PS3SACD.com

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Fri, 1 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

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New Peter Gabriel album in high resolution

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Peter Gabriel has just finished recording a new album called "Scratch My Back", due March 2 in the US and out now elsewhere. It's a collection of covers of songs by other artists who will be returning the favour by covering one of his songs. These will be released on a companion album titled "I'll Scratch Yours".

While it comes in a Super Jewel Box, there's no SACD. There is a Special Edition. Sadly it does not contain a multichannel mix -- remarkable considering the artist's view on surround sound and the fact that the last of his eleven SACD albums, "Up", was in 5.1 -- but it does provide access to 24-bit (stereo) versions of the songs. It also holds several more songs.

First 3D-capable AV receiver from Sony

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Sony (USA) has announced a new AV receiver, the STR-DN1010. It's their first with HDMI 1.4, in order to pass through 3D video. That's interesting but it made us wonder whether you really need v1.4 for that or if a lower version will do. After all, if v1.3 can't do it then how is Sony going to live up to their promise to upgrade PlayStation3 to 3D video output (for games and also, we presume, Blu-ray 3D)?

Having said that, the new model is a fine companion to PS3, or any of the new Blu-ray Disc players announced -- especially the 3D-compatible types, of course. It features Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio decoding, plus of course 7.1-channel PCM handling. Whether DSD decoding is included the press release doesn't tell, and the full product specs are not online yet, but it seems DSD compatibility is reserved for ES series AV receivers. For PS3 users this will not make a difference but it is relevant for buyers of the new BD players.

Yet more Sony SACD/BD players

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Last month we reported about ten new SACD-compatible Blu-ray Disc players destined for the North American and European markets. This week, Sony's added another model for both territories, the BDP-S470. This player is also 3D-ready: it can be upgraded by a future firmware update. We've added it to our overview.

Prices for part of the range have also been announced, starting from $180 SRP for the entry-level BDP-S370.

The Hot Spot OST on SACD

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

The reissue of the original soundtrack of "The Hot Spot" we reported about November 15 is out today and unlike we feared, Analogue Productions has issued it not only on vinyl but also on a hybrid stereo SACD. They're not (yet) available on Amazon but they are through Acoustic Sounds.

SHM and SACD finally combined into one disc

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

We haven't yet arrived at the Blu-spec SHM-DSD-XR-HD-SA-CD we suggested some time ago when Blu-spec CD was announced but at least and at last, SHM (Super Hard Material) disc manufacturing technology is going to be applied to SACD. That's a far more promising combination than the K2 HD Mastering + Crystal Disc which after all still uses the Red Book CD format. Adding a third technique for better quality, gold material is used. We're not sure if this applies to the CD layer or whether it's a non-hybrid SACD-only disc. Either could be the case.

Universal Music Japan has announced for release on March 31, 2010 the first Gold SHM-SACD title. It appears to be a sampler of jazz music by various artists on the Verve and Riverside labels.

New DSD downloads

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

MA Recordings, a small audiophile record label based in the US has added some DSD downloads. MA always works with two omni-directional microphones and normally releases their recordings in 24-bit/96-kHz but Ser� Una Noche ($40.00) comes with four DSD files as a bonus.

Update on Jienat SACD/BD

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

We spoke with Andreas Fliflet who clarified a number of things:

First of all, the Tudeer title and artwork were provisional. The Mira title and artwork are the final ones. The link is now also fixed.

The release does consist of an SACD and a BD with the same content -- similar to 2L's releases, but despite Morten Lyndberg's involvement, the disc is not released on the 2L label. It was just mixed and mastered by Lyndberg Lyd.

Regarding the statement that this is the first non-classical music recorded in surround, the emphasis should be on the word "recorded" -- probably all other non-classical surround releases thus far were *mixed* in surround, from multitrack stereo or mono recordings. We think he has a point there.

Oppo BDP-80 does output DSD

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 9:00:00 GMT

Update: The BDP-80 *will* feed both DSD and PCM (of course just not simultaneously) to HDMI with SACD playback. The difference with the BDP-83 is that on the latter, analog output is converted direct from DSD while on the new model the signal first gets converted from DSD to "high-resolution" PCM, then from digital to analog. Oppo has confirmed to us this PCM is 24-bit 88.2 kHz.

The user manual is now downloadable online.

Michael Jackson PS3 bundle

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

SCEJ today is releasing a PS3 Slim bundled with a Blu-ray Disc of This Is It. It's not yet clear whether this bundle will be released in other territories too. What is sure is that there's no SACD here. Thriller remains the only Michael Jackson SACD to date, and sadly stereo only.

Several other editions of this documentary including a box set are also released on BD and DVD, with 5.1-channel mixes.

Amazon Blu-ray Disc deals

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Amazon's next Deals Event which starts today and runs through February 15 features savings of up to 55% on high-action Blu-ray Discs and various DVDs, while supplies last.

Blu-ray Disc and SACD playback now at $289

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Oppo just has launched a new Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-80. It's a cheaper version of the BDP-83 but it also comes with SACD and DVD-Audio playback, as well as HDCD, BD-Live, a USB port, HDMI, 1080p upconversion, etc. This is by far the most affordable player with both SACD and BD out there so far.

Naturally, we've added it to our overview of such players. You can find all the details here. The only differences between the BDP-80 and BDP-83 that we noticed are the following:
* No DVD 24p conversion
* No dedicated analog stereo output (it's shared with the 7.1-channel output)
* No DSD output via HDMI, only PCM for SACD
* No infra-red I/O
* No RS-323 control port
* A glow-in-the-dark remote instead of a back-lit one
And obviously the cabinet and front panel are different, with hot stamp foil finishing that looks like brushed aluminium instead of the real thing. The A/V processing differences are caused by a switch from Anchor Bay's ABT2010 VRS processor to a custom SoC.

While we think the loss of DSD output is a pity, altogether it's a great product that provides a lot of value for money.

Release plans for Europe and other parts of the world are not yet known. At one point Oppo planned to release the BDP-83 in Europe but those plans were canned indefinitely. Let's hope the new unit will be marketed on a more global scale.

World Music on BD-Audio

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

msm studios report on their Pure Audio Blu-ray site about a new, non-classical audio-only Blu-ray music disc: Mira by Jienat, the name under which Norwegian artist Andreas Fliflet operates. The music is described both as "pop" and as "world music".

When we follow the link we get to see cover art for another Jienat release titled Tudeer, scheduled for November 10, 2009. We're not quite sure if this has been released meanwhile or whether the name and artwork were changed at some point and these albums are actually the same. Also: was or will Mira come with an SACD? The PR text mentions a "twin-disc" product but avoids the name SACD, perhaps because msm only deals with BD and DVD?

Adding to the confusion is the fact that Morten Lyndberg of Lyndberg Lyd, better known as 2L, is credited for mixing and mastering yet on the 2L site we can find no reference to Jienat's work. We'll let you know when we've sorted it out.

By the way, the statement about "the world's first non-classical true surround recording" clearly lacks the words "on Blu-ray Disc" but even with that addition would be untrue. Earlier releases include Sara K's Made in the Shade and some non-classical titles by Surround Records.

Firmware v3.15 now mandatory

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

The system software version 3.15, which should improve stability and was issued early December, is now declared mandatory.

Sony is back with ten new SACD players

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Ten! Happy 2010. And what a great start of the year it is. Finally, almost two years after removing the SACD function from PlayStation3, Sony introduces a long-awaited range of SACD-compatible Blu-ray Disc players. The last three weeks have been quiet but today the annual CES has started so we've got news.

Mere days after the official announcement of completion of the Blu-ray 3D format, Sony today announces a line-up of 3D-capable and regular BD players, and all except apparently one feature SA-CD. There are three stand-alone BD players: the BDP-S770, BDP-S570 and even the entry-level model BDP-S370, successor to the current popular BDP-S360, all play Super Audio CD. Then there are three home theater systems: the BDV-HZ970W, BDV-E770W and BDV-E570W all are branded "1000W Full HD 1080p Blu-ray disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system". Only the basic HT-SS370 appears to lack the high-end audio format.

The top player (~770) and HTS (~970) are the 3D-capable ones. They're scheduled for this summer. All others will come to market in spring.

Remarkably, the US press release mentions SA-CD while the European one doesn't. The other way round would have surprised us much less. We suspected for a moment there might be a mistake here. It wouldn't be the first time. But the high-res pictures really reveal SACD logos. The European line-up is different. Where the American home theater systems are styled conservatively as conventional AV components and look just like the stand-alone players, their European counterparts have more of a "lifestyle" design with a vertical orientation. It's not clear at this stage whether this BDV-F700 and BDV-F500 and also feature SACD but we're pretty sure about the BDV-E370 and especially the BDV-E870, BDV-E970W and BDV-IZ1000W following a statement by Sony Europe that all players based on the new 2010 Blu-ray Disc platform support SACD.

Lastly, there's no new ES series BD/SACD player yet, like we hoped/predicted. Likely, a successor to the BDP-S5000ES and SCD-XA5400ES, whether it be a single product or two separates, will be introduced at this year's CEDIA in September. Still, we're glad Sony has (re)joined Denon, Marantz, Oppo and other brands by offering BD/DVD/SACD players. And generously at that.

Any hopes that Pioneer would join too have been dashed by statements that Pioneer will not show any BD players at CES this year. Pioneer may leave the optical disc hardware business altogether.

Kraftwerk SACDs re-released

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

2010 will be off to a good start for collectors of electronic music on SACD when on January 8 EMI Germanybrings the SACDs of Kraftwerks' "Minimum-Maximum" -- both GSA (German) and International (English) versions -- back into its catalogue.

The 2-disc Multichannel Hybrid SACD, originally released in 2005, is a registration of a series of live concerts recorded during their 2004 world tour. It went out of print after a while and has become a very much sought-after title, today commanding $699.90 on Amazon and better prices on eBay. Such steep prices will soon be a thing of the past; for a while, at least. The album is also available in 5.1 on DVD by the way, and not quite as rare.

If you like electronic music, this is a must-have.

Nick Cave's albums remastered in 5.1

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

With releases of pure audio in 5.1 in the pop/rock genres so few and far between it's hard to imagine but there are 16 albums that we've completely overlooked. Last year, Mute Records (who earlier issued remasters of all Depeche Mode's studio albums in 5.1 on SACD and in 2008 re-released Yazoo's complete works) announced remasters of all 16 albums by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The first batch of four albums, "From Her To Eternity", "The First Born Is Dead", "Kicking Against The Pricks" and "Your Funeral... My Trial" , came out earlier this year.

Each album will be reissued as a two-disc (CD+DVD) set, containing both the remastered stereo mix and new surround sound mix, as well as a specially commissioned short film created by UK artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard. Also included are the B-sides for the related singles and exclusive sleeve notes. As with Yazoo, no SACD, alas.

Sony closer to break-even with PS3 Slim

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

As part of an ongoing series of teardown analyses, iSuppli has disassembled a PS3 Slim and estimated the component cost (the Bill of Material or BoM) and the manufacturing cost. In summary, their conclusion is that at an estimated cost price of $336.27, the 120-GB model sold at $299 is closer to break-even than any PS3 model before it. While that is surely true and we trust the accuracy of their estimates, the press release suggests implicitly that when cost drops below the retail price, the product will start to become profitable. Again, as with previous exercises, they seem to forget distribution costs and, more importantly, dealer margins. We think Sony is unfortunately still quite far off and needs to get the cost price down to about $200 in order to turn a profit at a $299 consumer price. But by that time the SRP will be much further down.

PS3SACD.com 2009 music and electronics top 10

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The end of the year is approaching so this is a good time to share the ranking of best-selling music and hardware for the year to date. Since we're covering multichannel and high-resolution music on a range of formats, the top 10 does include more than just SACDs. The numbers in brackets are the 2008 positions.
1. (1) Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (30th Anniversary Ed.) [SACD]
2. (-) The Beatles - "Box Set" [USB]
3. (-) Miles Davis - Kind of Blue [SACD]
4. (3) Eric Clapton - Slowhand [SACD]
5. (-) Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil Remixes [SACD]
6. (-) The Beatles Mono Box Set [CD]
7. (-) King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (Deluxe) [DVD-Audio/CD]
8. (4) David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust [SACD]
9. (9) The Police - Every breath you take: The classics*
10. (-) Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [SACD]*
* Of these titles we have aggregated different editions.
The Beatles' Stereo Box Set did not make it to the top 10 but ended up in 15th position.

The most popular hardware sold through this site in 2009 thus far is:
1. (3) PS3 Blu-ray Disc Remote
2. (5) PS3 80GB MGS4 pack
3. (-) HDMI cables such as these
4. (-) Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player with SACD & DVD-Audio
5. (1) Oppo DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1ch Audio
6. (-) Marantz UD8004 Universal Disc Player
7. (-) Denon DBP4010CI Reference Universal Blu-ray Disc Player
8. (-) PS3 120GB
9. (7) PS3 60GB
10.(-) Sony MEXDV2000 Car DVD/SACD/CD Receiver
If you're still searching for Christmas gifts to ask or to give these are probably excellent suggestions.

Firmware v3.15 brings Data Transfer Utility

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

A new system software is out. Version 3.15 introduces a Data Transfer Utility for transferring files and settings to a newer PS3. Some files are copied, others are moved and a few are simply left or need some further attention.
No media changes are reported.

Black Friday deals - all week

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

This Thursday, the US celebrate Thanksgiving so this Friday it&s time for the annual special offer fest known as Black Friday. Amazon features a selection of limited-supply offers all week long, starting today. To go there simply follow this link.

Theta BD/SACD transport

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Theta Digital has announced for release this quarter a "Universal Disc Transport" that supports Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD and various other formats. Transport in this case is a fancy term for player because it&s more than a plain drive -- the decoding circuitry is all here, including 7.1-channel audio outputs.

Judging by specs and looks we take it the COMPLI BLU shares a number of modules and components with the Oppo BDP-83. Theta have not yet disclosed a price but based on their history we can expect one well into the four digits.

You can find the new device in our BD/SACD player overview.

5.1 audio issue solved

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

SCE has released a new firmware, v3.10, and it has relevance for SACD playback: It fixes an issue present in all previous versions that caused AV receivers to think they got a 5.1-channel signal through HDMI, even when a stereo track was played. Other changes deal with the Photo category in the XMB, the PSN Friends List and Facebook.

The ideal PS3

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The Holiday season is approaching fast so it seems an appropriate time to draw up a wish list. Allow us to dream for a few minutes and draw up our list of specifications for the ultimate PlayStation3 console, from our point of view at least. Hint: It plays SACD, very well, but there's more. Read our two cents.

New DSD Download: "The Window" by David Elias

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

When Wheatus released their mini-album as a DSD Disc download a few months ago we expressed hope more artists and bands would follow. That is now happening. "The Window" by David Elias is one of those SACDs that have gone out of print and now fetch upwards of $200 on eBay. So David has decided to reissue the album as a DSD download

King Crimson in 5.1

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Some projects are a long time in the making, and when they eventually reach conclusion they end up different than planned. "In the Court of the Crimson King" was supposed to be issued on multichannel SACD in the early days of the format (i.e. some ten years ago) but this project never materialized. Now the surround mix of the album has finally been completed it's released this week on DVD-Audio (together with a remastered CD) as the 40th Anniversary Edition. The 5.1 mix was made by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame and Robert Fripp himself. The disc will be a region 0 NTSC DVD with MLP Lossless 5.1 Surround Sound, DTS 5.1 Digital Surround, MLP Lossless Stereo 24/96 and PCM Stereo 2.0 24/48.The DTS and PCM will play on PS3.

The same treatment has been given to "Red", released October 20, and "Lizard", due January 12.

It's very rare to see new DVD-Audio releases nowadays -- about as rare as seeing new pop/rock SACDs -- but Amazon Germany lists a performance by Tangerine Dream, Live at the London Astoria Theatre as DVD-Audio, to be released November 20, 2009. This would be the first DVD-Audio distributed by Sony Music. Possibly this is a mistake, in line with this Sony Music page, and the disc is actually a DVD-Video one.