Multichannel SACD, new category?

This notion of being in the middle of the orchestra should be dispelled. To my mind the additional channels should be used for ambiance(except for rare exceptions, for example, I refer to the recording of a procession entering a church and proceeding to the front reviewed in (I think) TAS in a recent issue). One does not listen to live music through a window, door opening or larger opening in the lobby of the venue. One sits inside the hall with considerably more ambiance than the slim cues provided by stereo, even at its best. IMO that's what this mc thing should be all about, not ping pong effects. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the standard has been set for that, but for more extreme sound effects. I understand your concern. The fact that it calls for four identical speakers, plus the dreaded centre channel, is somewhat alarming. I understand Chesky is going with a six channel set-up. I have very little information on this and my request via their internet site has, thus far, produced nothing. I think that the two opposing formats and the way things are being handled insofar as the recorded material available does not bode well. The fact that it appears that the whole mc thing is seen as fitting in with home theatre could very well give a leg up to DVD-A and cripple it in the eyes of music lovers. Time will tell.

Until, we all find a way to balance all the parameters of all these channels in real listening rooms, I think the point is moot. The only practical way I know of to do this is through digital room correction. Neither SACD or DVD A permits this with out going from digital to analog to digital. Clumsy at best and expensive due to the unnecessary cable costs. We should address this when we can do it right. I see no reason to encourage the current state of affairs. Just my humble opinion.

I would like it if there was a separate category under digital for SACD and DVD-A discussions.