647 replies to this topic

[ccs]

myrantz, on 14 November 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

Nirvana - Nevermind

Remastered, and HDTracks... Two words I usually avoid like the plague.

Honestly would like a bit more kick to the drums, but otherwise I don't think I have anything else to complain...  This is one of those album that actually made me dial up the volume (not something I usually do).. Worth a test for folks who are interested in HD stuffs and want to test the dangerous waters of HDTracks..

Yes, HDTracks is a mine field, and many of the re-mastered albums are not worth the effort, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours being one poor example.  

Currently spinnng Linda Ronstadt's What's New, superb recording and on sale at $13.98 (24/96) for a limited time. Linda Ronstadt has always had a fabulous voice, and this album comes across very well, and the backing is not bad from the Nelson Riddle orchestra.  Diana Krall's albums are also very good.  No, I am not a big Jazz fan, but if there are more recordings such as these, I could become one.  Also, 2L recordings are worth investigating and are cheaper, even without sales, on HDTracks than their own website.

myrantz, on 14 November 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

And speaking of HDTracks, I'm wondering if anybody has this: Hotel Calfornia

I have the 24/96 album, better than 16/44 version (ripped to flac from CD). It was supposed to be derived from the DVD-A (which I do not own) but recording not to the heights of  What's New, Diana Krall.

[dbrmuz]

[mello yello]

^^
song for alanh?



Don't let the bastards grind you down

[dbrmuz]

mello yello, on 22 March 2013 - 08:22 PM, said:

song for alanh?

Na,this one reminds me more of him.'cept it's cool.

[myrantz]

ccs, on 21 March 2013 - 08:39 AM, said:

Yes, HDTracks is a mine field, and many of the re-mastered albums are not worth the effort, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours being one poor example.  

Yeah ... Having said that, the Nevermind is still one of my favourite HD albums, love the music

ccs, on 21 March 2013 - 08:39 AM, said:

Currently spinnng Linda Ronstadt's What's New, superb recording and on sale at $13.98 (24/96) for a limited time. Linda Ronstadt has always had a fabulous voice, and this album comes across very well, and the backing is not bad from the Nelson Riddle orchestra.  Diana Krall's albums are also very good.  No, I am not a big Jazz fan, but if there are more recordings such as these, I could become one.  Also, 2L recordings are worth investigating and are cheaper, even without sales, on HDTracks than their own website.

One thing with all these HD download sites (including Linn) is the albums are mostly of a "classy" nature. Kindda like the music played in hifi shows.. I'm not that classy!

Need some more down to earth music, like Nevermind or something similar.. Anything to recommend?

[ccs]

myrantz, on 23 March 2013 - 10:20 AM, said:

Yeah ... Having said that, the Nevermind is still one of my favourite HD albums, love the music

Having it as a favourite album does help, but where does it stand on this scale: A: Beautiful music quality, B: Good, worth getting., C: Not outstanding... I'd might as well have bought the CD on e-bay for half the money

myrantz, on 23 March 2013 - 10:20 AM, said:

One thing with all these HD download sites (including Linn) is the albums are mostly of a "classy" nature. Kindda like the music played in hifi shows.. I'm not that classy!

I would't say I am classy - just old fashioned, old and a sucker for female voices...  

myrantz, on 23 March 2013 - 10:20 AM, said:

Need some more down to earth music, like Nevermind or something similar.. Anything to recommend?

Nevermind does make the HD Tracks Top 25 Rock list, but that list is not necessarily a good indicator of a good recording. Do not know whether Steel Dan makes your list but Gaucho and Donald Fagen's Kamakiriad are excellent recordings. I was disappointed with Fleetwood Mac Rumours (but it makes the Top 25!) and I have been told that Tusk is better (but I only have CD).

As you pointed out earlier, remastered albums on HD Tracks are something to be careful with. Unfortunately, many of the poor remastered ones are the Rock ones with labels trying to cash in so-called superior remastered HD recordings.  I have wondered how good the Rolling Stones remastered albums are but Grrr! was selling like hot cakes when it first came out. I am waiting for Dire Straits to release the HD version of Brothers In Arms but I am afraid of a letdown when compared with the remastered 20th Anniversary SACD (even the CD layer was good).

[mello yello]

dbrmuz, on 23 March 2013 - 08:06 AM, said:

a Marshall Mathers (the Turd) clip

now thats low !!! lol

i never attacked you ...



...i kicked your monkey then I used your goat


you da man

[Storm AV]

Ocean surf aces by Tom Curran......How cool, recerded in a cave in WA, bunch of famous and not so famous surfers tearing it up-forgot I had this album, guess I should clean my work vehicle out more often.

[myrantz]

ccs, on 23 March 2013 - 09:42 PM, said:

Having it as a favourite album does help, but where does it stand on this scale: A: Beautiful music quality, B: Good, worth getting., C: Not outstanding... I'd might as well have bought the CD on e-bay for half the money

Not sure how to class it really. It's a bit A and B... Sorta great music, but could be mastered better if you know what i mean. The music still gets through and is the saving grace here.

ccs, on 23 March 2013 - 09:42 PM, said:

I would't say I am classy - just old fashioned, old and a sucker for female voices...  

Old fashioned? That makes you classy!

ccs, on 23 March 2013 - 09:42 PM, said:

Nevermind does make the HD Tracks Top 25 Rock list, but that list is not necessarily a good indicator of a good recording. Do not know whether Steel Dan makes your list but Gaucho and Donald Fagen's Kamakiriad are excellent recordings. I was disappointed with Fleetwood Mac Rumours (but it makes the Top 25!) and I have been told that Tusk is better (but I only have CD).

I don't go by lists or top sellers now... Hits and misses get "amplified".. Will try Gaucho next I think, just have to remind myself how to actually make the purchase on HDTracks lol.. Been a while and now I can't even remember the password lol.

ccs, on 23 March 2013 - 09:42 PM, said:

As you pointed out earlier, remastered albums on HD Tracks are something to be careful with. Unfortunately, many of the poor remastered ones are the Rock ones with labels trying to cash in so-called superior remastered HD recordings.  I have wondered how good the Rolling Stones remastered albums are but Grrr! was selling like hot cakes when it first came out. I am waiting for Dire Straits to release the HD version of Brothers In Arms but I am afraid of a letdown when compared with the remastered 20th Anniversary SACD (even the CD layer was good).

If you have a old PS3 you can RIP out the DSD and play it back? I only have the CD of Brothers in Arms . Just have to wait for high res music to get more popular, and have more mainstream music lol.. It's improving I think, just take a while.

[ccs]

myrantz, on 24 March 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

Not sure how to class it really. It's a bit A and B... Sorta great music, but could be mastered better if you know what i mean. The music still gets through and is the saving grace here.

Your comments about Nevermind apply to Hotel California as well, great album but could be mastered better, so I would rank it as a B.  I had probably too high expectations of Hotel California, partly because of the excellent Eagles DVDs (I still remember walking thru Tivoli and was wowed by it as it was demonstrated to someone else).  Definitely an improvement over the redbook version, so sugget you get it...

myrantz, on 24 March 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

Old fashioned? That makes you classy!

My kids will be stitches from laughing so much if they hear that - they think I am old, unfashionable and definitely NOT classy...  

myrantz, on 24 March 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

I don't go by lists or top sellers now... Hits and misses get "amplified".. Will try Gaucho next I think, just have to remind myself how to actually make the purchase on HDTracks lol.. Been a while and now I can't even remember the password lol.

Use your email (can retrieve forgotten password) and pay by Paypal (they accept USA credit cards only, and not supposed to sell outside USA).

myrantz, on 24 March 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

If you have a old PS3 you can RIP out the DSD and play it back? I only have the CD of Brothers in Arms . .

I do not have a PS3 and did investigate getting that specific model to do the ripping but given the limited number of SACDs I had, did not pursue it.  The 20th Anniversary redbook layer on the SACD was noticeably better than the original CD, but the SACD 5 channels was outstanding.  Hence my fear of a big letdown when a HD version is released.  Last year, HD tracks announced its release, only to withdraw it soon after because it was a poor version.  There has been and continue to be a hue and cry over the mislabeling of HD tracks eg 24/96 when it should be 24/48 and poor re-mastering.  I have learnt the hard way that not all HD albums are created equal and if there is an SACD/DVD-A/Blu-ray version, then the chances of a good HD version are better.

[Chopsus]

The Bombshell soundtrack from Smash has been copping a flogging is our house .

[bruceyonthecoast]

Natalie Merchant's Ophelia is getting a workout at my place currently.

+1 in relation to both of the Steely Dan albums (Aja & Gaucho) which are both brilliant

[mello yello]

happy trails, dude



may the wind always be at your back

[bradp51]

Just had one of those moments when had the house to myself and placed on the first Queen Album.  I have a CD which has some extra tracks and one is a remix of their rock classic "Liar"

Went to 0.0 on the volume, turned on the two subversives, let the Denon 3808A, Paradigms and Eleckta HD amplifier have their way and sat back and enjoyed a classic rock moment.  For anyone who is a QUEEN fan you really must have a listen to this version of Liar, it is so much better than the orginal on the album.

Don,t often get time or opportunity to enjoy the system like this but makes it worthwhile when I do.

Edited by bradp51, 02 May 2013 - 08:32 PM.

[Dork(original)]

ELO,On the third day.



A musical genius.
Paul.

[Skid_MacMarx]

Talking Heads
Fear Of Music DVD-A

[mello yello]

from the Song Game MkII lol


bohemian like you - dandy warhols

^{content warning...this is the shaved version}

Edited by mello yello, 08 May 2013 - 08:16 PM.

[myrantz]

Abs loved it when it rains



Ghibli The Classics By Kukita Kaoru.

First on the streamer, then again on the CD player. I guess this is as close to listening classical as I would ever get, for now.

[ccs]

myrantz, on 21 May 2013 - 10:31 AM, said:

Ghibli The Classics By Kukita Kaoru.

First on the streamer, then again on the CD player. I guess this is as close to listening classical as I would ever get, for now.

Some nice cello...  Careful now, you are drifting into classy...  

[myrantz]

ccs, on 21 May 2013 - 10:57 AM, said:

Some nice cello...  Careful now, you are drifting into classy...  

Not yet... There's still a bit of pop and jazz mixed in there.. The pianist in this album is also pretty good.. Piano is still my favourite instrument ..

Listening to this album at work right now.. Expect to be uber productive!

[blacklikesunday]

joe satriani's latest offering, 'unstoppable momentum.'
it's not bad. there are a couple of tracks i liked after only one play, nice and catchy.
i just feel like he is repeating himself a lot these days tbh.
i love his albums up to, and including 'the extremist,' thats when i stopped buying his stuff.
personally i'd love him to have an album that is start to finish just one continuous guitar solo! that would be great!

or jeff beck could do it as well, i'd rather jeff actually.
i really disliked his last album it was so predictable. the previous 3 were great but that last one again just 'borrowed' too much from earlier releases.

[HomerJ]

Listening to Roxy Music's Avalon SACD in 5.1. Haven't listened to this in a while. It has excellent use of surrounds. One track has the drum kit 'on wheels' slowly moving around the 360 degree sound stage. (Not sure I've noticed that before). Nice effect.

[myrantz]

Listening to this last night. It's called "Ambushed from Ten Sides"... The instrument is called a Pipa. And this old guy is probably the best I know of that can play this to a master level.



Unfortunately Youtube couldn't get the music through but this piece has presence in abundance! It's really telling you a story via music.  You can literally feel the intent to kill in the initial stages and there is a sheer overpowering dominance... I reckon this music does a better death stare than my wife!  


Another strong music



Just realised today these two are telling the same story - one from the winner perspective, and the other loser.

These two should suit systems with good bass so give 'em a go if you can.