I just pulled a couple dozen and they are all marked (DDD), which was one of their marketing lies.
Per the WWW blurb they were mostly digitalized from analog recordings and from the sound quality I suspect that they were harvested from master and/or early generation tapes.
Considering that the recordings are said to be (in reality) of less than main orchestras I also assume that they did not pay much for the tapes.
Part of the sound quality comes from how they seem to be minimally mike’d as well.
I live in West Hollywood, CA so in the past 30 years have had local access to well stocked thrift shops/flea markets/estate-yard sales.
Also, what I was trying to get at is that if I listened to a lot of classical music on LP I would probably go for a different type of cartridge sound (different than what I prefer with popular music - which is a more fleshed out type of sound).
DeKay
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There were a substantial amount of bad reviews, and they seemed centered around the mastering code rather than the actual quality. Since you have them, are you able to tell if they're AAD or ADD? Not that it really matters, but I'm just interested in knowing.
BTW, at $20 / 100 discs, you scored pretty good there, pal. |
No, that's them...
The set I purchased have Grey covers and are dated mostly 1988.
The performances are more lively than constrained and they sound as good (or better) than the Sony Music and Musical Heritage Society CD's that I have.
DeKay |
Well, this doesn't bode well: This series includes a substantial number of fraudulently described recordings, based exclusively on the catalog sold by the fraudster Alfred Scholz. Although fraudulently described as "digitally recorded" DDD, virtually all of the recordings are old analogue recordings made before the first digital recordings were made. Many of the releases are credited to the semi-fake Süddeutsche Philharmonie, the Philharmonia Slavonica, the fake Camerata Roman, and the fake Caspar da Salo Quartet. The names of real orchestras, like the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Festival Orchestra and the Ljubljana Radio Symphony have been falsely used on recordings not made by these orchestras. Fake/fictitious conductors include: Alberto Lizzio, Henry Adolph, Carlo Pantelli, Sven Bengtson, Vladimir Petroschoff, Loic Bertrand, Eugen Duvier, Peter Sternand others. Did you send me the wrong link? |
Here’s the dirty low down on VMS (Pilz Music Group/PMG)... https://www.discogs.com/label/276057-Vienna-Master-SeriesThis said, I like the performances and the sound quality. I purchased a large (new 100+) set @ a flea market for $20 around 2001, or so, which is how I discovered them. Don’t mind flipping a record when listening to popular music, but prefer the play length of CD with Classical. Per a few friends who are classical buffs I like tone poems (which explains why my favorite Who album is Quadrophenia-:) DeKay |
I'm not familiar with the Vienna Master Series. Are those the go-to CDs for a quality performance with excellent recording? I've recently started exploring classical again (or "classical", since I've been listening to later composers like Satie, Orff, Debussy and Stravinsky as opposed to my earlier Haydn, Beethoven and Chopin), but aside from streaming the stuff over Youtube I haven't been able to decide on what prerecorded material to invest in. |
I read about the 95 series and per reviews figured I would probably prefer the cheaper elliptical version (EN?).
This said, I have not used any of the AT's in my setup.
I also culled almost all of my classical LP's in favor of listening to Vienna Master Series CD's, so listen mainly to popular music on LP.
DeKay
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It's a matter of personal taste, some cartridges are just better than others, some are unknown, some are too old, some are new. If your price is just about $300 then Stanton 881 or Pickeing XSV/3000 are just great and better than others in my opinion, personally I prefer higher models like Stanton CS-100 WOS or Pickering XSV/5000 or XLZ/7500, but they are much more expensive! I could recommend Garrott p77i again, I use earlier version (p77). But converting AU$ to US$ it's still $530 |
Chakster:
Pickering and Stanton are still in business, but audiophiles are not their target market anymore, since Walter O. Stanton sold the company in the late 90s. However, best cartridges from the 80’s - early 90s still can be found NOS (I bought many and was lucky). Two models mentioned above are about $350 Thanks for the info. What about Ortofon? With Shure and Stanton, those were the big 3 when I first started out. Nagaoka, Pickering, and I think Sumiko were also there. I really liked Nagaoka's support products - the various cleaners and anti-static devices. |
Interesting that you mentioned that, DeKay. The friend who set up my 37F just bought an A-T VM95SH, which he's mounted on an SME-armed Thorens. He's very satisfied with it. The 95SH stylus is a nude Shibata. How does that compare to the nude Microline in the 540ML?
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Yes, I recall a friend replacing an older Red Denon (#?) with a 160 around 1986 so that would make sense.
DeKay |
It’s the DP80 and the DA401 that are no longer available new from a dealer. If you find a Dp80 in good shape, and I agree it is a worthy pursuit, I advise you to have it serviced by a competent technician. If the DP80 has not been serviced since new, then most likely it will need new electrolytic capacitors. The parts are dirt cheap; you would pay mostly for labor. After that, if the unit is faulty, the next place to look is at the single integrated circuit responsible for speed control. The popular myth is that the chip is no longer available. Not so. Also, some of the discrete transistors, while not necessarily defective, can be replaced by modern equivalents that work better. You could live with the original transistors, but a smart tech will upgrade them. If you are in the NE USA, I recommend Bill Thalmann in Springfield, VA. All of this will cost maybe a few hundred bucks and is well worth it. Beware also of 100V units from Japan that have been run on 120V in the USA. That often damages the single IC in there. In my opinion, the DP80 is the best bang for the buck in vintage DD turntables. I emphasize that’s only my opinion.
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Pickering and Stanton are still in business, but audiophiles are not their target market anymore, since Walter O. Stanton sold the company in the late 90s. However, best cartridges from the 80’s - early 90s still can be found NOS (I bought many and was lucky). Two models mentioned above are about $350
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I like Denon DP-80 turntable and Denon DA-401 tonearm. I also have Denon original plinth for my DP-80.
If you want Denon cartridges you can look for DL-103D or S.
Or you can look for MM cartridges like DL-107 if you want that denon sound.
Pickering XSV/3000 and Stanton 881 are great at your price and probably better. Thank you, I'll look into those. I didn't know Pickering was still in business. |
I know thats what the factory manual says, but like I said, I’m pretty sure mine had the DL160. I know this because when I bought the table I was told not to get any table with an MM cartridge, always buy MC. I heard that lecture any time I was shopping or even talking about a table. The guys in the store hooked me up since I was there part-time. This was 1985, I think. I had looked at the cartridge numerous times at home and I remember seeing "DL160" on the body. |
The original (supplied) cartridge was a 60 (not 160), which was also of moving magnet design.
DeKay |
I like Denon DP-80 turntable and Denon DA-401 tonearm. I also have Denon original plinth for my DP-80.
If you want Denon cartridges you can look for DL-103D or S.
Or you can look for MM cartridges like DL-107 if you want that denon sound.
Pickering XSV/3000 and Stanton 881 are great at your price and probably better. |
I have one of the DP-37F in rosewood as well, I traded a Thorens for it. The plinth, the arm, and the dustcover are completely flawless. I just had it set up by a friend a couple weeks ago. We played Dark Side of the Moon through my SDA SRS with a little 100wpc Hafler and it sounded excellent. I just upgraded to a 200wpc Hafler last weekend and that made all the difference in the world, much better bass now.
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No, but I did own a Denon DP 37f. It was a great servo controlled direct drive turntable with a beautiful rosewood plinth. Stupid me sold it for a song on ebay years ago.....🙄 |
