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RE: SACD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD Comparison

Posted by Roy Boy (A) on October 30, 2008 at 20:59:03

In Reply to: RE: SACD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD Comparison posted by DBB on October 27, 2008 at 13:29:01:

I have recently acquired a DTC 9.8 and Oppo 980H and I decided to do an interesting experiment...MCH DSD vs high end 2CH DSD vs LP. The rest of my system that makes up my hybrid 2-channel/ MCH system are Green Mountain Audio (GMA) Continuum 3 speakers (L-R), GMA Vortex Center, M&K SS150 Tripole - Surround, dual GMA SW-15 subs driven by Crown XTI-2000, McIntosh MC-402 (L-R), Anthem MCA 30, Air Tight ATC-2 Preamp, Sony VSE Mod 4 DVP9000ES SACD, Basis 2001/Graham 2.0/Benz H20 table, Transition Audio Design Tube Phono.

My main reason for doing the test other than academic interest was that I was considering upgrading the Sony 9000ES to the VSE Mod 6 level and I wanted to compare the Oppo via HMDI thru the DTC 9.8 to the Sony 9000ES directly thru the Air Tight (no DTC 9.8 in the path).I threw in the LP just because I could. I chose Miles Davis Kind of Blue since I had both the SACD and LP. I used the first track "So What" as my test.

I had the Oppo set up to play 2 channel initially ouputting DSD over HDMI and let the DTC 9.8 convert to PCM so I could use the DSP for bass mgmt, time delay and Audyssey correction. I have only had the DTC 9.8 for a short time and ended up preferring the Audyssey turned off. It seem to attenuate the high ends a little too much and seems to give me a honkiness in the midrange on vocals. Maybe I need to spend a little more time with it and do a few more setup cycles. Anyway for this test I did it without Audyssey.

So now to the results of testing. First up was the Oppo. It sounded quite good. Very 3 dimensional, good tonal balance. Micro dynamics were also very good. Overall very pleasing. Next up was the VSE Sony. It was definitely better. More texture, more extended high frequency. The illusion of real musicians playing was noticeably better. Miles' muted tumpet was more complex sounding. His unmuted playing revealed more about his technique. So now I am thinking ...hmmm maybe I really want to do that upgrade to VSE Mod 6. Then I pop on the LP. This is just a standard Columbia reissue (red label) of the recording...so nothing special that I picked up for $4 at a antique mall. The LP is just clearly superior to the either DSD version. The term that comes to mind is "organically dense". Wynton Kelley's upright bass is more woody sounding and the plucked strings sounds more like fingers plucking strings. Coltranes sax has the breath of life in it. Overall, it just sounds more real. Less effort to forget I am listening to equipment and be engaged in a musical performance.

So then I swith the Oppo over to do Multichannel. So here I prefer the MCH on the OPPO versus the 2-ch VSE Sony. I clearly prefer the MCH for most classicial DSD over the 2CH version if mixed properly. It is just more immersive.

So what I think I figured out was the I do not need to upgrade the Sony and maybe I can part with it as for most recordings that I really want to listen in 2-channel DSD, I mostly have the LP which I prefer to the DSD. I really like the MCH DSD. It does not make me want to part with LP. I like both. It is like different flavors of ice cream. I guess I just have less need for high end 2-ch DSD.

This was not a scientifically run test. I did not measure the output levels with a meter..I tried to approximate the volume. Obviously it was not a blind test, but I did not have a vested interest in any format winning. I tried not to think too much during the listening part...I was just trying to enjoy the cut and pay attention. I find if I think too much (audiophile analysis) it seems to turn off the part of my brain that just lets me enjoy the music.
Roy

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