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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
rex
245 posts
 
1. Although not necessary to just play a DVDA, a video screen is necessary to access other features, and at least temporarily for setup. No big deal though. I went out and bought a 13" TV for less than $80, and it is part of my equipment rack, just used for setup. I have no big screen in my audio system. I listen to music.

I am happy for you that you found a solution you can live with. I hope you can agree that the solution you found may not be appropriate for everyone. The fact that nearly all players on the market require a TV for one or more aspects of DVD-Audio playback is not an advantage or a plus for the format.

2. What's wrong with a downmix from multichannel? How do you think that all stereo (and 5.1) programs are produced from multitrack (24 channel) masters.

They are not even remotely the same thing. Creating stereo and/or multichannel tracks is an endeavor intended to create an original work of art. A downmix is an electronic process performed on those tracks by the player. It is a modification of the original data stream.

Some people think downmixes sound just fine. I have done A-B comparisons and found that downmixes are inferior to dedicated 2ch tracks.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rex...You exaggerate to say that real time downmix is "not even remotely" similar to a priori mixdown. It might be identical, depending on how the engineer felt that day. But this is a subjective thing, and I respect your opinion.

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.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
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.
lrsky OP
1,118 posts
 
Just tonight I went back and listened to the Chris Botti, and then to several other regular discs that I have enjoyed many times in the past--and franky felt were mong the top quality recordings I own. I realized that the DVD was better in every way, and offered all the advantages listed in the orignial post, but it was even more so than I had originally stated!!
Sometimes I can overstate differences that I hear. (An admission that all audiophiles should consider making.) Frankly, on the second, and even more lengthy comparison, I was surprised at how completely 'flat'the cds (that I had previously revered) sounded. The dynamic contrasting was almost completely 'squashed' sounding. The staging collapsed forward and lacked the holographic sense that I had noticed on the Botti recording. It really was strange to her them after this eye opening, rather ear opening session. (In the back of my mind I am thinking that this is going to cost me another fortune to replace my discs for the umpteenth time; I mean really, how many times am I going to replace the same music? Thank God I didn't fall for El Cassette or 8 Track!!!)
This immediately got me to the internet to look for as many titles as I could find, and I found a web site which has tons of DVDAs listed. If you guys like I will post their name so you can take a look at their offerings.
My only issue with this particular site is, even though I had narrowed my 'search' to DVD Audio, they show others (meaning non DVDA,s) in that same location, so I had to go back and forth several times and eliminate some regular cds from my cart.
Let me know if you'd like the name of this site--its good with that one caveat, and offers a wide variety of music, for virtually all tastes.
Larry
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
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.
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