I really enjoy Arcade Fire - seen them a few times on DVD/Cable TV, etc but never live (i'm probably too old). Remind me a lot of the Talking Heads in their hey day. Their CD's, however, are totally unlistenable on my system - way too much compression. Such a shame.
Fav. recordings that fell flat in a hi-end system
When I "got into" high-end audio years ago, I dove into it head-first: Maggie 3.6R's, ARC VS 110 bi-wiring, Blue Circle 2.1 pre; Accuphase cd player - shit that would satisfy the tone/color synesthete in me and put me "there" inside the recording.
I eagerly went through my cd collection favorites, usually enjoying each one -- until I got to Tears for Fears' sonic masterpiece "Seeds of Love". This recording had always been pure sonic bliss from start to finish; layers upon layers of instrumentation and harmonies; subtle flourishes and myriad nuances that my system brought out in amazing detail.
"Woman in Chains" was beautiful between the Maggies; Oleta Adams' crystal voice surrounding me; Phil Collins' drumwork floating in three dimensions. However, when the more produced and electric "Seeds of Love" track started, everything fell flat. It's as if the engineer had turned up the compression factor and sapped the track (and the succeeding ones) of all their energy and life. I ended up saving that cd for the car only as it was too painful to listen to on the good system.
What favorite recordings have fallen flat for you all? Why do you think they did so? What was your reaction when you realized it?
I eagerly went through my cd collection favorites, usually enjoying each one -- until I got to Tears for Fears' sonic masterpiece "Seeds of Love". This recording had always been pure sonic bliss from start to finish; layers upon layers of instrumentation and harmonies; subtle flourishes and myriad nuances that my system brought out in amazing detail.
"Woman in Chains" was beautiful between the Maggies; Oleta Adams' crystal voice surrounding me; Phil Collins' drumwork floating in three dimensions. However, when the more produced and electric "Seeds of Love" track started, everything fell flat. It's as if the engineer had turned up the compression factor and sapped the track (and the succeeding ones) of all their energy and life. I ended up saving that cd for the car only as it was too painful to listen to on the good system.
What favorite recordings have fallen flat for you all? Why do you think they did so? What was your reaction when you realized it?
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- 5 posts total
- 5 posts total