Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Hi Frank,
I listened to 5 of the CDs last night and it was an enjoyable session for certain. Buddy Montgomery was a treat to hear playing the vibraphone, I’ll seek out more of his recordings as a vibraphonist. He’s equally proficient with the vibraphone and piano, what a talent.

The very pleasant surprise was Zoot Sims. I’ve always liked him but your recording is exceptional mono, so palpable and such a strong breathing flesh and blood realism. Jerry Lloyd’s trumpet was excellent, he can play. All of my Zoot recordings are stereo (that were recorded well).

The Israeli Percussion Orchestra was really well recorded and very enjoyable including the female vocalist. The drums were realistic to say the least. With the full orchestra playing it seemed as though I was sitting in the live audience. Very dynamic recording particularly track 4. I used my sound level meter set on C  weighted/fast. That track had a low to peak range of 55 db !!! Yikes 😊

The Almeida was good, especially so when the Cellist joined in. Emily Remler was good (I have one recording of her).

Next up are the classical guitarists. I have to play the Zoot Sims again tonight. Thanks again Frank.
Charles

^^^ Charles ...

You are more than welcome. Its a pleasure sharing music with someone who I am confident is a true music lover.

I see a great divide in this hobby and its been evident to me for many years. There are those of us who will sacrifice a lot financially in the quest to get us closer to the music. And then there are those who consider their stereo equipment to be some kind of exotic jewelry that they can show off to their friends.

I have thousands of recordings in my collection, and I suspect that you and a few others posting here do as well. On the other hand, I've met so many folks who have systems costing in excess of 100k, with a paltry collection of, at most, 100 recordings ... all of which are of the "audiophile" variety. You know, typical would be Patricia Barber; totally drenched in artificial digital reverb. To each his own, I guess. 

You and I, and others like us, can listen to a 60 year old recording of Zoot Sims and be blown away emotionally through his talent. The folks on other side of the coin, however, wouldn't be caught dead with that recording. "Eww ... there's a "tick" on the third cut of side two!" :-)

As for me, I'll take the music every time. 

Glad you appreciate what I sent you. It means a lot to me. 

Take care ...

Frank

Charles ...

When I burned the Zoot Sims CD for you, I also burned one for myself.  I played it tonight in its entirety.  I find it pretty amazing that a mono LP that is almost 60 years old can be that involving and have such great sound. Sim's big, fat, voluptuous tenor is right there in the room. A real toe tapper for sure. 

By the way, I installed five of Herbie's tube dampeners on the tubes in the preamp yesterday. All I can say is WOW!

Frank, 
It just is another example of how two very different audio systems can yield such similar musical/-sonic results. With the exception of the Black fuses our speakers, source, electronics and cabling share no overlapping brands. What we have in common is the goal of constructing a system that emphasizes and serves the beauty and emotional power of music. 

That’s all I want from my system and based  on your numerous comments on your captivating  listening experiences at home, you most certainly have achieved that as well. Yes a 60 year old mono recording thats full of musical beauty and communicates straight to the soul. Toes tapping and head ah bobbin, absolutely 😊. Full bodied,rich and fat tenor sax tone, oh yes Zoot and company were in the house!
Charles 

Anybody else here use an autoformer or transformer passive preamp? My ASL TX-1 is a big part of what what makes my system sound so good. I can't imagine going back to resistive volume control.