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SACD's that sound Good on Maggies

65.170.220.87

I recently upgraded my SACD player from a PS3 to an Oppo BDP 95. Do any of you have some Jazz and Classical SACD's that you recommend? I notice a big difference on the 3.6's from regular red book CD's . I only have a few SACD's now and I want to add a few outstanding ones to my collection.

Russ

Follow Ups:

RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - The peleton 08:06:25 03/05/12 (1)
I gave up on sacd - not enough good stuff for me but love the quality you get

OPPO Make fantastic stuff you simply cant go wrong

if you dont have pink floyd the wall get it fantastic gold standard of sacd
- RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - ProfPaul 15:26:26 03/05/12 (0)
  I agree that there are relatively few releases on SACDs, but that isn't really a reason to give up on the format. Players that can read them are inexpensive (a cheap player is fine if you do your DA conversion elsewhere such as a preamp), and most high end CD players can read the format also.
  
  I'd bet that just a few percent of my collection are SACDs, but I was excited when I saw this thread. I'm always keeping my eyes open for more good ones.
  
  Personally, I wouldn't suggest giving up on SACDs to anyone unless they already own a high-end CD player that doesn't read the format AND where they use the analog out and have no good means of carrying out the DA conversion elsewhere.
  
  Paul
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - Mr. Orange 19:22:05 03/02/12 (5)
I just got this one and played it today. If you have any interest in organ music then I would highly recommend this one. It definitely puts to rest the idea that Maggies don't have any bass. I could feel the floor rumbling through my Magnestand MG-12s!
- RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - JBen 21:53:11 03/09/12 (1)
  Mr. O, I just received it today. It will probably be heard for the first time tomorrow but not through my Maggies. In the morning, I'll be over to a friend's whose full-range boxes will likely spoil my ears on the deeper bass.
  
  Then, in the evening I will have my MMGs do their take on it for the first time. That way I'll have a reference for how much I'll be missing...since I tend to not use my subwoofer.
  - RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - 66mgb 17:50:09 03/10/12 (0)
    JBEN
    Thanks for the good input ! One SACD that I think sounds wonderful is The Ray Brown Trio Live At the LOA with Gene Harris and Jeff Hamilton. If you love good jazz you will love this. I got the 3 SACD Jazz at the Pawn shop, the sound is good very detailed, but not very dynamic. I have been running the analog outs of the OPPO 95 directly to the Pass X150.5 to the 3.6's, sounds so good I want to have another scotch !
    Russ
- RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - JBen 23:19:47 03/02/12 (2)
  Wicked! I have been leaving the pipe organ SACD music for later, when I place serious emphasis on getting a better sub to pair with my MMGs. As it is, it appears that I get uncommonly good bass out of them, so I rarely use the sub.
  
  While I measure usable good output down to 40hz (-6db) with frequency sweeps, at times is seems like it really goes a little lower when playing some music, dynamically. That's probably the room, the frame reinforcement (Stixbees) and the Razoring playing along nicely with the PLLXO bi-amp.
  
  It looks like this disc will end my self-imposed diet on organ music SACDs. I just ordered it. Thanks for the heads up!
  - RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - ProfPaul 12:38:59 03/03/12 (1)
    If you want to demo your speakers, this is probably my favorite disk so far.
    
    - Mahler: Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection" [Hybrid SACD - DSD]
    Gustav Mahler (Composer), Gilbert Kaplan (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)
    
    Read the reviews on Amazon. Some with a deeper of knowledge of classical music (and similarly larger music libraries) question the performance, but the performance sounds great to my ears. The reason to own this disk is the phenomenal job that was done on the recording. The dynamics really put you right there in ways that somehow exceed any other classical disk I own. And, classical is frequently recorded very well.
    
    Hope that helps!
    
    Paul
    - RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - JBen 21:27:37 03/03/12 (0)
      Thanks! A friend of mine has it but I have yet to borrow it for evaluation. I'll try to get it next week when I visit him.
      
      Sometimes we have to accept recordings for all the good things that they can offer and try to ignore/forgive the things that we don't like in them. In fact, some of those readings that we like less at first, can get to grow on us after a while.
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - dnm 18:06:59 02/29/12 (6)
Here's a "yes" to the Oppo BDP-95. Mine sounds great on Redbook and just wonderful on SACD - very smooth, quiet and layered. It even sounds OK on Pandora playing through those great DACs it has.

A couple SACD's that stand out for me:

Quartetto Italiano: Haydn String Quartets Op. 76 No. 3 and No 4. & Beethoven String Quartet Op. 18 No. 5 (PentaTone)

Vinikour: Goldberg Variations (Delos)

Thanks to the others who have responded and given me titles to check on!

Regards - DNM
- A few come immediately to mind. - Opus 104 06:00:53 03/01/12 (5)
  Janis Ian "Breaking Silence" Analog Productions. And this isn't even a SACD, it's a redbook.
  Dave Brubeck quartet, "Time Out" Columbia CS 65122. A marvelous sounding SACD.
  Isaac Hayes "Shaft Soundtrack" Stax SXSA 88002-6. Killer SACD.
  
  Opus 104
  - RE: A few come immediately to mind. - JBen 07:23:19 03/01/12 (4)
    Hi Opus! When I need to get the real treat, I borrow the Time Out SACD from a friend even though I have the RB version which is not bad.
    - RE: A few come immediately to mind. - old guy 42 09:15:12 03/01/12 (3)
      Hi. J
      
      I also have the RB version of "Time Out" and it is good. I also like the RB versions of "One on One" (Bob James & Earl Klugh) and "Just a little lovin'" ( Shelby Lynne ).
      
      Take care....old guy
      - RE: A few come immediately to mind. - JBen 09:38:11 03/01/12 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: A few come immediately to mind. posted by old guy 42 on March 01, 2012 at 09:15:12
        
        Hi OG!
        
        Ditto for One on One here. I love it and would buy again if issued as a "proper" SACD. I've followed Earl Klugh since his early days and this disc with Bob James turned out really enjoyable.
        
        There's a compilation of Bob James' work issued in SACD called "Hi-Fi". It is great but I don't own it. A former neighbor played his copy here a couple of years ago, before he moved. I have tried to get it since then but the price is always too high.
        
        Ms. Lynne, I'll have to look up. I think I have something by her in a collection somewhere. I have a terrible memory for names...and it ain't age related, LOL.
        
        RE: A few come immediately to mind. - old guy 42 10:44:59 03/01/12 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: A few come immediately to mind. posted by JBen on March 01, 2012 at 09:38:11
        
        Hi. J
        
        You made a mistake telling me how you followed Earl K. Now, I will have to talk your ear off.:-))
        
        I really enjoy this Asylum. Thank you for making it nice to come here!!!!
        
        old guy
        
        RE: A few come immediately to mind. - JBen 13:48:36 03/01/12 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: A few come immediately to mind. posted by old guy 42 on March 01, 2012 at 10:44:59
        
        LOL! Of all the mistakes I do on a minute-to-minute basis this has to be an easy one to deal with.
        
        BTW, there is another inmate who seems to be an Earl Klugh fan. He even made it to the same local EK concert that I had to miss a few weeks ago. Search recent posts for our exchange at the time (I can't recall his Username right now...like I said, bad memory for names...I must have been dropped as a baby.)
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - Peiter 05:32:35 02/29/12 (0)
Jacques Loussier Trio

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_11/184-5078085-0968555?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jacques+loussier+trio&sprefix=jacques+lou%2Caps%2C412

When you think your Maggies s ck, play some Jacques Loussier Trio and you will smile again :-)
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - BruceS 16:38:04 02/28/12 (0)
I have electrostatics but for the purpose of these comments I am sure that you can consider them to be extremely similar.
Now that you have an SACD player you are in for a shock.
SACDs are really just so much better!
I did a comparison between the Carpenters (Greatest Hits, I think) SACD and standard CD, the difference is not, let me repeat not, subtle.
Female vocal is the place to start but not finish!
There are lots of classical SACDs available, but I would like to draw your attention to just one SACD, which, although not classical is really worth a listen.
The Manhattan Transfer SACD, Vibrate, especially track 11, Come Softly to Me/I Met Him on a Sunday.
The trouble with people recommending music is that what they recommend reflects their musical tastes.
That's the case here also.
If you think this is vaguely in your ballpark have a listen.
Enjoy your SACD listening.
Bruce
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - Medium Jim 13:11:08 02/28/12 (3)
Russ:

How do you like the Oppo? I've read some great reviews about the BDP 95.

Jim
Music is the best thing you can do legally that doesn't require a medical prescription!
- RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - 66mgb 13:27:51 02/28/12 (2)
  Jim
  I love the Oppo 95 ! I run the dedicated stereo Analog outs directly into my Pass X150.5 amp. Nelson Pass has an Oppo 95, so that was a good endorsement for me. I had a NAD 521BEE for CD's before. It was a huge difference on the Oppo, better sound stage, depth as well as bass performance. I found the performance with SACD's a huge step up from SACD's on the PS3. Normal red book CD's also sound better on the Oppo vs. the NAD. I too have found there is a difference on SCACD quality just like CD's. Even though I have a 5.1 set-up I prefer the SACD's in stereo vs multi-channel
  Russ
  - RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - Medium Jim 14:38:25 02/28/12 (1)
    Russ:
    
    Thanks for the reply/review. It sounds like I need to get one even though most of my CD's are rebook and hd format.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Jim
    Music is the best thing you can do legally that doesn't require a medical prescription!
    - RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - 66mgb 15:02:22 02/28/12 (0)
      "Thanks for the reply/review. It sounds like I need to get one even though most of my CD's are rebook and hd format."
      
      Jim the 95 probably only makes sense if you can also use the Blu Ray portion of it too. I replaced a CD player and A blu ray player, so it worked for me.
      
      Russ
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - DTB300 12:42:38 02/28/12 (0)
Here are a few to consider. Remember, only buy one if YOU LIKE the music, don't buy it just because it is a SACD. The SACD format does not guarantee great sound...just like any other format, we are at the mercy of the recording folks and how they made the final product.

I also put a couple of Redbook listings as I really like the sound quality and of course the music....

Cannonball Adderly � Somethin� else�(SACD Blue Note Reissue)
Fiona Joy Hawkins � Blue Dream (SACD)
Gerry Mulligan meets Ben Webster - MoFi (Redbook)
Sonny Rollins � Way out West (SACD)
Live at Blues Alley - Eva Cassidy (Redbook)
The E.S.E. Sessions - Blue Coast Collection (SACD)
Flim & the BB's - Tricycle (SACD)
Steven Davis - Quality of Sound (SACD)
Yellow Jackets - Lifecycle (SACD)
Oliver Nelson � The Blues & Absolute Truth (SACD)
Mark Knopfler - Shangrai-La (SACD) - (better sound quality than BIA)
Amanda McBroom - Live from Rainbow and Stars (Redbook)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (SACD)
Diana Krall - Love Scenes (SACD)
RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - JBen 11:53:25 02/28/12 (2)
I am not home but if you list some of the ones you have (and like/dislike), I'll check. I have another "free" evening to listen and, in fact, the plan is to play my SACDs.

Last night I had a great one with 24/192 upsampled Red Book off the PC for 3 hours+. Good as it is, it is not as good as the SACDs, so the MMGs will be getting the better stuff today.
- RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - 66mgb 14:26:48 02/28/12 (1)
  "I am not home but if you list some of the ones you have (and like/dislike), I'll check. I have another "free" evening to listen and, in fact, the plan is to play my SACDs. "
  
  JBEN
  Here are the few I have that I like
  Jazz that's soulfully Blue
  Concord Jazz Sampler Vol 2
  Dianna Krall Girl in the other Room
  Jazz for the wee small hours
  Claire Martin Too Darn Hot
  
  Russ
  - RE: SACD's that sound Good on Maggies - JBen 01:22:23 02/29/12 (0)
    Russ, these are some of the SACDs that play great and are thoroughly enjoyable when played in modded MMGs -- and to the extent that I have tried some -- much better still on 3.6 & 3.7.
    As a general rule, I use SACDs more for classical/orchestral music. Jazz and other genre I can "stand" mostly fine on upsampled Red Book or other Hi-rez PCM formats. The list is all SACD but I don't use multi-channel. I listen to them always in stereo and always with NO subwoofer.
    To help those who own MMGs, the list is sorted according to increasing need for modding (with, primarily, frame reinforcement). Those albums that only played "totally good" after the frame was reinforced have "FRR" after the title. The reinforcement helps all music, significantly; but it becomes critical for these "FRR". My MMGs frame reinforcement is what I call Stixbees. However, it also refers to some of the Maggie stands and to the full wood frames in other Maggies.
    If any selection in a disc forms part of my "Core Test Music Selections" there is also the code "CTMS" next to it. This also means that I have heard them in 3.6 and 3.7 Maggies (which, of course, do much better).
    - Diana Krall: When I Look In Your Eyes CTMS
    Some instrumental textures, plus her voice, won an early place in my CTMS since 2008.
    - The World's Greatest Audiophile Vocal Recordings - Chesky CTMS
    Some outstandingly gorgeous songs (however, Chesky's great Best Audiophile Voices I-V (XRCD) do have better combinations as full discs)
    - Carpenters: Singles 1969-1981
    I have never heard them sound better. Karen's voice, at times, will blow you away. The transfers even managed to capture imaging that I don't recall from LPs.
    - Dvorak: Slavonic Dances - Cleveland Orchestra/Szell
    Among best interpretations, delightful selections. Old recording but modern sound and great imaging. Most people love much of it even if classical is not their thing.
    - Russian Violin Concertos - Fischer/Kreizberg, Khachaturian: Violin Concerto, Prokofiev: Violin Concerto, Glazunov: Violin Concerto CTMS
    I am partial to Prokofiev, which is also great here, but on this disc Julia's Khachaturian is superb...plus just the violin's sound itself enchants.
    
    - Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto - Fischer, Kreizberg CTMS
    Almost the precision of Heifetz along with the lyrical flow of Stern or even Oistrakh, in a modern recording of a favorite concert; includes other sweet interpretations.
    - Chicago - Soundtrack
    None better if your liked it; even in stereo it trumps the video DVDs surround (I still have to try BluRay). Latifa's Mama's ROCKS!
    - Telarc SACD Jazz Sampler, Vol. 3 CTMS
    Among the first in my CTMS since 2008. A bit of many things. Primarily chosen for imaging & pianos in various setting. The first album to burst through the walls in my living room with unmodded, original parts when these 1999 MMG model were purchased used in 2008.
    - Jazz At The Pawnshop 30th Anniversary Edition
    IF you have liked the LP/CD versions, then the SACD brings more to the table. Maggies recreate ambience and these SACDs feed it in spades. If the previous versions were not your cup-of-tea, SACD won't fix that.
    - Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe - Munch - RCA Living Stereo
    Arresting sonics and imaging that no one believes are from a 1955 recording...and at the hand of planar speakers, boy, what a treat!
    - Ultimate Mancini - Henry Mancini/Monica Mancini CTMS FRR
    Superb Pink Panther, all around sonics and silky/lovely Monica's voice. Very, very enjoyable througout [My subconcious-self does tend to skip ONE piece - find out which and win a prize! No names, please.]
    - Nice 'N' Easy, Celebrating Sinatra - Cincinnati Pops/Kunzel CTMS FRR
    Terrific arrangements. Outstanding orchestral brass sound, and treble percussion so crystal clear that ribbon tweeters will rejoice you with (even my QR do!)
    - Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F, Rhapsody in Blue, Cuban Overture - Nakamatsu, Tyzik CTMS FRR
    One of my favorite Concert in F interpretations and in a great all around modern recording that captures top-notch instrumental textures as well as imaging
    - Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet - Valery Gergiev FRR
    While not my favorite interpretation, still great (in fact, very highly regarded by many)...wonderful sonics in this 2-disc set of the whole thing.
    - Patricia Barber: Companion CTMS, FRR
    Bring the nightclub home! Delightful all around. Superb ample imaging and richly detailed when the system is good. Along with Timeagain's Tequila (below), the bass taxes some amps driving Maggies.(The XRCD version is an excellent alternative)
    - David Sanborn: Timeagain CTMS, FRR
    Great textures & rhythm. Impressive imaging. On the wrong equipment or settings will disappoint as seemingly distorted at times. Tequila's bass taxes some amps driving Maggies.
    - Mahler: Symphony No. 2 - Ivan Fischer FRR
    So far, my favorite No2. Incredible sonics also. Massive orchestral passages will tell if Maggies not up to task (with loss of clarity).
    - The Film Music of Jerry Goldsmith CTMS, FRR
    Absolutely delightful from start to finish. Some of the best violin sections. Sumptuous dynamics. One of my favorite orchestral albums, yet it was no so from day one. Initially, the massive orchestra lost much clarity, until the MMGs were reinforced...and then, bliss!
    
    Edits: 02/29/12 02/29/12 02/29/12

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