Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge! So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album:
I see QSound embedded recordings are needing a bump.
From recollection, the embedded data, was able to create an expansive Soundstage and be very accurate in a placement of sound within the Soundstage. Both of which I can vouch for perceiving be present very strongly.
Today, I suggest the easiest and probably cheapest option to experience QSound is the Roger Waters Live CD.
Also if Sensura is Tracked in time, it become QSound, and today I am led to believe the Technology is owned by Dolby and is Dolby Atmos.
That said, four albums stand out for me as a recommendation. They are diverse,
Janis Joplin - Cheap Thrills
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Fillmore
There are literally hundreds of versions of some of these records. Some may be superb, some not so much. For instance there are 331 vinyl versions of "Time Out" listed on Discogs. (I assume that is what was meant instead of "Take Five") Since it is in the public domain it is being released by numerous labels such as Wax Time and DOL using dubious sources. It has been released several times at 45 rpm including a Classic Records version that is on 4 single sided discs. So some are obviously much better than others. If you google "Aqualung" there is much discussion of the various versions with the general consensus being that while some are better than others, and some are not good at all, none of them are "truly stunning."
My point is, naming popular titles where some releases are "truly stunning" but many are not without pointing to the particular releases that are the best of the lot, doesn’t really add to the conversation.
I know there is a lot of anger over Mo-Fi’s use of digital steps in the making of it’s ultra premium One-Step records. But, many of them are really great sounding so it is not the case that digital ruins recorded music. If you have a chance to acquire these records, you should not pass them up.
I would like to add that anyone who has 3.7 Maggies does not have "mid fi" sound. Do not let the 1% intimidate you, you have high quality sound.
That said, four albums stand out for me as a recommendation. They are diverse,
Janis Joplin - Cheap Thrills
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Fillmore
I would also add my own bias, I have owned 3.6 Maggies for almost 20 years and they are magical. Everyone has different tastes and ears, but my gear chasing ended when I had my Maggies dialed in. I hope you have Mye stands as they are a game changing inexpensive tweak.
The best pressed record I’ve ever heard is the Black Sabbath ST from Rhino. It’s the unnumbered version. I could not believe how good they made that record sound.
@phillyspecial If you like live music, I’d highly recommend Alice In Chains - MTV Unplugged. I am willing to say it is the best recorded live album. Super intimate hearing all the crowd reaction (and banter), really captures the acoustics of the room, and the playing was spot on.
That album is bittersweet though, because you can really hear how frail and nervous Layne Staley was by that time. Listen for the banter with Metallica sitting front row and the lisp in his voice from the drug abuse destroying his teeth. Sad, silly, joyful and every bit of typical dejected Seattle grunge was all captured there. Such an amazing album.
Some artists were very much interested in the sound quality of their records, or so it seems, because the sound is consistently good. Lois Armstrong seemed to always have good records. Ry Cooder is another good example. In addition to the Water Lily recording mentioned above, his “Buena Vista Social Club” record is terrific sounding. I also really like his “Paradise and Lunch Album” (I have both the original and a Mobile Fidelity” reissue and they are both good).
Aja and Kind of Blue UHQRs go neck and neck for my best sounding records. Doesn't hurt that they are my 2 favorite albums also.
Too many others to mention, because I don't listen to any just for the sound quality. If I don't like a record, I don't care how good it sounds. I can appreciate it, just won't waste my time listening to it. Of course if it sounds great, I will enjoy it more.
I guess I am not as die hard of an audiophile as I thought....didn't realize so many are building demo rooms like the good old days when so many stereo stores played Pat Metheny Group (the other white album,which I do happen to really like) and the Crime of the Century UHQR (which I also really like).
It's about the music (but good equipment enhances the experience). Not the other way around.
Mike from "The in groove" has a great video on his favorite top 100 vinyl records still in press. His tastes are rock, classic jazz, and blues. A great and informative video. The albums featured are actually still available and would be a great place to add more accessible options to the stellar ones presented in this forum. The Doors 45 rpm by analogue productions is sonically superior to the recent UHQR-I have both. Another disc that would be under the radar is (don't scoff) Madonna's Ray of Light. It is produced by William Orbit and it is truly 3-d and the music is surprisingly excellent. Get the German version. The recent Impex release of Getz/Gilberto puts you front and center in a small music venue in the front seat. You can almost smell the cigar smoke.
Check out MA Sera Una Noche - La Segunda album. If you like instrumental it is recorded live in a chapel. Amazing album. They have it also in Qobuz for streaming. I like my vinyl collection but after getting an external dac LTA Aero on my A6ME streamer, I’m more on the streaming now. It sounds vinyl!
Most of the direct-to-disc records I’ve heard—e.g., Sheffield, M&K, Crystal Clear, East Winds—are very good sounding. I don’t known if this is the result of eliminating the tape recording step, or because they were audiophile records that take care in all aspects of recording and manufacturing, but in any case, they are worth collecting if sound is a big issue.
Two LPs by J G Thirlwell aka Scraping Foetus Off the Wheel: “Nail” and “Hole”.
“Scraping Foetus Off the Wheel” is a nom de guerre of J G Thirlwell, an Aussie musician who wrote, performed and produced 4 albums under that name by himself. A brilliant, in demand composer (he’s been commissioned by The Kronos Quartet, among others), these LPs must be heard to be believed. Imagine the sound of someone creating a musical cacophony by dropping several tons of sheet metal from a ten story building onto a busy city street, using that sound to quote everyone from surfer music bands like Jan and Dean to nursery rhymes to swing to krautrock to Sibelius and everything in between, with a vocal growl like Frankenstein, and whatever volume you might have been imagining this might be, just quadruple it, all while keeping the gas petal pressed to the floor for 45 minutes without ever ever letting up. Seemingly a musical omnivore, Thirlwell devours everything and spits it back out in a scrap heap of sonic chaos, twisted beyond recognition. His oblique yet subversive lyrical themes don’t make his music any more palatable for the faint of heart. This is the sound of unfiltered imagination, absolutely unencumbered by notions of commerce or accessibility. In fact it can double as a great way to clear a party.
THAT is what this sounds like. It’s a wall of sound that makes Phil Spector’s sound like you are listening through tin cans and a string.
It’s brilliant genius and it’s not ever ever ever going to be for everybody.
I first heard the the cut "Don't explain" at the SF HiFI show (1970s?) in the Joseph Audio room. Had gone to the show to visit a co-worker's room (Siegfired Linkwitz) but was so taken by the rich dimensionality of the cut when I walked in I only spent 3 minutes in Siegfried's room. I now own all versions of everything Siri's group ever recorded. Sadly, that's not many and Siri decided to go back to being a journalist and only does a few live gigs each year. Very nice person and if you can't find the vinyl or cd, she'll send you one from Norway.
Good call on Groove Note; that is indeed a consistently fine sounding label. I have a few of the Jacintha recordings, but her pacing is way too slow for my taste. I have, and like, the Illinois Jacquet “Birthday Party” album.
The recommendation by @sws237 of A Meeting By The River by Ry Cooder and V.M. Bhatt is very well deserved. The album was released on CD only by Water Lily Records in 1993---garnering the two artists Grammy Awards, and on LP in 2007. The Water Lily pressing is out-of-print, but the album is available in an excellent pressing by Analogue Productions (2 45RPM LP's, $60.00).
I love the way Chesky records music. There is a realistic sense of space and the vocalist is not just a tight pinpoint in the space—the vocalist appears to take up some space and has a natural presence. You hear this in The Raven.
80's kid here---I have an original copy of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' on vinyl. Truly amazing production thanks to legendary producer Trevor Horn. I sat down one evening and listened to it again from beginning to end and heard things I had never heard before. Gave me goose bumps. Another great album is 'Dusty in Memphis' by Dusty Springfield (remastered). Late 60s, excellent production as well. Great topic btw.
I also have that Heifetz/Impex record and I do have a mono cartridge. It's one of the best sounding mono records in my collection.
As for remasters, Analogue Productions reissued a good number of the RCA Living Stereo three track recordings. I'd recommend starting with Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.
Some of my favorite original pressings are from Archiv Produktions. I only collect their earlier mono pressings but would assume that their stereo pressings are worthwhile too.
I'm finally getting a chance to listen to my old record collection after completing a media room but some recent purchases of stellar sounding vinyl that have blown me away I will recommend here. Hopefully not the usual suspects. Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue, Dorothy Ashby. - The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby, Alice Coltrane - Journey in Satchidananda, Dexter Gordon - One Flight Up, Nino Ferrer - Nino and Radiah
@porchlight1 Absolutely stunning is what I understand is the first digital recording made available to the general public, the LP Fredrick Fennell conducting the Cleveland Symphonic Winds on Telarc Stereo 5038.
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+1, and not just the Fennel/Cleveland release. All those early Telarc digitals still stand up to some of the finest MoFi & AP recordings, analog or digital – and you can sometimes find barely played copies on eBay for a lot less money than a 1-Step reissue. The Stravinsky Firebird (DG-10039), in particular, has dynamics and a low-end that knock you on your butt. And don’t start me about the cannons in the “1812 Overture” release (L293).
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But before Telarc Digital, there was Telarc Direct-to-Disc – incredible dynamics and bass and this time, all analog. If you can find a copy at a reasonable price, snatch up “MICHAEL MURRAY PLAYING THE GREAT ORGAN IN THE METHUEN MEMORIAL MUSIC HALL VOLUME I” (5036 DD-2). You want 16Hz, we got 16Hz – on vinyl!
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And if the OP has time on his or her hands, let’s not forget the fun of disk-rolling Columbia classic-rock first pressings. Michael Fremer and others have published articles explaining how to interpret the dead-wax codes to identify early stampers. I’ve verified that, so long as the original masters were good (and they usually were), the earliest pressings from the right stampers can produce breathtaking audio.
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And I speak from experience. A few years ago, I decided to see for myself if there was any substance to claims about whether differences between pressings, stampers, and plants made a difference in an album’s SQ. So I did an experiment with Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. I compared a MoFi 1-Step “reference” copy with a 1971 Japanese import and six 1970 U.S. pressings created with different stampers. The first-pressing copy with the earliest (“1D”) stamper code – it cost me eight bucks in NM- condition! – had the most lifelike sound of them all. The 45RPM 1-Step had an edge in dynamic range, but on the 1D copy, when Garfunkel’s voice first enters on the title track – holy yumpin yeezus – it’s a transcendent moment!
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Finally, yeah, YMMV, but the most realistic commercially released recording I’ve heard is the UHQR reissue of “Kind of Blue.” I have a lot of MoFi 1-Steps, 45RPM Analogue Production reissues, and UHQRs, and this one stands apart in its ability to deliver “you are there” (not merely “they’re in your room”) experience.
Harry Belafonte: "At Carnegie Hall" and "Returns to Carnegie Hall" (the music is somewhat corny and not my particular taste, but his voice is incredible and the recordings are stunning. I have the original RCA's, but I've heard the Acoustic Sounds reissue of the first album and it is terrific too. More proof that stereo recordings have not improved from late sixties and early seventies.
It is hard to justify mentioning a recording that is just acoustic guitar for sound quality (how hard can it be to do the recording), but I will because of the beautiful music AND great sound. The recording is Michael Hedges "Aerial Boundaries." I bought this record even though I would be forced to admit that I own a Windham Hill record.
I have a seven album Rhino box set of The Doors studio albums and it does sound very good. I am sure a 45 rpm set would be even better.
I have the Classic Records box of the complete Led Zeppelin studio albums that is crazy expensive these days if unopened; mine have been played. This box is a good example of how difficult it is to assess the sound quality of popular/rock albums in terms of sound quality. I personally like this reissue, but I have two friends who are big Zeppelin fans and they don't like the Classic Records reissue because it sounds less raw; I can see their point, but, I like that there are alternative masterings.
Good call on the "Beyond the Missouri Sky" and "A Meeting By the River." Both are good for sound and content.
Water Lily is a label that consistently put out great sounding recordings. I have mentioned several above and would like to add a few more:
Chesky Records--very good reissues and very good original issues. I don't know of any bad issues by them.
Audioquest--the cable company put out a few records of original music that are superbly recorded, e.g., Robert Lucas "Usin' Man Blues" and the Tuxedo Cowboys "Woman of the Heart."
Clarity Records--this company put out some ultra premium pressings (many with only one side of the record having grooves) that have outstanding recording and pressing quality, e.g., Mary Stallings "Fine and Mellow" and Claudia Gomez "Salamandra").
Although not specifically an audiophile label, I cannot think of any jazz recordings by ECM that are NOT outstanding in terms of sound quality.
"A Meeting By the River" by Ry Cooder and VM Bhatt is stunning music, masterfully recorded and mastered and pressed with truly pristine vinyl by Water Lily Acoustics.
The Frederick Fennel recordings on Telarc are some of the most stunning recordings ever, in vinyl or digital. Based on the OP love of the Heifetz recordings he should also investigate the ‘Albinoni’ Adagio. A soft somber organ followed by a deep throated body of strings. My lp was EMI with Neville Marriner and the AMSF.
Tchaikovsky Serenade For Strings has gorgeous melodies and still sounds pretty good on my Ormandy lp. Ralph Vaughn Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis also has a great surging string body preceded by a mysterious tremolo over a walking bass. Any recording with Sir Adrian Boult will do. The Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin should be in every collection. Nathan Milstein in mono or stereo are my recommendations, particularly in the great Chaconne that ends the Second Partita. And E. Power Biggs album Bach at the Thomaskirche is famous not only for the Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor but the really great Passacaglia and Fugue that follows it on Side 1. Crank that album up if you want to break your lease
Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny - Beyond the Missouri Sky. Texture, timbre, and definition of both bass and acoustic guitar have never been better captured and in service of such tremendous music. It will transport you.
Jackson Browne - Running On Empty. Best road album, maybe the best live album recording ever. With a good system you can feel the bus shake and rumble. As a theme album it still holds together 40 years on and contains some of his best songwriting.
Emmy Lou Harris - Spyboy. Maybe the highpoint of an already elevated career. Plus an absolutely incredible band and an apt demonstration of Emmy Lou’s breadth and depth of voice and material, as well as Daniel Lanois producer chops. Subterranean synth combine with drums and percussion that practically kick you Jin the chest combine with Buddy Miller's unique tone and quirky guitar work - but always the song. Emmy Lou soars above and in front of the absolute wall of tone coming from the band.
@mijostynHi, thanks for the recommendation. I’ve already started doing that. For a year or so I was only streaming lossless from my iPhone over Bluetooth, but have recently purchased an Eversolo A8 and signed up with Qobuz. Then I imported my Apple playlist to Qobuz. I really like the A8. I’ve ripped a few CDs onto it and really like the software and features. Did you know you can even listen to internet radio on the A8 and some are high quality broadcasts too?
"Stunning" is a term that can be used to describe both the sound quality and the cover artwork for Rabih Abou-Khalil's "Blue Camel" album. He is an oud player that collaborated with jazz musicians to create this musically very interesting and beautiful (to me anyway) album. I like the music, and I REALLY like the recording quality and the artwork. Sadly, I don't own the album but I have the very nice CD version.
OP chiming back in. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for all your amazing suggestions. This will keep me busy and in audio nirvana for a very long time, and I really can't thank you enough. I've already found a few new favorites with vinyl ordered and en route. Keep 'em coming!
I heard that Classic 45, though I don't own it, and it IS really good. The original release is also quite good.
Another record that never fails to impress in a vinyl demonstration is a quite obscure record by an English folk artist who loves American folk music. It is David Peabody's "Americana." I put on the "Sewing Machine Blues" cut to impress listeners, particularly those enamored with great soundstaging. This is about a $6.00 record on Discogs.
Another good sounding track, and imaging champ, is a Lou Reed "Walk on the Wild Side" cut on "Transformer."
There are a lot of good movie soundtrack albums, in terms of sound quality like Ennio Morricone's "The Mission" soundtrack and Ry Cooder's soundtrack for "Paris Texas."
@thegoldengoose , Instead of reel to reel I think you should start collecting high resolution (24/96 or higher) digital files in FLAC or ALAC. These files are better sounding, way less expensive and take up no space. You can use either an Apple or PC computer with a 2TB hard drive or larger. Tape running at 15 ips does sound incredible but the expense is insane, worse than turntables. Go to HDtracks web site and look at what is available for download. Talkin about a kid in a candy store. I have a Nagra IV-SJ. It is an incredible piece of precision engineering. I have a couple of tapes for demonstration purposes. It is a great display item. I rarely use it.
larryi: Classic put out a 45 rpm 12” single with “Ain’t Got Nobody” and “St. James Infirmary” from “Satchmo Plays King Oliver”. As good as the full LP re-release is, nothing beats 45 rpm and really big grooves 👍
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