Blue Note Tone Poet Series

@palasr  

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who notices it on For Django, at loud volumes that tone is rather distracting!  Was beginning to think there was something amiss with my system.  Otherwise For Django is a lovely album, with superb guitar playing and very good sound quality.  Overall, Tone Poets have been a hit for me, I have almost every one and look forward to new releases.  Off the top of my head, the only overt Tone Poet sonic miss is Money Jungle, my guess the tape used was worn or the original recording just wasn't good, I haven't heard any other presses so I don't know.

@alexberger  Thank you so much for your reply on the cartridge that you were using for the videos 😊

I just received my copy from Music Direct of the Blue Train Complete Masters stereo issue.  Listening to it right now... great recording as many of the other Tone Poets that I have.  However, I have to say that I prefer my King pressing from 1978 more.  My King pressing is more dynamic, with a fuller, more pure sound and has more presence.  I really feel like I'm listening to the musicians playing live... more involving, more excitement.  The Tone Poet feels more laid back and reserved to me. 

Don't get me wrong... I'm glad that I have the Tone Poet.  These comparisons are from playing both issues back to back.  If I didn't have the King or hadn't played them back to back, I'd be happy with having just the Tone Poet.  Plus I love the jacket with photos and the whole physical presentation/packaging that the Tone Poet comes with!  They do a top notch job and I think it's fantastic that they are bringing out this great music as reissues to all of us music lovers!

Best wishes,

Don

Hi @no_regrets ,

I agree with you. I have around dosen Tone Poet reissues. Most of them are good but not anything special (in terms of sound of course) . I have a number of old jazz original issues as well as reissues that sound significantly better.

Regards,

Alex

@alexberger 

I'm curious, which of the two Tone Poet releases that you have of the Blue Train do you like the best on your system?  The mono version or the stereo?  Are you able to comment on what differences you might be able to hear sonically regarding tone, dynamics, or anything else, etc.

Thank you so much for posting these videos for us all. You are an asset to the community!

Best wishes,

Don

Hi @no_regrets ,

My first impression I prefer the Stereo version.

At least on my system I like more tonal balance of the stereo version. The mono version has more mid bass and on some systems it can be advantage. I also like more spatial information that the stereo version gives. In term of tone, details I don't see a significant difference between versions.

Regards,

Alex.