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I have owned this album in various incarnations: As an Import Vinyl LP back in the 70's, as a Mobile Fidelity 24K Gold CD and now this Deluxe SACD version.
Technical Crap: Only Disc 1 is SACD. It's a "hybrid" disc from what I understand - i.e. it also contains a regular 16bit 44.1 Khz "Red book" (garden variety) audio CD on a different layer.
Review on the SACD (Super Audio CD) version (sometimes called DSD):
I played this on my Sony BDP-370 inexpensive Blu-Ray player which happens to also play Super Audio type CDs.
----------------> It sounds effortlessly smooth and wonderful <--------------
----------------> It is everything I hoped for <----------
----------> To me the SACD audio version is worth the 27 - 30 dollar price tag <----------
First thing I notice is it doesn't cut my ears to pieces. It's smooth and detailed without being mushy.
I have heard "Tuesday Afternoon" countless times but with this SACD version I picked out a subtlely picked(played) acoustic guitar pattern in the background. Sort of a light filigreed sonic thing that I had never heard before. I hate the harshness of normal CDs. The only way one normally mitigates the inherent harshness of conventional CDs is to have a mega expensive custom CD player /converter/ amp / speaker system. And - even then - if you happen to have a particularly bad source CD even * that * wont save you. However, this SACD turns that on it's ear. Even my cheapo system sounds good! It's making me want to upgrade my downstairs system because I know there's more in there. Just the same I'm very happy with what I get.
Note: The amp and speakers I tested on are the epitome of "modest". I.e. a 10 year old Pioneer 2 channel (yes) amp with Celestion Ditton 100 speakers. I may move this player upstairs to my better (5.1) system just to hear the full detail.
Note2: The SACD version is "Multi" only - i.e. I did not get a menu option / choice for 2-Channel SACD audio mix. There was only one part on the record where this was an issue - an oboe had a melody on one song and for all of 10 - 15 seconds I'm hearing just the backing. My bad however - it was originally mixed in quarophonic (4 channel sound) and it's not this Deluxe version SACD's fault that I have a 2 channel system in my basement. Anyway - that's a wrinkle. If you have an SACD capable player go for it.
If you're buying this for the regular 2 channel conventional (redbook audio) CD layer - baah.. I think you're kidding yourself. Really. Don't bother. You don't spend this kind of money for that.
This is my first Super Audio CD purchase. I'm impressed. I may buy certain other select SACD's of favorite albums. The status of SACD's in the marketplace: there aren't a ton of them out there. It's sort of a stillborn technology. MP3's took over due to convenience /portability and low cost. Those features won out in the marketplace over sheer sound quality. Too bad.
Perfection is expensive - here it is. If you have an SACD player and you are a serious Moody Blues fan: buy it.
Hope this helps.
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