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Classical Music for Aficionados

I would like to start a thread, similar to Orpheus’ jazz site, for lovers of classical music.
I will list some of my favorite recordings, CDs as well as LP’s. While good sound is not a prime requisite, it will be a consideration.
  Classical music lovers please feel free to add to my lists.
Discussion of musical and recording issues will be welcome.

I’ll start with a list of CDs.  Records to follow in a later post.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.  Chesky  — Royal Phil. Orch.  Freccia, conductor.
Mahler:  Des Knaben Wunderhorn.  Vanguard Classics — Vienna Festival Orch. Prohaska, conductor.
Prokofiev:  Scythian Suite et. al.  DG  — Chicago Symphony  Abbado, conductor.
Brahms: Symphony #1.  Chesky — London Symph. Orch.  Horenstein, conductor.
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du Soldat. HDTT — Ars Nova.  Mandell, conductor.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances. Analogue Productions. — Dallas Symph Orch. Johanos, cond.
Respighi: Roman Festivals et. al. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.

All of the above happen to be great sounding recordings, but, as I said, sonics is not a prerequisite.


rvpiano
kef_lover
29 posts
 
By the way Schubert, I still have the KEF 101s I bought in the early '80s. They have been modified and upgraded and are shockingly good, even when compared to today's high end mini monitors.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I had 101’s as well .Also 105, 103.2 , 104, and various Q series with Tweeter in the middle , My all time favorite was 104ab .
Also had a huge pair of Brit IMF’s with fab transmission line base that used the most musical
driver line up in history , B139,110 and T-27 !  (sob !)
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,792 posts
 
kef_lover,

Do you have the LP’s of the recordings in your last post?

I’ll list my favorites of your selections in my next post.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
B139? Is that the flat "racetrack" woofer? If it is, I have the same woofer on a pair of KEF C80s. They produce outstanding bass, but I much prefer the B110 mid on the 101s. The T33 tweeter isn't bad, but again I prefer the T27.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
BTW, upgrading the internal wiring and replacing the resistor to the T27 was a substantial upgrade to the tweeter’s performance on the 101s. Replacing the wiring and bypassing the overload protection circuit (S-STOP) yielded a big improvement to the entire bass response. I also upgraded as many crossover parts as I was able to. They really sound quite wonderful. In comparison, the stock 101s sounded compressed, bass deficient, and the T27 had noticeable grittiness.
The 101s, both stock and modded, are quite power hungry. I’ve found they sound their best powered by 90wpc Altec monoblocks (modified 1569s). Using this combo, the dynamics are quite impressive too.


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