Brand New Day - DTS CD vs SACD vs DVD-Audio
Brian The Demolition Man Little
that I ordered the SACD Hybrid from went on backorder. Thankfully
that only lasted a few days and they rush shipped it to me. So major
thanks for CircuitCity.com for getting this to me fast.
Anyways, to the review. This time around I only picked one whole
track to review, which in this case is "After The Rain Has Fallen." Along
with that I played a few clips of various songs to get an idea of how
each disc sounds.
Just like the "Sacred Love" review I started with the plain ole Audio
CD edition to get a feel for the material. From here I went over and
grabbed the DTS CD. The first thing I noticed is how prononuced the
mix in 5.1 is, which is a big complement to Elliot Schnieder who as
usual has done yet another great mix. Its amazing what a surround
sound mix can do for an album that already sounds great in stereo,
but Elliot proves that 5.1 is a great medium for albums like "Brand
New Day."
Upon listening to the DTS CD, I can admit that compared to most
SACDs and DVD-Audio discs its not quite as warm or live sounding
compared to the newer technologies, but honestly given the fact that
DTS CD is nothing more than using Redbook CD and DTS compression,
it actually sounded very good. Vocals sounded very fluid, instruments
sounded very nice. Overall it still holds very well.
Popping in the SACD I didn't know what to expect after hearing the
already great DTS CD but after the first few seconds of "After The
Rain Has Fallen" it felt like as if a layer of fog that I never noticed
until
hearing the SACD was lifted away. Definition of instruments on the SACD
sounded much clearer, Sting's vocals sounded very alive (close your eyes
and you swear he's in the room type of effect), in essence take the DTS
CD and give it more resolution and a higher bitrate and this is what you
get.
The DVD-Audio edition for me actually was the biggest surprise. After
the review of "Sacred Love" I was expecting the same type of comparison
between the DVD-Audio and SACD. I was floored when I played "After
The Rain Has Fallen" on the DVD-Audio via the DVD-A end of the disc
(MLP 5.1). The sound quality was nearly as good as the SACD. Vocals
sounded slightly dimmer, but it was a faint amount of difference. But
overall
I was very surprised. That leads me to question whomever mastered the
DVD-Audio for "Sacred Love" since there was incredible differences between
the two discs. Then again, it could also be that the "Brand New Day" mix is
much better too.
As far as extras, the SACD gives us the layer with the Audio CD version
along with both the stereo and 5.1 mix on the SACD end. The DVD-Audio
gives us the stereo and 5.1 mix on the MLP/DVD-Audio end along with
a Dolby 5.1 mix on the DVD-Video end. Along with that there is the music
video for "After The Rain Has Fallen." Its the USA Remix video, so its nice
having it on here at least for people who want the remix version of the
song,
but sadly I would rather of had the UK video on here even if it didn't make
sense (then again, neither did the US remix video but that's my 2 cents).
The DVD-Audio also has the usual biography, sampler section with samples
from other Sting albums, on-screen lyrics. Also there is a section that will
let
you jump to a specific spot for each song. Kinda nice but not as innovative
or
interesting as the on-screen music mix video on "Sacred Love."
The DTS CD does have on extra that neither the SACD or DVD-Audio has.
The full complete version of "End Of The Game" in 5.1 surround. Sadly I
can't
seem to get an explanation as to why the SACD and DVD-Audio only comes
with the "Prelude" version, but I guess for diehard Sting fans the DTS CD
is now going to be a highly sought after collectable just for this one
track. The
mix itself is very well done as usual for Elliot Schnieder, compared to the
"Brand New Day" cd single I own that contains the stereo mix of this track
it
sounds much more opened up. Sting's vocals in particular are much easier to
understand since on the stereo mix he sounds like he's singing with marbels
in
his mouth.
So overall, as far as sound quality I would say the SACD version is the best
but just by a slight hair. The DVD-Audio disc is still worthy, but the SACD
does have a few noticeable advantages. Plus the DVD-Audio version doesn't
have any worthwhile extras so go for the SACD. Then get the DTS CD
version for the full version of "End Of The Game." Well worth it.
--
Demolition Man
DCSTING
version of End of the game. It is track 11. Track 12 is the video (ATRHF
remix)
Brian The Demolition Man Little
Now someone hit my music....
> Actually I just got the Brand New Day DVD -audio and it does have the
> full version of End of the game. It is track 11. Track 12 is the
> video (ATRHF remix)
Thanks, I didn't bother to look at that. I'll have to check it out. :-)
--
Demolition Man
Brian The Demolition Man Little
Now someone hit my music....
> full version of End of the game. It is track 11. Track 12 is the
> video (ATRHF remix)
I just checked the disc. The DVD-Video part of the disc has it there (which
is the version you are listening to). The DVD-Audio part of the disc (aka
the
MLP layer) does not however. Talk about a way to screw people eh? Put
it on the inferior layer yet don't put it on either the high resolution end
of the
disc or even on the SACD for that matter.
--
Demolition Man
