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"Bridge Over Trouble Water" sounds artificial

During the pandemic I've been upgrading my sound system.  I used to enjoy Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Trouble Water".  With my upgraded equipment the hi resolution audio sounds very synthetic, with one track on top of another, not like real music at all.  The voices are doubled and violins just layered on top.  On my same system, I played a live concert of Andre Previn playing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue".  It sounded real and beautiful, like a live performance.  Am I doing something wrong?
aeschwartz
aeschwartz OP
40 posts
 
I'm trying not to beat a dead horse.  I listened to the LP, the CD, Hi Res on Qobuz and on my two systems with KEF LS50 or Klipsch R8000, Marantz amp or Parasound Halo A21+, Denafrips ares ii, Parasound P6, Marantz CD, Cambridge CD transport. With all equipment BOTW is a poor recording.  I then listened to Simon & Garfunkel Live in Central Park, 1982.  The same songs sounded like real music with real musical instruments!  The improved sound was unmistakable.  Am I wrong?
coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
799 posts
 
Everything is best on vinyl. Everything. 
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
The better your equipment gets, the worse that old, sub-par recordings sound.  I did find something that really helps on these anemic sources.  Since I bi-amp, I use a separate amp AND and preamp for the bass. With a double pole, double throw switch, I bypass the sub crossover to add harmonics to fill in for these ancient recordings.  You can do this without the second preamp, but I also get to choose how much bass I add, and without phase shift.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,344 posts
 
The better your equipment gets, the worse that old, sub-par recordings sound.


I would say the worse they sound compared to the best recordings on same system for sure but any other comparison is highly subjective.

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 
With all equipment BOTW is a poor recording.  Am I wrong?


No, you're right.  BOTW is a poor recording.  That is a problem with a higher resolution system, but for me the better sound on good recordings more than makes up for it.
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