Audiophile CDs
Posted by: Consciousmess on 06 August 2008
Hi all,
I don't post on this forum too much, so please forgive me, but based on my own frustrations locating audiophile sounding CDs, I was wondering if poeple can post on this thread the audiophile sounding CDs they have or have heard.
I think it would be great use as you cannot always tell what the fidelity will be like when you buy a CD. I sometimes prefer CDs because of the sound quality and not the content.
Many thanks in anticipation!
Jon
I don't post on this forum too much, so please forgive me, but based on my own frustrations locating audiophile sounding CDs, I was wondering if poeple can post on this thread the audiophile sounding CDs they have or have heard.
I think it would be great use as you cannot always tell what the fidelity will be like when you buy a CD. I sometimes prefer CDs because of the sound quality and not the content.
Many thanks in anticipation!
Jon
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by Steve S1
quote:Originally posted by Consciousmess:
I sometimes prefer CDs because of the sound quality and not the content.
Jon
Ah ha. No wonder I don't get the "audiophile" disc scene. I'd rather listen to something I like whatever it's sonic limitations.
If I find a some interesting music that has been given a first rate recording, or a favourite disc gets the SHM/MFSL treatment, great. But the kind of stuff you often find on audiophile releases, or err, manufacturer's samplers is not my cuppa. No matter how well presented.
Steve
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by ewemon
quote:Originally posted by Consciousmess:
Hi all,
I don't post on this forum too much, so please forgive me, but based on my own frustrations locating audiophile sounding CDs, I was wondering if poeple can post on this thread the audiophile sounding CDs they have or have heard.
I think it would be great use as you cannot always tell what the fidelity will be like when you buy a CD. I sometimes prefer CDs because of the sound quality and not the content.
Many thanks in anticipation!
Jon
Bloomin heck where do you start.
Apart from that a list is only dependant on how many versions/cat no's a person has heard of a particular disc.
What type of music do you like?
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by u5227470736789439
As this is in the Music Room, I shall say what I think. I am feeling less and less at ease in the confines of the Hifi corner, where consideration of music - rather than simply sound as replayed, which is a rather different proposition in my book - seems to have completely slipped off the agenda. Shame really as Naim used to be considered the most musical and possibly least Hifi obsessive of the better makes of gramophone.
On audiophile recordings, I have never found one that contains anything like the best music making. On audiophile re-releases, I have never found one that pleased, as the original is always better! I mean it - if the original recording is adequate then there is no reason to fiddle with what the artists approved for release, and if the original record is in poor condition, then I find that the best restorations invariably come from the original issuer of the recording, whose staff may well still number among them people who worked on the original recording, and who are best placed to make decisions on restoration of it based on their inside knowledge gained from working with the artists concerned.
I dare say that obsessing about which brand new recordings, transfers and remasters are the best from a sonic technical point of view is a fascinating topic, and a worthy hobby, but to me the whole thing is a nonsense from the musical standpoint for the reasons already mentioned.
No amount of fine quality recording and replay quality will rescue dull music or music making! But great music making will survive almost any amount of grim recorded sound. Just listen to the toon, and you can soon forget the sonics!
ATB from George
On audiophile recordings, I have never found one that contains anything like the best music making. On audiophile re-releases, I have never found one that pleased, as the original is always better! I mean it - if the original recording is adequate then there is no reason to fiddle with what the artists approved for release, and if the original record is in poor condition, then I find that the best restorations invariably come from the original issuer of the recording, whose staff may well still number among them people who worked on the original recording, and who are best placed to make decisions on restoration of it based on their inside knowledge gained from working with the artists concerned.
I dare say that obsessing about which brand new recordings, transfers and remasters are the best from a sonic technical point of view is a fascinating topic, and a worthy hobby, but to me the whole thing is a nonsense from the musical standpoint for the reasons already mentioned.
No amount of fine quality recording and replay quality will rescue dull music or music making! But great music making will survive almost any amount of grim recorded sound. Just listen to the toon, and you can soon forget the sonics!
ATB from George
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by Manni
Dear George,
you are right, the music is far more important than the sound quality. Bad music does not become better, when only the sound is very good.
But we are members of the Naim forum. I had to spend a lot of money to buy my system and I got an excellent sound quality for my money. To enjoy my system, I need at least good recordings. It makes no sense for me to listen to very old recordings unable to distinguish between a violin and a trumpet. In this case, even the best artist and music are imo unbearable.
There are many good recordings on the market, containing fine sound and excellent music. I am looking for these. To replay old mono recordings from the thirties, a Naim system is too good.
Best wishes
Manfred
you are right, the music is far more important than the sound quality. Bad music does not become better, when only the sound is very good.
But we are members of the Naim forum. I had to spend a lot of money to buy my system and I got an excellent sound quality for my money. To enjoy my system, I need at least good recordings. It makes no sense for me to listen to very old recordings unable to distinguish between a violin and a trumpet. In this case, even the best artist and music are imo unbearable.
There are many good recordings on the market, containing fine sound and excellent music. I am looking for these. To replay old mono recordings from the thirties, a Naim system is too good.
Best wishes
Manfred
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by fatcat
Jon
Kickin it at the barn – Little Feat
Excellent sound quality. Musically their best CD in the last 15 years
Kickin it at the barn – Little Feat
Excellent sound quality. Musically their best CD in the last 15 years
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by Noye's Fludde
quote:Originally posted by Manni:
To replay old mono recordings from the thirties, a Naim system is too good.
If a music system is worth it's cost, then a dire recording from the 30's should be more fun, not less.
A system that only plays 'audiophile' records is no sound system I would want to own.
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by fred simon
In my opinion, sound quality should serve the music, never the other way around. However, good music is well served by good sound quality. Bad sound can't lessen the musical quality of good music, but it might lessen the quality of one's listening pleasure.
That said, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the excellent sonic, and musical, quality of many recordings right here on the Naim label. Yes, I have a self-interest in this, but I would honestly feel the same way even if I didn't.
For excellent audiophile sound quality I suggest this album ... and I think the music is pretty good, too!
All the best,
Fred
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by Manni
Hi Fred,
you wrote:
That is exactly the point. It is impossible for me to enjoy music that is hidden behind a wall of distortion and hiss.
Best wishes
Manfred
you wrote:
quote:Bad sound can't lessen the musical quality of good music, but it might lessen the quality of one's listening pleasure.
That is exactly the point. It is impossible for me to enjoy music that is hidden behind a wall of distortion and hiss.
Best wishes
Manfred
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by Guido Fawkes
I can't enjoy MCC's The Calling or the Kinks' Arthur as much as I'd like for that very reason - atrocious sound quality. I really like Mary Chapin Carpenter (doesn't every sane music lover?) and The Kinks are one of my favourite bands of all time so I'd love to find high quality versions of both these records.
I have Arthur on vinyl and CD and the distortion is evident on the same places on both - perhaps the master tape is to blame and nothing can be done. I also have the Kinks Muswell Hillbillies in the same series of re-masters as Arthur and the sound quality is superb - hence my assertion that the master tape may be where the problem lies.
I did get a compilation by Welsh rockers Man recently and I think I'll throw it away - the sound quality is just plain awful. I can barely make out one song from another and I remembered the group as being quite accomplished musicians so I don't think it was their playing that is at fault.
The Naim label and the SHM CDs are very good; Earmark vinyl is very good too. However most CDs and elpees I have exhibit high enough sound quality to let me enjoy the music.
ATB Rotf
I have Arthur on vinyl and CD and the distortion is evident on the same places on both - perhaps the master tape is to blame and nothing can be done. I also have the Kinks Muswell Hillbillies in the same series of re-masters as Arthur and the sound quality is superb - hence my assertion that the master tape may be where the problem lies.
I did get a compilation by Welsh rockers Man recently and I think I'll throw it away - the sound quality is just plain awful. I can barely make out one song from another and I remembered the group as being quite accomplished musicians so I don't think it was their playing that is at fault.
The Naim label and the SHM CDs are very good; Earmark vinyl is very good too. However most CDs and elpees I have exhibit high enough sound quality to let me enjoy the music.
ATB Rotf
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by Whizzkid
For me there are two ways of going at this. One find new release labels that are concerned about the quality of their product and for me that is labels like BIS (classical), Hyperion (Classical), Warp (Electronic), Mute (Electronic), Soul Jazz (Underground Music), Ninja Tune etc etc.. and two if you like a album a lot, like Steve suggests, try to find the best pressing and this forum will help with that Steve Hoffman. Now also some of the re-releases labels also do a cracking job and I can recommend Speakers Corner, Classic Records, Pure Pleasure, Lillith (Vinyl Lovers), Earmark, MoFi, Universal Japan and the new Warner Brothers 180g re-issuse great music and quality so there you have it but for me its always the MUSIC FIRST.
Dean..
Dean..
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by KT66
this is my specialist subject.
Obviously a CD is only as good as the music.
BUT some labels like DCC, Audio Fidelity, Mobile Fidelity, RYKO AU20 and CBS Mastersound actually sought out the original master tapes, often mis labelled and often never used before.
Ignore the 24k gold thing, it's the mastering that counts. Most of them are worth getting but if you want to know on a CD by CD basis do a search on Stevehoffman.tv.
Basically an audiophile CD is one that uses the best tapes available, adds little or no EQ tweaks and definately no compression or noise reduction.
Obviously a CD is only as good as the music.
BUT some labels like DCC, Audio Fidelity, Mobile Fidelity, RYKO AU20 and CBS Mastersound actually sought out the original master tapes, often mis labelled and often never used before.
Ignore the 24k gold thing, it's the mastering that counts. Most of them are worth getting but if you want to know on a CD by CD basis do a search on Stevehoffman.tv.
Basically an audiophile CD is one that uses the best tapes available, adds little or no EQ tweaks and definately no compression or noise reduction.
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by 555
There are plenty of CDs that are not marketed/labelled as 'audiophile',
but deserve a medal for sonic integrity.
For example Barry Diament's remasters of Bob Marley & the Wailers on Tuff Gong.
The original release of Dexy's Midnight Runners 'Searching for the Young Soul Rebels'.
Some more recent examples ...
Adrian Sherwood 'Becoming a Cliché'
Sigur Rós 'með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' (with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly)
Have you seen the SHM CD Verdict thread Jon?
but deserve a medal for sonic integrity.
For example Barry Diament's remasters of Bob Marley & the Wailers on Tuff Gong.
The original release of Dexy's Midnight Runners 'Searching for the Young Soul Rebels'.
Some more recent examples ...
Adrian Sherwood 'Becoming a Cliché'
Sigur Rós 'með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' (with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly)
Have you seen the SHM CD Verdict thread Jon?
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by Jet Johnson
....For Me Lindsay Buckingham's "Out Of The Cradle" This 1992 solo album sounds astonishingly good ...especially if you love guitar music.
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by fred simon
quote:Originally posted by Manni:
Hi Fred,
you wrote:quote:Bad sound can't lessen the musical quality of good music, but it might lessen the quality of one's listening pleasure.
That is exactly the point. It is impossible for me to enjoy music that is hidden behind a wall of distortion and hiss.
Perfectly understandable, Manfred.
I've always considered myself very lucky that good music always gets through to me no matter the sonic fidelity. Of course I prefer the best possible, but my ears are fortunately forgiving.
All best,
Fred
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by Colin Lorenson
ROTF,
I love MCC's music and have all her albums since "Come On, Come on".
They are all well recorded, The Calling no less than the others.
If your copy is bad, it's a bad copy
I love MCC's music and have all her albums since "Come On, Come on".
They are all well recorded, The Calling no less than the others.
If your copy is bad, it's a bad copy
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by Steve S1
quote:Originally posted by Colin Lorenson:
ROTF,
I love MCC's music and have all her albums since "Come On, Come on".
They are all well recorded, The Calling no less than the others.
If your copy is bad, it's a bad copy
Hi Colin,
This caught my eye. Where is your copy of "The Calling" made?
Because I agree with ROTF. Mine is a shocker, loud and compressed. Typical modern 'car-friendly' type of CD. Impressive on modest kit like iPods but lacking full range - the levels are all pushed up.
Steve
Posted on: 08 August 2008 by MilesSmiles
Since the obvious labels (MFSL, DCC, etc.) have already been mentioned, pls find below 3 of my favorites (all female vocals).
If you are into Jazz, you should have a look at the ECM label - have yet to find one that I would not consider 'audiophile'.
Cheers ... Oliver
If you are into Jazz, you should have a look at the ECM label - have yet to find one that I would not consider 'audiophile'.
Cheers ... Oliver
Posted on: 09 August 2008 by HuwJ
I've found a good way of getting higher quality recordings is to look at the UK Hi-Fi press. They generally give a verdict on the quality of both music and sound quality.
I pick the CDs they ID as good sound quality and then listen to the music on itunes or youtube. Then I buy the ones I think I would like. It's a great way of finding new music.
Examples are:
Rage Against the Machine
Stanley Clarke - The Toys of Men
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Rickie Lee Jones
Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Jack Savoretti - Between the Minds (get the special 2 CD Deluxe Edition)
Eric Bibb - Diamond Days
All Blue Nile albums are well produced and recorded
Lindsey Buckingham - Under The Skin
Dashboard Confessional - Dusk & Summer
Richard Hawley - Coles Corner
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
You might like some of those.
Regards,
Huw
I pick the CDs they ID as good sound quality and then listen to the music on itunes or youtube. Then I buy the ones I think I would like. It's a great way of finding new music.
Examples are:
Rage Against the Machine
Stanley Clarke - The Toys of Men
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Rickie Lee Jones
Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Jack Savoretti - Between the Minds (get the special 2 CD Deluxe Edition)
Eric Bibb - Diamond Days
All Blue Nile albums are well produced and recorded
Lindsey Buckingham - Under The Skin
Dashboard Confessional - Dusk & Summer
Richard Hawley - Coles Corner
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
You might like some of those.
Regards,
Huw
Posted on: 10 August 2008 by J.N.
John.
Posted on: 11 August 2008 by JohanR
quote:On audiophile re-releases, I have never found one that pleased, as the original is always better! I mean it - if the original recording is adequate then there is no reason to fiddle with what the artists approved for release
Can't agree with yoy there, George. Just the other day I got Madeleine Peyroux's 'Careless Love' on MoFi vinyl, without the dreaded 'loudness war' compression of the CD. It's so much more enjoyable without it!
My tip is any CD made before 1990, before they started compressing and limiting every life out of the them. Should be quit cheap to!
JohanR
Posted on: 13 August 2008 by ewemon
quote:Originally posted by Jet Johnson:
....For Me Lindsay Buckingham's "Out Of The Cradle" This 1992 solo album sounds astonishingly good ...especially if you love guitar music.
Totally agree with you there Jet. Fantatsic recording and true audiophile quality.
Posted on: 13 August 2008 by ewemon
quote:Originally posted by Colin Lorenson:
ROTF,
I love MCC's music and have all her albums since "Come On, Come on".
They are all well recorded, The Calling no less than the others.
I have a Canadian copy of Calling and it has to be one of the worst sounding cd's I have in my collection. I also am a great fan.
If your copy is bad, it's a bad copy
Posted on: 14 August 2008 by Colin Lorenson
Guys,
Been off the forum for a while and my system has been down for about 4 months for a house move. Just got all my CD's out of boxes and I'll re-listen to "The Calling" over the weekend. Maybe my memory is failing!
Been off the forum for a while and my system has been down for about 4 months for a house move. Just got all my CD's out of boxes and I'll re-listen to "The Calling" over the weekend. Maybe my memory is failing!
Posted on: 14 August 2008 by u5227470736789439
quote:Originally posted by JohanR:quote:On audiophile re-releases, I have never found one that pleased, as the original is always better! I mean it - if the original recording is adequate then there is no reason to fiddle with what the artists approved for release
Can't agree with you there, George. Just the other day I got Madeleine Peyroux's 'Careless Love' on MoFi vinyl, without the dreaded 'loudness war' compression of the CD. It's so much more enjoyable without it!
My tip is any CD made before 1990, before they started compressing and limiting every life out of the them. Should be quite cheap to!
JohanR
Dear Johan,
Of course I am discussion classical music issues, where if anything the official company CD re-issue is likely to actually restore the original dynamic of the recording rather than retain the frequently necessary compression applied to allow for adequate tracking of the original LP issue.
I quite agree that many modern popular re-issues are dreadful in comparison to earlier versions, owing to the erroneous application of compression in the "Loudness Wars" phenomenon. Fortunately the classics have not fallen pray to the "Loudness Wars" yet!
ATB from George
Posted on: 15 August 2008 by JohanR
quote:Fortunately the classics have not fallen pray to the "Loudness Wars" yet!
Lucky you!
JohanR