B&W Society of Sound - worth joining ?

James, I have membership for three months due to my recent speaker purchase. I have been downloading lots of 24 bit flacs today including the Cara Dillon, the new Thomas Dolby and then Mahler and Beethoven 24's. The Peter Gabriel album is there as well plus some other stuff from Real World I do not know. So fun to take look but to be honest, for me, not loads I am too bothered by.

I use it; Dub Colossus is good; Cara Dillon is excellent; On the whole the recordings are ok; the Gabriel album is only half the album hence 'half blood'; on the whole its worth the money but the content is variable month by month; the download 'engine' is reliable.

What was your new speaker purchase Adrian? I thought you were a Neat lover. 

Patrick

Sounds like its worth a punt. 

Thanks chaps

James

Patrick, I am still a Neat lover with MF7's in the main rig. In my study, I have added the new B&W PM1's to my UnitiQute and I have to say I am a little in love.....

Cheers

James,

I think it is excellent VFM, with an eclectic and interesting mix of titles, here are my reviews of last month's offerings:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/10858529752641527

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/10858529754539552

M

Thanks M for the links.

James

James,

Most month's they now seem to offer one LSO live recording and one jazz/fusion/rock type recording.

I have read that the LSO recordings are not too hot. The Haitink Beethoven I thought was very good. George F. popped over for a couple of hours on Saturday so I asked him to have a listen, as he has forgotten more about classical music than I will ever know, and he was taken with the recording as well.

I bought Peter Gabriel's recent album on the back of 'Half Blood', which on my system is powerful and dramatic - really good stuff, not taking anything away from the originals, just an interesting re-interpretation.

Some month's the offerings are not really up my street, but over all I have some interesting music that I listen to frequently, and would never have otherwise bought.

M

I've listened to the Cara Dillon a few times, doesn't float my boat - but that is the good thing about SoS, wide range and a likelihood that somethings you will really take to.

I've subscribed for the maximum period - because it's cheaper. A gamble that paid-up

I like the recordings/artists except the classical ones - not a fan. Good return for the outlay, I think...

This month the Haitink LSO Beethoven cycle continues with the 1st and 5th. Plus, some historic recordings from the US Southern states, should be interesting!

I've just received an offer of 25% off 12 months subscription.

Am I correct in saying that when you join you can download anything in the catalogue (i.e. the whole catalogue should I wish to) and then there are 2 new albums per month to download?

Richard

no you cant there is just a selection, every month 2 go on 2 go noff.  still i paid for 6 months and for me the albums selected were fine

When I joined a year ago, I was able to download the available catalogue. Every subsequent month the catalogue is reduced by the no of new albums, keeping the catalogue to about 25 albums for every new member.

I've had some very nice surprises with the subscription, e.g. Peter Gabriel, Charlie Winston, most of the LSO recordings. The surprises outweigh some of the not-so-good albums there. 

Regarding the relatively little money I recommend the subscription.

And yes, they regularly remove some of the older albums from the catalogue.

Well, I subscribe SoS for two years but I will reconsider if it is worth to renew my subscription for another year. I joined them because I looked for source of good quality legal downloads.

But last few 24-bit albums are pure disappointment for me. E.g. Apparatjik or Charlie Winston's albums - they are classic example of "loudness war". All material is squeezed to -0dB and the dynamics is gone. They are loud = radio stations will be happy. But this is not quality recording/mastering. DR value is between 6 and 8. It's shame but it seems no one is supervising these releases anymore (or they just don't care).

I feel it is not worth to subscribe anymore.