Well I've had a chance to listen to some real good multi-channel DVD-A/SACD's. I have to admit, I was more than impressed. I got a chance to listen to The Beatles: Love, DSotM DVD-A mix, and The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi. All of them were excellent! I see a lot of threads here about top 10 SACD's or DVD-A, but not much talk about if its because of the mix or the SQ. What are the must haves for best multi channel mixes?

Scott

The answers you get are, of course, all going to be very subjective and, among other things, influenced by folks' musical preferences, but here are a few off the top of my head:

Beck - Sea Change
Blue Man Group - AUDIO
any Donald Fagan
any Steely Dan
any Talking Heads (Speaking In Tongues is a great one to have)
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
David Gilmour - On an Island (I think this is available as a DVD-A as well as a 96/24 DTS; either will do)
Herbie Hancock - Headhunters
Alison Krauss and Union Station - New Favorite
Roxy Music - Avalon
Gary Burton - Like Minds
Pat Metheny Group - Imaginary Day
any Moody Blues (many people are not fond of the sound quality of these; I think they are fine - also, In Search of the Lost Chord is not multichannel)
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (many people are not fond of the sound quality; I think it is just fine)

I'm sure there are others that I like. As I think of more, I'll post back.

Well I've had a chance to listen to some real good multi-channel DVD-A/SACD's. I have to admit, I was more than impressed. I got a chance to listen to The Beatles: Love, DSotM DVD-A mix, and The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi. All of them were excellent! I see a lot of threads here about top 10 SACD's or DVD-A, but not much talk about if its because of the mix or the SQ. What are the must haves for best multi channel mixes?

Scott


In my recent experience, with about 300 SACD discs, Linn Records has in general been the best for excellent SQ with true multi channel (5.1) and also with excellent mastering.

Whether or not you'll like a specific disc (i.e. the performance itself) is a much tougher call. :)

Cheers

I would add that I have many hirez discs that I consider to have excellent SQ, but do not necessarily have whizbang multichannel mixes (some of them are not even multichannel discs), which is what I think you are looking for.

I think you need to define which type of surround sound mix you prefer. Either (a) one in which places you in the center of the sound field, with the instruments clearly located all around you, or (b) one where the instruments are located in the front three channels, and the surrounds primarily produce the acoustic ambience or reverberation. Generally, I've found that most pop/rock music is mixed using the first technique, while most classical music uses the latter.

I think you need to define which type of surround sound mix you prefer. Either (a) one in which places you in the center of the sound field, with the instruments clearly located all around you, or (b) one where the instruments are located in the front three channels, and the surrounds primarily produce the acoustic ambience or reverberation. Generally, I've found that most pop/rock music is mixed using the first technique, while most classical music uses the latter.

I don't think I've heard enough to really know what I prefer. All I can say is that I've been impressed with what I've heard so far. I would definately rule out 2 channel recordings as I want to focus on multi-channel.

You can tell some disks have great multi-channel mixes by the name "Elliot Scheiner" printed in the credits.

He worked on "Yoshimi" and is featured in one of the bonus videos. He also did Queen, Steely Dan, Eagles, Porcupine Tree, and others.

aixrecords.com

You can tell some disks have great multi-channel mixes by the name "Elliot Scheiner" printed in the credits.

LOL... Too true!

The work he and Bill Szymczyk did on the Eagles Hotel California (http://www.highfidelityreview.com/reviews/review.asp?reviewnumber=571395) DVD-A is absolutely stunning. It's probably my #1 multi-channel demo disc.

Also in the running:
Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms (http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/3030) (SACD)
Linkin Park, Re-Animation (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/5811/linkin-park-reanimation/) (DVD-A)
Alison Krauss and Union Station, New Favorite (http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/547) (SACD)
Donald Fagan, The Nightfly (http://www.avrev.com/music-disc-reviews/dvd-audio/donald-fagen-the-nightfly.html) (SACD)

IMHO, basically all of those listed above are great discs (I'm just missing a couple of them.) Some have better mixes than others, but they're are all outstanding.

The Elliott Scheiner disks tend to be kinda whiz-bang, and I love them for it. Yoshimi is among my all time favorites, it's just nuts. The AIX discs are outstanding recordings with the musicians spread out, no crazy mixes here. I think they are wonderful too, and even if you aren't familiar with the musicians I recommend that you check a couple of them out. As Skimanfz1 said, the list of "best" discs really depends on what kind of mixes you prefer.

That said, let me throw in the LAGQ (Los Angeles Guitar Quartet) SACDs, any of them but "Spin". My favorite is probably "Guitar Heroes", where they are covering guitar gods like Hendrix, Zappa, Django, and Metheny with one guitarist planted firmly in each corner throughout the whole disc. To my mind this mix translates to FUN, and the Chet Atkins tribute track has to be heard to be believed.

Mark Z

LOL... Too true!

The work he and Bill Szymczyk did on the Eagles Hotel California (http://www.highfidelityreview.com/reviews/review.asp?reviewnumber=571395) DVD-A is absolutely stunning. It's probably my #1 multi-channel demo disc.


Not inexpensive. Used disc starts at $100! = pass! (Forgot to check on CD prices for this.)

Also in the running:
Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms (http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/3030) (SACD)


I have this (the 20th anniversary SACD re-mastering of it) and it is a great 5.1 disc, at a fairly reasonable price. Check prices at amazon (both new *and* used).

Linkin Park, Re-Animation (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/5811/linkin-park-reanimation/) (DVD-A)


Amazon reviews are mixed on this.

Alison Krauss and Union Station, New Favorite (http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/547) (SACD)


Used SACD = $170! = pass!

Standard used CD is under 10 bucks = buy. :)

Donald Fagan, The Nightfly (http://www.avrev.com/music-disc-reviews/dvd-audio/donald-fagen-the-nightfly.html) (SACD)


Amazon doesn't show a SACD of this.

But standard used CD ~ $8 = buy. :)

Cheers

Small correction... The Nightfly is a DVD-A disc... oops.. :rolleyes:

Also, wow! I had no idea that the used discs were getting that pricey!!! I got all mine new, and paid no more than $20 for any of em.

+1 for Linn Records too! ;)


Go to www.amazon.com and select music and "linn sacd"

Cherry pick the discs that are under $20 each and that have decent reviews from real amazon people.

Cheers