Just got around to getting the Security SACD. Several weeks ago, I was listening to my original CD through both QS Synth and Dolby PLIIx; the CD sounds great in both but I'd still give the nod to QS for overall separation. Afterwards, I thought it was time to check out the stereo only SACD.
Interesting difference in listening experience...
On the SACD, Gabriel's vocals to me sounded a tad clearer. All the sound textures seemed more smooth. Stereo imaging was top notch, although so was the CD.
BUT, when I played the SACD through either QS or PLIIx, the soundfield just seemed to be missing something. The surround channels were NOT as active as from the CD. With the CD, the level was either higher or there just wasn't as much extraction taking place. I was really surprised and starting to A/B several songs with several formats: QS, SQ, PLIIx, and even Neo6. In each song with each format, the CD won out over the SACD.
Has anyone else noticed this? Any explanation? Could the engineers have stripped out some out-of-phase ambient clues in the SACD mix????
Although I'm pleased with the SACD, I was expecting nice quad synth effects from it and no enchilada.
This one should have been a multichannel release.
ss9001
Interesting difference in listening experience...
On the SACD, Gabriel's vocals to me sounded a tad clearer. All the sound textures seemed more smooth. Stereo imaging was top notch, although so was the CD.
BUT, when I played the SACD through either QS or PLIIx, the soundfield just seemed to be missing something. The surround channels were NOT as active as from the CD. With the CD, the level was either higher or there just wasn't as much extraction taking place. I was really surprised and starting to A/B several songs with several formats: QS, SQ, PLIIx, and even Neo6. In each song with each format, the CD won out over the SACD.
Has anyone else noticed this? Any explanation? Could the engineers have stripped out some out-of-phase ambient clues in the SACD mix????
Although I'm pleased with the SACD, I was expecting nice quad synth effects from it and no enchilada.
This one should have been a multichannel release.
ss9001
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