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High quality CD recordings

Over the last 55+ years I've spent significant time and effort trying, as we all do, to get the best sound from our systems as practicable. I'm quite happy with my current setup so the weakest link many times is the quality of recordings themselves.

I was reminded of this while using a test CD that I've used off and on for about 15 years to evaluate some recent changes I made. On this CD, after the more technical part of frequency testing is ended, examples of various instrumental and vocal presentations are given. While listening I was reminded of just how significant a difference in recordings themselves can make.

I've used advice given on these forums regarding superior recordings but these have been recommendations for specific single CD's like, for example, "Jazz at the Pawnshop" and many more. What I'm looking for, though, are recording entities that are dedicated to producing high quality recordings across the spectrum of music genres. It would be nice to have a source of recordings that we could generally depend on for good quality. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
128x128broadstone
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Ptss, We all wish you the best, and will see your next posts very soon.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
As I do for all advice solicited on these forums, I'm usually just looking for good starting points toward particular and, in the end, adjusted personal goals. In the past, though, I've not paid sufficient attention to recording labels which has resulted in continued failed attempts to get more out of them than they could provide.

I don't have a purpose designed and built listening room, have suffered some age related hearing issues and have been advised that my equipment is not reference grade but it works well for me and seems to be quite revealing of upstream issues. Just so you know, these components are: Shanling Cd S-100, CAL Alpha DAC, Peachtree Nova as preamp, Peachtree 220W amp, Martin Logan Ethos speakers and misc not too special ICs and speaker cables.

Btw, Ptss, assuming my math to be correct, if 65 is the new 40, 72 would be the new 44, except I'm conviced that the effect on physical aging, including hearing acuity, beyond 60 is not as linear as we might wish.
ptss
1,964 posts
 
Thanks Isochronism. (Glad that you're "on the beat, or on time, or regular :-) , just had to look that up!).
When they confirmed my name ,etc just before op I said yes, that's who I've been- and hope I still am tomorrow!
I was lucky. Great Doc,upbeat team,hospital-+ lucky I'm here in B.C.,Canada and didn't have to pay!
Doc says everything went perfect and previous stents are in great shape. Figures I'm good for anything I want to do,walk,swim,yoga. Yahoo! But, I'll spend more time with music than all those put together. Glad to be back to the great group in this forum.
ptss
1,964 posts
 
Broadstone, I agree, but I also think life is not as linear as we might like. We must do the best we can to enjoy what we have. I especially like your Martin Logans. My hearing acuity is assisted by surgery and implants in both ears! I still remember when I heard the high frequencies of alarm systems when I was about 16/17 and others did not hear them. I was raised in the country--mainly peace and quiet-and certainly no loud noise, other than our rifles! Dad gave me a 22 rifle when I was 12- bless him for allowing me to grow. I had a crystal radio, the antenna of which I attached to my brothers toes! No battery even. Not loud but I listened to the powerful U.S. stations even though I was in southern Nova Scotia. I feel I was very lucky. And I'm lucky now to be part of this forum.
david12
1,454 posts
 
A number of excellent suggestions, MA, Chesky, Reference Recordings, ECM etc. The problem with many "Audiophile" labels, is they produce wonderful recordings of c--p music, step up to the Podium, Naim and Linn. There are always one or two redeeming artists on the label, Antonio Forcione on Naim, Blue Nile on Linn.

So what label would I buy music from, without audition first, Stockfisch?. Great recording and artists, Sara K, David Muyon, Allan Taylor and Chris Jones, to name few.
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