POLL: Anyone here with a DVD-A or SACD player?

[Arkitech]

I'm a bit curious about the sound formats of DVD-A and SACD. For those who have actually listened to music in those formats is there really a signficant difference in sound quality? Outside of the media players would a person need high quality speakers or a high end reciever to take advantage of the improved sound quality? Can either DVD-A or SACD be reproduced on a PC? (I've heard someone say that most PCs are'nt able to accurately reproduce the sound quality)

 

[PricklyPete]

I have one and with well recorded discs...you really do feel like you are in the middle of a concert in a concert hall. Very nice indeed.

 

[MustISO]

I have a DVD-A player. The sound can be fantastic but I've also heard some discs that were not that good. Having good, almost full-range speakers around the room helps a lot. It's probably not going to do much for a Home Theater in a Box setup.

 

[Goosemaster]

1. It sounds a LOT better.
2. I depends on your speakers.
3. DVD-AUDIO, more for copy-protection reasoning than for any other reason, uses analog-out ONLY. that said, Creative makes a DVD-audio capable card, which still requires your amp to have 5 discrete analog inputs.
4. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS
5.PCs, with the right equipment, can certainly pump out the 192khz/24bit necessary, but like I said, copy protection means that the ony way to currently play those discs is via analog. I remember hearign that some brand (meridian ?) was being allowed to create a digital medium to transfer it but I forgot the details...
5. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS@!!Q#R#QR

 

[lancestorm]

I hear if you have equally matched speakers all the way around (for instance, all floorstanders), the sound is amazing.

BTW you need another poll option. I own a DVD-A capable player, I just have not used it yet.

 

[DivideBYZero]

DVDA. *smirk*

 

[Kaido]

I tried out the DVD-Audio demo disc that came with my Audigy 2 ZS using my Logitech z-640 speakers. While the z-640s aren't considered anything near high-end, I could tell a difference. It's basically a surround sound recording of the music. Like PricklyPete said, you feel like you're in the middle of it. I wasn't too impressed with the rock and roll type stuff, because it didn't sound too different from a stereo recording, but the classical stuff was amazing.

 

[jalaram]

Some rock and roll media are minor improvements, but some are done extremely well. Dark side of the moon, Pet Sounds, and Peter Gabriel's Up are all amazing. Your best bet is to peruse the net (AVSForum and HomeTheaterSpot are two sites) for reviews on the discs.

As others have said, the speakers are the most important component although I still can tell a difference with my Kenwood Home Theater in a box speakers. If you improve your speakers and set it up properly, you will improve the quality as well.

I got a Pioneer player that can handle both DVD-A and SACD. I really enjoy the improvement in the sound.

 

[nakedfrog]

Argh... I still haven't gotten one, I've just been getting by on the few DTS CDs I can find. I plan on getting a player that will handle both, and my GF actually told me she likes floorstanding speakers (if for no other reason than looks) so it will be easy to talk her into letting me get some of those. Not mega-expensive, probably cheaper Polks or something.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
1. It sounds a LOT better.
2. I depends on your speakers.
3. DVD-AUDIO, more for copy-protection reasoning than for any other reason, uses analog-out ONLY. that said, Creative makes a DVD-audio capable card, which still requires your amp to have 5 discrete analog inputs.
4. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS
5.PCs, with the right equipment, can certainly pump out the 192khz/24bit necessary, but like I said, copy protection means that the ony way to currently play those discs is via analog. I remember hearign that some brand (meridian ?) was being allowed to create a digital medium to transfer it but I forgot the details...
5. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS@!!Q#R#QR

Are you saying that my computer with Audigy NX optical SPDIF passthrough to my 5.1 receiver won't play DVD-A's? I wanted to try one out.

 

[Arkitech]

Anyone know if there are any players in the sub 150 price range

 

[toekramp]

dvda, it's coo

but if you don't think it spreads you open like a turkey on thanksgiving you have another thing comin' to ya!

 

[JonnyBlaze]

i have a pioneer unit that does sacd and dvd audio. i like both formats, depending on the disc of course. pink floyd dsom sacd is awsome. so is the metallica dvd-a cd i have. i dont even listen to that type of music either but still enjoy em. i have a 3 doors down sacd, its ok. a missy elliot dvd-a, its CRAP! a few others if i think of ill post.

JB

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
1. It sounds a LOT better.
2. I depends on your speakers.
3. DVD-AUDIO, more for copy-protection reasoning than for any other reason, uses analog-out ONLY. that said, Creative makes a DVD-audio capable card, which still requires your amp to have 5 discrete analog inputs.
4. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS
5.PCs, with the right equipment, can certainly pump out the 192khz/24bit necessary, but like I said, copy protection means that the ony way to currently play those discs is via analog. I remember hearign that some brand (meridian ?) was being allowed to create a digital medium to transfer it but I forgot the details...
5. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS@!!Q#R#QR

Are you saying that my computer with Audigy NX optical SPDIF passthrough to my 5.1 receiver won't play DVD-A's? I wanted to try one out.

SPDIF will handle the DVD-video layer of the DVD-A. To get the full resolution of the DVD-A, you need the analog breakout cables.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
i have a pioneer unit that does sacd and dvd audio. i like both formats, depending on the disc of course. pink floyd dsom sacd is awsome. so is the metallica dvd-a cd i have. i dont even listen to that type of music either but still enjoy em. i have a 3 doors down sacd, its ok. a missy elliot dvd-a, its CRAP! a few others if i think of ill post.

JB

is it backwards compatible? Will normal cds and dvds play in the unit?

 

[ajayjuneja]

SACD rocks on the right amps and speakers!

(I use rotel amps)

 

[konakona]

i would love to try them out, but there simply arent enough titles (if any that pertains to my likings) out there at this point for me to plunge $$$ into sacd/dvd-a gear.

 

[JonnyBlaze]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
i have a pioneer unit that does sacd and dvd audio. i like both formats, depending on the disc of course. pink floyd dsom sacd is awsome. so is the metallica dvd-a cd i have. i dont even listen to that type of music either but still enjoy em. i have a 3 doors down sacd, its ok. a missy elliot dvd-a, its CRAP! a few others if i think of ill post.

JB

is it backwards compatible? Will normal cds and dvds play in the unit?

it plays dvd video, dvd-a, sacd, mp3, vcd, svcd, everything but divx and wmv.

JB

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: jalaram

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
1. It sounds a LOT better.
2. I depends on your speakers.
3. DVD-AUDIO, more for copy-protection reasoning than for any other reason, uses analog-out ONLY. that said, Creative makes a DVD-audio capable card, which still requires your amp to have 5 discrete analog inputs.
4. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS
5.PCs, with the right equipment, can certainly pump out the 192khz/24bit necessary, but like I said, copy protection means that the ony way to currently play those discs is via analog. I remember hearign that some brand (meridian ?) was being allowed to create a digital medium to transfer it but I forgot the details...
5. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SPEAKERS@!!Q#R#QR

Are you saying that my computer with Audigy NX optical SPDIF passthrough to my 5.1 receiver won't play DVD-A's? I wanted to try one out.

SPDIF will handle the DVD-video layer of the DVD-A. To get the full resolution of the DVD-A, you need the analog breakout cables.

After a bit of reading, that's what I see. Most DVDA discs have a 5.1 48khz track and that will be pumped out through SPDIF. What a ripoff.

I don't know if I feel like rewiring my HTPC just to play with one or two DVDA discs.

 

[Arkitech]

up

 

[Apex]

It makes a difference, but I personally wouldn't say it's huge on my system (ribbon based speakers MSRP total: ~$20,000, amps MSRP: $5000, Processor MSRP: $7000). If you go for higher end equipment, it'll probably make a greater impact.

 

[Baked]

I can only think of 3 SACD I wanna buy, while I have hundreds of CDs. Seems a waste of money to buy a universal player just to play a few SACD and DVDAs.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Apex
It makes a difference, but I personally wouldn't say it's huge on my system (ribbon based speakers MSRP total: ~$20,000, amps MSRP: $5000, Processor MSRP: $7000). If you go for higher end equipment, it'll probably make a greater impact.

Heh - your system is at least 20x as high end as I'd ever go.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster

Originally posted by: Apex
It makes a difference, but I personally wouldn't say it's huge on my system (ribbon based speakers MSRP total: ~$20,000, amps MSRP: $5000, Processor MSRP: $7000). If you go for higher end equipment, it'll probably make a greater impact.

Heh - your system is at least 20x as high end as I'd ever go.

Not that I paid anywhere NEAR that amount (the manufacturers and merchants picked up most of the tab). I may be stupid, but I'm not crazy.

Or is that crazy, but not stupid?

 

[spacejamz]

my car (2005 Acura TL) comes with DVD-A...

can't say I'm too impressed with it though...the demo disk sounds okay and I bought a Sammy Hagar Live DVD A disc for $12.00 at Best Buy (probably not the best thing to test how good the DVD Audio is)...

Both of my Home Theather setups can play DVD audio, but I have never played anything but regular CD's in them...