How important is it for you to attain a holographic image?

Yes Newbee, I am always interested in test records that will help me optimize my system; the record would be preferred.

I have that Opus "depth of Image" recording both on vinyl and on CD. It does portray a nice holographic image for sure. However, "normal" recordings can do the same thing on a system that allows it to be done.

This morning I had a hankering for some genuine flamenco guitar music. I broke out my three-record box set of the Connoisseur Society Recordings of Manitas de Plata (hands of silver) playing flamenco guitar with various voices. So natural sounding. It was recorded in a small chapel which is said to have perfect acoustics, in Arles, France, in 1961.

Manitas de Plata (His real name was Ricardo Ballardo) was a Spanish gypsy who picked up the guitar as a child. He never learned to read music. However, in spite of that, he became the guitar and the guitar became him. He was a true master of the flamenco guitar. None better in my opinion. Oh, there may be players who are more technically correct, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, Manitas de Plata is the way to go.

The recording has an abundance of exactly what we are talking about in this thread. The holographic imagery is amazing as is the tonal quality. If you love soulful flamenco guitar and singing I highly recommend this box set.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Manitas-De-Plata-Flamenco-Guitar-SRL-8643/352555244276?hash=item5215ee1af4:...

Someone should jump on this one. At ten bucks, its a bargain.

Frank

PS: I’ve found that most of the early tube miked stereo recordings from the late 50s through the middle 60s have plenty of depth and holographic imagery.

I heard through the grapevine that Opus 3, Depth of Image, is in Reverse Polarity. That can’t be too good for a holographic soundstage. In fact all Proprius label records are in Reverse Polarity.

Amazing isn’t it that you heard this effect on your ’in polarity’ system. Or did you hear it on one with reverse polarity? Or did you hear it at all? Maybe my old system also had reverse polarity, ergo why this record sounded so fine, and on my present system, not so much. :-)

Re Proprius labels - I don’t own any so I don’t know. I understand that they did make a recording of some ’bar jazz’ a lot of folks like. Go figure. 

The label on which ’Depth of Image’ appears is Opus 3.

BTW for anyone interested there is a brief commentary on Opus 3 and this disc in Dagogo in 2012.

Ah, right, Opus 3 is another independent Swedish label, like Proprius. Yes, I’m aware a lot of people like Jazz at a Pawnshop, including your humble scribe, nevertheless apparently it’s in Reverse Polarity. What can I tell you? 😬 As for Opus 3 - Depth of Image, it probably sounds “depthy”-  if that’s a word - even in reverse Polarity. 😛