What's Spinning Tonight?
- Thread starter MylesBAstor
- Start date
Hi Mark,
I don't purchase everything by any stretch. Confirming that the CD Demagnetizer changes the sound is difficult, but I am pretty sure that there is some improvement, but I can not guarantee that. It would be exceedingly difficult to demonstrate this with a 2nd CD and extraordinarily difficult using the same CD. The Herbies Super Black Hole sells for $32.50 from Herbies. My observation is that there is some change to the sound of a disk with and without the CD mat; I had listened to this for some time with the Analaysis Plus Oval 2 Power cord with the Oyaide 079 gold ends that I have removed from the First Watt M2. I am not sure if I always like the affect, but usually I think that I do. I know it is extremely difficult to demonstrate the affect of any CD mat on a CD because of adding and removing it, but my opinion is that there is some change to the sound at least with my modified Denon 5910CI. I can not say that the affect would be noted on all players. It is certainly easier to use than the Millennium CD mat that I have had in the past.
As to the new Power cord that I am auditioning, it sounds different to my ears than the Analysis Plus Oval 2 Power cord with the Oyaide 079 (gold) ends. The new power cord initially sounded like it was more compressed and is somewhat brighter sound, and the sound seems to opening up with play. I am not sure how much time will be needed for full burn-in. This TimePortal Power cord comes with Rhodium ends, but I may try one with the gold ends which should have a bit of a warmer and fuller sound than than the Rhodium ends. But, this is also what has been described between the Oyaide Gold versus the Rhodium ends.
At this point though I have not gone back and tried to make any additional comparisons with the Analysis Plus Oval 2 PC with the Oyaide ends but I probably will after the new Power cord has more burn in.
But, you are correct regarding the affect of both the Herbies Black Hole CD mat and the TimePortal PC is throwing things off somewhat, but things seem to be coming together more and more with play.
Rich
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Are you talking to me?
Hi Frantz,
I suspect that Mark wants you to take me to task for my comments/observations.
I think that Nicholas may agree with me however.Rich
Hi Frantz,
I suspect that Mark wants you to take me to task for my comments/observations.
Rich
Rich-You are exactly right about Sir Nicholas. He was the guy that was using $6K speaker cables to lash up a pair of $3k speakers. Nicholas also claimed that he could take a pair of Wilson speakers at the bottom of the line and make them sound better than a more expensive pair of Wilson speakers by using *better* speaker cables on the cheaper Wilson speakers. So you picked the right advocate when you said Nicholas might agree with you.
Hi Mark,
I do not advocate using exceedingly expensive cables with relatively inexpensive speakers as Nicholas. I do however think that many tweaks including some CD mats as well as power cords (and their connectors) as well as cabling can contribute ultimately to the sound. Bruce and many others may also agree with me as well.
Rich
Mark,
I may be behind the times, but I use a CD player as a a transport and a DAC. Do music servers and hard drives really sound better? By the way how do you transfer an SACD and DVD-A to a music server or a hard drive?
Rich
DVD-A and DSD may be stored on hard drives the same as any computer files. Playback of DVD-A (usually in 24/96 native form) is straightforward for typical DACs that can handle that bit depth and sampling rate. For DSD, you need a DAC that can handle those files. The Playback Designs MPD-3 is one such device. There is ripping software for DVD-A out there. Also, the work stations that Bruce has mentioned are capable of sending out the native DSD files to an external location.
Lee
I believe the consensus is yes they do.
Very carefully at a recording studio. Seriously, as a consumer at home, you can't so point taken. On the other hand, who cares? SACD was never what it was cracked up to be and there was lots of hocus-pocus with redbook CDs being *converted* to SACD. DVD-A vs. CD was like the VHS/BETA wars. Neither format really took off and gained market acceptance. They are both a big yawn in my book.
Frantz, that's a good coincidence, I was also listening to the same piece last night...see my post above
I am lucky to have the FR1 FR1 pressing in mint condition. The LP is a tremendous sounding piece. BTW, "the people" would be Wilma Cozart Fine.. a true artist, IMO.
Also may want to listen to the 'Love of Three Oranges suite" and if you can find it..."Hi-Fi A La Espanola" which is still one of the very best demo discs I have ever heard.
What format were you listening to of the Respighi? The Mercury LP version has the 'Birds' on one side and 'Brazilian Impressions' on the flip. OTOH, I think the Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome is actually better on the Shaded Dog pressing with the Chicago Symph. Have you heard that, it's really a treat.
, I was also listening to the same piece last night...see my post aboveI am lucky to have the FR1 FR1 pressing in mint condition. The LP is a tremendous sounding piece. BTW, "the people" would be Wilma Cozart Fine.. a true artist, IMO.
Also may want to listen to the 'Love of Three Oranges suite" and if you can find it..."Hi-Fi A La Espanola" which is still one of the very best demo discs I have ever heard.
What format were you listening to of the Respighi? The Mercury LP version has the 'Birds' on one side and 'Brazilian Impressions' on the flip. OTOH, I think the Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome is actually better on the Shaded Dog pressing with the Chicago Symph. Have you heard that, it's really a treat.
Frantz, that's a good coincidence
I am lucky to have the FR1 FR1 pressing in mint condition. The LP is a tremendous sounding piece. BTW, "the people" would be Wilma Cozart Fine.. a true artist, IMO.
Also may want to listen to the 'Love of Three Oranges suite" and if you can find it..."Hi-Fi A La Espanola" which is still one of the very best demo discs I have ever heard.
What format were you listening to of the Respighi? The Mercury LP version has the 'Birds' on one side and 'Brazilian Impressions' on the flip. OTOH, I think the Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome is actually better on the Shaded Dog pressing with the Chicago Symph. Have you heard that, it's really a treat.
Which pressing of Reiner's Pines of Rome are you referring to? There's a wide variation from 1S to 5S to 10S to infinity. I also assume you're referring to the sound, not performance
Which pressing of Reiner's Pines of Rome are you referring to? There's a wide variation from 1S to 5S to 10S to infinity. I also assume you're referring to the sound, not performance
Guys
Sorry to disapoint you
.. All I have is the lowly CD/SACD with the CD version ripped to a NAS backed up by another NAS in a different location. I had an LP version back then. I don't remember if it sounded better than the CD. as it is this CD is a piece of work and so are most of the Mercury in my NAS (I Think , I have more than 60 of them). I find the Mercury CDs from good to superlative. YMMVMyles, I have a 1s1s and a 5s5s Pines/ fountain...actually in some ways prefer the 5s5s copy. Friend owns a 10s 10s copy that may be better than either of mine.
The performance on the Pines/Fountain shaded dog isn't quite up to the sound, but it sure isn't bad.
Tonight I listened to a UK Atlantic pressing of this:
The performance on the Pines/Fountain shaded dog isn't quite up to the sound, but it sure isn't bad.
Tonight I listened to a UK Atlantic pressing of this:
Myles, I have a 1s1s and a 5s5s Pines/ fountain...actually in some ways prefer the 5s5s copy. Friend owns a 10s 10s copy that may be better than either of mine.
The performance on the Pines/Fountain shaded dog isn't quite up to the sound, but it sure isn't bad.
Tonight I listened to a UK Atlantic pressing of this:
Hi Davey,
It's hard to believe the 10S could be better
Maybe it's just who played the LP before you bought it As I'm sure you know, RCA withdrew the 1S from the market because its dynamics exceeded the cartridge's of yores ability to track the grooves. The 5S is still dynamically compressed but the 10S is really missing much of the piece's dynamics and climax. The issue with the RCA more than anything might be the distortion/tape overloading at climaxes, given that RCA is less predisposed than say Decca, to gain riding. That said, the Maazel performance on Decca is darned good too Myles, I do agree with you that in general the 1s1s pressings are the ones to acquire. However, i have noticed that once in a while, for some unknown reason, a lower pressing can be better. Like you say,The Pines/Fountains is usually considered the best in the 1s1s. I have noticed that this is not always a given in this piece. You have to listen to the LP before you can actually determine whether the actual sample you have is in fact better, even if it is a 1s1s copy. ( Regardless of wear, although since many cartridges were in fact mis-tracking the 1s1s in the day, the 1s1s in most instances is showing evidence of groove damage and therefore distortion)
An example of this, which is perhaps better known, is the Reiner Scheherazade (LSC 2446). This LP actually sounds best in the 10s10s pressing ( which is very rare and of course pricey) The 1s1s pressing is a close second (generally) and then the 3s3s. The white dog pressing( which HP seems to like a lot) is more sought after than a 5s5s Shaded Dog....even though it is a re-issue!
IMHO, there are a lot of variables in the RCA pressing saga, best is to listen for yourself on each LP and not to generalize. ( True about my LSC 2446 example above as well)
An example of this, which is perhaps better known, is the Reiner Scheherazade (LSC 2446). This LP actually sounds best in the 10s10s pressing ( which is very rare and of course pricey) The 1s1s pressing is a close second (generally) and then the 3s3s. The white dog pressing( which HP seems to like a lot) is more sought after than a 5s5s Shaded Dog....even though it is a re-issue!
IMHO, there are a lot of variables in the RCA pressing saga, best is to listen for yourself on each LP and not to generalize. ( True about my LSC 2446 example above as well)
Myles, I do agree with you that in general the 1s1s pressings are the ones to acquire. However, i have noticed that once in a while, for some unknown reason, a lower pressing can be better. Like you say,The Pines/Fountains is usually considered the best in the 1s1s. I have noticed that this is not always a given in this piece. You have to listen to the LP before you can actually determine whether the actual sample you have is in fact better, even if it is a 1s1s copy. ( Regardless of wear, although since many cartridges were in fact mis-tracking the 1s1s in the day, the 1s1s in most instances is showing evidence of groove damage and therefore distortion)
An example of this, which is perhaps better known, is the Reiner Scheherazade (LSC 2446). This LP actually sounds best in the 10s10s pressing ( which is very rare and of course pricey) The 1s1s pressing is a close second (generally) and then the 3s3s. The white dog pressing( which HP seems to like a lot) is more sought after than a 5s5s Shaded Dog....even though it is a re-issue!
IMHO, there are a lot of variables in the RCA pressing saga, best is to listen for yourself on each LP and not to generalize. ( True about my LSC 2446 example above as well)
I always listen to every label but with few exceptions, the earlier the pressing, the better
My friends and I don't understand HP's infatuation with the white dog of Scheherazade. Perhaps he didn't have a SD or a good SD around.Similar threads
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