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"Bridge Over Trouble Water" sounds artificial

During the pandemic I've been upgrading my sound system.  I used to enjoy Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Trouble Water".  With my upgraded equipment the hi resolution audio sounds very synthetic, with one track on top of another, not like real music at all.  The voices are doubled and violins just layered on top.  On my same system, I played a live concert of Andre Previn playing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue".  It sounded real and beautiful, like a live performance.  Am I doing something wrong?
aeschwartz

Showing 5 responses by aeschwartz

aeschwartz OP
40 posts
 
Roy Halee produced Simon & Garfunkel both Live in Central Park and BOTW.  The Live album is much better in every way.
aeschwartz OP
40 posts
 
I'm trying not to beat a dead horse.  I listened to the LP, the CD, Hi Res on Qobuz and on my two systems with KEF LS50 or Klipsch R8000, Marantz amp or Parasound Halo A21+, Denafrips ares ii, Parasound P6, Marantz CD, Cambridge CD transport. With all equipment BOTW is a poor recording.  I then listened to Simon & Garfunkel Live in Central Park, 1982.  The same songs sounded like real music with real musical instruments!  The improved sound was unmistakable.  Am I wrong?
aeschwartz OP
40 posts
 
Paul Simon's "Graceland", also sounds very synthetic.  This is also a Roy Halee production.  I'm amazed how live concerts, even recorded over 50 years ago, sound so more musical than many studio-produced records that sold so well.  Am I crazy?
aeschwartz OP
40 posts
 
I tried my 1985 CD of Bridge Over Troubled Water.  It says it's a digitally mastered analog recording CK9914.  It definitley is smoother than the hi-resolution version I downloaded from Qobuz, but not natural music.  There is low frequency bass that does not sound like any musical instrument I have ever heard.  Some of the vocals do sound like real human voice and some vocals are clearly engineered.  Thanks.  I will try the LP next.
aeschwartz OP
40 posts
 
I linked to the Roy Halee interview.  He says that he banged on a garbage can with a microphone inside when recording "Summer in the City" by the Lovin' Spoonful.  Sorry, to me that is not music.
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