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Kind of Blue SACD on a whim.

I've been listening to jazz for only about a year. I can't say that I'm a jazz fan yet but I am growing more and more fond of Kind of Blue. Last night I was looking around on eBay and saw a Kind of Blue MoFi hybrid SACD. It was $30, new, and on an impulse I bought it.


I have never bought and do not own any SACDs. (I have an Oppo player). I also know nothing about MoFi other than an association with high production quality.


Anyway, I am interested in anyone's thoughts on this SACD from a quality standpoint. According to the dynamic range database virtually all releases of Kind of Blue are superb from a DR standpoint so that should not be an issue. I did read that on some CD releases prior to 1992 the timing was off which cause slight pitch issues. I am assuming this SACD would not suffer from that issue but have no way of knowing but probably don't have the ears or familiarity with the album to know.


n80

Showing 11 responses by keegiam

keegiam
730 posts
 
I only own three versions of KOB - early Columbia vinyl, 1995 Classic Records double vinyl (includes original and corrected speeds for Side 1 - the corrected tracks are in sequence on the 2nd disk) and the 1996 Columbia SACD.

Of these, I think the double vinyl is best in every way.  Can't help with any others.  I just wanted to stress that, if I could choose a "cost-no-object" recording, it would be KOB.  If you love the album, my advice is to spend whatever it takes to get what you believe to be the best version.  To do that with every title we want would be nuts, but some warrant it.
keegiam
730 posts
 
I'm really fond of "Nefertiti."  Wayne Shorter was in the group by that time and his compositions are fascinating.  Recorded in mid-1967, less than a year after "Miles Smiles" (mentioned earlier in the thread).  The quintet is probably the greatest ever assembled: Miles, Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams.  Yikes.  Check out the title track and "Pinocchio" to start.

It's very accessible for those who can't stand "Bitches Brew," but jazz was clearly advancing into somewhat more mind-bending stuff.  Let's say there were a 1-10 scale for the "straight ahead" jazz sound and we put KOB at 10.  BB would score 1 because it's cacophonous madness.  I would put "Nefertiti" at 7 or 8.

Always good to see folks getting into this stuff!
keegiam
730 posts
 
@cd318   **** I'm not sure if any of the digital versions of KoB matches the superb Classic Records cut.****

The CR is amazing.  We're lucky the art of recording had come so far in the 50's.
Late 90's - a friend was excited to bring a new "improved" CD release over.  We AB'ed the CR and the CD track by track.  In your words, not even close.  Of course, I had dropped over $4k on TT/arm to get that level of playback. 

Grooves carved by sounds so a "needle" can read and reproduce them.  A very old invention, but many think it still leads the pack in sound quality.
keegiam
730 posts
 
@tablejockey

**** That makes you the most enlightened here. Just enjoying the music. ****

2,000+ posts and you think non-audiophiles enjoy the music music more?  C'mon.

keegiam
730 posts
 
@n80

Probably much more reaction than you bargained for today (i.e., TMI).  I"m sure you'll love the SACD - you have an Oppo, so maybe you'll look for more.  If streaming is good for you, no need.  You'll know soon.
keegiam
730 posts
 
When you start a thread with "Miles Davis" in the title, you're going to get plenty of discussion.  This has been enjoyable.

Just want to reiterate - let's always be thankful that the art of recording had been nearly perfected (at least for small combos) by the time all this great music was laid down in the 50's.  Here we are (60+ years later) marveling at what we hear.
keegiam
730 posts
 
@n80
@whart 

Great posts today.  Everything very well said. 

Enjoy your journey n80.  Obviously many in the jazz crowd are very passionate about the art form.  Hopefully you'll let us know in 6-12 months how your exploration went.  (You'll get the most attention and best advice on "Jazz for Aficionados" - 26,000 posts.)
keegiam
730 posts
 
@tablejockey 

No big deal.  My apologies, but when you stated:
That makes you the most enlightened here. Just enjoying the music.
my inference was that those who eschew vinyl or high end gear are more "enlightened" than those who are into more faithful (and expensive) reproduction.  I'm sure that's not exactly what you meant, but I've gotten that kind of feedback from some over the decades.  Should just bite my tongue as I usually do.  Enjoying the music is the ultimate aim of most of us here, whether it's on cassette tape or a $100k turntable.
keegiam
730 posts
 
@n80

Fantastic news.  It's always great to hear that someone is thrilled by the combination of outstanding music and amazing SQ.  Nice job on your description of the imaging as well.

I'm beating a dead horse, but this was recorded in Spring 1959 - 62 years ago.  There are so many more jaw-dropping recordings from that era, all using reel-to-reel.  Welcome to what many consider the golden age of jazz.  Again - hope you enjoy the journey, however far you go.
keegiam
730 posts
 
@n80  Funny, I have 10T's.  7B's - no wonder you heard such good imaging.
keegiam
730 posts
 
Indeed, "Jack Johnson" is riveting.  I play it nearly as often as "Nefertiti."

Texas-born Jack Johnson, the legendary black boxer, was crowned "Heavyweight Champion of the World" over a hundred years ago.  Pretty amazing, considering Jim Crow America.
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