1

2003

73.00

Microphones: Bruel & Kjaer 4006, Schoeps
Digital Converters: DSD Super Audio/DCS / Meitner Design AD/DA
Speakers: Audiolab, Holland
Software: Pyramix Editing, Merging Technologies
Mixing Board: Rens Heijnis, custom design
Mastering Room: B+W 803d series speakers, Classe 5200 Amplifier
Cables: Van den Hul

>Podger, The Gents, Wispelwey,Zomer,
Giacometti, Florilegium, The Locke Consort,
Marcucci, The Netherlads Bach Society, Lazic, van der Velden

This is the first SACD compilation disc of the
14 releases from Channel Classics. There is a
normal CD layer on this CD for those who do
not have a SACD player (or for listening with a
walkman and in the car). How does one describe
the difference in sound quality between normal
CD and SACD? It is not just a difference
between sampling the sound from 44 thousand
times a second to 2.8 million. To me, listening
in SACD stereo immediately gives that feeling
of openness. Depth of sound. The total clarity
of the instruments. And of course the large
dynamic range. The music is not a block of
sound from the speakers but it seems to be
there without being able to touch it.
For those of you that have multichannel, the
sensation of sitting in the concert hall can now
be experienced. There are no rules for creating
multichannel recordings but my goal has been
to reproduce the acoustic characteristics of the
performance space. To create the feeling of
sitting in the fourth row. One is not conscious
of the surround speakers (only by switching
them off would you immediately hear the
effect). SACD multichannel creates more emotion
in the music – no matter where you sit
because it is not necessary to sit in the ‘hot
spot’ (middle of the triangle from your speakers)
to experience this ‘emotion’.
I have been fortunate to have worked closely in
Eindhoven Holland with Philips Research and
Development from the early stages to help develop
and promote this new technology. Now,
two years later, their dedication and belief in
SACD has been vital in seeing the results. Many
important labels from around the world are all
beginning to produce their own SACD recordings.
In another year SACD will become standard
for most quality labels in all genres!