Jazz for aficionados


Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10

@mahgister

 

Can I ask you the model of your new 1000,00 headphone amp/pre amp.

Is it also a DAC?

I use this 100 dollar gadget Amazon.com: Qudelix-5K Bluetooth USB DAC AMP with LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC (Dual ES9219 3.5mm Unbalanced & 2.5mm Balanced Output) : Electronics which receives the audio through Spotify I have close to 250 playlists. My phone, a cheap Samsung lower tier (350.00) smart phone, is used as my digital audio player (DAP) and sends the music files via blue tooth to my Qudelix DAC/AMP.

As you can see in the photo on Amazon, the Qudelix has 2 outputs. One is a 3.5mm unbalanced and one is a 2.5mm balanced. I use the 2.5mm balanced for my headphones which is the Sennheiser HD650. The 3.5mm I use for my Soundboks Go portable speaker. SOUNDBOKS Go | Portable Bluetooth Performance Speaker

I use the headphones occasionally and the Qudelix DAC/AMP performance far exceeded my expectations.

Although the Quedelix receives audio from my DAP via blue tooth signal I use a hard wire to connect the headphones or speaker. I use a 2.5mm balanced Audiophile Ninja headphone cable Custom Headphone Cables ⋆ Audiophile Ninja and for the speaker a generic 3.5mm male to male interconnect.

The majority my use of the Qudelix is with the speaker when I am working. I drive a tractor trailer semi 8 - 12 hours per day/night and the audio using the Qudelix and Soundboks go is amazing. A little lacking in the mid range which I fix with the Qudelix on board PEQ and the Soundboks Go EQ. 

You could try out the qudelix and if you do not like it Amazon Europe probably has the same 30 day free returns as Amazon USA.

Yes I spend hours on the road listening to music while making money......

Thanks, @mahgister 

Am enjoying your suggestions...

Some may be challenging to find on CD but I will look. 

@curiousjim 

Arturo O' Farrill 

+1 

 

 

I listen now on two medium:

My chinese sabre dac linked to my computer and with the M-audio AV 40 2 way self powered speakers in a completely acoustically dedicated corner... It beat most headphone with imaging , just enough bass ...

It is for youtube casual listening.... Sometimes my files...

I listen more seriously  on my AKG k340 headphone powered by my Sansui alpha and a Hididz Ap 80 pro, with battery powered which decrease noise floor level , with a huge internal  files bank ( no computer link then ) and an equalizer necessary for my K340....This dac is a stupendous  bargain for what it give me... It is sold as a dap but i use it fixed on my desk... 😊

Now i just upgrade with a dedicated headphone amplifier Microzotll2 at bargain price + remote +linear power supply, , with the choice to use it as a pre-amp of top quality for my Sansui AU 7700, because my K340 may need this power... I will decide which is better : the pre-amp + sansui amp or just the microzotl2 as headphone amp... I receive it tomorrow...

I enjoy audiophile sound at low cost...

My system will be way under 2000 bucks.....and very satisfying... Acoustic is the key for speakers... For headphone i disliked them all save my K340.... 😁

 

 

@mahgister

 

Can I ask you the model of your new 1000,00 headphone amp/pre amp.

Is it also a DAC?

@mahgister That Sansui AU7700 is a beautiful vintage integrated amp. Your headphones are also vintage.

And I just saw a review for the Microzotll2 here and it looks awesome as well.

(1) REVIEW: Linear Tube Audio MZ2-S - YouTube

And I agree that acoustic room treatment and speakers/speaker placement is very important. Those M Audio speakers have great reviews.

Keep me posted when you set up the MZ2 and have a listening session.

Do you have the Bill Evans Complete live at the Village Vanguard box set?  Its his awesome trio with bassist Scott Lofaro and drummer Paul Motian. Enjoy the music!

(1) Spoken Introduction by Bill Evans from 'The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961' - YouTube

Thanks for the appreciation... You are a "connoisseur"... 😊

 

The AKG K340 is my audio king , i bought the zotl for it...

The M-Audio AV40 , i bought 12 years ago , is a masterpiece at peanuts price under only one condition : a very small corner ( i used foldable screen ) acoustically prepared for it...If not i discarded it as without interest 12 years ago....The room was too big and i had no acoustic understanding at these times... Hopefully i kept it... For casual listening it is perfect...I used also "minerals" on my connections... Some think i am a "tin foil hat"... 😁 With all that i enjoy with 100 bucks speakers a soundfield as good if not better than most headphone... But the tonal timbre and space representation  and deep bass with the K340 is no match for my little speakers even if they are so good i am astounded by my 100 bucks 12 years old purchase... I listened non stop for the last 2 days to refine my acoustic installation ...

 

Yes i have this village Vanguard series i listened often... Evans is an artist i vouch only admiration but i am not alone...

 

Here i prefer to recommend to all unknown or under the radar musicians... I dont think that miles Davis , Chet Baker, or Evans need me and everybody know their name.... Monterose for example i even never read his name and it is interesting ...

 

 

@mahgister That Sansui AU7700 is a beautiful vintage integrated amp. Your headphones are also vintage.

And I just saw a review for the Microzotll2 here and it looks awesome as well.

(1) REVIEW: Linear Tube Audio MZ2-S - YouTube

And I agree that acoustic room treatment and speakers/speaker placement is very important. Those M Audio speakers have great reviews.

Keep me posted when you set up the MZ2 and have a listening session.

Do you have the Bill Evans Complete live at the Village Vanguard box set? Its his awesome trio with bassist Scott Lofaro and drummer Paul Motian. Enjoy the music!

(1) Spoken Introduction by Bill Evans from ’The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961’ - YouTube