Chris A Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Per tkdamerica's idea, this thread is for multi-channel reviews of audio-only multichannel disks, and video music multichannel disks. Please see the "Right This Minute" thread for posting two-channel recordings. Suggested posting format: Title/Artist/Disk ID: (the disk title, exactly as it appears on the disk cover, artist names, disk company, disk number/ID) Review text Pros: (how the disk has good/outstanding sound quality, or is better than its two-channel verison) Cons: (sound quality issues including imaging, noise, loudness wars, clarity/detail, balance, or recording/mastering issues) Equipment/room used for review: (what did you use to listen to the disk(s)) Rating: (assessed 1-5 star scale rating with 5 stars= the top 5% of disks, 3= average, 1= the bottom 5% of disks heard) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) An example... Title: Tumbleweed Connection, Elton John, SACD-Surround, 2004, Island Records, ASIN: B00064X3EA Amazon.com, $12.82 (used w/shipping) Review Pros: The audio fidelity of this disk improves upon the 2-channel versions of the disk in greatly improved sense of listener envelopment with an apparent sound image width particularly greater than the width of the fronts, and most spectacularly, the clarity of the individual voices which have been mixed separately into the surround and center channels individually. Instruments and voices that have not been able to be heard are now mixed to separate channels, including surrounds. The bonus tracks are both listenable and on par with the quality of the original tracks, adding significant value to the overall experience. I find it pleasant to listen to the disk in its entirety without pause or editing-out of any tracks. Cons: The overall loudness of this recording is much higher than 2-channel mode recording by as much as 15 dB. This means that the drum/percussion tracks are also squashed such that the cymbals don't sound representative of real cymbals anymore, but more like "brushes" used on jazz tracks, but in the next room... Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee fronts, Belle center, Cornwall surrounds, Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP--"DSD" mode (see profile) Rating: Recommended (****) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 Title: The Way Up - Live, Pat Metheny Group, Blu-Ray video disk, 2006, Eagle Rock Ent, ASIN: B000I5XDWO Amazon.com, $12.07 (new) Review Pros: This Blu-Ray disk of Pat Metheny's Seoul concert has excellent audio and video quality. As a live music album, this disk stands out head and shoulders above any other non-classical live disk that I own. The overall balance, clarity/detail, and surround envelopment sets the standard for Blu-Ray music disks, and its video quality is outstanding with seamless multi-camera shots of individual musicians and ensemble views that focus almost hypnotically on the concert flow. I find that turning the audio gain up to almost maximal level increases the atmosphere and experience of this disk greatly, and command the viewer to sit and watch the entire break-free performance (90 minutes). This disk is best enjoyed without outside interruption and at concert level. The musicianship is simply mesmerizing. Cons: None Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee fronts, Belle center, Cornwall surrounds, Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP--"pure music" mode (see profile) Rating: Highly recommended (*****) Value: Excellent (*****) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZombieWoof Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Cool I'm on board ... Not gonna see any new disks in LaCasa Slappy anytime soon , still throwing cash at my speaker rebuild BUT I do look forward to reading you guy's future posts ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liebherr954 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 "Sounds" like a good idea. I don't own a sacd player but if I can get the Bluray concerts to sound as good as a movie ill be very happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Cool thread Cask05. Great idea. I have been a long time Klipsch Heritage 2 channel owner/listener, but unfortunately don't have multi channel HT set up yet. But I'm working on it. Pleae everyone keep the reviews coming. babadono Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennie Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 The first time I heard The Beatles "Love" on DVDA, in 6.1 surround sound, I was moved to tears! Even if you're not a big fan of The Beatles, this is an amazing accomplishment! A BIG TWO THUMBS UP.... Dennie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 Title: Frédéric Chopin Sonatas Opp. 35 & 58, Artur Pizarro, SACD Surround, 2006, Linn Records, ASIN: B000EGEZF6, Amazon.com, $12.85 (used) Pros: Extremely realistic and high quality 5.1 surround sound on a Blüthner grand piano, very good artistic performance, very good reproduction at concert volume, outstanding imaging and dynamic performance. This disk will show you the limitations of your setup: any issues in reproduction will be audible when played back at concert level, that is, 85dB© or higher. Example cut from disk as a reference: track #4 (Marche Funèbre) Cons: None. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee fronts, Belle center, Cornwall surrounds, Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "pure music" mode (see profile) Rating: Highly recommended (*****) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanhurd Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Although I don't have SACD/DVD-A capabilities as of now, I'll be doing some DVD/Bluray concert reviews. More to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Although I don't have SACD/DVD-A capabilities as of now, I'll be doing some DVD/Bluray concert reviews. More to come...This thread is for all types of multi-channel music reviews, including BD, DVD-V, DVD-A, etc. No one here has to hold back on any type of multi-channel music reviews: feel free to contribute. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstrickland1 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I think they did a good job with Queen: The Game on DVD-A 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanhurd Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Title: Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same Pros: Great sounding mix all around. The video sometimes goes into weird little films while the music is playing as the soundtrack, so better for background music than watching, but very enjoyable. Great live performance with flawless playing by all musicians. It doesn't even sound like a live performance at some times. The 5.1 track is amazing and the sound mixer did a great job of utilizing the surrounds for the nuances of the mix such as echoes/reverb bouncing around. PQ is great as well. If you are a Zep fan at all, you must watch this. Cons: None Equipment: In sig Rating: Get it! Value: Excellent, I will definitely watch this again and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanhurd Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Title: AC/DC - Live At Donington Pros: Energetic set with all the songs you want to hear from the band. Angus Young runs around the stage like a madman making it a fun watch all around. The mix pans the guitarists left and right in the surrounds which is both good and bad (details in cons). The good is that it sounds like the band is sitting right in your living room. It's a 2 hour concert going thru all of their hits and starts with Thunderstruck which is a great intro into the concert. All around a fun watch which is recommended. Cons: The only problem with the bluray is that the guitars are a bit loud in the mix and the vocals are a bit buried. If the vocals were up and the guitars were down a bit it would have been a great all around sound, but it really detracts from the overall experience of the concert the way it is now. Equipment: In sig Rating: 4 out of 5 due to the sound mix Value: 3 out of 5. Bluray is $25 on amazon, and I would expect a better sound mix for a 5.1 music concert. If it was $15 I would say 5 out of 5. If you can buy a used copy, then definitely worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) Title: La Voz, Xiomara Laugart, Hybrid SACD - DSD, 2010, Chesky Records, ASIN: B003Y7L5T6, Amazon.com, $10.82 (new) Review Pros: Solo female singer with small cuban jazz combo backup is extremely realistic, and comes alive at higher in-room volumes: 85+ dB© ave. Recording technique sounds as if only two microphones with significantly audible recording studio acoustics--to a very pleasing effect. Surround sound is used effectively to immerse the listener in a wrap-around sound field. The thinned out instrumentation makes the most out of a good multi-channel system with sharp imaging of instruments and vocalist. Cons: This disk is easy to overdrive into a "too loud" and over-concert-level volume due to its quiet background/open air recording approach with its inherent "clear air" pauses. The cure of course is simple: turn the volume down slightly to achieve acoustic (non-amplified) concert volume levels. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee fronts, Belle center, Cornwall surrounds, Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "DSD" mode (see profile) Rating: Recommended (****) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 (edited) Title: Bach: The Four Great Toccatas and Fugues, E. Power Biggs, SACD, 2003, Sony, ASIN: B00008PX9, Amazon.com, $14.99 (new) Review Pros: Four antiphonal cathedral organs placed in each of four surround channels, excellent musicianship, excellent music selections, excellent recording and mixing (especially considering the long physical delays from organs to artist and extremely long reverberation times). Cons: There are few systems able to handle the full range and demands of this recording especially the extreme lf and highs. Superior clarity of reproduction requires very low modulation distortion loudspeakers with outstanding high-SPL capabilities. Excellent room acoustics and sub coupling to room corners are required to effectively reproduce the sub-30 Hz frequencies with enough headroom to accurately reproduce at concert volumes. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee/TAD TD-4002 fronts, Belle center (time-aligned), Cornwall surrounds, two SPUD tapped horn subs (front corners--forming false corners behind Jubilees), Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "DSD" mode (see profile). Rating: Very Highly Recommended (*****) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panacea Engineering Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Chris, I have to agree about the demands placed on the system playing this recording. It is one of the five best I have in my collection. It will truly put any system to the TEST.......! From top to bottom, the Toccatas are journey in constant motion..... Great Choice and Biggs had full command of ANY keyboard he chose to sit and play at, W. C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 (edited) Title: Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd, Hybrid SACD, 2011, Analogue Productions/EMI, Acoustic Sounds, $35.00 (new) Review Pros: Much like the remastered multichannel Elton John SACD albums, this disk features effective use of separate instrumentation in each channel, and provides the listener with a unique experience of listening to the musical arrangements with a clarity not possible from the original two channel recording(s). "Welcome to the Machine" and"Wish You Were Here" are particularly striking in their sound effects. Cons: Perhaps surprisingly, the orchestral arrangements in this recording are not as rich and varied as in the referenced Elton John arrangements, and at times the simplicity of the Pink Floyd arrangements becomes noticeable in long passages, resulting in some channels being used as "surround ambience" channels during playback. This in itself is not a negative, but rather an observation on the instrumentation depth of the original works, and caught the listener somewhat by surprise. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee/TAD TD-4002 fronts, Belle center (time-aligned), Cornwall surrounds, two SPUD tapped horn subs (front corners--forming false corners behind Jubilees), Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "DSD" mode (see profile). Rating: Recommended (****) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 (edited) Title: Balalaika Favorites, Osipov Russian Folk Orchestra, Hybrid SACD (3-channel), 2005, Mercury/Philips, Amazon, $12.75 (new) Review Pros: An amazing 3-channel recording recorded in 1962 using the best recording equipment, techniques, and recording engineers of that time. Recording fidelity is on par with current surround digital recordings. Only occasional cymbal transients can give away that this is a analog recording (35mm high-speed magnetic tape), and only if the listener is listening very closely at high SPL. The performances are lively and filled with great artistry that could only be accomplished by this type of indigenous musical group using its authentic instrumentation. This recording is dynamic and festive with the most effective use of the balalaika orchestra via compositions and arrangements from the conductor. This recording is a classic for the holiday season. Cons: This is a L-C-R three channel recording: the channels used were recorded in correct spatial layout from the stage performance, i.e., the resulting virtual sound image reproduces the actual performance width and height without mixing synthesis of sound channels to achieve an audio soundstage. This is a small price to pay especially in light of the quality of the 3-channel frontal image reproduced without loss of ambience on a high quality HT audio setup with low modulation and compression distortions in peak transients. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee/TAD TD-4002 fronts, Belle center (time-aligned), Cornwall surrounds, two SPUD tapped horn subs (front corners--forming false corners behind Jubilees), Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "DSD" mode (see profile). Rating: Highly Recommended (****) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 (edited) Title: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 , Van Cliburn, RCA Symphony (Kiril Kondrashin), Chicago Symphony (Fritz Reiner), Hybrid SACD (3-channel), 2004, RCA, Amazon, $10.98 (new) Review Pros: Another 3-channel recording recorded in 1958 and 1962, respectively, with two great orchestras and conductors of the period, defining the signature performance of the great pianist Van Cliburn just after his triumphal win at the Tchaikovsky International Competition (piano division) in Moscow. The artistry of each performance is clearly evident. Cons: The L-C-R three channel recording is plagued by perhaps poor microphones, poor recording equipment, or poorly archived tape medium. The lack of clarity of the sound image and the apparent confusion of sound is a distraction to the overall performance, which can be heard in places to be a brilliant interpretation of these two great pieces for piano and orchestra (Tchaikovky's Piano Concerto #2 in B-flat minor, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2 in C minor). The fair-to-poor recording quality hangs like a veil over these two otherwise great performances. It is apparent that much work went into the restoration of these two recordings, but cannot overcome the poor master tape issues. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee/TAD TD-4002 fronts, Belle center (time-aligned), Cornwall surrounds, two SPUD tapped horn subs (front corners--forming false corners behind Jubilees), Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "DSD" mode (see profile). Rating: Good for historical and musical interpretation, but not high-fidelity multi-channel (**) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) Title: Handel's Messiah (Dublin Version, 1742) , Dunedin Consort and Players, John Butt (Dir.), Hybrid SACD Surround (DSD), 2004, Linn Records, Amazon, $15.94 (new) Review Pros: Amazing ambiance in this recording, which is obviously derived from superior methods and equipment used in recording, mixing, and mastering. Most uncharacteristically, the performance quality of the musicians and vocalists is also correspondingly superior. This is perhaps the best SACD surround disk that I have heard for human voices and string orchestra. This recording includes the full version of the oratorio, complete with the recitatives and arias in addition that are often omitted from other recordings using larger groups that focus exclusively on the choruses. These added pieces from the original composition here adds significant listener interest in terms of high quality vocal textures and interpretations of the original scoring. Cons: The Dublin (i.e., first performed) version of the Messiah uses much smaller vocal ensemble than typical Messiah orchestrations performed today with "casts of thousands". Because of this reduced size of ensemble, the gain in perceived fidelity and intimacy with the music really can't be overstated. Equipment and room used for review: Jubilee/TAD TD-4002 fronts, Belle center (time-aligned), Cornwall surrounds, two SPUD tapped horn subs (front corners--forming false corners behind Jubilees), Onkyo PR-SC886 AVP in "DSD" mode (see profile). Rating: Very Highly Recommended (*****) Edited July 23, 2014 by Chris A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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