Author Topic: What are you listening to right now?  (Read 2941913 times)

Offline S Clark

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15030 on: June 28, 2022, 05:49:20 AM »
The Beatles: Rubber Soul



From the 2012 180g Stereo LP Box Set
So when they remaster these classic albums, how much better are they?  If I've already got 4 copies of Kind of Blue, how much does a fifth one add to my listening pleasure?
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Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15031 on: June 28, 2022, 02:33:59 PM »
That of course is the $64,000 question.

This answer has to be looked at in multiple layers.

First, fact that something has been "remastered" does not guarantee that it is better sounding. There are many variables in the mastering process. Is the equipment used to remaster the album better sounding that that used for earlier releases? Just because something is newer, doesn't mean that it is better (how many tube vs transistor discussions have we had. Mastering is a personal thing. What is the talent level of the engineers doing the older vs the newer masterings? And of course what is the source for the remastering and if is is the same original master tapes, how have they aged and has there been any degradation over time.

Secondly, one of the differences in remasterings of particlarly vintage jazz and classical albums from the 50s and early 60s is related to the playback equipment available today. masterins done in the 50s were done with an eye to the tracking ability of the TTs and cartridges of the day. I know of several albums (the one that immediately comes to mind is the Reiner/CSO Pines of Rome) that the masterings had to be restricted in terns of amplitude and frequency in order keep them from mistracking. Remastered today TT design has improved to the point where these albums can be mastered to contain all that is on the master tapes.

Third, IMO a lot of the differences in newly remastered versions comes from the modern vinyl formulation, heavyweight pressing, and in some cases the new flat vinyl profiles. So totally separate from the remastering, the modern physical LPs have the potential to sound better that the older pressings from the point of view of the physical disc alone.

All that said, I have remasterings that sound better, worse and no different that older pressings of the same album. Slapping a remastered sticker on a re-release provides up with the assurance of nothing more than some extra marketing buzz.

So that leaves us with your last question, assuming that a remastering does produce better sound. does that better sound lead to more enjoyment. That I would say is a very personal thing. If you are most concerned with listening to the sound  then the better SQ for you would be its own reward. But for those who are more concerned with the music itself the question becomes how good is good enough? (I am not passing any judgement of people who value sound over music or music over sound. People get into this hobby  and get pleasure from different aspects of it. neither is inherently right or wrong. I am just saying that different people will look at this question from different angle) Just speaking for myself, I have a certain threshold of SQ that will allow me to forget about sound and focus on the music. While I can appropriate higher levels of SQ, I can still get pretty much the same level of enjoyment at my "threshold" level of SQ. Some people could not live without a $6k moving coil cartridge while others are perfectly happy with a $75 Grado. Whatever floats your boat. Of course the other factor on if the new version brings you musical pleasure is what you have right now. If you have a beat up LP from your high school days the decision to upgrade will be much easier than if you own last years 200g release.

This got a lot longer than I planned. hope it helps.
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Offline S Clark

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15032 on: June 28, 2022, 03:04:52 PM »
What a nice and well thought out reply.   Funny you should mention the  RCA LS 2436 Reiner Pines of Rome.  Although I don't have the much sought after 1s stamping, I've got a fairly early 4s stamper, along with the the Classic Recording from the early 2000's.  The remaster is on quieter vinyl, but isn't near the recording that the original shaded dog vesion is. 
But then the Analog Productions UHQR box of Miles' Kind of Blue from a year or two ago is a nice step up from my other copies (including a 6eye)
Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15033 on: June 28, 2022, 03:52:09 PM »
The Beatles: Revolver




From the 2012 180g Stereo LP Box Set

And just for the record, why did I get the remasterred Beatles Box Set. A few reasons. It came with a really nice book, which as far as I know was only available with the set. My Beatles LPs were of various vintages a number of which were well worn and gotten noisy so it was nice to have the full collection on clean quiet vinyl. And I found the set on line at a really good sale price that was hard to say no to.
« Last Edit: June 28, 2022, 04:04:37 PM by tmazz »
Remember, it's all about the music........

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Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15034 on: June 28, 2022, 03:58:44 PM »
What a nice and well thought out reply.   Funny you should mention the  RCA LS 2436 Reiner Pines of Rome.  Although I don't have the much sought after 1s stamping, I've got a fairly early 4s stamper, along with the the Classic Recording from the early 2000's.  The remaster is on quieter vinyl, but isn't near the recording that the original shaded dog vesion is. 
But then the Analog Productions UHQR box of Miles' Kind of Blue from a year or two ago is a nice step up from my other copies (including a 6eye)

Well there you go. 2 remasterings, one significantly better than the original, one , not so much.

Why? There are just to many variables to know for sure.  :-k
Remember, it's all about the music........

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Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15035 on: June 28, 2022, 06:12:12 PM »
Steely Dan: Aja



MoFi 1/2 Speed Mastered LP

A little pre-gaming, I have tickets to see Steely Dan at Jones Beach tomorrow night.

My first live show since Covid hit! :thumb:
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15036 on: June 30, 2022, 10:33:35 AM »
Jimi Hendrix: Blues



Qobuz 44/16
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
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Offline P.I.

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15037 on: July 01, 2022, 11:34:22 PM »
Jimi Hendrix: Blues



Qobuz 44/16
Great listen.  Lord, how I wish Jimi was still with us...

Just think.
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15038 on: July 02, 2022, 05:19:18 PM »
Larry the Cable Guy was a guest of Jay Leno on the Tonight Sow one night and the discussion got around to music. Larry said "How about Boston. They have got to be the laziest band in the history of Rock and Roll. They've only put out 3 albums in the past 30 years. Heck, Jimi Hendrix puts out 6 records a year, and he's dead."  :rofl:
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15039 on: July 02, 2022, 06:44:48 PM »
Barbara Streisand: Love is the Answer



Columbia CD

Produced by Diana Krall and Tommy LiPuma and and backed up by Krall's band.

I'm not a big Streisand fan, but I found this to be an enjoyable album.
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15040 on: July 02, 2022, 06:50:28 PM »
Steve Reid's Bamboo Forest: Mysteries



Telarc Jazz Zone CD

Steve was a founding member of The Rippingtons and spent time playing with Supertramp.
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15041 on: July 02, 2022, 06:52:57 PM »
Lionel Hampton: Ring dem Vibes



Verve CD

Very nice SQ.  :thumb:
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15042 on: July 02, 2022, 06:57:36 PM »
Eva Cassidy: Simply Eva



44/16 FLAC
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15043 on: July 02, 2022, 10:30:47 PM »
Haydn: Symphonies 31, 70 & 101 - Ticciati/Scottish Chamber Orchestra



Linn SACD
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline tmazz

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Re: What are you listening to right now?
« Reply #15044 on: July 02, 2022, 10:32:15 PM »
Dvorαk & Lalo Cello Concertos - Johannes Moser, Cello



Pentatone SACD
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables