@thegoldengoose , Instead of reel to reel I think you should start collecting high resolution (24/96 or higher) digital files in FLAC or ALAC. These files are better sounding, way less expensive and take up no space. You can use either an Apple or PC computer with a 2TB hard drive or larger. Tape running at 15 ips does sound incredible but the expense is insane, worse than turntables. Go to HDtracks web site and look at what is available for download. Talkin about a kid in a candy store. I have a Nagra IV-SJ. It is an incredible piece of precision engineering. I have a couple of tapes for demonstration purposes. It is a great display item. I rarely use it.
Truly Stunning Vinyl Album
Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge! So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album:
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/
Thanks for any recommendations!
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I heard that Classic 45, though I don't own it, and it IS really good. The original release is also quite good. Another record that never fails to impress in a vinyl demonstration is a quite obscure record by an English folk artist who loves American folk music. It is David Peabody's "Americana." I put on the "Sewing Machine Blues" cut to impress listeners, particularly those enamored with great soundstaging. This is about a $6.00 record on Discogs. Another good sounding track, and imaging champ, is a Lou Reed "Walk on the Wild Side" cut on "Transformer." There are a lot of good movie soundtrack albums, in terms of sound quality like Ennio Morricone's "The Mission" soundtrack and Ry Cooder's soundtrack for "Paris Texas." |
"Stunning" is a term that can be used to describe both the sound quality and the cover artwork for Rabih Abou-Khalil's "Blue Camel" album. He is an oud player that collaborated with jazz musicians to create this musically very interesting and beautiful (to me anyway) album. I like the music, and I REALLY like the recording quality and the artwork. Sadly, I don't own the album but I have the very nice CD version. |
@mijostyn Hi, thanks for the recommendation. I’ve already started doing that. For a year or so I was only streaming lossless from my iPhone over Bluetooth, but have recently purchased an Eversolo A8 and signed up with Qobuz. Then I imported my Apple playlist to Qobuz. I really like the A8. I’ve ripped a few CDs onto it and really like the software and features. Did you know you can even listen to internet radio on the A8 and some are high quality broadcasts too? |
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