Will SHM inspire new music to be released as single-layer DSD recorded SACDs?

Here are Mark Levinson's thoughts about single-layer SACD and DSD from the insert in all Red Rose Music's single-layer SACD's.

"Where is the magic we used to feel listening to music?  In the early days of audio, people would listen for hours to their favorite recordings, sometimes wearing out an LP and buying a new one to listen some more.  Today, equipment has become more expensive, but people often turn off the CD long before it's over.  Most music lovers agree that something about today's audio equipment and the CD just isn't right.

The problem with CDs is the operating system know as PCM.  It has inherent limitations that simply haven't been overcome.  The solution is a new operating system invented by Sony.  It's called DSD - Direct Stream Digital.  

DSD not only sounds better it feels better.  People say it's more relaxing.  The listener's breathing becomes easier, and one feels the emotion in the music again.  DSD immerses us in the listening experience, just as we were with analog sources such as 78's, LP's and open reel tapes.

DSD is the operating system for SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc).  SACD recordings are made on a hard drive and the bitstream is later transferred to a manufacturing format that produces SACD discs.  An SACD is the same size as a CD or DVD, but it won't play in a regular CD player.  All SACD players, however, play both CD's and SACD's, and some of them play DVDs as well.  SACD players start at around $300, which means most people can afford them.  SACD recordings are around the same price as CDs, so this means that music lovers can now get better sound quality for the same money.

Like LP's and CD's, some SACD's simply sound better than others.  Many factors contribute to overall sound quality such as microphones and recording equipment, the engineering and mastering and of course the musicians themselves.  Red Rose Music takes great care in every aspect of SACD production, and to preserve the full benefits of SACD, we use single layer disc with no PCM processing at any stage.

Hybrid discs are universal, as they play on all CD players as well as SACD players.  We use single layer discs because they make a closer match to the master recording and are more enjoyable to listen to.

Musicians depend on the industry to capture their art and make it available to the world in a way that brings out meaning, emotion and substance.  Just as great musicians do not compromise their music, we choose not to compromise the recording and playback.  We hope you enjoy the results."

See also: Mark Levinson: CD vs. SACD and LP