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the sound of massed violins in classical orchestral recordings

why do massed violins have this sort of gritty sandpapery reverberation in classical orchestral recordings?even in some sections of a piece, when the violins are playing softly in the background, you hear that gritty overtone more than the melody.when I listen to the Houston symphony in Jones Hall,sitting fourth row, facing the violin section, I don't hear that sound.I have three systems { two of them mid-fi ] and I hear the same thing-even with headphones.in all instances, the other parts of the orchestra are clear.  my main system : Vanalistine Trancendence 10 tube preamp,a 35 year old solid state Proton D1200 amp, [have tried NAD,Project, Musical Fidelity amps--they don't sound any better],Onkyo dx7555 CD player [Stereophile class B],and Project Carbon turntable with Grado Black 2 cartridge [ the Ortophon Red was too bright ] through Magnepan MG12/QR speakers.Tried a highly regarded Elac speaker--no change as far as the violins go, but way inferior to those dramatic Maggies.So, there you have it. Is it the equipment? Is the state of the art not up to recording violins? Is it me? [its o.k.-I can take it}. In closing,a couple of years ago,I had phone conversation with a well known person associated with a major speaker company about this. His response :[ paraphrased ] Violins are a problem--don't like 'em.  Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.
6119
tomaswv
237 posts
 
Very interesting discussion.  I have been listening to what I think are the best massed string recordingI have come across:  The Cleveland Orchestra’s A New Century boxed set. Disc 1 has a string orchestra arrangement of Beethoven’s string quartet No. 15 that is extremely well recorded. As is the entire three disc set—at $50 an absolute bargain: 3 SACDs, a code for 24/96 hi-res downloads, and A lavish 180 page book.  
I used to find mass strings to be hashy on a couple  of recordings of The Lark Ascending.  These same recordings sound much better now.  Can’t pinpoint the reason but three things come to mind: upgraded power cables in my sources (Nordost Vishnu’s and now Morrow MAP3s), more powerful amp (Bel Canto Ref 500m), and IsoAcoustic Gaia feet under my speakers (Dali Mentor 6s).




6119 OP
32 posts
 
hypomam : thank you. your post makes sense and reinforces what several others have been saying.the problem is in the recording and you and others have made a strong case for the causes.i feel the best thing to do is to find components, amps and particularly speakers, that tend toward a softer, more distant presentation with out too much collateral damage. suggestions, anyone?
hypoman
38 posts
 
Personally, I think the dispersion characteristics of the mid and HF driver(s) is critical in regard to addressing your concerns.  Assuming fairly flat and smooth response of the associated components, the proximity of presentation should reflect that of the recording when the speakers have good dispersion.  At least that has been my experience and has been the case with a variety of vacuum tube and solid state equipment used.  Another thing I would keep in mind is playback volume.  I usually sneak up on the volume until I'm comfortable I'm hearing the level of detail that sounds right to me.  If I start too loud, things don't sound as good when I lower the volume.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,688 posts
 
GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers used or 1R new.  Very smooth.
Aforementioned Benchmark AHB2 amplifier.  I combine with a tube preamp (Conrad-Johnson).
 I listen to 95% classical, mostly symphonic, with these components.  Never a problem with massed violins sound, even in poor recordings, yet very revealing and transparent.
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
I repeat once again once again, right now this fiddler is experiencing superlative string tone from Primephonic, this time of Lalo's Symphonie espagnole.  My system -- Mytek Brooklyn Bridge, PrimaLuna Prologue One, Nola Boxers.
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