CD Redbook versus DVD Audio


Being an 'insider' in the industry keeps one busy enough not to read some of the(even though basic) information, which one should read.
Recently a friend brought over the Chris Botti album, recorded on both sides--one CD the other DVD Audio.
Well, after extolling the virtues of CD Redbook, in recent years, with the newer players, I would have to admit freely that (even though I own the Exemplar DVD which plays, I think, all platforms available including DVD Audio) I had never 'gone over to the dark side.'
Good Lord, this is better in virtually every way possible.
What struck me (about this limited experience)was the way that the staging improved,with blackness within the soundstage, taking it to an almost holgraphic experience--- with BASS just rolling, very naturally, out of the speakers like never before!!
This bordered, to me, on the same level of experience that I had when I first discovered Tubes,(not the Bass, but Staging part) at the dawn of civilization. Really, it was that kind of 'new found experince' and yes,was that good.
The bass took on an almost surreal quality, with tonality I had not experienced, except with the great tonearms, and Koetsu cartridgess, from waaaay back in the days of those round black things....the one's that have ticks and pops but sound great if done correctly.
This is as close as I have been to that kind of, and level of, both musical experience and what I perceive to be, accuracy of sound.
Anybody else out there with similar kind of experience with DVD Audio? I know, given the breadth of 'terrible recordings' that some must sound horrible, as usual, but when done close to right, wow.
If more are good than bad, and assuming that when done correctly that it excels, which it may not, given this caveat--why is this platform not more popular?. I know the arguments about too many choices, and too few audiophiles, but this is 'remarkably better' in my limited, and more important, IMHO.
Larry
lrsky

Showing 5 responses by tvad

Thanks for the heads up, Larry. I'll have to give it a listen. Which Botti album is it specifically?
Thanks Larry, I ordered it last night. I'm looking forward to hearing it as I've never given DVD-A much thought.
An addendum...Larry posted too quickly for me to edit my previous post...

Reading that Paula Cole sings on the Chris Botti album sealed the deal for me. She sang with Peter Gabriel on his "Secret World Live" tour, and she is one of the highlights of that DVD. Also, in case you didn't know, Chris Botti toured with Sting once or twice in recent years in a spotlight role, which explains the connection on Botti's new album.
But the need for a video screen really isn't a strong argument. It's an investment of less than $100, which ought not to be an issue for folk who spend thousands on wires.

I believe this is indeed a strong and valid argument. From my perspective, the cost of the video monitor is not the issue. In my opinion, the issue is connecting a video screen and navigating through a set-up menu in order to enjoy 2 channel DVD-A audio, when it should simply be a matter of inserting a disc and pressing play with one possible added step of pressing a button on the remote control or on the machine's front panel to clearly cycle through options on the player's front display. I understand that the vast majority of DVD players are installed in Home Theater systems which have TV's, but on-screen menu navigation is an inelegant solution that will discourage use of the format to all but the most die-hard fans.
Tvad...If it's too much trouble for you, then it's
too much trouble for you. For me...no problem. Compared with the ritual
that playing vinyl requires, it's nothing.

Amen, Eldartford.

By the way, Lrsky, I'll have to trust what you say regarding the
superiority of the DVD-A side to the CD side of Chris Botti's "When I Fall
in Love", because my Denon 3910 will not read the CD side of the
DualDisc.