HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SYSTEM IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS

If you are a Straits or Mark K fan or just like a good singer songwriter song with layers of guitar, but electric and acoustic, I strongly recommend Mark Knopfler's Shangri-La. It is one of my favorites.

Done in 2004 so I've only streamed it on Tidal, but it sounds great.

An acoustical recording of an orchestra, chamber group or vocalist/vocalists is the only way to hear the real thing.  Not that overly processed recordings aren't exciting with thumping bass, dazzling highs and dynamic range beyond imagination, but they are so far from reality that they enter a new dimension of media presentation. Acoustical reality is an honest thing but the twist of a knob, the use of an "app" and the panning of material all over the soundscape is a tool and should be recognized as such.  Kudos should go in equal parts to the performers and the engineers in such cases.  Great examples of both are the recording of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Symphony performing the Carmen Suite of Bizet arranged by Schechedrin for string orchestra and 40 or so percussion instruments and the collaborations between Linda Ronstadt and George Massenburg as performer and recording engineer . The best of both acoustical beauty and engineered ingenuity ! YMMV !

LOL. Audiophiles are just like most groups of enthusiasts - they just want to sit in a circle and tell old stories, God bless 'em.

"Punish the Monkey"  by Mark Knopfler. From the album Kill to Get Crimson.

@lalitk

You and Your Friend has become one of those 'I just have to hear it one more time' type of songs for me. I listen to Qobuz and it does a great job with this recording.