Glinka: Ruslan & Lyudmila [SACD]

SACD (Sadly Another Confusing Device) but WOW!

Advantages: An exciting new world of listening
Disadvantages: It's difficult to know what you are buying.

Of course if you clicked this review you know that SACD actually stands for Super Audio Compact Disc. I want to write on behalf of the non tecnophobes and non HiFi enthusiasts that already know what a confusing topic this is! You are possibly (like me) introduced to the format by Sony including a sampler disc with your new DVD player. Sony are a prime developer of SACD and when you have a surround 5.1 amplifier and speaker set up you will be surely impressed by the multichannel effects. So off we go to buy some more! STOP! Have a Grolsch or someting! First we must understand that it was largely developed as a HiFi enhancement in that the sample rate is higher than on CD as is the frequency responce (top notes). So to benefit you really want high grade (SACD spec) speakers and amplifier. You may notice some clarity improvement ...

TimJim 18.06.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of General buying advice of SACD audio disks.

Sony SCD-1 SACD CD player

Advantages: Pure Quality
Disadvantages: Not many!

"! As such, the most discerning audiophiles have now become more wary of new formats and much more wary of parting with the dollars that support them. Sony and Philips had a small parting of the ways with a mini-format war when they went to battle over Sony's Mini Disc system (this evolving into a mass market system of some credibility) and the Philips DCC (Digital Compact Cassette). We all know the story of the demise of DCC and the evolution of Mini Disc. Now, another format change is here, developed jointly by Sony and Philips, and ready to take on the hardened audiophile, the mid-fi enthusiast, and all the boys who like their toys. The Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) machine is here, and Sony and Philips are betting this new format will be as revolutionary as their earlier 16-bit, 44.1kHz digital CDI first heard the Sony SCD-1 SACD ...

DJ_FUSION 18.04.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Sony CDP XB 920

Beautylicious babes at their best!

Advantages: PHENOMENAL sound quality, good mixture of those ladies vocal talents, CD TEXT present
Disadvantages: It isn't availble everywhere!

You will have to bear with me on this one as I'm not normally a music reviewer or an R&B fan but here goes. I purchased this CD because of the format -a Hybrid SACD which I know gives incredible sound quality compared with a standard version, the fact that I'd heard a couple of the tracks previously such as the Title track and 'Independent Women'. I also obtained it at the princely sum of £9.99 from a small indie dealer called Swordfish Records in Temple St Birmingham. Now this was a shot in the dark for me but I was very keen to find out just how good it sounded. So I popped along to Sevenoaks in Birmingham as I'm a personal friend of the Manager and he let me audition it on a £36K system... Before this Destiny's Child weren't my cup of tea... Well I always wondered what all the fuss was about with SACD and Destiny's Childand ...

peterkinxl5 14.04.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Survivor [Hybrid SACD] - Destiny's Child