Retired professional classical musician here. I've had highend audio in the house for 25 years. I have to agree, massed violins can to be a problem. In fact, listening to how these are reproduced in orchestral recordings has been the first thing I listen for in judging the quality of the system. Long story much shortened: I recently added the Benchmark AHB2 amplifier, DAC3B and LA4 preamp to my system. The speakers are the remarkable Thiel 3.7, which I've had for 3 years now. The sound is jaw dropping. No artifacts, no grain, just dead-on timbral, dynamic and transient reproduction against an absolutely black background. And, goes without saying, massed strings sound just as they should. Finally.
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.
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- 105 posts total
- 105 posts total