CLASSICAl MUSIC WAS RECORDED with a bit more care than popular or rock albums. But they were meant to be played through the built-in phono stage inside most receivers. The speakers were often good at thumping out the bass lines and not so detailed in the midrange frequencies. I listened to a stock pressing of CSN&Y one day and realized how poorly the mixing job was done, and musicians were coming in slightly behind or ahead of the others, etc. If the front four were doing OK they didn't worry about the studio musicians as much. My James Taylor SBJ's record was also mixed kinda sloppy. These were not obscure groups, but what can you do? I always liked my Beatle records, but it seems many listeners are never quite satisfied with the sound no matter how many re-issues were offered. Blue Note (Jazz) records sounded really good (to me). Led Zeppelin on Atlantic was (much) better. Try playing the cassette if nothing else works- or buy a $30 re-master...
Now I get it...
Hey everyone, long time listener first time caller. I sold a bunch of used gear and recently updated my vinyl front end to a Feickert Woodpecker, a Soundsmith Paua, and a Pass Labs XP-25 (I feel blessed). As a result, I discovered I own some truly awful pressings. Seriously, never knew some of my records were so darn terrible. The good ones, though? Absolutely magical. This was a pretty cool moment in my audiophile journey. Now I finally get why some system reviews describe the components as “unforgiving to poor source material”. Awesome.
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- 27 posts total
- 27 posts total