Classical music listening... what is a better source High Rez or Vinyl?


For many of us who really enjoy classical music, for me it is Baroque and opera, what is the better and more consistent for source high fidelity listening?

I am a mid hifi guy and have a Pro-ject Classic SB turntable with a high output MC Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 cartridge.. I am using a Jolida JD 9II Tube phone stage, with a vintage Telefunkin tube upgrade.

I have a Rogue Sphinx 3 integrated amplifier, with a vintage Mozada tube upgrade. My digital source DAC/SACD/CD is a Yamaha CD-2100 player.

I have refurbished Ohm H's loud speakers.

I have been picking up many vintage classical albums recently, mainly 1980’s releases in excellent condition too, at my local transfer station, and it has been mixed bag in comparison to my high resolution music files and SACD collection.

I was expecting much more when it came to vinyl and classical but I have not been as won over, as I have been with rock and jazz on vinyl.

My experience with SACD and high resolution, 96/24 or higher, has been very rewarding with a wide variety of classical music. Opera really shines in digital IMHO. Strong and full on classical piece are quite stunning on many a SACD releases I own. Rachel Podger’s Vivaldi: L’estro armonico - 12 concerti, Op. 3 on SACD is an excellent example of the audio quality I demand, as this recording is exceptional! Plus there are are very few new remastered vinyl releases for classical, particularly for opera, these days. A perfect example of this is Shubert’s Winterreise featuring Joyce DiDanato and pianist Yannick Nezet-Sequin, which I saw performed at Carnegie Hall for this recording and which sounds phenomenal in 96/24, and was release recently.

That would seem counter intuitive but that is clearly what the market is showing.

On one of these threads I recall someone posting how strings of violins, and the intensity that they are played at, can lead to degraded sound quality depending on the type of cartridge used.

I want to hear back from the classical music posse here to help me get to that higher level of listening with classical vinyl.

Is it the cartridge?

Or should I just stay with my digital sources?


idigmusic64

Showing 5 responses by idigmusic64

@millercarbon we  can file that one in the  " get off my lawn" box. You need to try alot harder dude.

@rok2id  thanks!
@petg60  please explain  further on the cartridge. I always was led to  believe that a MC, granted I have a HO one, is  better for classical and  jazz. I do need my cartridge to play a wide variety of music, including rock, but would be curious what you would might suggest.

@bkske I will have check out that Hilary Hahn  album.

@mikelavigne  thanks for the honest assessment. I  am trying to seek out vintage classical recordings, as I mentioned many end up at the local transfer station in my area, so I am not  giving up yet.

Everyone else thanks for your input. I thought I  might get more technical advice on my current rig in regards to fine tuning my vinyl but we'll see.


I am enjoying how this thread is blossoming as well as getting some good recommendations to check out.
@frogman  @edcyn thanks for the tip on the Decca and London vintage recordings.

I only actually got back into vinyl last November and my vinyl classical collection is still in it's infancy, but I did have a mono London FFrr album by Pilar Lorengar from the early 1960's that I  saved from my local transfer station.

Wow ! I was thoroughly impressed by Ms. Lorengar exquisite voice and the sound stage on the album was quite impressive too. This mono recording was lush and dynamic allowing Ms. Lorengar's captivating soprano voice to dance and soar.

I  just scored two Joan Sutherland London boxed  sets in near mint condition on that famous secondary  site for under $30 total. 

I also picked up a   CBS Records Masterworks recording of Yo-Yo Ma from 1983, in mint condition, with harpsichord Kenneth Cooper playing Bach's Sonatas for Viola da Gamab & Harpsichord and other works

Yo-Yo' cello playing is full of lustrous and brilliant notes that you can feel in your chest...that is always an indication to me of an exceptional recording. The harpsichord also sounds quite natural and vibrant and not overly tenuous in tone either.

Have a good weekend everyone.
Here is an  update. I  have started seeking out some of the 1960's London recordings. I picked up an excellent copy of " Luci Di Lammermoor" with Dame Joan Sutherland, OSA 1327, and it sounds phenomenal!

I also picked  up another excellent one of " Norma" again with Sutherland and one of my  favorite opera, with Richard Bonynge conducting The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus  Stereo OSA-1394

I also made some slight adjustments  with my photo stage too and are very happy with the improved performance and sound stage.

I am curious to seek out some vintage 45 rpm. If any one has any recommendations of Operas or Baroque I would appreciate it.
@edcyn the proverbial holy grail I guess. It makes sense that it would only be modern releases. I enjoyed your post.

@melm great post as well. How can you find out what type of analog chip or amp your DAC currently has? Plus is there a site were these aficionados post their insight?

I also have  a couple Mercury Living Legend records coming in the mail soon too.