Post by Owen Y on Jul 13, 2017 19:24:24 GMT 12
Most of us are primarily interested in the music, but the sound quality of the recording is of interest too usually, for maximum enjoyment. So, here is a place to record your brief impressions, assessments of any records, CDs, downloads, etc - which you think may be of interest to others.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 13, 2017 19:26:58 GMT 12
(Instead of further digressing michaelw’s Delos thread, I’ll start this by migrating comments on this classic 1969 album ….) Dusty in Memphis – 4 Men With Beards/Rhino 2002 vinyl re-issue: My 4MWB Dusty in Memphis sounds a bit loudness-compressed (ie. cut loud & reduced dynamic range as a result), treble is a bit grainy/coarse/metallic (possibly transferred from CD?) but the big Southern Soul sound is there. There is some sibilance, also a few crackles on the vinyl & a few minor ‘overload distortions’ on the vocals. But otherwise listenable, although disappointing - great music, as we know.  I also have a 1985 Philips/Mercury vinyl re-issue, Dusty in Memphis…Plus (4 extra tracks, English manuf), which sounds analogue as I'd expect for a 60s/70s recording - but the extra tracks mean that the cut is a little bit squashed dynamically. This record is greatly improved after a good U’sonic clean – more ‘alive’, with taut bass lines & good bandwidth. (It’s cut a bit quieter than the 4MWB record – 2-3 dB I reckon.)
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Post by sub on Jul 13, 2017 20:18:09 GMT 12
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Post by Citroen on Jul 13, 2017 21:47:01 GMT 12
How It Sounds On Vinyl database - sort of like Discogs but for sound quality/pressing quality hisonvinyl.com/
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 14, 2017 12:15:57 GMT 12
Yes, something like that, but CDs too, let's hear about whatever you enjoy.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 14, 2017 13:51:33 GMT 12
hisonvinyl is a joke.
i remember some mega-comparisons on audioenz.
beatles
dsotm
famous blue raincoat
rumours
etc.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 14, 2017 14:41:40 GMT 12
Yes, any of the old chestnuts  And some newer stuff too please!
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Post by Citroen on Jul 14, 2017 18:51:40 GMT 12
hisonvinyl is a joke. i remember some mega-comparisons on audioenz. beatles dsotm famous blue raincoat rumours etc. Shouldn't it work with more contributors? How is it any different to a handful of opinions on AudioEnz or Steve Hoffman? Or this site?
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Post by michaelw on Jul 15, 2017 13:17:55 GMT 12
it may improve with a wider user base but i'm unconvinced by the superficial nature and the ease with which ratings can be manipulated. 
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Post by Citroen on Jul 15, 2017 18:12:57 GMT 12
I question whether a few comments (as here, or other websites) is better than a comments and a rating system (as on hisonvinyl).
As long as you take it in context, surely a rating and comment system is better than just random comments?
The more info the better.
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Post by sub on Jul 18, 2017 13:49:02 GMT 12
Listened to three albums recently (2 CDs and 1 LP) that to my ears are vastly better in quality of playing/sound/recording than many others.
1. the LP is a sampler on the Venture label (VE9) titled Music Without Frontiers, pressed 1987 in U.K., featuring tracks from nine of their then recent works.
Despite the albums age, it is near perfect condition, silent surface - even between tracks. Just shows what can be done with care. The music ? Ambient in places and new age jazz on other tracks. If I come across other albums on this label (now part of the Virgin Records stable) won't hesitate to purchase.
2. The Best of Dire Straits, 2005 compilation on Mercury label, LC00268 9872936. A NZ pressing. Near perfect sound for a CD. The LED on my CD player to denote HDCD playback lights up despite there being nothing, nether on label nor in the booklet, to indicate it was recorded using HDCD format!.
3. The Notting Hillbillies - Missing Presumed Having a Good Time, a 1990 recording on Phonogram label, 842 671-/2, but my copy pressed in Australia, sound quality superb. bought this cd after reading a review in the HIFi News & Record Review around 1990-91, where it was described as being near perfect in all ways. The Notting Hillbillies were a temporary group of top artists who got together to perform live for charity gigs - they were Mark Knopfler, Steve Philips, Guy Fletcher and Brendan Crocker, and made only one studio recording - this album. The line up changed from time to time on their live gigs. Apparently also issued on LP.
Can highly recommend the above.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 18, 2017 14:10:28 GMT 12
It sounds like The Notting Hillbillies were something akin to the Travelling Wilburys (Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty)
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Post by guitardude on Jul 18, 2017 15:39:39 GMT 12
I see Dusty In Memphis has just been reissued as part of Rhino's Summer of Love series. Anyone heard it ?
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Post by michaelw on Jul 18, 2017 16:23:42 GMT 12
not read anything about the rhino dusty.
i recently picked up a used cd copy of paul simon's negotiations and lovesongs.
the lp is one of the best sounding compilations around, chiefly because producer roy halee hand assembled the album in analogue, resulting in tracks that sounded better than the originals.
the cd was disappointing.
it sounded flat - sonically and spatially, and lifeless.
not much toe-tapping here.
to top off this very average cd, some genius decided to leave off graceland !
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 19, 2017 10:28:53 GMT 12
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Post by michaelw on Jul 19, 2017 10:47:49 GMT 12
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Post by guitardude on Jul 19, 2017 10:59:30 GMT 12
Deep Discount: You're Brave ! Those guys are too painfully slow even for me. Id try one of the US based sellers if you are after the 2 x 45 version.
I'm not sure what pressing my Dusty is, must remember to check.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 19, 2017 11:08:21 GMT 12
used to buy dvds from them in the early days.
other sellers are $$$$
acoustic sounds won't give me a shipping cost.
music direct have 20% off some vinyl including the ap 2x45 dusty but want $33-35usd shipping !
bugger that.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 19, 2017 11:15:30 GMT 12
A couple of albums mentioned recently, LPs: Rosanne Cash - The River & The Thread - Blue Note (USA manuf). As modern records go, sonically, this is close to as good as it gets - dynamically open, taut, weighty & powerful, plenty of reverb, decay. Maybe a touch 'blunt' & lacking sparkle in the HF end? Fairly clean surfaces, only a couple of clicks, crackles. (I've heard a EU-manuf version, which sounds pretty good, maybe not quite as lively?)  Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream - Redwing (USA manuf) michaelw mentioned this. My copy sounds v good, perhaps a more naturally cleaner mix than 'The River & The Thread', bass is exemplary, treble end has sparkle & shine. However.....my copy has minor 'distortion' crackles over 2-3 of the 4 sides. A shame.  Feel free to add comment.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 19, 2017 13:05:04 GMT 12
oki my cash + raitt are both us pressings. i concur on cash, raitt i still find rather plodding, like a larry klein joni mitchell album, albeit less so with the switch to the lyra. during one of my amazon vinyl misadventures i ended up with 3 copies of suzanne vega's queen of the pentacles. the really warped one was given away. leaving an original us pressing (left) and an eu cooking vinyl (right). looking at the grooves they appear similar. the us is the sonic winner, the eu not bad just a little less or everything - dimensionality, immediacy, bandwidth. but it has the nicer cover !   
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Post by guitardude on Jul 19, 2017 13:45:39 GMT 12
My cash is also a US pressing. I agree with your synopsis, Raitt I only have on CD and it's pretty damn good sounding to me.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 19, 2017 14:19:16 GMT 12
a friend has the raitt on us cd and imho it sounds better than the vinyl 
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 20:38:05 GMT 12
Oh dear. I'm far too young (and beautiful) for this forum... 
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Post by cooksferry on Jul 20, 2017 7:12:32 GMT 12
Going by the UPC it's the double 2x45 reissue. I have purchased a few MoFi lps from that seller without any problems. Delivery between 2 and 3 weeks which is about par for Amazon to me these days. Packaging was ok as well. Shame that the Audiophile houses in the USA (Acoustic Sounds, Elusive Disc etc) charge such ridiculous prices for freight.
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Post by cooksferry on Jul 20, 2017 7:17:56 GMT 12
Oh dear. I'm far too young (and beautiful) for this forum... Hang in there JH. 
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Post by cooksferry on Jul 20, 2017 7:27:14 GMT 12
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Post by Citroen on Jul 20, 2017 9:45:48 GMT 12
Going by the UPC it's the double 2x45 reissue. I have purchased a few MoFi lps from that seller without any problems. Delivery between 2 and 3 weeks which is about par for Amazon to me these days. Packaging was ok as well. Shame that the Audiophile houses in the USA (Acoustic Sounds, Elusive Disc etc) charge such ridiculous prices for freight. Yes, and going by their website its the one you want www.deepdiscount.com/dusty-in-memphis/753088821479
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Post by guitardude on Jul 20, 2017 10:09:42 GMT 12
Not a huge fan of the 2x45 concept. Great sound marred by having to change sides every 10 minutes. I've a few of them: Tigerlily by Natalie Merchant which is an excellent sounding thing but not something often played for enjoyment. The Music Matters 33&1/3 Blue note series are excellent.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 20, 2017 10:54:43 GMT 12
did some research - that upc could be either 180g or 200g ? also not convinced by 45rpm but no other choice for dusty
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 21, 2017 12:34:20 GMT 12
This was discussed also, recently... Irish Heartbeat - Van Morrison & The Chieftains. Both these (s/h) USA & Australian copies sound excellent, good acoustic instrumental detail. These look like they're from different masters, the Ausralian copy slightly more natural & 'open', 'airy' maybe, with a bit more treble delicacy. Possibly slightly less strong bass balance (Celtic drum) - than the USA copy. Still looking out for a UK copy. Can be found s/h quite readily. 
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