Yamaha from the mid 80's ain't worth fooling with.
Jazz for aficionados
Jazz for aficionados
I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.
Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.
The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".
"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.
While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.
Enjoy the music.
I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.
Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.
The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".
"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.
While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.
Enjoy the music.
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Sorry but this also raises the question; how old are your HK and Marantz amps? If either is 10 or more years then even though they work they may not be up to their designed performance.***** OP, you just condemned my entire system to the scrap heap. Amps are 15, 10 and 8 years old. CD players are 14, 10, 8, 6 and 5 years old. Guess I need to do a complete overhaul. In spite of the obscene prices on the so-called high-end stuff, very good audio equipment has never been more affordable. I am aware of the problem with Caps. Restoring? The HK amps only cost 299 new. Maybe the local schools could use them. Cheers |
The Yamaha is a well built amp and good sounding for a ss amp from that period. I have a hunch it will sound noticeably better than your integrateds, old age and all. The reason for my recommendation was for you to hear that amps do sound different, nothing more. I think you might be surprised and if you are careful I see no downside to trying it keeping in mind that it will probably not sound as good as new as pryso says. Good luck. |
Rok, SS Amps go downhill, CD players function on chips; either they're working or their not. Give those dinosaur amps to the goodwill. https://www.parts-express.com/cat/home-audio-amplifiers/106 I've had 3 of these, they sound very good with a tube pre. The first one I bought cost $139. now they're a little higher. They have one downside, air vents are on the top of the amp, and if one drop of water falls on top, you got a smoked amp. Been there done that, no water gets within 100 yards of my amps. https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-apa150-150w-power-amplifier--300-812 If you want to be in the big league, or at least knocking on the door, you have to have a "tube Preamp" they last a long time. Happy shopping. |
Speak for yourselves... I have my Emotiva XPA - 2 for seven years now. No issues. SS all the way. https://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/emotiva-xpa-2 |
One of the most remarkable musical events I have ever witnessed in all of my life was when I saw "Andreas Vollenweider"; I was transported to another time and place in my life. We got the mezzanine front and center seats; it was like being in the center of a huge speaker, plus I brought two sets of binoculars, one for wide angle, and another long range to zero in on details. Andreas's music is somewhere between fantasy and angelic. When I was a child, my aunt read me fairy tales from a big white jewel encrusted book (looked like jewels to me) and took off her big diamond ring that I turned different ways to watch it sparkle all the colors of the rainbow while listening to "Hansel and Gretel" or whatever fairy tell she was reading. This music took me back to that happy time when I thought that life would be one long fairy tale. Andreas looks like a cherub plucking his harp, and the music he makes could only come from a cherub. His band consisted of such an incredible cast of characters who made a sound that could be called "otherworldly". This is the same music I witnessed and I want to share that experience with you; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me6aASTOglE |
orpheus10 OP One of the most remarkable musical events I have ever witnessed in all of my life was when I saw "Andreas Vollenweider"; I was transported to another time and place in my life. We got the mezzanine front and center seats; it was like being in the center of a huge speaker, plus I brought two sets of binoculars, one for wide angle, and another long range to zero in on details. >>>>>>Yeah, mescaline will do that. 😳 |
Today’s Listen: John Coltrane -- AFRO BLUE IMPRESSIONS 2CD set. Total of 9 tunes. Recorded in Sweden and during a European tour in 1963. Before you say you have heard these before, trust me, only the titles have remained the same. Sort of like albums by Monk. Notes: Some of the more interesting I have ever read. ".....Historians will certainly see Coltrane as a musician who, having inherited the vast new harmonic territories bequeathed by Charlie Parker, sought to consolidate those gains and build on them. The problem was to know how to build upon them, for Parker, in opening the way for the incorporation into Jazz of an all-embracing harmonic system, had, like a westering pioneer too successful for his own eventual good, reached the sea; after Parker, where else could an experimenter wander without without violating the bounds of formal logic altogether?" --- Benny Green Goes on to say that in this album, that is the question Coltrane is constantly asking himself. Coltrane died shortly after these recordings were made. I think he was trying to break out of Jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8NP9-52ZyY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u10gOGu9jbk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAWRw-tdsII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmqUon9ofSs Cheers "reached the Sea" I Love that. This guy knows Jazz and can write also. |
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Rok, for a tube preamp, I recommend a CJ PV-10;***** After thinking about things, I realized that my stuff is not as old as it seems. The amps have only been played 1/3 of the time. However, my 14 year old Marantz SACD player is making loud grinding noises when turned on. Then displays the message "Cannot play". It eventually does, but these are red flags. Questions to the OP: What, if any, is the down side of replacing the Marantz with a Yamaha Blu-Ray (Yamaha Aventage BD-A1060) player for half the money. It plays SACDs also. Cheers |
Rok, honest question: what exactly are you trying to accomplish with a possible foray into audiophilia; or, at least, some new gear? Functionality or sound concerns, or curiosity? Btw, I bought the current $500 model Oppo everything-player for a HT setup and I must say it sounds amazingly good for the money...for a cd (everything) player ☺️ |
Rok, it's time you upped the quality of your sound; that CJ-PV 10 is known the world over, and has been for some time. That Blue Ray sounds like a winner; there have been advances in chips that allow you to have better quality digital at a cheaper price. Amps and preamps are slightly different; the preamp especially. The amp produces whatever sound the Pre feeds it. If the Pre feeds it a high quality "Tube" sound, that's what it will try to send to your speakers. Differences in SS amps are subtle, but each positive upgrade is quite expensive because it comes at the cost of more expensive parts which the manufacture has to pass on. Like it or not, electrolytic capacitors go downhill in such a way that you don't realize it until the quality of audio is really bad. In other words, if you compared your amps with identical amps that had new capacitors, you would hear a big difference. The most unfortunate thing about this time, is the fact that high end salons no longer exist. (good thing) If they did, I might sell the baby's high chair to get new speakers, after hearing how much better theirs sounded. You bought your stuff when we were in the "Lo-Fi" game, it's time to move up a notch. I gave you the cheapest option available for that move. |
"electrolytic capacitors go downhill in such a way that you don’t realize it until the quality of audio is really bad." Very true o10. But that condition applies to several parts of an audio system; vacuum tubes weaken as they age (and sometimes get noisy), styli (needles) wear and lose detail, speaker cone surrounds can disintegrate (particularly foam types), and electrolytic caps (in particular) and other electronic parts can drift out of their specified values. So does this mean we all need to buy new systems every 10 years or so? Absolutely not. But we must be aware of the limitations of each part in our audio systems. Even CD players can fail if the laser burns out. But then it won't play so you know it's time to change. ;^) In fact there are many older components which can still offer very good performance, and not just the expensive ones like McIntosh or Audio Research. But the owner must expect to perform, or have a tech perform, certain parts upgrades to renew performance. In some cases, like certain capacitors, resistors, or transistors, performance can be improved over what was available when the component was new 10, 20, 30 years ago. It is no different than our cars, or other appliance. Some maintenance must be expected. The real question is are we better off having the older component restored, or recycling it and buying something new? |
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honest question: what exactly are you trying to accomplish with a possible foray into audiophilia; or, at least, some new gear? Functionality or sound concerns, or curiosity? ***** Honest Answer: Probably Curiosity. Can all these 'audiophiles' be wrong?? I suspect they can be. I just have the itch to get something new. If the prices weren't so ridiculous, I would have a long time ago. Also, basic 2-channel amps without all the digital, wi-fi, streaming, video etc.... stuff, I will never use, are becoming harder to find. I was taught that Tubes are high in distortion and start to degrade the moment you fire them up for the first time. I know that LPs mean clicks and pops and are slowly destroyed the more you play them. But these two things are what the high end goes ga-ga over. Go Figure. Another option I have is to use the HKs as pre-amps with some monster from Emotiva. That might make the most sense. Cheers |
I'm beginning to wonder why I got into this conversation; we have a horse and buggy music lover who wants to stay that way, that's fine with me. Tubes are why the music on the radio sounded so good before they ever heard of a transistor. As a matter of "fact", those very same tubes are much more expensive; they're called NEW OLD STOCK, and as soon as I have excess funds, I will purchase some of them. Somehow I feel out of place, like someone wearing cleats on a basketball court. |
Right now, I'm lying down in the bedroom where I have the CJ-PV 10 with NOS tubes listening to Clifford Brown With Strings; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Aww9lWwYlY&list=PLUJ7V33M1wR3JLVPbCEBiR3_1PNP7zaOT Every note seems to sparkle; I bet the SS people think they're hearing the same thing I'm hearing. What they don't know wont hurt them. |
OP, Well you are certainly an expert on ancient audio technology. Now tell me what you know about headphone amps. Do I need one? I plug into the headphone jack on the receiver, which defeats the speaker output. The amp's volume knob controls the volume of the headphones. I don't think a headphone amp would do me any good. Correct? Cheers |
Now tell me what you know about headphone amps. Do I need one? If you're happy with the way things sound now, you don't need one. If you have a decent set of headphones and a good source and want to get the best sound quality, then yes, you need one. Most devices with headphone jacks have an OK or worse headphone amp. A good headphone amp will have more power and headroom and allow more detail to present itself. Just like with amps and speakers there are dramatically different levels of sound quality to be experienced. |
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If you're happy with the way things sound now, you don't need one.***** big_greg Thanks for your input. My thought process was this: If you have a CD player with a headphone Jack, most often there will be a headphone volume control next to the jack. This tells me that there is a headphone amp built in. I can readily see how a more powerful external amp might improve things. My receiver has a headphone jack that kills output to the speakers when a headphone plug is inserted. There is no volume knob specifically for the headphones. The the receiver's volume knob, controls the volume of the headphones. To me this means the receiver's power output or part of it is powering the headphone jack. The receiver is rated at 120wpc into 8 ohms. Would a headphone amp even be applicable or needed in this configuration? I am not an audiophile so please overlook any ignorance in the question. Thanks Cheers |
Emotiva still manufactures the XPA - 2 but it is called the gen - 3. I would check as may reviews as you can on this amp before making a purchase. They are still number one in quality to price ratio. Here is the link to the XPA - 2 gen - 3. https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/xpa-2-gen3 For home theater applications they offer 7, 5, and 3 channel amps as well. Emotiva also manufactures high end pre - amps as well. And they too are priced for the working man. Here is their flagship model: https://emotiva.com/collections/pre-amps/products/xsp-1 Of course it is all solid state. My knowledge of tube amps is limited as I have never been interested in going down that road. I have only listened to a handful of "tube systems" in my life and none of them impressed me enough to make me switch from solid state. What I do know is that a good tube system with power approaching that of a solid state system can get very pricey in a hurry. Those using inexpensive/budget tube systems cannot compete with solid state. |
Here is the headphone amp I use. It has a built in DAC and costs less then $250.00: https://mayflowerelectronics.com/arc/ I use the headphone amp exclusively with my pc which I have downloaded my complete music collection on in FLAC format. I like trying different headphones as they all offer a different type of sound quality. I currently have the Sennheiser HD 650 and also 1MORE H1707 https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=asc_df_B00018MSNI/... https://usa.1more.com/collections/headphones/products/tripleoverear |
SS Preamps are a non starter for me. While I have tube mono blocks in the listening room, SS power amps could possibly work with a tube preamp. I have Audible Illusions M3A preamp. http://www.audibleillusions.com/news/ PrimaLuna Monoblocks amplifier https://upscaleaudio.com/products/primaluna-prologue-premium-monoblocks-pair I have custom efficient speakers. I worked with a crossover design engineer to build my speakers. No need for an engineer for bedroom speakers, but I wanted something special for the listening room. Absolutely not recommended; it took 20 years of modifying before I was satisfied. Not as expensive as you might think when you build your own cabinet, but way too problematic. The end result is "holographic". I had 150 watt channel SS amps before I got the tube 70 watt a channel monoblocks, and I can't tell the difference. I know it doesn't seem to add up, but there it is. There are a multitude of advantages to tubes; you can change the sound of your rig by swapping different kinds of tubes, you can make it sound better than it's cost by purchasing NOS tubes. Although I'm biased, I say SS lovers like sounds, while tube lovers love music. |
Thanks to everyone for all the input on headphone amps and power amps. I don't think I need a headphone amp. I only use headphones to listen to the main rig, never to computers or mobile devices. They seem to be more than adequately powered by the receivers and integrated. Thanks Cheers Btw, got my Sennheiser HD 660s today. |
Today's Listen: Ellington and Coltrane -- DUKE ELLINGTON & JOHN COLTRANE An unusual pairing. Both men showed up with their own bass player and drummer. They divided the work. Not too sure how that worked out. Another Van Gelder recording. The Notes: (There is always an interesting nugget to be had in most notes) "In actual fact Duke Ellington was put into the Jazz world to separate the men from the boys. His grasp of harmony and instrumental voicing is more advanced than anybody else in the entire range of Jazz, and the reason why many modern fans are unable to accept him is not that they are too modern for Duke, but that Duke is too modern for them."----Benny Green "I'd really like to get into all Duke's songs, I have a feeling there's a lot to find out in his music" -- Coltrane I'm sure The Duke grabbed his scores and ran. :) Ellington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmkpJD8Ew9c Ellington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6HltqebkT8 Coltrane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyDZQs8jNmM Strayhorn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au4sopMai2s Cheers Of course the main question for SOME aficionados will be "whose album is it?" Well, the Duke is listed on top, all the songs save one, were by The Duke or Strayhorn, but, I have it filed under 'C' for Coltrane. The Frogman and The OP can sort it out while they stand in line for their "mega yachts" |
For my new found "Audiophile" friend, I'm going to be checking the quality of headphone outputs. For starters, the jack on the back of my computer is putting out a very good signal. Left, right, and center is perfect, as well as depth. I'll compare some more and get back to you. In a way, headphones are better than speakers because they don't have the room to contend with. |
You cannot go wrong with Sennheiser headphones. The HD 650's have been the main choice for "budget audiophiles" such as myself for 2 decades. They debuted at just under 500.00 but now can be had for 350 - 400 new depending on where you buy. The HD 660 is the new "budget audiophile" headphones from Sennheiser although they did not discontinue the HD 650's. If the HD 660's sound anything like the older 650's or better (I would'nt know as I never compared the 2) then you will have excellent headphones for years to come. Congratulations! |
pjw, I have had the HD 650s for 14 years. Thought it was time for a change. The 660S is supposed to lift the infamous Sennheiser ’veil’, which I never heard. I use headphones almost exclusively for classical music. These are supposed to have the drivers from the HD700. Better than the HD650?? Which are damn good, We shall see. Cheers |
Actually Rok, they’re a lot cheaper than dental work. After spending thousands on dental work, I asked how much would they charge to get everything I wanted; that’s when I had to make a choice; "Do I want dental work or a pair of PrimaLuna Mono Blocks"? Needless to say, I don’t have that Colgate smile, but I got my Mono Blocks. When I look in the mirror, I say "You still look good to me". |
Rok, my rig might seem expensive to you, but it's near the bottom rung of the high end; plus it's the cheapest that you can get to deliver Class "A" sound. After I wandered into a high end salon in 1990, and discovered what was possible, I was determined to duplicate that "Holographic" sound, and I've come as close to it as my funds will allow. Recently I upgraded my analog and got a new record collection from my old records. The way I stated it made it sound fast and easy, but it wasn't; that's because I modified an old Rega P3, this required patience, hard work and skill, but nowhere near the cost of an equivalent high end TT. The enjoyment of music is my life, it's what I breath; consequently, I want it to be as pleasurable as possible. It seems we both have been into "Trane" a lot lately; here's my pick for today; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHUVjQydI John Coltrane – tenor saxophone Lee Morgan – trumpet Curtis Fuller – trombone Kenny Drew – piano Paul Chambers – bass Philly Joe Jones – drums This was released in 1958, and next to "My Favorite Things", might be his best known cut. I played it a lot on the jukebox in 59. Back in 59, I was not aware of the raw talent of those individual artists who would go on to become leaders and stars in their own right. Just recently, as an example, we've had extended discussions about "Lee Morgan". Although I played that record a lot in 59, it's taken these many years to know "why." |
Orpheus,funny, one of my friends recently got his hands on audible illusions preamp, not sure if its the same model like yours, no remote and two separate volume controls for each canal? He has McCormack amp, was very pleased with sound of the preamp, but at the and he has changed it for ARC, more of convinience, I would say. (volume adjusting drove him mad) Just got three more albums of Johnny Smith, the guitar player. Very nice guitar sound, great playing Johnny Smith 'Foursome vol 2' https://youtu.be/etY4rGw8Z8I https://youtu.be/rYc_f-XJYIw J.S. 'Favourites' https://youtu.be/1nFjeLC4QS4 https://youtu.be/igye8GfNLBk J.S.' Designed for you' https://youtu.be/oSVicw6qj4I https://youtu.be/RAuEMBjIuy4 |
Today’s Listen: John Coltrane -- DEAR OLD STOCKHOLM Great album cover. Van Gelder recording. Notes: the notes seem to be mostly about Roy Haynes, and how he came to be the drummer on this set, instead of Elvin Jones. "When I worked with Trane -- I’ll tell you this, the intensity was so high...it stayed high. so I stayed with the intensity, I didn’t necessarily play differently than I normally play, but John’s solos were longer, and I didn’t want to play the same thing throughout his solo, so I’d have to think of more things and get ideas from what he was playing. When I’m with Trane, I don’t want to let him down -- I want to keep him inspired." --- Roy Haynes Seems to be a recurring theme with Coltrane sidemen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr8z5guIH24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl3MSV2qIEw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9-zgx_8d2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvSUKWDOBM Cheers Btw, ’Dear Old Stockholm’ is a reworked Swedish folk song. I wonder if the Swedes would recognize it. |
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my rig might seem expensive to you, but it's near the bottom rung of the high end; plus it's the cheapest that you can get to deliver Class "A" sound.***** My entire adult working life was in electronics. IBM and The US Army. These experiences have prevented me from buying into High-End audio. I wish I could, it seems to be a lot of fun. Btw, my Marantz PM 7200 plays 'Class A' for the first 25 watts. :) Cheers |
Lately I've been listening to the Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - the beautiful sounding 45 pressing from Acoustic Sounds. Lately I've been getting into Japanese piano jazz trios. The Yuko Mabuchi Trio is another one. |