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Live vs Recording

I heard a magnificent performance of The Brahms 1st last night by the Milwaukee SO.
Returning home still high from it, I put my fav LP of the 1st on(Klemperer/Philh.) and was really surprised how close it came to the live performance on my modest system.
Eastern Electric Avant pre
AVA Synergy 450 amp
Castle Harlech speakers
modded Sony x7 with Nagoka MP 200
PS Audio GCPH phono stage
MIT Cvt-2 IC's and SC

I believe it was due in large part to both the EE Avant and the PS phono having phase switches which, to my ears anyway, made a large difference .
Also the Castles being about 92 db efficent in my room made me regret my long addiction to Maggies on those climaxes !

Comments please ?
schubert
schubert OP
7,386 posts
 
You make a lot of good points Al.

Another reason I like the Castle Harlechs is that they are a 1/4 transmission line design which I have thought was best for Symphonic music since back in the day of the IMF and Fried.
. I gather PMC uses it to advantage today, but I have never heard one.
THE best speaker I have ever personally heard is the Acoustic Zen Crescendo ,which is a quarterwave, but few retired HS history teachers buy 16K speakers.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Thanks, Schubert. I neglected to mention, btw, that Brahms 1st is, simply put, my favorite symphony. I don't own and haven't heard the Klemperer; I'll have to add it to my near term purchase list.

Among those recordings I am familiar with, my favorite in terms of performance is the Toscanini/NBC Symphony recording from 1940. My favorite in terms of sonics + performance is the Horenstein/LSO, on Chesky CD19 (unfortunately out of print, but available at high prices).

Regards,
-- Al
schubert OP
7,386 posts
 
You're even smarter than I thought you were Al.
Usually guys with your level of tech knowledge don't have your good taste as well-LOL .

I wouldn't say Brahms 1st is my absolute fave, that varies between Schubert and Bruckner's 9th, but it is in my top 10 for sure.The 1940 Toscannini is also high on my list as is the warm Kurt Sanderling/Dresden on RCA.
As for Horenstein , I just automatically buy anything I come across of his, but never heard his Brahms 1 .
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