Why does Sony music not release SACDs

[cvsonyboy]

Why does Sony Music not release SACDs of current artists to support SACD, given that all new Sony BluRay players have SACD playback capability.  Should they not be helping to support the parent company?  Why is Sony including bothering to include SACD in its current range of BluRay players if its own record companies or least ones bearing its name does not offer something for people to play on them.

As someone who is fully supportive of Sony and SACD it seems to me to make no sense that Sony music is not releasing SACDs.  SACD may not have taken off after being introduced, but think about the strategy, dual inventory, single layer more expensive SACDs of titles people did not necessarily want.  Where were the big names and the general release of hybrid single inventory discs getting people to build a big collection of their favourite music in surround sound.  I never play an SACD to anyone without them being impressed.

Downloads are fine and I have no problems with the market going in that direction, but there are still some who want to sit and listen to music and enjoy it to the full.  SACD surround sound changes the listening experience completely and in my view enhances it.  I hear all sorts of things I never heard in the stereo version of some discs. We have surround sound added to DVDs as a matter of course and yet it seems we cannot move forward into the 21st century and are stuck in the 50s with record companies such as Sony Music continuing to release stereo only recordings.  Please, lets make the leap forward, especially when the technology exists to make it possible.

I should add that I support SACD, not only for the sound quality but for the fact that I don't have to put my TV on to navigate, unlike DVDA or surround music released on a DVD, which I hate. Why produce 2 discs, the CD and the DVD offering surround when SACD offers one disc, surely less costly and more green in its approach and backward compaible, I can play an SACD anywhere I want in the home or the car.

So Sony Music, why are you not offering what I think a large enough number of people want, SACD surround sound releases.  Where is the joined up thinking in Sony?  Please support the parent company and make the inclusion of SACD in their equipment worthwhile.

[tweety2b · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I don't know why you have the impression SACDs are not being made available by Sony or any of its sister companies?!?

http://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=topsellers&Top_Count=200&field_cat=4

It is true that they are not easily available in the regular CD/DVD store as 99,99% of the custoers don't want them but if you go into very specialised store or in above link online, you will find what you are looking for 😉

Hope this helps,

Nico

[cvsonyboy]

Many thanks for your comment. I think I have the impression that Sony Music is not releasing many SACDs as there does not appear to be regular mainstream release of their titles. The link you give, of which I am aware, as well as SACD-net refelcts how SACD is being supported by a number of smaller independent labels, but I am not aware of large numbers of SACDs being produced by Sony Music and sister companies, which I think would reflect their full support for the format. I may of course be wrong and perhaps you can advise of numbers and recent titles released by Sony Music and sister companies, as  would be very interested to know of them.

[geebee10]

I note that in November 2011 Sony/RCA are releasing a new SACD (of Schumann symphonies) and wonder if it marks a change of mind from Sony?  My understanding is that the majors, unlike the smaller independent companies have not been making  high enough quality recordings in the last 20 years.  They preferred to use the limited quality of CD for masters. They do  however have vast numbers of analogue recordings which if converted to SACD using DSD would produce superb SACDs and which would find a ready market.  Demand is there!  Some of the now deleted Universal (and other mainline record company) issues are changing hands for very large sums of money (up to £100 each).  Others are being imported from Japan and other markets where SACD has been more successful.  The quality difference between CD and SACD is huge, and that's ignoring the multi channel advantages.  The independents are also offering high quality downloads of their material (and I don't mean the hopeless MP3's offered everywhere - but once again the majors are not participating.  It's time the majors (including Sony) gave people the choice instead of railroading the public into choosing what the companies want..  Sony make the hardware (and very good it is too) so it is only right that they issue sofware for it.

[garyface]

I too am finding it very frustating that other labels are releasing albums in the SACD format, (mainly Universal) but none of Sonys recent releases are in SACD and its their format. I have just played Goodbye Yellow Brick Rd, which is great, but the best SACD transfer so far has to be "Brothers In Arms" Dire Straights.

All the previously released SACD Sony albums including what I hear is a stunnng mix of Celine Dions "Decade" album are on e bay at huge prices.

I like a bit of classical music and there are loads on SACD (mainly imports and more expensive!), but the format suits the pop genre so well, and if these discs are already mastered its just a case of reprinting them. Come on SonyBMG pull your finger out and reissue some of these albums for the people who have only just got into the format!

[cvsonyboy]

I agree completely with all that you say.  I cannot understand why Sony Music have not and will not produce more SACDs.  That said it is disappointing to see Sony reduce its SACDs players to stereo only.  I think Sony has completely lost the plot in how they have managed SACD.  Sony Music should look at EMI who are releasing their new SACD signature collection and most are in the top 10 pre order best sellers, so as you say there is the demand for SACDs.

[cvsonyboy]

You are so right that SACD suits pop music and easy listening too.  To be honest all forms of music benefit from it; the higher quality of the sound and the multichannel opens the whole thing up, you can hear more of how the music is made up with the various parts, it can make it more exciting and immersing creating a whole new listening experience.  Instead of giving us this really new listeing experience of SACD and Multichannel sound they continue to pour out remastered CDs, how many times can you remaster a CD?  SACD truly offers something new of a familiar product and would be worth buying.  As it is I have not bought a Sony label CD for over 10 years, as I buy SACDs instead with my budget.  Sony has a great back catalogue as well to delve into. I would love to hear the Simon and Garfunkel albums in SACD 5.1 surround!