoroughly enjoying my Schiit
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Post by djreef on Apr 30, 2016 22:27:50 GMT -5
Thanx Yves.
DJ
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