Cantate Domino - Propius SACD or FIM K2HD

LL21

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Which one would you all recommend as the ultimate disc version of this wonderful music? Thanks!!!
 

Steve Williams

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Which one would you all recommend as the ultimate disc version of this wonderful music? Thanks!!!

I own every version on CD from RBCD, SACD and K2HD. I prefer the latter K2HD
 

RBFC

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i asked Bruce B. about this, and he said the SACD is a true DSD master and not an upsampled CD file. I have the SACD and it's great. Haven't heard the K2HD, which are almost universally superb.

Lee
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
i asked Bruce B. about this, and he said the SACD is a true DSD master and not an upsampled CD file. I have the SACD and it's great. Haven't heard the K2HD, which are almost universally superb.

Lee


Don't get me wrong as I too love the SACD but there was just something better to my ears with the newer K2HD
 

JackD201

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K2 as well.
 

treitz3

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Good evening, gentlemen. It has been said that the noise floor can be high on this album. Can any of you comment on this? I went to go purchase the K2HD just now and the thought came to mind as to which version had the lowest noise floor, along with the best sound.
 

JackD201

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IIRC this album was recorded in a church and the noise floor is mostly that of the venue. I'm more familiar with the various LP versions my favorite being the ATR Mastercut precisely because the final product was less scrubbed clean (as is the ATR version of JATP). My way of saying that to me, not all noise floors are bad I guess.

While the SACD sounds more refined to me this refinement came with a slightly more distant perspective. The K2 seats me a bit closer as it seems to have more sonority. These are my impressions playing the discs on the same machines (Accuphase DP-78 and Emm CDSD - DCC2 SE). When the K2 is played on my dedicated CDP which has no SACD capability, the difference is even more apparent.
 

LL21

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i asked Bruce B. about this, and he said the SACD is a true DSD master and not an upsampled CD file. I have the SACD and it's great. Haven't heard the K2HD, which are almost universally superb.

Lee

I will say that having sampled (using laptop only) the CD and the SACD...the SACD was stunning. Even on the laptop, i could hear a big difference. The K2 is $38 and the SACD is $9...
 

LL21

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I am going to go for K2...the query is whether i go for SACD as well to learn and compare...i always can compare the SACD and then give it as a small thank you to my local dealer who does not have it so he can use it in his showroom...they often do me small favors and do not charge me. I usually give a small bottle or something...
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I am going to go for K2...the query is whether i go for SACD as well to learn and compare...i always can compare the SACD and then give it as a small thank you to my local dealer who does not have it so he can use it in his showroom...they often do me small favors and do not charge me. I usually give a small bottle or something...

I didn't think you could play SACD Lloyd
 

LL21

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I didn't think you could play SACD Lloyd

well, i technically can if i go out of my modd'd Oppo 83...but you're right. generally, i go for SACDs only for long-term purposes when i go hi-res. But meanwhile, just enjoy RBCD out of the Zanden.
 

LL21

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Dec 26, 2010
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K2 as well.

Thanks, Steve, Jack and Lee. Just ordered the K2HD only...look forward to hearing it and comparing to the regular CD.
 

garylkoh

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I recently listened to the K2HD version and the forthcoming UltraHD test CD in Winston's room. What Winston is going to try to do is to re-issue it on LP, but from a first press (anyone remember the white cover first limited edition?) LP, not the tapes. He thought that the tapes have already deteriorated over the past 40 years, and the first press sounds better. Another WBF forum member - Ki Choi - is being press ganged to help :D

By the way, the Esther LP on FIM will be available soon. The test pressing has been approved, and I understand that the LP s will be delivered sometime this week - and we will be randomly picking from the pile to do some quality checking.
 

LL21

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Dec 26, 2010
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I recently listened to the K2HD version and the forthcoming UltraHD test CD in Winston's room. What Winston is going to try to do is to re-issue it on LP, but from a first press (anyone remember the white cover first limited edition?) LP, not the tapes. He thought that the tapes have already deteriorated over the past 40 years, and the first press sounds better. Another WBF forum member - Ki Choi - is being press ganged to help :D

By the way, the Esther LP on FIM will be available soon. The test pressing has been approved, and I understand that the LP s will be delivered sometime this week - and we will be randomly picking from the pile to do some quality checking.

How did the the UltraHD compare to the K2HD of Cantate?
 

LL21

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garylkoh

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How so? Which did you prefer?

Different - it was an early test press of the UltraHD. Unlike labels for whom "bits are bits", Winston listens to test pressings of CDs. Even though the digital master is the same, different plants, and even different materials result in different sound.

If you are interested in Winston's latest UltraHD format, and comparison to K2HD, check out the Producer's Choice UltraHD series. Many of the tracks are also available on XRCD, XRCD2, XRCD24 and K2HD. Eye opening comparisons at 16/44.1.
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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Different - it was an early test press of the UltraHD. Unlike labels for whom "bits are bits", Winston listens to test pressings of CDs. Even though the digital master is the same, different plants, and even different materials result in different sound.

If you are interested in Winston's latest UltraHD format, and comparison to K2HD, check out the Producer's Choice UltraHD series. Many of the tracks are also available on XRCD, XRCD2, XRCD24 and K2HD. Eye opening comparisons at 16/44.1.

Thanks...intriguing. i have bought Ella and Louis FIM vs Analogue Productions and Ella and Louis Again Analogue Productions and MFSL Gold Remaster...to compare. So now i will compare RBCD to FIM Cantate.
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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www.genesisloudspeakers.com
Thanks...intriguing. i have bought Ella and Louis FIM vs Analogue Productions and Ella and Louis Again Analogue Productions and MFSL Gold Remaster...to compare. So now i will compare RBCD to FIM Cantate.

Post your impressions. I will be curious to hear what others think.
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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Hi Gary,

Sure thing. Looking forward to it.
 

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