Classical music listening... what is a better source High Rez or Vinyl?
If you are serious about hearing some really good sounding classical: https://better-records.com/search?q=tchaikovsky I have the 1812, only mine is White Hot. Freaking insane. |
Here is an update. I have started seeking out some of the 1960's London recordings. I picked up an excellent copy of " Luci Di Lammermoor" with Dame Joan Sutherland, OSA 1327, and it sounds phenomenal! I also picked up another excellent one of " Norma" again with Sutherland and one of my favorite opera, with Richard Bonynge conducting The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Stereo OSA-1394 I also made some slight adjustments with my photo stage too and are very happy with the improved performance and sound stage. I am curious to seek out some vintage 45 rpm. If any one has any recommendations of Operas or Baroque I would appreciate it. |
@idigmusic64 True vintage 45 rpm classical discs have got to be as rare as hen’s teeth. My sense of it is that Thirty-Three-and-a-Third 10" and 12" High-Fi LP discs essentially directly replaced the bulky, low-fi 78 rpm zillion disc classical record albums of the previous era. Yeah, I inherited a few classical 45 rpm singles from my dad. But I’m pretty sure that the idea of putting classical music onto 12" 45’s is an audiophile affectation that only came into existence in the modern era. |
A major reason that some digital listening disappoints those familiar with analog is the very poor analog section even in some of the most expensive DACs. They often compare VERY unfavorably with the "analog section" of a phono pre, which is to say, the phono pre itself. But they are there to do a similar job. A DAC may have a sophisticated digital section providing apparent transparency, space and dynamics to a bunch of instruments that seem themselves to be made of cardboard. And some listeners think these DACs are great--especially after good reviews. Without providing as much in effort to the analog section though, the DAC will miss the harmonic richness and depth of sound we usually attribute to good analog. From the point of the DAC maker, most of his potential customers may have never heard a musical instrument except through a loudspeaker. So some multi-kilobuck DACs use chip op amps costing a buck or two at the center of their analog section. Call me cynical. Replacing chip op amps in DACs of all sorts with good discrete analog sections has become a hobby to some and a profession for others. So, if you're an analog person, as I am, don't tell me of your disappointment with your expensive DAC. Look inside first. Then we can talk. And by the way, while amp and preamp manufacturers are pleased to tell you what's inside their cases, DAC makers often are not. Rather, they often try hard to hide what's inside. As do many of the reviewers. |
@edcyn the proverbial holy grail I guess. It makes sense that it would only be modern releases. I enjoyed your post. @melm great post as well. How can you find out what type of analog chip or amp your DAC currently has? Plus is there a site were these aficionados post their insight? I also have a couple Mercury Living Legend records coming in the mail soon too. |
