Revolver, and/or how my Naim is Byrds-like guitar jangle challenged
Posted by: Max Bass on 22 February 2011
As a sidebar to the poll in another thread, when listening to the remastered Revolver, is the sound of the guitar too bright and/or harsh? Not always, but especially when the Byrds-like guitar jangle is heard? I do think that overall, the sound of the remastered Beatles is excellent, and really been enjoying the Mono-box set, but on certain things, when the guitar is in the upper register it sounds very piercing, thin, fatiguing.
Wondering if anyone else experiences this. I'll listen to Revolver between 10:30-10:45'sh on the volume dial, but when the jangly guitar, and/or solo kicks in I'll reach for the remote and have to turn it down.
I'm asking this in regards to the remastered Revolver because if it is the same for you guys then I'll know. If not, then perhaps something further needs to be looked at . . . . speakers/speaker positioning?
Thank's
Max
Posted on: 22 February 2011 by DavidDever
Speakers and preamp (whose settling time makes all the difference with extended-harmonic instruments).
By the way–no probs with Rickenbacker 12-strings on NaimUniti / NAP 300 + PS / Ovator S-600 (and I own a Roger McGuinn 360-12, among others).
Posted on: 22 February 2011 by mudwolf
I can't say specifically about the remasters but that whole album tends to have a very sharp and upfront presentation. Their recording techniques were layered and the last ones meant to be the focus so I just take it as the way the whole album sounds. By the time they were on Abbey Road technology and techniques had changed for a fuller deeper sound. They were really good leaders in the recording studio and Paul said in an interview they put a lot of little things in for those with better systems which you can find easier now but that might also bring out the harshness you describe.
I like listening for things like clapping or laughing, side comments that are obscured. But in 65 or so major play was on cheap systems, many groups focused on how it would sound over the car radio.
Posted on: 23 February 2011 by Redmires
Originally Posted by mudwolf:
I like listening for things like clapping or laughing, side comments that are obscured. But in 65 or so major play was on cheap systems, many groups focused on how it would sound over the car radio.
If you like that, you'll love the Beatles Anomalies website
http://wgo.signal11.org.uk/html/album-index.htmA good example being "I'm Only Sleeping"
1:57 Voice says "Yawn Paul", and at 2:01, he does!Careful, it's addictive
Posted on: 23 February 2011 by BigH47
Originally Posted by Redmires:
If you like that, you'll love the Beatles Anomalies website
http://wgo.signal11.org.uk/html/album-index.htmA good example being "I'm Only Sleeping"
1:57 Voice says "Yawn Paul", and at 2:01, he does!Careful, it's addictive
Some people really have TOO much time on their hands.
Posted on: 23 February 2011 by mudwolf
yes I guess some of us do. I'll mark the website for the future when I'm not up to much.
Posted on: 23 February 2011 by Max Bass
Originally Posted by mudwolf:
I can't say specifically about the remasters but that whole album tends to have a very sharp and upfront presentation. Their recording techniques were layered and the last ones meant to be the focus so I just take it as the way the whole album sounds. By the time they were on Abbey Road technology and techniques had changed for a fuller deeper sound.
Mud, I hear what you're saying regarding the "sharp and upfront" presentation in many of the older recordings, and wondering is it safe to just put it all down to the fact that recordings were mastered for the medium of the day? I have a sneaky suspicion there wouldn't be the same issue playing a vinyl copy of
Revolver . . . . when will they release those vinyl remastered Beatles anyway!
Nevertheless, why should I, or anyone else have to settle with their hiifi being challenged by "extended-harmonic instruments" as David D. points out. Lord knows I've invested enough money, time,, and energy for it Not to be this way!
Posted on: 26 February 2011 by mudwolf
The other day local rock station had Vinyl Sides Thursdays and they'd drop the needle on lots of albums. One early one of the Kinks was sort of the same thinner guitar, later in the day it was an early Who from that Brit invasion period and Stones Big Hits. They just have a different sound that later 60s to 80s albums. I have a wonderful recording of Patsy Cline from the 50s and the band sound is very similar. Really wonderful stuff because they were really focussing on the guitar and some echo effects with her voice up front or back in the mix.
I'm certainly not the best pair of ears around I'd hope the new vinyl wouldn't be harsh but very clear.
