View Full Version : Beck, Sea Change - SACD vs DVD-A


rick240
06-11-09, 12:53 PM
Many people seem to feel that Beck's Sea Change is a definitive mch audio title.

I've seen this specifically with reference to the SACD; which if you can find it is almost $150 used :eek:

I've found a source for the DVD-A at $21.

Is it the same recording and same quality?

007james
06-11-09, 12:57 PM
Many people seem to feel that Beck's Sea Change is a definitive mch audio title.

I've seen this specifically with reference to the SACD; which if you can find it is almost $150 used :eek:

I've found a source for the DVD-A at $21.

Is it the same recording and same quality?

I have not heard the SA-CD version but I have the DVD-A version and it has great sound.. I would grab the DVD-A version if I were you.... especially at $21

privit1
06-11-09, 01:58 PM
I have not heard the SA-CD version but I have the DVD-A version and it has great sound.. I would grab the DVD-A version if I were you.... especially at $21

The fact that you get a cracking Hi rez album in surround and seven Videos contemporary to the album make the DVDA a winner for me. No way the SACD can beat it

sivadselim
06-11-09, 02:20 PM
Is it the same recording and same quality?Without getting into a discussion of which format MAY be better, short answer is "yes". Get the DVD-A.

William
06-11-09, 03:27 PM
I bet dollars to doughnuts that if you had both and did a level matched DBT you couldn't tell the difference. Also the original recording is done in LPCM so the DSD SA-CD must be trans-coded.

sivadselim
06-11-09, 04:00 PM
I bet dollars to doughnuts that if you had both and did a level matched DBT you couldn't tell the difference.And even if someone COULD (or thought they could) tell a difference, they would not know which was which and would most likely be hard-pressed to decide, upon extended listening to different tracks, which "difference" they preferred.

Ovation
06-11-09, 04:27 PM
I have the DVD-A and it sounds fantastic. I also chose it over the SACD (I bought it new and they were a dollar or two different) because of the video extras. At the current price differential, jump on the DVD-A.

shinksma
06-11-09, 05:15 PM
I have both, I can't tell the difference in audio quality. The DVD-A has videos, which is a bonus. The SACD isn't even hybrid, so definitely go for the DVD-A!

IMHO,

shinksma

firebrick
06-11-09, 05:45 PM
i never even knew beck when i bought the dvd-a years ago, it has to be the best sounding disc i have, i cant believe you found it for $21, better get it fast, btw what is the source ;)

frenchglen
06-11-09, 07:16 PM
I can tell you that I *would* be able to hear the differences, with a decent enough sound system, and quite clearly.

Anyway, that's another timeless debate that probably shouldn't be gotten into, as well :)...

rick240
06-12-09, 11:25 AM
i never even knew beck when i bought the dvd-a years ago, it has to be the best sounding disc i have, i cant believe you found it for $21, better get it fast, btw what is the source ;)

http://www.grooveyard.ca/

sivadselim
06-12-09, 12:21 PM
I can tell you that I *would* be able to hear the differences, with a decent enough sound system, and quite clearly.

Anyway, that's another timeless debate that probably shouldn't be gotten into, as well :)...Well, you let the cat out of the bag, now. :rolleyes: :p

Why do you think you would be able to tell the difference? I'm talking about a perfectly level-matched, blinded comparison with (if applicable) identical bass and time management.

As I said, you may be able to tell a difference between the two, but you would be hard-pressed, blinded, to choose which one you preferred with extended listening to multiple tracks.

David Scott
06-12-09, 03:12 PM
I have both, and they're both excellent. Like others said, with the dvd-auido you get the videos and it's easier to archive. Whether there's a difference: sure, but I couldn't tell you which is better!

sivadselim
06-12-09, 03:31 PM
Whether there's a difference: sure, but I couldn't tell you which is better!Exactly. :)

unavol
06-12-09, 04:59 PM
Anybody heard the MoFi Ultradisc CD version yet?

firebrick
06-12-09, 05:45 PM
i think 20 bucks is a great deal for that disc, better get one

aggieheels
06-15-09, 07:41 PM
The consensus is that the Beck dvd-A stands out. It is just short of Kamakiriad by Fagen which is the gold standard dvd-A in my opinion.

Unfortunately, Kamakiriad is a near impossible to find disc.

I would say Kamakiriad is worth $50-$75 bucks (a round of golf or a night out at a good restaurant) if you want to hear the best. Actually it sounds so good i am almost afraid to get it out of the case for fear of mishandling it.

sivadselim
06-15-09, 09:12 PM
.............Kamakiriad by Fagen which is the gold standard dvd-A in my opinion.Why not The Nightfly, Morph the Cat, Two Against Nature, or Everything Must Go? Hard for me to choose between those.

aggieheels
06-15-09, 11:03 PM
Kamakiriad is the best because Snowbound is the best sounding track I have ever heard.

I have all of the Steely Dan and Fagen DVD-A's and they all sound great, but Kamakiriad, on my system and setup, just sounds better than anything I have ever heard.

I actually have Nightfly on Mobile Fidelity Vinyl, CD, and DVD-A.

sivadselim
06-15-09, 11:08 PM
Kamakiriad is the best because Snowbound is the best sounding track I have ever heard.:D Laugh. Funny that you mention this track. One of my faves, too. Kamakiriad was my best sounding CD when it come out. And it is definitely one of my best sounding DVD-As. But I would be hard-pressed to decide between those I listed.

Blindamood
06-16-09, 10:45 AM
Yeah, Steely Dan / Donald Fagen certainly got multi-channel sound right. Another of my definite favorites is 'Gaucho' on SACD. Can't listen to this enough.

Barbazul
06-16-09, 02:07 PM
Hi there!
I have both formats. I first bought the dvd-a and I was shocked with the quality, fidelity and mix of this record, besides the unique melancholic air that is present in the music, something I really enjoy. Some months later I found a copy of the SACD for just 80 pesos ($6dls aprox.), a bargain I didn’t want to pass over. So I can tell, as David Scott wrote, there’s a difference between both formats: I can tell that I found the SACD more soft and I could tell I get a sense of space I can’t get in the dvd-a, but in the dvd-a I hear everything as closer and more clear… I think this is called fidelity. Honestly I couldn’t say which sounds better. This is not the case with Bjork’s Vespertine, I have both formats (dvd-a is 48/24) and SACD is jaw dropping you can hear every detail and you can hear Bjork’s voice as if she was in front of you.

So I can’t tell which sounds better but for sure dvd-a has an advantage with the extras.
:D

sivadselim
06-16-09, 03:17 PM
So I can tell, as David Scott wrote, there’s a difference between both formats: I can tell that I found the SACD more soft and I could tell I get a sense of space I can’t get in the dvd-a, but in the dvd-a I hear everything as closer and more clear… I think this is called fidelity.But what you absolutely cannot do is attribute any difference, real or imagined, as being strictly due to the difference in the two formats. You just can't. Period. There are just too many variables both during production and upon reproduction on your system to do that.


This is not the case with Bjork’s Vespertine, I have both formats (dvd-a is 48/24) and SACD is jaw dropping you can hear every detail and you can hear Bjork’s voice as if she was in front of you.Same reply as above.



An SACD or DVD-A version may indeed sound different or even better than the other to you, but you CANNOT KNOW "WHY?".

HeffeMusic
07-02-09, 12:21 PM
Shure this CD sounds great (If you can make it through the entire album)!!!:D:eek:

William
07-02-09, 01:18 PM
Shure this CD sounds great...

Are you referring to the microphones used?:D

Djoel
07-02-09, 01:31 PM
Shure this CD sounds great (If you can make it through the entire album)!!!:D:eek:



Or, you referring it's a little on the depressing side? And you might end up with you wrist slit :eek: It's one of those albums that conjured some kinds of emotions, especially if you're on the outs with your lady, or your man( I don't judge) with it's breaking up themes.


Djoel

HeffeMusic
07-02-09, 01:51 PM
Or, you referring it's a little on the depressing side? And you might end up with you wrist slit :eek: It's one of those albums that conjured some kinds of emotions, especially if you're on the outs with your lady, or your man( I don't judge) with it's breaking up themes.


Djoel

Ha,
Yea this is the one. Sure it is LOL:D

Jim Hef
07-02-09, 03:15 PM
http://www.grooveyard.ca/
They list a DVD, but not a DVD-Audio disc.

Hicks
07-02-09, 04:01 PM
They list a DVD, but not a DVD-Audio disc.

Hmmm, looks like I missed out on this one, I don't see a DVD version listed anywhere on that site. Bummer, I'd love to have it to compare to my SACD version.

Nathan_R
07-02-09, 04:34 PM
Here (http://www.fye.com/USED--Beck--Sea-Change-Front-Page_stcVVproductId6935861VVcatId455366VVviewprod.htm) for $39.

Djoel
07-02-09, 04:45 PM
I called Groove yard, and spoke to someone about a week ago, they were really friendly to they said they are expecting a shipment pretty soon.. I gave him my email so when they arrive to let me know...


Djoel

Hicks
07-02-09, 05:30 PM
I called Groove yard, and spoke to someone about a week ago, they were really friendly to they said they are expecting a shipment pretty soon.. I gave him my email so when they arrive to let me know...


Djoel


Good to know thanks. I'll give them a call and see if I can get it for a bit less than the f.y.e. price.

Mattman193
07-02-09, 06:41 PM
Good to know thanks. I'll give them a call and see if I can get it for a bit less than the f.y.e. price.

Don't bother. They canceled my order after 2 weeks because they can't get any more. :mad:

Nathan_R
07-02-09, 07:57 PM
While it was a bit tough the swallow the FYE price, that's gonna be your only non-Ebay or Amazon Marketplace route for the disc now. There's no way Grooveyard is expecting a shipment of long-OOP DVD-A discs. They most likely meant the CD reissue of Sea Change that's forthcoming.

Jim Hef
07-07-09, 02:04 PM
While it was a bit tough the swallow the FYE price....
Looks like someone didn't mind the price...no longer available! :(

cjv123
07-09-09, 08:12 PM
I'm listening to the DTS of this, and it is mind-boggling.

EVizzle
07-16-09, 04:16 AM
Anyone have insight into where I can find this in either SACD or DVD-A? Is it unreasonable to want a sealed disc for around $50?

Thanks!

Bachelor
07-16-09, 10:39 AM
You can find it on EBAY. I've seen some lower bids.

aquaphile
07-16-09, 11:06 AM
somewhat off topic...

i consider myself a Beck fan. not to any unusual degree, but i own Sea Change (HDCD. no SACD player yet :( ), Mutations, and a double disc edition of Odelay

my question is: is sea change the only album offered in SACD? i LOVE mutations and would love to hear that in multi-channel. also, can anyone comment on the vynil quality? a dealer near me has a 12" of Sea Change. every time i go there i cant help but "sea" it ;)

Bachelor
07-16-09, 12:04 PM
I believe Gaucho or whatever the name of his album after sea change came out on DVD-A or it was a dual disc that supported DVD-A. That was over 5 years ago so I don't remember it as clearly. That is a title that I never picked up.

sivadselim
07-16-09, 02:56 PM
my question is: is sea change the only album offered in SACD?I believe Gaucho or whatever the name of his album after sea change came out on DVD-A or it was a dual disc that supported DVD-A. That was over 5 years ago so I don't remember it as clearly. That is a title that I never picked up.Guero. And it was available in surround. As was The Information, iirc. Whether either of those was available as SACD, I do not know.

aquaphile
07-16-09, 03:21 PM
Guero. And it was available in surround. As was The Information, iirc. Whether either of those was available as SACD, I do not know.

cool! thanks for the info

LineWalker
07-16-09, 03:28 PM
Guero was available as a CD/DVD-Audio limited-edition set; the DVD-A had the surround mixes with the selectable visuals, while the CD had maybe seven bonus tracks not found on the regular edition.

The Information is not available in either surround format. It does include a DVD of videos for all the songs on the main CD, but the disc is in stereo.

Sea Change, to my knowledge, was the only Beck title available in both DVD-Audio and SACD. (I own the SACD version, as well as the two-disc set for Guero.)

sivadselim
07-16-09, 05:08 PM
The Information is not available in either surround format.OK. Sorry if I posted some misinformation on The Information. :)