The Stockfisch DMM-CD/SACD Vol. 2

Second Edition Of New Audio Format!
Hybrid DMM-CD/SACD!
Listen To A Perfect Vinyl Sound In Pristine DSD Quality On Hybrid SACD!

The second volume of the DMM-CD/SACD format by Stockfisch contains a sampling of music by Allan Taylor, Sara K., Chris Jones, David Munyon, David Roth, Paul O'Brien, Steve Strauss & more!

The second DMM-CD/SACD features 12 tracks selected from recent Stockfisch repertoire, at first cut into copper-master and immediately digitized with 1bit-DSD HiTech equipment. Includes a 60-page booklet containing a well illustrated documentation about the DMM-CD/SACD.

More and more music lovers are discovering the unique sound of a vinyl record. Stockfisch have thought about whether it is possible just to make the sound creation factors of a vinyl record audible. A pressed record however, has many artifacts arising from the vinyl pressing i.e. distortion, rumble, groove noise, vertical and lateral aberrations, clicks, etc. and other artifacts that are detrimental to a good sound. Having said that, music lovers have already become accustomed to these disadvantages.

Stockfisch calls their new production method "DMM-CD". With this solution, they can eradicate the aforementioned disadvantages of the pressed record - and yet still maintain the typical vinyl sound.

It starts by cutting onto a copper substrate. The sonic imprint of the cut is determined by the complex electronics and mechanics of the cutting facility. Immediately afterwards, they play back the cut using the best possible transfer technology and digitize the result. The Neumann VMS-82 cutting lathe is used in this case as the "original record player". After the cutting process, they leave the copper master on the lathe held firmly by vacuum suction. This way the disc has no vertical or lateral movement, which would affect the tracking of the pick-up stylus. With a pressed vinyl record, this source of errors is inevitable.

Using the best possible components, they play back the signal from the freshly cut groove. The components used are: an EMT TSD-15 Pick-up, a factory built special version of EMT's legendary Broadcast TONDOSE TSD-15 and incorporates a diamond made from a square natural rod. This diamond is refined with a highly sophisticated shape with multiple facets resulting in a frontal parabola measuring 17 x 25 µ (micrometre). This diamond quality secures not only very little distortion, but also very low FIM (Frequency Intermodulation Distortion). Moreover, they decided to use an EMT 997 pick up arm and a top of the range EMT JPA66 valve pre-amplifier. With critical listening test, this combination has proven to be the optimal chain when it comes to obtaining a sound as close as possible to the master.

The output of the JPA66 cutting curve equalizer transfers the analog signal to the A/D converter, a "Meitner EMM LAbs adc 8 MK IV". This is still regarded as a reference for the best possible conversion to the 1-bit Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format. The DSD signal is then recorded at a sampling rate of 2.8224 MHz on to the SADiE DSD 8 mastering system. Later, on the finished Hybrid-SAC, you will find this true 1-bit DSD layer and also a generated CD format at 16-bit/44.1kHz.

To enhance the tonal quality of the DMM transfer for the DMM-CD, the music program was cut at 45rpm, and basically they only used the area between the two zero crossings of the cartridge arm. This is the area where the geometry of the pick-up arm is optimal.

With this new sophisticated process, a new digital recording media (DMM-CD) has emerged retaining the original sound of a Vinyl-LP but without the unwanted side effects. The DMM-CD/SACD gives you the direct sound of the DMM Copper cut - without having to go through the stages of pressing a record.

Depending on the quality of your D/A converter, you will experience a new listening pleasure when comparing the "DMM-CD/SACD" with a correspondingly pressed vinyl record. Certainly it will be an emotional decision!

"Stockfisch Records (under the innovative direction of Gunter Pauler) continues to operate on the cutting edge of technology. Their technological advances enhance the acoustic sensitivity of the performers without altering their essence. The DMM-CD/SACD format captures the pure tonal quality of vinyl without the various “noise” distractions. The digital transfer expands the vibrancy of the voices and instruments. I heard no pops, ticks or surface noise and the fidelity was truly excellent. Hopefully there will be other recordings that utilize this process." —Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition, Jan 19, 2014

Features:
• Super Audio CD
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Hybrid SACD contains a 'Red Book' Stereo CD Layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players!
• Produced & recorded by Gunter Pauler
• DMM Disc Cutting & Digital Transfer - Gunter Pauler
• SACD Mastering & PreMastering by Hans-Jorg Maucksch
• Includes 60-page booklet
• Hard-back book case

Selections:
1. The Slender Thread - Carrie Newcomer
2. Endless Highway - Allan Taylor
3. Girl With A Mirror - Paul Stephenson
4. What's A Little More Rain (live 2001) - Sara K. feat. Chris Jones
5. Tremors - Ranagri
6. Prayers of Elvis Presley - David Munyon
7. Wild Mountain Thyme - Tony Christie & Ranagri
8. Be Kind To Yourself - David Roth
9. Nothing's Gonna Last Forever - Carl Cleves & Parissa Bouas
10. Big Yellow Taxi - Paul O'Brien
11. Sea of Dreams - Steve Strauss
12. Out of the Woods 2 (impro) - Kerstin Blodig