Sherod,
Way to go, such a nice outcome.
Charles, |
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your kind words. If you consider the sheer length and huge number of posts on this thread it has remained remarkably on focus. Many people have become aware of a really nice worthwhile audio tweak.
Frank,
Funny that you mention that recording. A good friend of mine has that album and ripped a CD copy of it for me. Just as you describe, excellent music, wall to wall sound and terrific tonality of voice and instruments.
Charles, |
"The room came alive with musical emotion " David that is what I have been experiencing ever since I got my 300b SET amplifier (in 2009). There are so many brands available I'm very happy to hear that you found a great sounding one.
Charles, |
Frank,
Fair enough, Belafonte isn't a blues singer. In this instance though it comes off good overall and is an enjoyable listen. It is helped along by the accompanying musicians and the sound quality.
Charles, |
David,
Jeff’s High Water Sound room never disappoints, excellent taste in music and presented beautifully by his choice of audio products. He’s a man after my own heart, SET amplifiers and high efficiency speakers. His jazz collection is fantastic!
My mother and grandmother both played the piano, my dad was always playing Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong records in our home. I began playing trumpet at age 10. I sure do remember listening to music on my cheap 9 volt battery pocket transistor radio in the mid 1960s. I guess it's not surprising that guys like us have loved music our entire lives 😀😀
Charles, |
Hello Frank and David,
Do either of you have any comments regarding the Newport show this past weekend?
Charles, |
Just leaving it powered on is fine.
Charles, |
As an added bonus there's been much sharing of music titles and recordings for others to obtain. It's been a win,win situation for the vast majority of participants here.
Charles |
Well if there is a underlying scheme to promote the SR fuses someone forgot to tell me. There are certain products I’ve come across that genuinely impressed me based on pure high quality sound performance.
Coincident components, Duelund capacitors, Elrog,Takatsuki and EMLwhich are superb 300b tubes and Ocellia cables. I’ve participated in forum discussions concerning these products to share my opinion on very exceptional audio products
It’s no different this time with the SR fuses. I feel compelled to spread the word on such an excellent tweak that provides so much sound improvement for so little money. As I’ve said before it’s quite rewarding to read the many posts on this huge thread placed by very happy users. It’s a good thing when multiple music lovers are made aware of worthwhile products through a public forum such as Audiogon. I’m happy to be a contributor to others on this site. . Frank, thanks again for originating this informative and very friendly thread.
Charles,
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Hi Jeff (Jwm),
Jimmy Giuffre transitioned from "West Coast Cool"style in the 1950s towards the early "Free Jazz". Which genre is he playing on your recommended recording?
Charles, |
Thanks Jeff, I look forward to hearing it.
Charles, |
Frank,
I can imagine how good your listening session was enjoying those three stellar musicians. Last night I listened to Lester Young accompanied by Oscar Peterson, Barney Kessel, Ray Brown and J.C. Heard. Mono recording from the mid 1950s. Lester had such a beautiful tone and emotional expression. Lester is a genuine icon on the tenor saxophone.
Andy,
I have that McCoy Tyner recording and I agree with your assessment.
Charles, |
Andy,
I'd like to suggest a McCoy Tyner recording that's wonderful both sonically and musical interpretation. "Manhattan Moods" it features McCoy and the fabulous Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone. It's pure beauty 😊😊
Charles, |
The "Jessica's Blues" I had recommended is very good but I like her "This side Up" even more. I just listened to it (hadn't played it in a while ) and this is truly some fine piano work. There's so much music available from many talented musicians we're fortunate to have their recordings to listen to when ever we'd like to.
Charles, |
Andy,
You are welcome, it's beautiful music. Amazon can have the occasional very high priced CD but for the most part I've found quite reasonable or even bargain prices for the vast majority.
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I had the opportunity to hear Lynne Arriale CD at Jeff’s this past weekend and she and her trio sound very good, she’s an engaging pianist for sure.
David, Jessica Williams "Live At Yoshi’s" recording is one I’ve enjoyed for years . Another good one from her is "Jessica’s Blues".
David I believe that you’d really like Kenny Barron "Live At Bradley’s" Vol 1 (Vol 2 is excellent also ) . Top tier piano trio performance with very realistic jazz club atmosphere captured. Some sound engineers are just better than others at preserving the natural and palpable ambience of the jazz venues.
Charles, |
David,
I agree with you, this has been such an enjoyable thread to participate in.
I suspect that the W.E. Replica 300b from Pavane is trying to stay as faithful as possible to the vintage Western Electric character. David I’m not familiar with the Sophia blue glass 300b so I look forward to your listening impressions.
I’m listening to Sarah Vaughan this evening and what a pure pleasure ☺
1, "How Long Has This Been Going On?" This is an XRCD +1 music and sound quality. Recorded in 1978 and also features Joe Pass and Oscar Peterson.
2, "Sarah +2" Early 1960s stereo recording, just wonderful! Added bonus is Barney Kessel on guitar.
3, " After Hours" another early stereo studio recording, again, wonderful talent and music. The beautiful guitar playing of Mundell Lowe is featured.
Charles, |
David,
One aspect of jazz I adore (amongst many ) is the seamless collaborations between the young upstart and veteran musicians. Last night I listened to "Seasoned Wood" . This is esteemed elder pianist Cedar Walton with a very young trumpeter Jeremy Pelt recorded in 2008.
This reminds me of early 1960s pairing of veteran saxophonist icon Coleman Hawkins with the young and upcoming guitarist Kenny Burrell. Good stuff!
Charles, |
Andy,I believe that your chances of success are high based on David's listening experiences and given the company's overall track record in general . I don't have the Synergistic Research AC outlets, rather I use the Avatar Acoustic Afterburner 8 outlet and I'm very happy with its contribution to my system. In my opinion a high quality AC wall receptacle and fuses are exceptionally good value audio tweaks. Let us know how it turns out in your system.
Charles, |
Nyame and jafreeman,
You both summarized it perfectly . Brevity is truly the soul of wit. 😊
Charles, |
Hello David,
You are privileged to be able to alternative between the two SET amplifiers, no doubt that both presentations are very enjoyable. I firmly believe that the individual 300b tube preference varies depending on the particular amplifier in use. For example the Western Electric reissue American tube is superb in some amplifiers. I didn’t care for it at all in my Coincident amplifier. In this amplifier the EML XLS is a much better match.
Charles, |
Hello labtec, One of the side benefits of this thread has been the fairly frequent posting/sharing of music titles and recordings. This is due to the large number of music lovers who have participated in this very friendly thread. I’ve actually held back on more recording recommendations as to avoid drifting too far off the original topic (but can’t help myself at times 😊). I’d say there have been more recording recommendations on this thread than any other I’ve been a participant with the exception of those that had music as the original topic.
Nyame, The quote from Steve McCormack rings true for my encounter with the premium fuses. He said the fuses had as much or more sonic impact than did tube rolling or cable swapping. In some cases this has been my experience as well.
Charles, |
Hello Bill (Brownsfan ),
It's so good to hear from you. Labtec implied posters here care more about fuses than music listening and that is the antithesis of my observation. As you astutely noted the tweaks are simply a means to increasing our music listening enjoyment. Okay Bill you've convinced me to keep the music recommendations coming. |
These artists aren’t necessarily universally known but are nonetheless superb jazz musicians.
Pianist John Hicks, "Twogether" (correct spelling ). Features alto saxophonist Frank Morgan on a few cuts.
Pianist, Fred Hersch, "Dancing In The Dark "
Hammond B3 organist Joey DeFrancesco, "Somewhere In The Night " Live recording and features Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone.
Guitarist Doug Raney, "The Backbeat " features DeFrancesco on the organ.
These are very good jazz recordings.
Charles, |
Frank,
I agree with your sentiments regarding this happy vibe thread you initiated. In all honesty the negative comments have been miniscule given the enormous volume of this thread. A few posts from wolf and some others but it hasn't amounted to anything of meaningful merit. I don't include Al in this tiny group. Yes he's expressed some wariness but he doesn't resort to a small minded and superficial "know it all" demeanor. Overall the information exchanged, impressions shared and robust goodwill generated has been fabulous. My compliments to you all.
Charles,
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Hello nyame,
I am a jazz nut but in terms of classical music I find that I’m drawn to Cello and piano (I really like Mstislav Rostropovich as an example). The emotion of his playing saturates my room. Thanks for the recommendation.
Charles, |
Hi Jason,
It’s good to know that you discovered this thread and like many others here found an affordable and exceptionally effective tweak. Let us know your impressions of the Black fuse in your Shindo preamplifier.
Charles,
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Okay I consider myself a student of Thelonious Monk, of both his playing and equally for his compositions. Simply put I have the upmost admiration and respect for his enormous talent and contributions to jazz music.
Two guitarists payed tribute to Monk with recordings dedicated to his music. They’re both top tier musicians who approach jazz guitar with distinctly different but equally superb ability. For any of you familiar with Monk’s music I believe that you’ll truly appreciate these two excellent interpretations done in the spirit of Monk. Both are trio settings with drums and acoustic bass. Well recorded and more importantly, beautiful musicianship.
Peter Bernstein, "Monk"
Bobby Broom "Bobby Broom Plays For Monk"
Charles, |
Hi Andy,
Now that’s a picture I’d love to own. In my listening room I have a picture of a young Monk (circa 1940s) sitting at a piano. If you don’t already have these recordings I strongly recommend the following.
"Live At The It Club" Small Los Angeles jazz club early 1960s. Very good!
"Monk’s Dream " His first studio recording with Columbia Records. Quartet group in top form.
Charles, |
+1 nyame and jafreeman descriptive comments. It seems that better quality fuses,AC wall receptacles and power cables work individually and collectively to improve AC POWER quality. Which results in less of a mechanical /electronic character and more of a natural fluidity and liquid flow of the music. With the Black fuses the improved clarity is quite noticeable but so is the more organic presentation.
Interesting my system was already very organic yet this desired characteristic was further improved with the fuse and AC receptacle upgrades. In my opinion this supports the notion that AC power/ pathway improvements truly affect the overall sound quality of a system. Money spent to address this aspect of an audio system is very worthwhile.
What reminded me of this factor occurred the past few nights while listening to a variety of jazz guitarists. Anyone familiar with this type of music knows they can play some of the most beautiful, gorgeous and complex major and minor chords you'd ever want to hear. Be it Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery or Russell Malone, the list goes on and on. As the AC power improves so does the unveiling of the beautiful guitar playing, harmonics, overtones and just nuances overall are exceptionally exposed. This further deepens the emotional connection to the music you're listening to. It gets very close to what I hear at live intimate jazz venues, a very rich,warm fully fleshed out sound of the entire guitar. Needless to say it's utterly satisfying.
Charles, |
Here's one example of what I mean (and then I'll shut up ). The other night I'd recommended "Monk" by Peter Bernstein. Listening to the cut "Blues Five Spot" you hear simply delicious chords being played as Peter expresses his interpretation of Monk's tune. Hard to put into words but I sure felt it. Listening to music is such a personal experience. 😊
Charles, |
Nyame,
Yes I have both of those recordings.
Charles,
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Hi oblgny,
When I became interested in jazz and listened with new found attention Oscar Peterson was my main pianist. As time passed and with ever increasing exposure /awareness Monk just pulled me in. Peterson is an enormous talent whom I'll always respect, Monk just goes straight to my soul.
Charles, |
The point of the McCormack comments is he clearly recognized the significant improvement in sound quality with use of premium fuses in place of the stock fuse. No one suggested he was specifically referring to the SR fuses.
The derogatory and very personal comments towards Frank (Oregonpapa ) are childish and completely unwarranted. I don’t understand such bitterness and vitriol expressed due to a difference of opinion on the merits of SR fuses/products This is bizarre.
Charles, |
Mapman and Wolf tried the SR fuses and they heard no improvement in the sound quality of their systems. That's fine and I can accept that without any problem whatsoever. All I care about is honesty, people reporting what they heard good or bad. I appreciate the same regard for my listening impressions.
No product will satisfy everyone and most certainly results will vary amongst a population of listeners for a variety of reasons, no problem accepting that. Over the years I've been the fortunate recipient of numerous loans of audio products from generous audiogon members. These include some rather expensive cables and tubes. They were interested in my opinion and feedback. Some sounded exceptionally good and some didn’t. Not every product had positive benefits in my system and I said so.
For what ever reason the SR Red and subsequently the Black fuses provided obvious positive impact and I felt compelled to share the joy with my fellow audiogon members. They apparently have worked out well for many on this site and not so for the very few. It they do nothing for you just send them back.
Charles, |
Hi Frank,
Being the fan of West Coast jazz that you are, Do you have any of the "Shelly Manne And His Men At The Black hole " recordings? They are very good.
Charles, |
Jafreeman,
yours is a very compelling post. You have written what some others are possibly suspicious of but are willing to give people with counter opinions and experiences the benefit of the doubt.
I am willing to take his comments at face value. All I can say is his outcome is vastly different from mine and leave it at that. Look at the number of respected members of this forum who are very experience and credible listeners Who have reported excellent results with these particular fuses. Form your own conclusions.
charles, |
Mapman,
I can’t say that I’ve detected animosity from the advocates of the Black fuses, in fact they’ve been an usually cheerful group (for an open forum environment ). On the other side there’s only been a handful doubters, with true animosity displayed only from labtec. I haven’t perceived animosity from you (just skepticism ) and Wolf just being Wolf. IMO the overall demeanor here has been unquestionably positive and enjoyable. Keep it up gentlemen.
Charles, |
Nyame,
Thanks very much for your kind comments I do appreciate them.
This has been a very enjoyable thread for me and I see no reason for a few alternative opinions to change that. I surely respect their perspective but that's as far as it goes for me. What I hear has exponentially more impact than what someone else has to say.
David, yes "Blackhawk ", , not Black hole ☺. I've only had these recordings for about 20 years. That is one sweet system your mother listens to David.
Charles, |
Frank,
Contemporary is one of my favorite historic/classic jazz labels along with Riverside, Prestige and Columbia Records. They all had terrific musicians and consistently good sound quality.
Charles,
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Frank,
I cut my teeth on Blue Note recordings during my initial exposure to jazz recordings (vinyl and CD). This label definitely had many of the jazz icons early in their careers. Rudy Van Gelder during the 1950-60s was the recording engineer for Blue Note and Prestige. I must say that during this period the Prestige were consistently better sounding. Both labels provided excellent music.
Charles, |
Hi nyame,
I am glad you enjoyed the Peter Bernstein's "Monk".
I will search for the other two recordings you recommend.
Charles, |
Hi Frank,
I have Lee Morgan's "Sidewider" on vinyl and Dexter's "One Flight Up" on CD. A couple from these gents, Morgan, "Tom Cat".
Gordon, "Doin' Allright ". If you don't already have them I'm certain that you'll like both.
Charles, |
No knock on the Mark Levinson Phono section but I'd expect the Herron to be a considerable improvement based on its long term universal praise from very happy owners.
Charles, |
"So much for the respect thread "
Mapman I have no idea what is going on with you and joecasey. As an open forum people are free to comment (good or bad ). With well over 2200 posts on this thread, overwhelming the attitude and decorum has been exceptionally good relative to most large threads here and elsewhere. Perhaps you and joecasey can settle this privately rather than continuing on this good-hearted thread.
Charles, |
Mapman,
Did you mistakenly post your comment here? Where’s the derogatory comment from joecasey on this thread?
Charles, |
Mapman,
I didn’t say derogatory comments are acceptable, unfortunately they do happen occasionally , I thought my earlier post made that pretty clear. I also made this same point regarding labtec’s comments towards Oregonpapa. A few negative posts don’t change the tone of a large and predominantly friendly thread. The post that offended you is deleted so a good outcome ultimately. By the way Mapman I addressed you as you took the time /effort to post your concern /displeasure with joecasey and add a comment about "respect" in regard to this thread.
Charles |
Nayme,
It seems to have ended well given the deleted post from joecasey.
Charles, |
Hi Jib222,
I just took a look at your system page. With the type of system you've assembled I believe that you have a very realistic and natural presentation. It must sound fabulous!
Charles, |
Jib222,
Thanks for your sharing of listening impressions regarding the Shindo preamplifier. The results of the Black fuse has been very consistent across a multitude of brands of audio components. This thread is witness to that and quite emphatically I might add. I'm happy that this thread provided you awareness of an effective affordable tweak.
Charles, |
