I just saw this at Elusive Disc. It's $54.99 which is quite steep, but thats at import prices. This was released domestically on DVD-A, but it is now OOP.

Warner Premium Sound series Japanese Import Stereo & Multi-Channel SACD!

Hotel California was arguably the band's best single album - it was certainly the Eagles' biggest original disc - and it also underscored the band's need to make a big statement. The title tune reflected the album's theme of paradise lost in California, painting this picture with a musical arrangement that punctuated strumming guitars with dramatic drums, and perhaps the band's most famous lyric: "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." "New Kid in Town" was an equally fine albeit much more traditional Eagles ballad. Also found on this classic album are the selections "Life In the Fast Lane" and "Wasted Time".

Over the years, Japanese pressings were famous for their dynamic sound, quiet pressings and "near perfect" manufacturing process. Today, the process has gotten more refined and the sound is unparalleled! Whether it is LPs, CDs, XRCDs or SACDs, you will love the rich and true sound coming through your speakers!

Features:
• Warner Premium Sound Series
• 2-Channel Stereo & 5.1 Multi-channel Hybrid SACD
• This Hybrid SACD is playable on ALL CD Players!
• Made In Japan

Selections:
1. Hotel California
2. New Kid In Town
3. Life In The Fast Lane
4. Wasted Time
5. Wasted Time (Reprise)
6. Victim of Love
7. Pretty Maids All In A Row
8. Try And Love Again
9. The Last Resort

I have this. The regular CD layer sounds fantastic!

It's expensive at Amazon (about $16 less, at the time I'm posting this):



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052VI2V6/?tag=imwan-20

(Although all the hi-rez mixes in this Japanese SACD series have only been 2-channel, not surround, the ones I've gotten so far sound very good.)

I have a DCC Gold and Japanese SHM of this so I'm covered but if its a very good 5.1 I might take a second look.

Rick A.

It's just stereo, Rick.

Yeah, you are so right. You even stated it as such. That's what happens when you post before you have your first cup of java.

Rick A.

The reviewers on Amazon state it is in 5.1 and Stereo. Elusive Disc has always been accurate in their descriptions as well. After checking the Amazon link I noticed that there are several other titles available on Hybrid SACD from Japan that were originally available in the U.S. as DVD-A Multichannel discs that are all OOP. Deep Purples Machine Head, Chicago 5, Donald Fagans Nightfly, The Doors 1st Album, and Fleetwood Macs Rumours. One Amazon reviewer states that the Machine Head disc is in fact in 5.1 and Stereo. I'm wondering if the others are as well. They are all Warner releases. Another reviewer says the Hotel California release has the same mix as the original DVD-A 5.1. Could it be that Warner Japan is finally doing what I've always said MoFi should be doing with their SACD releases, using all the available 5.1 mixes they could license and releasing them to get them back in print.

Interesting. All the ones I've gotten of the Japanese SHM/SACD releases have just been 2-channel. (They're all Universal titles.) You must be right about these Warner ones being conversions of the American DVD-As.

Yes, these Warner SACDs are hybrids with stereo and 5.1 mixes, but they are not SHM.

I would actually prefer SACDs over the DVD-As, even if the audio is identical. (The DVD-A format always seemed sort of unwieldy to me, although I own a bunch.) Perhaps we'll be seeing SACD versions of Neil Young's Harvest and America's debut album in the near future? Those were both 5.1 DVD-As in the USA.

Not a Warner release, but I would LOVE to see a Japanese SACD of the Pet Sounds DVD-A.

I ordered a copy tonight!

CD Japan has confirmed that the folowing titles will be released on 5.1 Multichannel/Stereo Hybrid SACD's during Sept. 2011:
Eagles - Hotel California [SACD Hybrid]
The Doors (Expanded) [40th Anniversary Mixes] [SACD Hybrid]
Doobie Brothers - The Captain And Me [SACD Hybrid]
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours [SACD Hybrid]
Foreigner - 4 [SACD Hybrid]
Donald Fagan - The Nightfly [SACD Hybrid]
Yes - Fragile + 1 Bonus Track "America" [SACD Hybrid]
Deep Purple - Machine Head + 1 Bonus Track "Blind Man" [SACD Hybrid]
Chicago 5 + 1 bonus track "Dialogue (live version in 1972)" [SACD Hybrid]

These are all WEA previously available on DVD-A (except Machine Head which was previously released on SACD). These should not be confused with the flood of titles coming out on SHM Single Layer SACD which are Stereo only and only play on SACD Players.
I hope they continue with these reissues. WEA released a lot of DVD-A's in 5.1 that are OOP and fetch big bucks on the market. Chicago II, Grateful Dead's Workingmans Dead, American Beauty and Metallica's Black Album come to mind. We shall see.
BECAUSE SOUND MATTERS! (only in Japan)

That's great if you don't already own the DVD-Audio version, which I do on 4 of the titles you listed. In other words, release some new titles, not the same ones that have already been issued.

I second that James Dean. I also have 4 of these titles as well. I think they are taking the easy way out in that the mixes are already done. But these are great for the people who missed out on the DVD-A's or perfer the SACDs.

Rick A.

Rick, I guess I'm still pissed that they let a great sounding format like DVD-Audio just fizzle out. If we're going SACD in the VHS-Betamax wars, that's fine, but don't just rehash previous DVD-Audio titles that you are adding nothing to by re-releasing them in SACD. There are so many titles out there such as Gary Wright's Dream Weaver that would be an exciting release. I understand that some never got a DVD-Audio player so these new SACD titles are a boon for them, but I look at it as SACD copping-out.

totally all over the sacd since the dvd-a is 125 and up on amazon lol. Only problem facing me is that I need to justify paying 38 dollars for a cd haha

I'm getting it free because I have a ton of Amazon points.

I got this one a while back and...WOW!!

Another stunning Eliot Scheiner 5.1 surround mix.

I think he and Steven Wilson should be solely responsible for 5.1 surround mixes of classic rock and pop albums.