SACD produces analogue like sound?

[kexodusc]

I've observed that the mature audiophiles who've been around since the days vinyl was the dominant format, before CD emerged, for the most part have difficulty accepting the CD sound. I attribute this to many a failed experiment in the early days of CD where the mixes were transferred inadequately from analog to CD, but I don't doubt there were some LP's that wiped the floor with CD's.

Likewise, the younger generation of audiophiles I've met believe that LP's cannot match a well recorded CD, let alone SACD (though a small subset prefer tubes). Not because they haven't heard or haven't tried, I really think it's more a question of what they are familiar with.

And there's exceptions to both groups obviously, just a casual observation.

I liken this front-wheel vs rear-wheel drive. I grew up driving RWD on old cars, and I still can't quite get use to FWD, and prefer RWD - especially modern versions. My mother-in-law really feels safer and in better control in a FWD. Maybe with respect to analog-vs-digital it's just a matter of what you learned was the proper sound skewing your thought process to believe one or the other is better.

I own a modest collection of about 46 LP's -give or take - and they get a work out several times a week, but I prefer most of the SACD and even 2nd generation CD remasters (the initial transfers were terrible - Led Zeppelin and the Allman Bros in particular). I believe digital sounds better without that false, unrealistic "warmth" that many audiophiles enjoy and believe is more realistic. I like a well produced CD better than a well produced LP. I suppose my main speakers might only perform like some $3000-$4000 or less commercial models, so I'm not terribly high end, but that shouldn't matter.

Here's the kicker - when it comes to my guitar gear, I still prefer the sound of tubes to SS. Even though there's a some great SS gear out there now, I just can't be fooled into making my Gibson Lucille sound like it's B.B. playing (not that I sound anything like Mr. King but the tone can be mostly replicated).

[E-Stat]

I attribute this to many a failed experiment in the early days of CD where the mixes were transferred inadequately from analog to CD, but I don't doubt there were some LP's that wiped the floor with CD's.

Another reason has to do with the type of music one listens to. For the most part, rock is electronic and less demanding than purely acoustical venues. I still listen to Allman Bros and Zep every once in a while (have albums on both formats), but I would use neither to evaluate any kind of audio component for qualitative differences.

Redbook is still harmonically sterile and does not do full justice to symphonic or even guys like Michael Hedges. His twelve string does not shimmer the same on CD. Having said that, I still listen to CDs more than my 500 odd hundred record collection. Never switched to SACD because I didn't want to go through yet another format change investment for what might be at best a 5% availability overlap.

rw