Thread: Best SACDs for stereo imaging

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Post by Stanbury August 19, 2011 (1 of 17)
I usually listen with my mch system, but I just got new monitor speakers (B&W PM1s) for a 2-channel system. What are your recommendations for the best SACDs to test the stereo imaging of these monitors?

Post by classicrecordings August 19, 2011 (2 of 17)
La Spagna - Atrium Musicæ de Madrid, Gregorio Paniagua

Still one of the great stereo recordings, even after all these years.

Post by Beagle August 19, 2011 (3 of 17)
One word: IsoMike.

/search/isomike

Post by current93 August 19, 2011 (4 of 17)

Post by hiredfox August 20, 2011 (5 of 17)
Pretty much any SACD that does not have a Mch layer. That way the producers have to concentrate on developing superb stereo imagery from outset rather than add in a stereo mix as an after thought of the Mch.

No doubt you'll get mainly a list of re-mastered recordings from the pre-digital era; as suggested in an earlier thread, some of these can offer the most accurate instrumental sounds yet produced on disc.

Post by Stanbury August 20, 2011 (6 of 17)
Thanks to all.
Fortunately, I have a copy of La Spagna, unopened until today. It does indeed have spectacular imaging. Now I can fiddle with speaker placement and room treatments...
As for Isomike, I now have added the Haydn quartet disk to my wish list.
Regarding the Exotic Dances, my new monitors have limited bass extension. Should I really "pump up the bass"? Is this important when assessing stereo imaging?
Lastly, the suggestion to use any disk lacking a mch layer seems odd. I have more than one old jazz recording on SACD where the stereo imaging is terrible.

Post by rammiepie August 20, 2011 (7 of 17)
Stanbury said:

Thanks to all.
Fortunately, I have a copy of La Spagna, unopened until today. It does indeed have spectacular imaging. Now I can fiddle with speaker placement and room treatments...
As for Isomike, I now have added the Haydn quartet disk to my wish list.
Regarding the Exotic Dances, my new monitors have limited bass extension. Should I really "pump up the bass"? Is this important when assessing stereo imaging?
Lastly, the suggestion to use any disk lacking a mch layer seems odd. I have more than one old jazz recording on SACD where the stereo imaging is terrible.

You really should add a subwoofer and integrate ALL into a cohesive whole.

As for the older Blue Note AP SACDs......the early days of stereo were not kind to imaging as they tended to isolate soloists right and left and the piano sound always suffered. Treating my discs with Ultra Vivid and using a Millennium compact disc damper on those AP Blue Notes has indeed made a difference on my Marantz SA112s in terms of imaging...........kind of a "you are there" difference!

Post by mcondo August 21, 2011 (8 of 17)
Rammiepie, do you have any trouble with the Millenium mat with your SA-11S2? I tried one with mny SA 11S1 and it didn't like it. I now have an S2 and am thinking of trying it again. Any thoughts appreciated.

Post by Beagle August 21, 2011 (9 of 17)
Stanbury said: Should I really "pump up the bass"?
I agree with Rammiepie on this one: get a sub. The next-up set of speakers from my Paradigm-11s have built in "power-bass" in both left and right; I achieved the same or better effect by adding the PDR-10. I was sceptical about subs prior to adding it, but I find that it merely realises the sound on the discs -- 'cranking up the bass' with an equalizer would distort the spectrum at the expense of the very important mid-range.

I suspect that even a modestly priced sub would increase your enjoyment immensely, and placement is non-critical.

powered-bass convert,
Beagle of Westcock

Post by Nicolas August 21, 2011 (10 of 17)
Genesis, Nursery Cryme.

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