Steve's Analogue Productions Blue Note SACD/CD Sound Quality Discussion Thread

the hum should be clearly visible in a waveform.

 

I"ve purchased one AP Blue Note SACD so far, Dorham's "Whistle Stop", and I agree that the sound is different than any of the Music Matters LPs I have. The overall playback level is much lower than my LPs! and is indeed softer in presentation than any of the Hoffman Blue Note LPs I have. Something does seem strange here, the sound perspective does differ quite a bit from the LPs, I'll also check for the hum that's been mentioned on some posts.

 

I hear hum on Whistle Stop, but it's extremely low level. It's below the hiss it's so low.

 

I don't hear that hum on either the AP or the JSACD........or even the 'BN Works' TOCJ. I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm still standing by the 20-bit TOCJ. While it isn't as detailed & revealing, it projects the richness and warmth I'm after. Some might call that 'muddy'....I dunno. Works for me!

 

Then I'd stay away from the Beatles threads!

 

I do not doubt that it has happened before. Here though we have AP, a respected audiophile niche label using a respected audiophile niche ME (SH) for a 45 rpm series that have garnered much praise.
Now AP has the great idea to spread this success to a more affordable high resolution format, hopefully augmenting their 45 rpm sales. You would assume that AP wants this series also to be as successful as the 45 rpm series -

so assuming the allegation was true -why would Mr CK 'fudge' Mr SH 'split' master?

1. He does think that SACD benefits from the 'fudge' to get closer to the 45 rpms
2. He does not want the SACD to equal or better the 45 rpms purely as a business decision (i.e sell more 45 rpms than SACDs)

Well Mr CK is an audiophile and a business man, which one do you think is the motivation if the allegation was true?

I bet you not many people would believe 1.

If 2. - well serious implications in my view, and I would rather hope that it is not true.

 

How about somebody actually asking to the man you are accusing of futzing with the SACD's? Or at least your complaint with them. Im not saying its true or not true but all this "Chad did it" is speculation except for LeeS and his "source". A couple of people that have posted here are supposedly fairly friendly with him so why not call him? Find out.

Anybody game? Let us know what information you find out :

1-888-926-2564

 

Seems like a good idea. I hope some solid, "on the record" information from Chad can settle this matter definitively.

For myself, I'm a subscriber to the Blue Note SACD series (as well as a pre-subscriber to the upcoming Impulse SACD series), so I'm certainly interested in whether this story is true.

I've only got very casual, anecdotal experience with the SACD versus LP sound quality so far.

What I mean is that I've bought a few of the 45RPM LPs in the Analogue Productions Blue Note series, and each one has been a magical listen. I would sit down in front of my stereo, put on a disc, go sit back down, and close my eyes for 8-10 minutes of audio bliss. When each of the four sides ended, I would be jarred out of the spell, then quickly get up and flip/change the disc side to resume the joy. With the SACDs, on the other hand, I've sat down and started to listen, but often find myself getting up and wandering away after a few minutes.

The SACDs just haven't been as engaging as the 45RPM LPs for me so far, in other words. But I can't say whether that's due to the relative sound quality of the same title on two different formats . . . or due to the differences between my $350 Thorens turntable with stock cartridge versus my $1500 Denon SACD player . . . or due to some superficial connection I have to vinyl as being more intimate than a cold digital format like SACD. . . . or maybe I just think that I paid $50 for 30-40 minutes of music, so I'd better damn well pay close attention to the LP!

I'd like to do a closer A/B comparison between the SACD and 45RPM titles that I have in common, but I've got a busy few weeks coming up ahead.

I hope well before then, someone can reach Chad and get the definitive word about whether or not these SACDs were modified in any audible way after Steve handed them off.

Craig.

 

I would think that if all things being equal in mastering that your SACD of the same title should sound a bit better on the Denon. Not knocking your TT but I would think the Denon would give you more resolution?

 

Maybe you should replace your SACD-player

 

Why can't someone post a short clip of the title song. We could compare it to the LP and other CD pressings?

 

please listen to new Decca Esoteric SACD series...



...a cold digital format like SACD

ROTFLMAO

 

Superb isn't it?

I had to wear shorts and a tee-shirt listening to this "cold digital format."

 

But if what you say is true about remastering Rudy's work, then why don't the LP's (mastered at the same time) have similar "problems?'

 

Mayhap they have, been shouted down, and decline the opportunity to wear their flame retardent suits again? Just supposing.....

 

Dunno. Unlike Lee, I've not heard the LPs, only the SACDs. One theory: SACD is the most revealing format out there and warts present on the master recording are going to be more apparent on an SACD than on any other format. Vinyl enthusiasts will probably disagree...

 

Yep, I thought the same thing, but thought I'd leave it for someone else to notice that incongruity.

For what it's worth, there are plenty of SACDs in my collection that are fully engaging and encourage me to sit down, close my eyes, and enjoy. Ironically, among those are the Analogue Productions SACDs of CCR. All the more baffling to me that these new Blue Note SACDs (same team behind them) don't grab me as much.

Craig.

 

I should be more careful in what I write. I was being tongue-in-check with my "cold digital format" comment. Should've at least put it in quotation marks, if not sprinkled liberally with smilies. I'm much more in the "it's the recording and the mastering, not the medium" camp.

Craig.

 

FWIW I understood what u meant. I don't have any sacred cows either.

Anybody going to post comparison clips or call Chad?

 

SACD pressing irregularities perhaps, what speed are SACD's pressed at these days? Some of us already know this has happened multi-numerous times with the CD format so I'm just sayin'/askin'...

 

Unless and until the sources are revealed and we get some coherent and sensible explanation for the differences between the two formats, I'm going with this as a provisional hypothesis.

 

So at least 3 other persons hear are hearing hum on the SACD of Blue Train or Whistle Stop.

The strange thing is that the hum is audible during the between song silence of the original Lp configuration - where tape leader would supposedly be.

The hum can't be heard on or between the bonus tracks.

This suggests the bonus tracks were mastered at a different time than the album tracks for SACD. If we are hearing hum during the album tracks and between song silence separating each tune, this suggests the hum may have been introduced during the SACD mastering process. Sounds like hum from a piece of analog tube gear.

 

Jazz sounds better on vinyl ...bigger soundstage, warmer, and richer. This assumes same mastering, vinyl is well pressed, and turntable/cart/phono is real good

 

Right on.

Warmth, and other artifacts present during vinyl playback, etc. Incidentally, just received the AP sacd of Moanin' in the mail, and am crankin' it as I write...

Am I displeased, disgruntled or otherwise disaffected?

How should I say this?

No.

 

I should add that I love many sacds too but found the leeway sacd good but not great. I also thought the marvin gaye whats going on mofi sacd was good but not great. I say good but not great relative to either original issue marvin gaye or the 45 rpm leeway. I would believe that those that audiophiles that never heard it on vinyl would be rather pleased! It is also possible if you don't have a tt that you love, a real good cartridge, real good phono, and/or not properly setup then the vinyl could be dissapointing.

Luckily, I have both a sacd/cd player and a tt that I really dig so I can cherry pick what I like best on both formats but do believe that 4/5 on jazz I prefer the vinyl