There is no evidence to suggest that the new SINGLES 69-73 SHM-SACD will be a 5.1 surround mix. In fact, I'd be totally surprised if it were. I believe this is going to be a stereo, two-channel release utilizing the high-resolution SACD format, with the added SHM material that it's pressed with.
Since SACDs do not play in standard players, that's the reason for the regular SHM-CDs being released at the same time (one regular, one platinum based). So if you've got an SACD player, then you'll get the SINGLES album in high resolution audio, but with just two channels. The other releases will just be a redbook CD pressed on SHM materials and/or platinum.
I think a lot of fans have been thinking of this SACD to be equivalent to the prior Carpenters SACD which was a "hybrid" disc with three layers of audio, the SACD surround mix, the SACD two-channel mix, and the two-channel layer for regular CDs. That's not the case with this new one - at least that's the way I see it from what's available to read on the web.
Harry
Since SACDs do not play in standard players, that's the reason for the regular SHM-CDs being released at the same time (one regular, one platinum based). So if you've got an SACD player, then you'll get the SINGLES album in high resolution audio, but with just two channels. The other releases will just be a redbook CD pressed on SHM materials and/or platinum.
I think a lot of fans have been thinking of this SACD to be equivalent to the prior Carpenters SACD which was a "hybrid" disc with three layers of audio, the SACD surround mix, the SACD two-channel mix, and the two-channel layer for regular CDs. That's not the case with this new one - at least that's the way I see it from what's available to read on the web.
Harry