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Two Against Nature-What is your reference recording?

I have a number of different recordings that really seem to highlight the strengths and SQ of my system. This week I purchased a used CD ($3, free shipping) of Steely Dan's Two Against Nature and I'm just blown away. To me, it seems better produced (maybe overproduced) than Aja. (A copy of Gaucho is still on the way so we'll see how I feel about it.) It rises above the three or four other 'reference' recordings that I use as a benchmark for my system and so Two Against Nature is probably now my single 'reference' recording.

But here's the thing, I do not like any song on Two Against Nature as much as any given song on Aja. So what seems to carry Two Against Nature (for me) is its production value. It is just a sonic joy to listen to even if the songs are not as catchy as those from Aja and Gaucho.

So that got me to wondering: First, what is your reference recording (any format/medium) for your system? Second, is it also your favorite recording to listen to? In other words, is it the best recording/production AND your favorite music?

George
n80

Showing 5 responses by n80

n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
wc, I agree completely about DSOTM. A lot of the attraction is that there are a lot of things to hear, many of them not musical. Still fun though.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
I've got DSOTM on CD, don't remember which but rated highly on various sites. It is one of my reference CDs but Two Against Nature seems to be better at highlighting my system's strengths...........but I enjoy DSOTM better as a piece of music.

I have not had a copy of Meddle since college and that was on cassette tape. I need to pick up a copy. I'm not into vinyl so it will be on CD. I'll do some research for the best CD.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
hifiman5, that recommendation alone makes me want to get a SACD player but this new hobby has already taken a chunk out of my wallet....that is hurting my other hobbie...;-)

Thanks for all the replies. Like mental said above, I think this is going to set off a spree of music spending, the Knopfler album as well as the two Fagan albums are now on the list as well as a copy of Meddle.

On the dynamic range database, Meddle is a real standout. It doesn't look like there is a bad recording of it out there in terms of DR.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
Mapman, are you saying that every album in your collection is as good as the next? Not a single standout? Not a single tinny blues recording from the 1940s? Not a single poorly produced but otherwise marvelously recorded song?

I’m not even sure that sounds good or interesting. 
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
I guess it all depends on what you mean by "the best ever". To me, the old blues recordings sound as good on my low end college-years system as they do on my good system. There just isn’t much you can do with that level of recording. 1 person, 1 ancient mic, 1 guitar, 1 open studio room, 1 take, 1 low end wax cutter. Having said that...I guess that is sort of what those recordings are supposed to sound like.....but if so, that is just a fetish....because it certainly isn’t what it sounds like live.
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