Redbook Digital Can Sound Great -- On Occassion


Just spun a new CD last week that really impressed me. The CD is Michael Buble, To Be Loved (Reprise 2013). Mr. Buble sings old standards like -- You Make Me Feel So Young, It's A Beautiful Day, Something Stupid, Come Dance With Me, among many others. Sometimes I think it's Frank Sinatra or the other original artists actually singing, but with Mr. Buble's own vocal style. For those who like the old standards, it's a unqualified "Buy" recommendation.

But there's an added surprise. There's a number of threads currently running that speak to the pros and cons of digital, in generally, and redbook CD, in particular. IMO, the recording playback quality of this CD is exemplary (almost as good as vinyl), which I think permits the inference that if the industry did a better recording job in the redbook format, there could still be life in that medium.

So, if anyone has the CD, I'd appreciate hearing your comments. And, if you like the old standards, it's a "Buy" recommendation -- just for the enjoyment of listening to a modern re-do of the music.
bifwynne
Rja, I don't think "the computer thing is temporary" but here to stay. But having said that, as I mentioned above, there are some very well engineered redbook CDs out there and I think I tripped into a few. I read in another thread that some vendors sell "gold" quality CDs. I seem to recall Acoustic Sounds in Kansas being mentioned. I'd call the company to find out for sure.
Computer digital is here to stay and will become more popular as the quirks and bugs are eliminated. However redbook is not going to dissappear either. There simply too many available and at good prices. In a well devised system they can sound oh so good. Some make playing CDs sound as taxing as navy seal training, but of course they're pretty simple and very reliable. I'm listening to trumpeter Marcus Printup right now and it's sounding beautiful.
Charles1dad,
I had a good laugh at your reference to navy SEAL training as I have a friend who was one during the Reagan years and to him, everything was kind of blah and not worth getting all lathered up about after what he went through.

I guess it all depends on ones reference and just how much of a pain they can be when making a point or defending a position.

All the best,
Nonoise
Hi Nonoise,
Yeah a bit extreme I know, but some folks make such a big deal about getting a CD and placing it in the player. Do we have to be such softy couch potatoes with everything nowadays in our lifves?
Charles,
Try excellent isolation of your digital from ac power and excellent isolation of your digital from your analog side.
You will be pleasantly surprised at the dynamics, detail+nuance that are in that favorite CD of yours. As they say, if you haven't tried this "you ain't heard nuthin".
You will have beautiful sound-on all occasions.