Suggestions for Audio Fidelity Multichannel SACD Releases

[rtbluray]

Miles Davis = Quadblocked by MFSL, no?

Yeah, unfortunately...



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[fredblue]

Brian, I'm well aware of that. The multichannel pool, Im sure, is serverely diminished by the factors you've expressed but methinks titles like Mannheim Steamroller 8 [where a perfectly exquisite DVD~A was still available] was not a good direction for AF to pursue.

Again, we at QQ have NO clue as to what sells and what does not but have noted that some of AF's multichannel SACDs have shown up at Acoustic Sounds for $10 which is a clear indication of poor sales, etc.

At this juncture, I think we are also aware that poor choices tend to diminish the possibility of healthy doses of increased multichannel releases and are thus concerned that they are 'somewhat' chosen with a modicum of wisdom.

HeMan Hedgetrimmer Q8.. what were they thinking.. (does QQ have a face palm emoticon?)..
only joking..

..seriously, I've moved on from their couple of screw ups.. whenever I put on those SACDs of things like The Doors, Bread, Billy Cobham, Earth Wind & Fire, Laura Nyro, Labelle, Loggins & Messina, Herbie Hancock, Sly Stone, Blue Öyster Cult.. I just think; "wow".. AF have done some wonderful surround stuff haven't they!? :worthy

 

[4-earredwonder]

HeMan Hedgetrimmer Q8.. what were they thinking.. (does QQ have a face palm emoticon?)..
only joking..

..seriously, I've moved on from their couple of screw ups.. whenever I put on those SACDs of things like The Doors, Bread, Billy Cobham, Earth Wind & Fire, Laura Nyro, Labelle, Loggins & Messina, Herbie Hancock, Sly Stone, Blue Öyster Cult.. I just think; "wow".. AF have done some wonderful surround stuff haven't they!? :worthy

That they have, Adam [put some incredible multis out there].

Perhaps it's time for LOVE II with the ghost of George Martin at the mixing console.:yikes

Or the Sound of Philadelphia with Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, MFSB or some more Motown in Quad...........

Wake up EVERBODY...or anybody......because this QUAD soultrain ain't gonna last forever!

 

[quicksrt]

Man - I vote for something totally different. I'd like a different artist all together. Nothing more exciting that getting a new QUAD SACD from an artist that hasn't been offered yet.

I want proven albums by artists with a track record for moving units. Gold and platinum, with chart hits if possible. Jeff Beck - Wired in quad from Sony is so welcome even if we have three other quads from Beck already. I'd take Wired over any Seals and Crofts, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Ian, or Phebe Snow. But I know that's just me.

I'm so excited about Wired having the potential to be the finest quad to come out this year. That is why I'm fine with AF taking some time between 4.0 releases. My current dream release is B$B SACD repressed (by AF) with quad, then Ten Years After - Space in Time, and then Sony Japan threading up the Caravanseria Quad reel for another $50 SACD. Anything like this for a Christmas or New Year announcement is fine by me.

Last year towards the end of the year I was hoping for Paranoid, Court & Spark, and Tres Hombres. And we got Labelle, Billy Joel, and Judy Collins instead. So it's fine to wait and see. Rhino with the Chicago box, and Sony with that elusive quad Wired goes a long way to holding me over (for another month anyway).

 

[4-earredwonder]

I want proven albums by artists with a track record for moving units. Gold and platinum, with chart hits if possible. Jeff Beck - Wired in quad from Sony is so welcome even if we have three other quads from Beck already. I'd take Wired over any Seals and Crofts, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Ian, or Phebe Snow. But I know that's just me.

I'm so excited about Wired having the potential to be the finest quad to come out this year. That is why I'm fine with AF taking some time between 4.0 releases. My current dream release is B$B SACD repressed (by AF) with quad, then Ten Years After - Space in Time, and then Sony Japan threading up the Caravanseria Quad reel for another $50 SACD. Anything like this for a Christmas or New Year announcement is fine by me.

Last year towards the end of the year I was hoping for Paranoid, Court & Spark, and Tres Hombres. And we got Labelle, Billy Joel, and Judy Collins instead. So it's fine to wait and see. Rhino with the Chicago box, and Sony with that elusive quad Wired goes a long way to holding me over (for another month anyway).

I thought my idea of RHINO releasing a QUAD POTPOURRI boxset of unreleased and existent QUAD/5.1 titles would've been a great idea [and I expressed this to Dr. Rhino (?)]. Rhino owns the masters and if the Chicago Quadio boxset was any indication, they could do it cheaply and release as BD~As all at once instead of individually. There'd be something for everyone and if you didn't like certain titles you could put them on ebay or sell/trade them through the various internet sites.

It does seem that RHINO/Warner is not forthcoming in releasing any more Quad/5.1 titles for reissue........Hope I'm Wrong!

And what's up with Universal???? NADA!

 

[quicksrt]

the only thing I do kinda struggle with is that the inclusion of Quad on a title that doesn't shift units would be cited as the reason for its failure.. I mean, if it's an inferior album or an artist that no-one cares about these days blame it on that, it's a bit rotten to make Quad the scapegoat isn't it!?

If the red circle that states "4.0 surround mix" is included can be blamed for an under-performing title, then just having a surround layer on the disc can as well be blamed for less than stellar sales.

But without knowing which AF 4.0 titles did well and which did not do as well, it's hard to make suggestions anymore. And I'm going to find out how much more expensive it is to include that precious 4.0 mix on an SACD. Is it $2,000 extra dollars? Or is it a staggering $5,800 more (per title) for quad inclusion. It's not really anybody's business I know, but I want to know.

Geepers, I'm really rambling tonight............

 

[quicksrt]

I thought my idea of RHINO releasing a QUAD POTPOURRI boxset of unreleased and existent QUAD/5.1 titles would've been a great idea [and I expressed this to Dr. Rhino (?)]. Rhino owns the masters and if the Chicago Quadio boxset was any indication, they could do it cheaply and release as BD~As all at once instead of individually. There'd be something for everyone and if you didn't like certain titles you could put them on ebay or sell/trade them through the various internet sites.

It does seem that RHINO/Warner is not forthcoming in releasing any more Quad/5.1 titles for reissue........Hope I'm Wrong!

And what's up with Universal???? NADA!

The Chicago box was a time and money investment. And I think we will see more things coming from Warner/Rhino. They should go slow, and check the discs really well before pressing too.

I am watching keenly for what the Paranoid quad fold-down is like on this new Warner deluxe edition. I just want to know if they brought out that quad master, and used it. Because if they did, then they also captured it to 4-channel 24/192 kHz digital while they were at it. Which means it's going to arrive a bit later in real quad > 5.1

The labels know about these gems in the vaults, and they know that there really are not that many of them.

 

[4-earredwonder]

If the red circle that states "4.0 surround mix" is included can be blamed for an under-performing title, then just having a surround layer on the disc can as well be blamed for less than stellar sales.

But without knowing which AF 4.0 titles did well and which did not do as well, it's hard to make suggestions anymore. And I'm going to find out how much more expensive it is to include that precious 4.0 mix on an SACD. Is it $2,000 extra dollars? Or is it a staggering $5,800 more (per title) for quad inclusion. It's not really anybody's business I know, but I want to know.

Geepers, I'm really rambling tonight............

A lot of stereo 'purists' are under the distinct

impression that adding a multichannel layer to an SACD somehow diminishes the overall sound. A reason that SHM~SACDs sold so well. They didn't even include a RBCD layer and thus appealed to those purists.

Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, ALL the US reissue companies are obsessed with that all important STEREO layer. Remember, us Quaddies are in a distinct minority.

 

[fredblue]

The Chicago box was a time and money investment. And I think we will see more things coming from Warner/Rhino. They should go slow, and check the discs really well before pressing too.

I am watching keenly for what the Paranoid quad fold-down is like on this new Warner deluxe edition. I just want to know if they brought out that quad master, and used it. Because if they did, then they also captured it to 24/192 kHz digital whike they were at it. Which means it's going to arrive a bit later.

The labels know about these gems in the vaults, and they know that there really are not that many of them.

thrilled (like X 10!) as I still am about Chicago Quadio, i'm not so sure about Rhino supplying anymore Quad anytime soon, anything they release in surround down the line's a big bonus in my eyes.. case in point, well two actually, we've got a couple of new Deluxe Ed's from them in quick succession (Divine Miss M. & Paranoid) one without the Quad at all (Bette M.) and the other (Paranoid) with the Quad as a 2-channel fold down..

..I guess it's the Perception (ha!) of value added content to Rhino.. what in their mind constitutes worthwhile goodies to their core punters that will be cheap/easy for them to do.. although I can't imagine what possessed them to threddle up the Paranoid Quadtapes and then downmix them to Stereo for CD release rather than master the 4-ch tapes for DVD.. if that's indeed what happened and it's not some abomination of the QuadraDisc (heaven forfend!) needledropped with a comical stylus.. i mean conical.. or do i..!?

 

[quicksrt]

Quad is a delicacy, something special. A priveliged listening position. I think it takes an advanced developed brain to listen to several channels at the same time. It's the way I listen to live music in fact.

And some of these 70s quad mixes are just wonderfully thought out. It's sad that they have to sit there un-reissued. I am quite thankful for AF getting some of the really good ones out on SACD.

 

[fredblue]

A lot of stereo 'purists' are under the distinct

impression that adding a multichannel layer to an SACD somehow diminishes the overall sound. A reason that SHM~SACDs sold so well. They didn't even include a RBCD layer and thus appealed to those purists.

Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess.

Unfortunately, ALL the US reissue companies are obsessed with that all important STEREO layer. Remember, us Quaddies are in a distinct minority.

what could be purer than going back to the mutlitracks with a 5.1 mix.. and Quads even purer, no pesky centre channel or sub!

 

[quicksrt]

Yeah. That was weird to not include the Bette Midler quad when they did the DE of that title being that it's another stellar Q mix, one hell of a mix in fact.

It must be just too expensive in some cases, like AF says. It adds thousands to the cost of the project, and Bette is not exactly moving the units in this era.

Thank god for the R-trax Q4 conversion which is wonderful.

 

[fredblue]

Quad is a delicacy, something special. A priveliged listening position. I think it takes an advanced developed brain to listen to several channels at the same time. It's the way I listen to live music in fact.

And some of these 70s quad mixes are just wonderfully thought out. It's sad that they have to sit there un-reissued. I am quite thankful for AF getting some of the really good ones out on SACD.

well obviously we're all superbrains here.. those poor unfortunates without the mental capacity to fully appreciate multichannels' many splendours just don't know what they're missing..

..I jest of course (as usual) surrounds just not for everyone I guess.. something I struggle with that not everyone "gets it" or even cares about it.. worse still that some see it as heresy, a pollutant, an irritant, a stain on their beloved stereo.. OH.!! actually don't get me started down that road, I think I may burst a blood vessel..!

 

[fredblue]

Yeah. That was weird to not include the Bette Midler quad when they did the DE of that title being that it's another stellar Q mix, one hell of a mix in fact.

It must be just too expensive in some cases, like AF says. It adds thousands to the cost of the project, and Bette is not exactly moving the units in this era.

Thank god for the R-trax Q4 conversion which is wonderful.

I see where you're coming from and don't disagree that Rhino may well have calculated the diminishing returns of including the Quad and just figured not worthwhile.. but if she's not shifting units these days why bother with a reissue at all..!?

Just say sod it, rather than do a half-assed deluxe.. I mean, I absolutely never played my CD of that Bette Midler album again after I heard Bob Romano's Quad of it, why would I, the stereo is a pretty ordinary mix once you've been absolutely wowed by the Quad.

 

[fredblue]

I thought my idea of RHINO releasing a QUAD POTPOURRI boxset of unreleased and existent QUAD/5.1 titles would've been a great idea [and I expressed this to Dr. Rhino (?)]. Rhino owns the masters and if the Chicago Quadio boxset was any indication, they could do it cheaply and release as BD~As all at once instead of individually. There'd be something for everyone and if you didn't like certain titles you could put them on ebay or sell/trade them through the various internet sites.

It does seem that RHINO/Warner is not forthcoming in releasing any more Quad/5.1 titles for reissue........Hope I'm Wrong!

And what's up with Universal???? NADA!

wassup wiv Universal..?? AF went down that road already and they ain't got none of dem Quad tapes in their vaults man.. (or they just can't be a$$ed looking for 'em..)

 

[quicksrt]

what could be purer than going back to the mutlitracks with a 5.1 mix.. and Quads even purer, no pesky centre channel or sub!

I bought a toggle switch so that o could turn off my center chan with the flip of a switch rather than messing with amp. It turns out it's too stiff, and I need a more relaxed switch for ease of use.

Anyway I think I like quad as well as 5.1. It depends more on the album and mix than that center speaker to me.

 

[fredblue]

I bought a toggle switch so that o could turn off my center chan with the flip of a switch rather than messing with amp. It turns out it's too stiff, and I need a more relaxed switch for ease of use.

Anyway I think I like quad as well as 5.1. It depends more on the album and mix than that center speaker to me.

messing with your amps only a flick of a toggle switch away from messin' with your mind (and you're not into Labelle so that's a rocky road to go down! )

 

[fredblue]

how about Azteca on Surround SACD?

Mr. Moura?

are AF interested?

is anybody interested?

it is rather bizarre how I've come to care so much about old Quads from before I was born being on an SACD when I was a fervent "5.1 DVD-A til I die" fella for the first few years of being into this surround music hobby.. funny peculiar..

 

[4-earredwonder]

Yeah. That was weird to not include the Bette Midler quad when they did the DE of that title being that it's another stellar Q mix, one hell of a mix in fact.

It must be just too expensive in some cases, like AF says. It adds thousands to the cost of the project, and Bette is not exactly moving the units in this era.

Thank god for the R-trax Q4 conversion which is wonderful.

Lo and Behold, Bette Midler is returning to Broadway in the spring to do a revival of Hello Dolly. Bette's still HOT and this should be a hoot. Last time I saw Hello Dolly Pearl Bailey took the lead and she was brilliant but this role was made for Bette.

And you [Adam], quicksrt and myself ALL agree that The Divine Miss M is a natural for QUAD. I have in on QUAD Open Reel and it really is a brilliant debut album and sounds 'delicious' in four channel!:banana::banana::banana::banana:

 

[fredblue]

Lo and Behold, Bette Midler is returning to Broadway in the spring to do a revival of Hello Dolly. Bette's still HOT and this should be a hoot. Last time I saw Hello Dolly Pearl Bailey took the lead and she was brilliant but this role was made for Bette.

And you, quicksrt and myself ALL agree that The Divine Miss M is a natural for QUAD. I have in on QUAD Open Reel and it really is a brilliant debut album and sounds 'delicious' in four channel!:banana::banana::banana::banana:

maybe the divine miss M herself nixed the Quads inclusion on the Deluxe Ed'n.. or maybe she just doesn't give a toss, specially if her careers still got wind beneath its wings.