PS3 and SACD?

eclein · « **on:** 26 Mar 2010, 11:21 pm »

I read an article that the PS3 can play SACD's. I cannot find anywhere on Sony's website that it can in fact play these disks. Has anybody
by chance played an SACD on a PS3-latest version 120GB slim. My Sony BDP-S360 is dying and I'd like to check out SACD's, maybe buy an oppo 80 but if my PS3 plays SACD's, I really could save some cash. Thanks..Ed L.

shadowlight · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 11:25 pm »

Not sure about the 120gb slim version but my older 80gb one has the ability to play sacd. I believe the recent versions no longer support it but I will look through my menus on ps3 later tonight and let you know the location where I see mention of sacd.

eclein · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 11:30 pm »

Thanks, I bet I was reading an older review, let me know if you find out anything..thanks

sanjaygolf · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 11:54 pm »

PS3 Slims do NOT play SACD. You could always get an Oppo player which is universal and can play SACD/DVD-A. Oppo 970HD can be had for <$100.

kip_ · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Mar 2010, 12:08 am »

See this chart for PS3 SACD compatability:

http://www.ps3sacd.com/faq.html#_Toc180147566

eclein · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Mar 2010, 12:14 am »

Thanks guys....gonna save for an Oppo. I'm amazed there is a website dedicated to this topic..!!

The Seventh Taylor · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Mar 2010, 10:52 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 27 Mar 2010, 12:14 am

I'm amazed there is a website dedicated to this topic..!!

Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment

Quote

Thanks guys....gonna save for an Oppo.

Or -- unless you're unhappy with Sony now your BDP-S360 is about to give up -- you could save for the successor to your current player, the BDP-S370, which does play SACD. There's an overview of SACD-compatible Blu-ray Disc players here.

eclein · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Mar 2010, 11:11 pm »

Thank you! and yes its a compliment!!
I own all Sony components, and wouldn't hesitate buying another...thanks for the info, I just hear so many good things about the Oppo
that I think the 80 might be worth the extra cash, or is the Sony unit comparable??

sanjaygolf · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Mar 2010, 11:26 pm »

Do you not use your PS3 for Blu-ray?

eclein · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Mar 2010, 11:34 pm »

I use either the PS3 or BDP-S360 for blu-ray and I wanted to try SACD's, neither of those play SACD's. At this point I need to find someone nearby that has SACD's and hear if they are worth the investment in a new player.

The Seventh Taylor · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Mar 2010, 09:07 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 28 Mar 2010, 11:11 pm

I just hear so many good things about the Oppo that I think the 80 might be worth the extra cash, or is the Sony unit comparable?

The Oppo adds DVD-Audio but I keep hearing things about issues with its SACD playback, despite some software upgrades.

TerryO · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 03:59 am »

Quote from: eclein on 26 Mar 2010, 11:21 pm

I read an article that the PS3 can play SACD's. I cannot find anywhere on Sony's website that it can in fact play these disks. Has anybody
by chance played an SACD on a PS3-latest version 120GB slim. My Sony BDP-S360 is dying and I'd like to check out SACD's, maybe buy an oppo 80 but if my PS3 plays SACD's, I really could save some cash. Thanks..Ed L.

Ed,

Why do you want to check out SACDs? It's a dying format that, while it was quite good for digital, it was and is still, surpassed by Master Tapes and even good vinyl. The future is HiRez music, which (IMHO) is getting to the point where it may finally surpass good vinyl.

BTW: The demise of SACD as a viable format is common knowledge in the recording and music industries. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I wouldn't want to see you spend good money on a bad investment. If you had already aquired a large collection of SACDs that would be a different story, but if you haven't, I would recommend that you not waste your money.

Best Regards,
TerryO

The Seventh Taylor · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 09:02 am »

Quote from: TerryO on 30 Mar 2010, 03:59 am

Why do you want to check out SACDs? It's a dying format

Dying format? With on average 50 new titles every month? And more than 10 new players announced this quarter alone? Don't be silly.

Quote

while it was quite good for digital, it was and is still, surpassed by Master Tapes

that nobody outside of the studios has access to

Quote

and even good vinyl.

It is not surpassed by vinyl. Both score equally well on transparent, natural sound reproduction but SACD dispenses with the pops and clicks of vinyl.

So far for stereo. More importantly, vinyl doesn't give you discrete 5.1-channel sound.

Quote

The future is HiRez music

Agreed, but SACD is HiRez, and DSD is a very elegant format.

eclein · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 11:07 am »

TerryO-
It is just something I am considering as I have never heard an SACD. Most likely I will stick with my CD collection, build on that and continue to download files from itunes, Amazon etc. When I see an SACD capable player being offered used somewhere cheap I may give it a go. If and when my BD player dies I'll probably just use my PS3 for movies as it is very capable.

Seventh-
Another thing I've noticed in my limited search for SACD's (primarily Music Direct and Amazon) is the lack of titles I would jump on. If I could slide right into SACD's without new hardware I would try some but right now as TerryO suggested I'm saving my money. Looking to maybe add a Maverick Audio DAC next in my set up. Thanks!!

Ronm1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 11:45 am »

Quote from: The Seventh Taylor on 30 Mar 2010, 09:02 am

It is not surpassed by vinyl. Both score equally well on transparent, natural sound reproduction but SACD dispenses with the pops and clicks of vinyl.

Surpassed by vinyl, this has to be a joke...
Any perceived benefit is offset by rumble, groove noise, bearing interaction, so many nasties I can't list them all!!!
I'm asinine when it comes to lo distortion and blackness in my setup. The only blackness with vinyl is the color of the media.
An entry level Oppo is a good place to start.

TerryO · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 05:01 pm »

Quote

Dying format? With on average 50 new titles every month? And more than 10 new players announced this quarter alone? Don't be silly.[/qoute]

The new titles are mostly upsampled redbook. You can do the same thing with a good DAC without buying the "new" SACDs.

Quote
that nobody outside of the studios has access to

Actually you can purchase them from several sources. Google "The Tape Project" for one source of Supra-quality tapes.

Quote
It is not surpassed by vinyl. Both score equally well on transparent, natural sound reproduction but SACD dispenses with the pops and clicks of vinyl.

Cleaning your record helps a great deal towards eliminating clicks and pops and many SACDs evidently didn't get the same care in mastering that the vinyl editions of the same recording did. Redbook CDs are just as free of clicks and pops as any SACD.

Quote
So far for stereo. More importantly, vinyl doesn't give you discrete 5.1-channel sound.

That's true and when SACD is gone forever, I expect that BluRay will become the format of choice for multi-channel.

Quote
Agreed, but SACD is HiRez, and DSD is a very elegant format.

SACD is not superior to many of the HD K2 mastered recordings, which are redbook compatible. I might add that nobody in the industry is looking at SACD as a "HiRez" format, in fact they're moving forward towards much better sounding formats.

Best Regards,
TerryO

srb · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 05:22 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 30 Mar 2010, 11:07 am

It is just something I am considering as I have never heard an SACD. Most likely I will stick with my CD collection, build on that and continue to download files from itunes, Amazon etc.

Ed,

In the interest of fidelity, you are taking a huge step down in quality by downloading highly compressed MP3's from iTunes & Amazon. What I have been doing lately, is buying used CD's (and DVD's) from Amazon.

The shipping is usually always $2.98 for each CD, but I have often been able to find the CD's for $1 - $2. At a total price of $4 - $5 for each CD, I am getting the full album that I can rip to full resolution uncompressed files.

The prices of the used discs vary widely (sometimes more than a new one!) but if you sort by price, look for Very Good or Like New condition, and read the associated vendor's comments, if included, you will probably find much of what you're looking for and save some money. So far I haven't gotten burned yet.

Steve

TerryO · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 05:24 pm »

Quote from: Ronm1 on 30 Mar 2010, 11:45 am

Surpassed by vinyl, this has to be a joke...
Any perceived benefit is offset by rumble, groove noise, bearing interaction, so many nasties I can't list them all!!!
I'm asinine when it comes to lo distortion and blackness in my setup. The only blackness with vinyl is the color of the media.
An entry level Oppo is a good place to start.

It seems you have a turntable in need of repair and a new cartridge.

Best Regards,
TerryO

Ronm1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 05:43 pm »

Quote from: TerryO on 30 Mar 2010, 05:24 pm

It seems you have a turntable in need of repair and a new cartridge.

Best Regards,
TerryO

Nothing is ever that simple...
Tried 2 TT's

Rebuilt my B&O straightarm, with a local LP Gear at the time, new stylus etc... and borrowed a collegues VPI. No comparison to my digital rig. The perceived benefit was completedly outweighed by nasties. I just cannot stand that background crap....B&O to storage....and it was significantly better than the VPI. I've been recommeded to try an Amadeus as its reported to be more to my liking. We will see or should I say hear.
The search goes on. I admit the top end Basis were pretty quiet and the Walker but that's just too rich for my blood.

eclein · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Mar 2010, 05:55 pm »

Steve,
I'm actually doing the same thing, wrote download when in fact I just started using a couple frequent vendors on Amazon and like you mentioned the deals are great! I import WAV files and listen via SB or direct from CD, thats what got me thinking about SACD and its benefits if any. As I find my way around this hobby I see this as my best option, most economical, best fidelity.