What with the mess surrounding the Pioneer 563a’s ability to play certain DVD-A titles (and KEY titles at that: GAUCHO, PET SOUNDS), I’ve been gravitating towards the SACD\/CD format for both sound and convenience. The backwards compatibility factor weighs heavily, as many of the CD mixes surpass existing stereos for iPod listening, and the fuller stereo sound on SACD does the trick for presence, punch and detail. (What is the deal with iPods in the car, by the way: EQ settings sound different on every track, digital sources outperform analog mostly, but adjustments necessary on every tune, even on line-out direct. In general, R&B EQ with volume at halfway works best for most.) On the big speakers, digital masters win again, with some crucial exceptions. Here’s a preliminary list, to be tweaked at future intervals. This could be the year these formats break wide, decisive factors will include compatibility with portables, chiefly iPods, the DVD boom, and the long-awaited Hendrix of 5:1. Where has PM Dawn disappeared to? Why didn’t Prince hitch his wagon to this?
\nMore on this when the 563s comes back from its upgrade.
\nHYBRIDS
\nSteely Dan GAUCHO (Universal)
\nBig Star #1 RECORD\/RADIO CITY (Fantasy)
\nMission of Burma ONOFFON (Matador)
\nThe Who MY GENERATION DELUXE EDITION (Universal)
\nMarvin Gaye LET’S GET IT ON (Motown)
\nALSO AT PLAY
\nJohn Lennon PLASTIC ONO BAND (MFSL)
\nLoretta Lynn VAN LEAR ROSE (Interscope)
\nMelissa Auf Der Maur AUF DER MAR (EMI)
\nThe Who TOMMY DELUXE EDITION (Universal)
\nJohn Lennon PLASTIC ONO BAND (MFSL)
\nTHE ROOTS OF TOMMY (Uncut)
\nROOTS OF ROCK’N’ROLL 1946-1954 (Hip-O)
\nTHE NOTORIOUS CHERRY BOMBS (Universal South)
\nThe Pretty Things COME SEE ME (Shout!)
\nBobbie Gentry CHICKSAW COUNTRY CHILD (Shout!)
\nHarry Nilsson SCHMILSSON (RCA\/BMG Heritage)
\nAir TALKIE WALKIE (Astralwerks)
\nBottle Rockets BRAND NEW YEAR (New West)
\nPIANIST OF THE MONTH: Olga Kern (Rachmaninoff, on Harmonia Mundi)
\nGETS BETTER WITH AGE: Danger Mouse GREY ALBUM
\nSCARED TO PLAY: Julianna Hatfield IN EXILE DEO (zoe)
\nBOXES ON DECK:
\nThe Hollies
\nThe Zombies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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