Recommended SACDs plus a few mini reviews

I am starting this new category so everyone can share their recommended and not-recommended SACDs.

This was originally going to be an eBook but I have spent over 100 hours and it doesn’t look like it will ever be finished, so I have decided to share what I have.

While I encourage all recordings, regardless of sound quality or resolution to be released as SACD/CD hybrids, I live in the real world in which not all recordings are equal in the sonic realm.  Just having an SACD logo does not guarantee either high resolution or excellent sound quality.  
 
Over half of all SACDs auditioned so far do not sound good enough to me sonically, many sound like they are either from low resolution PCM masters, or use poor recording/mastering techniques.  

Many recording companies are listing either no recording information on their SACDs or just state PCM when they are recorded that way.  I have proposed a SPARS type code for SACD, so the buyer knows what they are getting as I don't think it is fair for recording companies to trick people who dislike CD and low high resolution into thinking they are getting a high resolution SACD when indeed all they are getting is low resolution PCM masquerading as a high resolution SACD.   

A real high resolution SACD will be from a 15 IPS or 30 IPS analog master tape, 24 bit PCM, DSD or DXD.

SACDs from 16 bit PCM are in my opinion too limited in resolution, strings usually have an edge, ambiance is greatly subdued, there is congestion on climaxes and they do not sound "relaxed" or "beautiful" like SACDs from 24 bit  PCM, DSD or analog masters, thus are too low in resolution. While low resolution 16/44.1kHz PCM upsampled to DSD for SACD release are listenable and lose most of CD's irritable strident sound we as consumers need to warned of low resolution prior to purchase. I find both medium and high resolution listenable, but not low resolution. Since I am advocating all CDs be replaced by SACD/CD hybrids there will be even more low resolution SACDs from 16 bit PCM masters so a new SPARS type code would be very necessary. SACDs from low resolution PCM masters should be marketed to those who don't have a problem with "CD sound".

The old spars code told us if the recording or mixing was analog or digital, the third number was not needed as it was always a "D" for CD, for SACD we know the final mastering has to be DSD 2.8824 MHz or it couldn't be put on an SACD. There are many different sonic levels of resolution for digital low, medium and high. This is something, as consumers we have a right to know as many of us do not like SACDs from low resolution PCM masters. Many companies such as Telarc offer this information freely, but most do not.

The choices being
Analog 15 IPS
Analog 30 IPS
PCM 16 Bit 44.1kHz
PCM 24 Bit 44.1kHz
PCM 24 Bit 48kHz
PCM 24 Bit 88.2kHz
PCM 24 Bit 96kHz
PCM 24 Bit 176.4KHz
PCM 24 Bit 192kHz
DXD PCM 352.8kHz 24 Bit
DSD 2.8824 MHz
DSD 5.6448 MHz
plus whatever new resolution is invented for recording or editing.

Not that is there is anything wrong with marketing low resolution SACDs especially if they are multichannel, however the buyer should know before laying their money down.

I am one who is extremely impressed with how BIS was able to make a few of their SACDs from 24 Bit 44.1kHz masters sound much better than they have any right to.  One would never confuse them with DSD recorded SACDs however they sound considerably better than any CDs I’ve ever heard showing the advantage of 24 bit recording.  

However, the majority of BIS’s 24 Bit 44.1kHz SACDs sound unacceptable, and some have the strident string tone common to the CD format.   BIS is not alone as over a third of my SACDs were rejected for sound quality reasons, most from either PCM or undisclosed masters.  BIS’ older DSD recorded SACDs are sonically superior to their new PCM SACDs. And you can prove this to yourself by just comparing the first three Grieg-Ruud DSD BIS SACDs to the later Grieg-Ruud PCM BIS SACDs.

Here are my unfinished mini reviews of some of my Recommended SACDs:

A Sampling of some Highly Recommended SACDs

The "highly recommended" SACDs on this list, will reveal the full aural and sonic capabilities of the SACD format and help any newcomer with a window into the musical enjoyment possible with this wonderful format.

AUDIOPHILE REFERENCE IV
Analog Stereo - First Impression Music SACD 029
Very realistic sampler of FIM's best analog recordings, another disc that proves SACD can sound very analog-like when mastered correctly!

BALLET FAVORITES
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60625
A great sounding pure DSD recording from Telarc, includes Dukas: Fanfare to La Peri / Chopin: Finale from Les Sylphides / Delibes: Waltz from Act I, Coppelia and cortege de Bacchus from Act III, Don Quixote / Minkus: Grand Pas De Deux from Act III, Don Quixote / Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers from Act II, The Nutcracker / Khachaturian: Sabre Dance from Gayane / Adam: Grand Pas de Deux from Act II, Giselle / Shostakovich: Polka from The Golden Age / Falla: Spanish Dance from La Vida Breve, Act II Tableau / Pugni: Finale No. 8 from Pas de Quatre / Gliere: Russian Sailor's Dance from Act I, The Red Poppy.

BLUESQUEST
Analog Stereo - AudioQuest Music AQ-SACD1052
Great blues sampler, once I heard this sampler I purchased all the full SACDs that are available, the sampler is a keeper as about half of the recordings were never released on SACD. Because of this sampler I own most of the AudioQuest SACD catalog.

BRITANNIA
Donald Runnicles, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60677
One of Telarc's most realistic SACDs to date and the performances are superb and many new discoveries as well. Elgar: "Pomp and Circumstance” March No. 4, Maxwell Davies: An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise, Turnage: Three Screaming Popes, MacMillan: Britannia and Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem

BRITTEN: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; Four Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes" / ELGAR: Enigma Variations
DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60660
A superb SACD with warm deep bass, excellent performances with "you are there" realism!

COPLAND: Billy The Kid; Rodeo / GROFÉ: Grand Canyon Suite
Morton Gould and his Orchestra - Analog Stereo/Multichannel - RCA Living Stereo 67904-2
This is the most exciting Grand Canyon Suite I've ever heard even better than the composers own rendition on Everest LP. Billy The Kid includes the Waltz which is not part of the Suite and Rodeo includes the Honky Tonk Interlude. This SACD is loads of fun and these are easily the definitive performances of all three works and has some of the best sound in the entire RCA Living Stereo series!

STEVE DAVIS PROJECT: Quality of Silence
DSD Stereo - dmp Records SACD-04
Superb realism and excellent jazz.  Recorded Direct to DSD with no editing within a song.

DMP does DSD
DSD Stereo - dmp Records SACD-02
Direct to DSD recordings with no editing within a single movement or song, some of the most realistic sounding recordings on SACD! This will display why DSD done correctly is sonically superior to even the highest resolution PCM, and why editing and manipulation are destructive to music by their absence on these fine DMP SACDs. 

DUKAS: Sorcerer's Apprentice; Le Péri; Symphony in C
DSD Stereo - Telarc CD-80515-SA
Extremely realistic, after all these years still one of my favorite SACDs. One of Telarc's first SACDs released 9 years ago.

DVORÁK: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" / MARTIN?: Symphony No. 2
Paavo Järvi, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60616
This is an extremely realistic SACD from Telarc and best performance I've ever heard of the New World Symphony, the Martinu was a nice discovery.

EPICS
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60600
Great movie music with very realistic sound!

TERRY EVANS: Puttin' it Down
Analog Stereo - AudioQuest Music AQ-SACD 1038
My favorite song is Rooftop Tomcat, other highlights include Money In Your Pocket and Down In Mississippi. Fantastic SACD both musically and sonically.

LA FOLIA DE LA SPAGNA
Gregorio Paniagua, Atrium Musicae de Madrid - Analog Stereo - Harmonia Mundi HMC 801050
My favorite early music recording of all time! A thrilling experience, best of all it's high quality music making with very realistic sonics. The music is very realistic and fun! These are spanish Folia's written from 1500 - 1905. The 1905 piece is a Spanish Folia by Carl Nielsen played on ancient instruments.  It also has very realistic sound effects, like a land rover, an early 20's automobile driving around the block beeping its very beautiful sounding horn. This car will map how wide and deep your soundstage is. If you love early music, don't miss this wonderful SACD. Even if you don't think you like early music you may love this one.

MICHAEL GANDOLFI: The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60696
Another great sounding Telarc SACD of a new and very approachable modern composition, it is very melodic and enjoyable. The composition is a musical expression that seeks to illustrate the details of an actual garden in Scotland.

JERRY GOLDSMITH: Film Music
Jerry Goldsmith, London Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60433
Excellent film music with superb sonics.

GOTTSCHALK: A Night in the Tropics, Grand Tarantelle for Piano and Orchestra
GOULD: Latin American Symphonette
Maurice Abravanel, Utah Symphony Orchestra - Analog Stereo - Vanguard Classics VSD 500
My Favorite classical recording of all time! These neglected masterpieces are presented in very realistic sound and bathed in ambiance! The sonics are so perfect it is hard to believe this was recorded in 1962, from the deepest bass to the highest treble the sound is as clean and clear as if it were recorded yesterday. Unlike Mercury Living Presence and RCA Living Stereo there is no audible distortion or compression anywhere not even on climaxes!

GREAT FILM FANTASIES
Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60664
Music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in the best sound they have ever had!

JENNIFER HIGDON: City Scape; Concerto for Orchestra
Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60620
A real sonic blockbuster and Jennifer Higdon is an excellent classical composer, bravo!

HOLST: The Planets, Lyric Movement for Viola and Small Orchestra
COLIN MATTHEWS: Pluto, The Renewer
DSD Stereo - Hyperion SACDA67270
A fantastic sounding SACD with a deep and wide soundstage and spot on tonal accuracy, plus the nice smooth delicious sweet strings I have come to expect from DSD recordings.  The is my favorite version of The Planets. Mars is even more menacing than the famous Zubin Mehta version and every planet thereafter is definitively played!  This 2 hour SACD takes advantage of the extra playing time available by not having a multi-channel program. It has the Planets with and without Colin Matthew's "Pluto - The Renewer" which has a very other worldly feel to it and on multiple listenings over years to me it fits with the other planets perfectly. It is very exciting and beautiful. The ending of Neptune was rewritten and the wordless chorus of Neptune fades perfectly into Pluto.  Pluto was commissioned as Holst died before Pluto was discovered.

ALISON KRAUSS + UNION STATION: Live
DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Rounder 0516-6 (2 discs)
Seductive bluegrass and very real sounding live recording!

LISZT: Dante Symphony; Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo
Leon Botstein, London Oratory School Schola, London Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60613
Devilishly realistic, another Telarc Triumph!

LISZT: Hungarian Rhapsodies Nos. 1-6 / ENESCO: Rumanian Rhapsody No. 1
Antal Dorati, London Symphony Orchestra - Analog Stereo/Multichannel - Mercury Living Presence 475 6185
One of the best Mercury Living Presence SACDs and the most exciting version of the Hungarian Rhapsodies I've ever heard, extremely realistic sound!

DOUG MacLEOD: Unmarked Road
Analog Stereo - AudioQuest Music AQ-SACD 1043
My favorite Doug MacLeod SACD and the usual superb sonics from this label!

CLAIR MARLO: Let It Go
Analog Stereo - Cisco Music SCD 2033
Very realistic recording from Sheffield Lab with superb sound and this lady can sing!

MASTERS AND COMMANDERS
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60682
Film music from all of my favorite seafaring films which have some of the most exciting music in the motion picture world. All the greats are here including Korngold's The Sea Hawk. This is my favorite Kunzel film collection so far and the sonics are extremely realistic and exciting!

ON BROADWAY
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - DSD Stereo - Telarc SACD-60498
Superb sonics and beautiful music lovingly recorded.

PROKOFIEV: Lieutenant Kije Suite; Symphony No. 5
Paavo Järvi, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60683
Another triumph from Paavo Järvi the best performance I've heard of either work and extremely realistic sound!

RESPIGHI: Belfagor Overture; Belkis, Queen of Sheba; Church Windows
Vladimir Ashkenazy, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Exton OVCL-00216
This SACD starts off with a Respighi work I'd not heard before the "Belfagor Overture" and a very exciting piece it is. Next up is one of my favorite Respighi compositions "Belkis, Queen of Sheba" whose third movement "War Dance" offers maximum orgasmic goose bumps! Belkis is a thrill ride from beginning to end. The holy grail of orchestral music, the mighty "Church Windows" has never had a better performance or better sound, surpassing even the highly regarded Keith Clark version on Reference Recordings 45 RPM LP! Wait until you hear the gong at the end of "St. Michael Archangel", it is huge and the decay is very long.

DIE RÖHRE "THE TUBE"
Stuttgarter Kammerorchester - Tube Analog Stereo - Tacet S 74
Extremely beautiful String tone and lovely music. The Tube is a collection of excellently played baroque music using Tubes though out the entire recording process. On the back of the SACD it says "No conductor - no semiconductor - I beg your pardon." The players on this SACD are the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and they have no conductor. The booklet explains how semiconductors were avoided in making this SACD. From the 2 Neumann M49 valve microphones, the tubed mixer, to the restored tubed Telefunken M5 2 channel Stereo Reel to Reel, to the editing by hand up to the DSD converter which does use semiconductors. However the booklet says "... in the course of being converted the signal does not pass through any transistors, but rather adjoins them and is measured: The transistors cannot 'pass on' any of their properties to its sound. So we can rightly claim that for the music recorded here no transistor effected the sound in any way at all. This is not a sampler but complete works.  I especially love the first selection "La Musica Notturna della strade di Madrid" by Boccherini it is not only beautiful but exciting too, a major discovery for me. Also other gems by Sammartini, Avison, Scarlatti, Handel, Vivaldi, Biber and Corelli.

RUSSIAN NIGHTS
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60654
All the great Russian masterpieces and some little known ones as well, and a well thought out program for listening. Superb sound as usual and excellent performances!

STRAVINSKY: The Firebird (complete ballet), Fireworks, Tango, Scherzo à la Russe, The Song of the Nightingale
Antal Dorati, London Symphony Orcherstra - Analog Stereo/Multichannel - Mercury Living Presence 470 6382
Best performance ever of the complete Firebird and superb sonics.

THOMSON: Plow That Broke The Plains; The River
Leopold Stokowski, The Symphony of the Air - Analog Stereo - Vanguard Classics VSD 501
One of my favorite classical recordings, very realistic, the bass has more impact than the excellent Analogue Productions LP version.   The clean, warm distortion-free sonics prove beyond a shadow of a doubt than SACD is not only miles ahead of Redbook CD sonically but that it also captures the resolution and warm sound of analog perfectly!

TURINA: Danzas Fantasticas, Sinfonia Sevillana, La Procesion del Rocio / DEBUSSY: Iberia  
Jesus López-Cobos, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra  - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-60574
A very beautiful and exciting disc of Spanish inspired works with Telarc's extremely realistic sound!

TUTTI! - Orchestral Sampler
24 Bit 88.2 and 176.4kHz PCM Stereo - Reference Recordings RR-906SACD
An excellent sampler from Reference Recordings proving that high resolution PCM upsampled to DSD can sound superb. Lots of deep, deep realistic bass to excite the senses.  A great sampling of high resolution Reference Recordings and I am looking forward to the full releases!

VILLA-LOBOS: Little Train of the Caipiria / ANTILL: Corroboree / GINASTERA: Estancia, Panambi
Eugene Goossens, London Symphony Orchestra - Analog Stereo/Multichannel - Everest / Vanguard Classics VSD 512
All the works are superb but the reason to get this SACD is the Corroboree Suite. I did a three way test between the Classic Records 180 Gram LP, the Classic Records 24 Bit 96kHz DVD and this SACD and the SACD overall was the best sounding with the most ambiance and realism, the LP came in second followed by 24/96 DVD. The other two versions sound fantastic that is until you hear the SACD. The LP version is the best sounding LP I have ever heard! The LP and 24/96 DVD include ANTILL's Corroboree and GINASTERA's Panambi however the SACD includes those works plus two additional ones: VILLA-LOBOS's Little Train of the Caipiria and GINASTERA's Estancia making the SACD playing time almost double!

JENNIFER WARNES: The Well
Analog Stereo - Cisco Music SCD 2034
Mastered by Bernie Grudman is musically and sonically one of my favorite popular SACDs, The Patriot's Dream is my favorite song however this whole recording is fantastic and my favorite Jennifer Warnes recording.

JOE WEED: The Vultures
Analog to 24/96 PCM - Highland / Top Music SACD 1028.2
The coolest surfing bluegrass music ever, great sound and lots of fun!

A Sampling of some Recommended SACDs

The "recommended" SACDs on this list, are just a shade lower in resolution and sonic abilities and will reveal most of the aural and sonic capabilities of the SACD format.

CHRISTY BARON: Steppin'
24 Bit 96kHz PCM Stereo/Multichannel - Chesky Records SACD227
Great Jazz inspired from Rock. I especially love her covers of Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street" and The Beatles "Tomorrow Never Comes"

JUNIOR BROWN: Down Home Chrome
DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Telarc SACD-63612
Superb country and western music with excellent sound.

GRIEG: Piano Concerto, Symphony in C minor, In Autumn
Noriko Ogawa (piano) Ole Kristian Ruud, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - BIS-SACD-1191
GRIEG: Norwegian Dances; Symphonic Dances; Lyric Suite
Ole Kristian Ruud, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - BIS SACD-1291
GRIEG: Sigurd Jorsalfar Op. 22, Landkjenning Op. 31, Bergliot Op. 42, Sorgemarsj over Rikard Nordraak EG117, Den Bergtekne Op. 32
Hakan Hagegard, Gorild Mauseth, Ole Kristian Ruud, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra - DSD Stereo/Multichannel - BIS-SACD-1391
Part of a series of Grieg orchestral music all available on SACD from BIS, the first three SACDs were DSD and the later ones are from 24 Bit PCM. The DSD recordings from this series are the best I have ever heard Greig sound and the performances are ideal!  The only concern is a lack deep bass and bass warmth but that could be due to the hall or the choice of or placement of the microphones.  Still recommended due to the realistic sound of these three SACDs.

JOHN HASSELL: Fascinoma
Stereo Tube Analog - Water Lily WLA-CS-70-SACD
Very weird and wonderful, you are there sonics.

DAVID JOHANSEN and the HARRY SMITHS
24 Bit 96kHz PCM Stereo/Multichannel - Chesky Records SACD225
An excellent Blues SACD with you are there sonics.

MUSSORGSKY: Pictures At An Exhibition, Marche miniature, A Night on Bald Mountain / BORODIN: Prince Igor-Polovtsian March / TCHAIKOVSKY: Marche Slave / KABALEVSKY: Colas Breugnon Overture / GLINKA: Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture
Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symhony Orchestra - Analog Stereo/Multichannel - RCA Living Stereo 61394-2 RE1
My favorite performance of Pictures and bonus pieces are superb as well, excellent sound especially the delicacy and sparkle of the high percussive instruments, the low end is excellent as well just not as deep as the two Telarc versions.

ART PEPPER: Meets The Rhythm Section
Analog Stereo - Analogue Productions CAPJ7532SA
Superb approachable Jazz with very realistic sound.

SACD Two-Channel & Multichannel Demonstration Disc
Analog and DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Groove Note GRV1013-3
A very pleasing multi-label sampler put together by Groove Note including: The Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble - Ogoun Badagris (DMP) / Anthony Wilson Trio - Chitlins con Carne (Groove Note) / Bill Cunliffe Trio - Ireland (Groove Note) / Linda Rosenthal - La Paloma (First Impression Music) / Luqman Hamza - Feeling Good (Groove Note) / Teresa Perez - Fantasia On Greensleeves (First Impression Music) / River Of Sorrow - High Mountain Flowing (First Impression Music) / Jacintha - Autumn Leaves (Groove Note) / The Florestan Trio (Hyperion) / Gaudeamus Sacred Feast - O Sacrum Convivum by Tallis (DMP) / Bennie Wallace - Moodsville: When A Woman Loves A Man (Groove Note)

Super Audio CD - Ultimate Collection
Analog and DSD Stereo/Multichannel - Groove Note GRV1023-3
A great multi-label sampler! - Jerry Goldsmith: Theme From Star Trek (from "Film Music Of Jerry Goldsmith" - Telarc) / Bryan Ferry: Nobody Loves Me (from "Frantic" - Virgin) / Eden Atwood: The Girl From Ipanema (from "Waves" - Groove Note) / Tania Maria: Come With Me (from "Come With Me" - Concord) / Hugh Masekela: Stimela (from "Hope"- Triloka) / Roxy Music: Avalon (from "Avalon" - Virgin) / Eva Cassidy: Fields Of Gold (from "Songbird"- Hot Records ) / Jerry Goldsmith: Theme From Russia House (from "Film Music Of Jerry Goldsmith" - Telarc) / Jacintha: Light My Fire (from "Jacintha Is Her Name"- Groove Note)

A Sampling of some Recommended with reservations SACDs

The "recommended with reservations" SACDs on this list, many of which still reveal the resolution and sonic abilities of the SACD format are not sonically perfect in my opinion and what contributes to their less than perfect sound is discussed in the comments.  These are still extremely enjoyable recordings but not close to realm of possibilities of the format, thus would not be worthy to judge the format by and would not be ideal starting points for newcomers to the format.   However my suggestion for SACD of the year is included in this category.

AMERICAN SPECTRUM
NED ROREM: Lions, MICHAEL DAUGHERTY: Sunset Strip, JOHN WILLIAMS: Escapades, CHRISTOPHER ROUSE: Friandises
Branford Marsalis Quartet
Grant Llewellyn, North Carolina Symphony
Stereo/Multichannel - BIS-SACD-1644
Jazz influenced classical music written by some of my favorite modern composers: Michael Daugherty, John Williams and Christopher Rouse plus a new (for me) composer Ned Rorem.  Performed by the Branford Marsalis Quartet with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra conducted by Grant Llewellyn.  Every single composition on this SACD is fabulous, truly fabulous! I have always loved Michael Daugherty and his Sunset Strip is very enjoyable.  Ned Rorem really Jazzy "Lions" which uses Branford Marsalis' whole quartet is up there with the best hybrid Classical-Jazz compositions I've heard.  This does have a PCM signature but all PCM recorded SACDs to my ears have a particular PCM sound even at resolutions much higher than 44.1kHz. It's taken many years to get my ears adjusted to PCM sound. It does not have the air, ambiance, bass presence or huge soundstage of a well made DSD recording however I never expected it to. It NEVER betrays its 44.1kHz origin, the resolution does indeed sound much higher to me.  If your only exposure to 44.1kHz PCM has been of the 16 Bit variety such as CDs or computer downloads, be assured that 24 Bit is an audible increase in resolution over those. 

PATRICIA BARBER: Companion
PCM Stereo - Premonition / MFSL UDSACD 2023
This is my favorite Patricia Barber SACD, her version of Sonny Bono's "The Beat Goes On" is to die for!  The sound quality is excellent but it doesn't quite sound like high resolution PCM.

GRIEG: Peer Gynt (Complete) Op. 23
Hakan Hagegard, Marita Solberg, Ingebjorg Kosmo, Kari Postma, Ole Kristian Ruud, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra - 24 Bit 44.1kHz Stereo/Multichannel - BIS-SACD-1441/42 (2 discs)
Part of a series of Grieg orchestral music all available on SACD from BIS, this SACD was the first non-DSD recorded SACD I heard from BIS.  At the time I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong with the sound but it was dry sounding with a distinctly PCM sonic signature.  Robert von Bahr has revealed this to be a 24 Bit 44.1kHz PCM recording.  Even though it does not sound as good as the earlier three DSD recorded SACDs released it does sound much better than the two 24 Bit 44.1kHz PCM SACDs that followed (see not recommended below)  Like the earlier DSD recorded ones there is a lack deep bass and bass warmth that could be due to the hall or the choice of or placement of the microphones.  While not sonically superb the music is excellent so I recommend it with these reservations.

SHILKRET: Trombone Concerto / HÖGBERG: Trombone Concerto No. 1 "The Return of Kit Bones" / LINDBERG: Helikon Wasp
Christian Lindberg (trombone and narrator) John Neschling, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra - 24 Bit 44.1kHz PCM Stereo/Multichannel - BIS SACD-1448
This has got to be a first, dramatic and exciting programmatic trombone concertos, two of them even have speaking parts: HÖGBERG's Trombone Concerto No. 1 "The Return of Kit Bones" and LINDBERG's Helikon Wasp. This is some of the very best Jazz inspired Classical music I have ever heard and a total joy to listen to!  Even though the resolution is only 44.1kHz that is at 24 Bits and it sounds much better than these numbers would indicate.