James Taylor-Sweet Baby James Side 2 John Lennon/Yoko Ono-Double Fantasy Side 1 Machine Head-The Blackening Side D Ernestine Anderson-When The Sun Goes Down(CJ 263) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Vern Gosdin-Chiseled In Stone Side 1 Billy Joel-Songs In Attic(Half Speed Mastered) Side 2 SQ Audiophile Roger Daltrey-McVicar Side 1 Eagles-On The Border Side 2 Concord Jazz takes another SQ crown! |
Elton John-Live in Australia Side 4 The Congos-Heart Of The Congos(Repress) Side 3 Vikki Carr-Hoy(Today) Side 2 Jimmy Roselli-Core Napulitano Side 2 Cedar Walton-Eastern Rebellion(Repress) Side B SQ Audiophile Kiri Te Kanawa-Portrait Of Kiri Te Kanawa Side 2 SQ Audiophile John Cougar-Nothin’ Matters And What If It Did Side 1 Wynton Marsalis(Lincoln Center Orchestra)-Live In Cuba Side F SQ Audiophile The only recording that was average was Elton, the CD might have better SQ? The 4 other recordings were excellent just missing Audiophile SQ. Eastern Rebellion takes the SQ trophy despite the silver(yuk) vinyl. |
Maria Muldaur-Open You Eyes Side 2 SQ* Hall & Oates Live Side A Frank Sinatra-Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back(Quadradisc) Side 1 Bread-Guitar Man Side 1 SQ Audiophile David Gates-Never Let Her Go Side 1 SQ Audiophile The 5TH Dimension/Live!! Side 2 Scandal-Warrior Side 1 Pat Benatar-Precious Time Side 1 David Gates takes the SQ crown tonight since I gave a slight edge over his band Bread. Vocals were not as projected(forced) on his solo album. *Muldaur just misses with her Grundman mastered recording of very solid content. Sinatra takes last place with the Quadradisc format. Sounds much better in the original stereo format. |
Led Zeppelin-In Through The Outdoor Side 2 Joan Steele-Looking Back...Earl Brown(Audiophile AP-239) Side 2 SQ Audiophile Rod Stewart-Smiler Side 1 Morris Albert-Feelings Side B Boz Scaggs-Slow Dancer Side 1 Nancy Wilson-Now Side 1 SQ Audiophile Barbra Streisand-Yentl Side 1 SQ Audiophile Jefferson Starship-Earth Side A Yes, Led Zep was the SQ chump tonight. Ms. Wilson takes the SQ crown tonight despite a minor digital edge. For all the jokes "Feelings" has endured for 45+ years it's not a bad song or album. Is it great? No, but many people even some audiophiles praise lesser music. |
John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band-Tough All Over Side 1 Mendelssohn-Symphony No.4 Side 1(DG 2530 416) Side 1 Rosemary Clooney-Rosie Sings Bing(CJ-60 Barcode) Side 2 Renaissance-Live At Carnegie Hall Side 2/B Carpenters-Passage Side 2 SQ Audiophile The Who-Who Are You Side 2 Pete Townshend-White City Side 1 The LA 4-ST(CJ-18) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Everything sounded very good tonight with several near Audiophile misses. Unfortunatley the great "Who Are You" had the weakest SQ. Both Annie and Karen were angelic with great songs. Yes, the LA 4 provided a breathtaking flute solo!
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+1 @mammothguy54 "Watch" is my favorite Manfred Mann recording. "California" is perfection!!! |
Edwin Starr-Hell Up In Harlem Side 1 Art Farmer-To Duke With Love Side 2 SQ* Molly Hatchet-Double Trouble Live Side 4 Sammy Davis JR.-Now Side 1 SQ* Greta Van Fleet-Anthem Of The Peaceful Army Side 2 Flip Phillips/Scott Hamilton-A Sound Investment(CJ-334) Side 2 SQ Audiophile An abbreviated vinyl night? Always play 8 sides but due to answering a phone call... Everything sounded above average with the exception of Edwin Starr. Might be an original pressing which is disappointing since the content is top level R&B. SQ* Art and Sammy just missed Audiophile status maybe on another night? |
+19 @noromance Occasionally I do enjoy some extreme metal. Cathederal/Cradle Of Filth/Trivium and Crowbar are good starting points to feel 19 again! |
Chick Corea-Return To Forever Side 1 Maria Muldaur-ST-Side 2 Barry Manilow-2:00 AM Paradise Cafe-Second Set Santana-Freedom-Side 1 Angela Bofill-Intuition Side 1 Lamb Of God-Killadelphia Side 4 George Shearing-Mel Torme-An Elegant Evening Side 1 SQ Audiophile Wings-Greatest Hits Side 1 Despite only 1 marginal Audiophile SQ recording the music still prevailed. The only subpar SQ recording was Killadelphia as expected but the angst/violence still channeled thru me like I was 19! Santana and Angela’s LP’s were both overlooked late 80’s recordings that could be there best of the decade. |
@sbank -4 The LA 4 were a great jazz ensemble no stink here. I place zero value on "mainstream" parody when regarding serious music! |
Joan Baez-Come From The Shadows Side 1 Bobby Short-Celebrates Rodgers & Hart Side 3 Muddy Waters-"King Bee" Side 1 Rachmaninov-Variations On A Theme Of Corelli(London CS 6822) Side 1 The Phil Woods Quintet-Song For Sisyphus Side A SQ Audiophile Orleans-Let There Be Music Side 1 SQ Audiophile ELO-A New World Record Side 1 Roseanne Cash-Seven Year Ache Side 1 SQ Audiophile Orleans just edges out Phil Woods for the SQ crown. If Roseanne's vocals were a little more laidback the SQ crown was hers. Ms. Baez takes the weakest link SQ crown. I think this was her first recording for A&M? The 4 other recordings just missed Audiophile Status. |
@arro222 No need to play psychiatrist here, it’s not needed or wanted! If you read my posts an effort is made regarding the SQ of the recordings I have played. If someone wants to stray off-topic I have no issue with that as long as it avoids religion/politics or vulgarity. Many would welcome you here if you decide to analyze the recordings played and not the posters. |
Saga-Worlds Apart Side 1 SQ Audiophile Bangles-Different Light Side 2 Wynton Marsalis-ST Side 2 Metallica-...And Justice For All Side 3 Patti LaBelle-Winner In You Side 1 Bryan Adams-Reckless Side 1 Mary Chapin Carpenter-State Of The Heart Side 1 SQ Audiophile Pink Floyd-A Momentary Lapse Of Reason Side 1 SQ* Harry Connick JR.-20 Side 2 SQ Audiophile Joe Jackson-Blaze Of Glory Side 2 SQ Audiophile 80’s vinyl night part 4 added 2 extra LP’s. Spun 36 albums in 4 different listening sessions and really enjoyed it. Blaze Of Glory Won the SQ trophy and with song writing to match. IMO a Top 25 pop/rock recording of the 1980’s SQ* Pink Floyd had a very expansive soundstage but clarity was slightly lacking? Metallica/SQ was somewhat disappointing since it’s an OP. Yes the bass is down in the mix but the narrow soundstage was more of an issue. Bangles were the weakest link in SQ and content might sound better on CD? |
@big_greg Thx for the kind words! Will have 80's vinyl part 4 Tuesday night. |
Amy Grant-Unguarded Side 1 Dio-The Last In Line Side 1 Stevie Nicks-Bella Donna Side 1 Toni Tennille-Do It Again-Side 2 SQ Audiophile The Police-Synchronicity Side 2 SQ Audiophile Brenda Russell-Love Life Side 2 SQ Audiophile 'Till Tuesday-Welcome Home Side 1 Stevie Ray Vaughan-Couldn't Stand The Weather Side 1 Yes it was 80's night part 3! Is part 4 upcoming? Everything sounded very good tonight. Sunday usually has the cleanest power(never put amp in my conditioner). Toni Tennille wins the SQ crown by several lengths! Was recorded live to 2 tracks and mastered by Bernie Grundman a true demo disc. |
Billy Squier-Signs Of Life Side 2 Rickie Lee Jones-The Magazine Side 2 SQ Audiophile Eurythmics-Touch Side 2 SQ Audiophile Gene Watson-Honky Tonk Crazy Side 2 SQ* Gary Moore-Victims Of The Future Side 2 Dazz Band-"Joystick" Side 1 SQ* Blue Rodeo-Outskirts Side 2 SQ* Miami Vice-VA Side 2 Part 2 of 80's vinyl night had better SQ results. The 3 SQ* were on the edge of Audiophile status. I would need to play both sides and have "cleaner" power then tonight for a decision. SQ of Magazine and Touch would rate a 4.5/5 I would give the SQ edge to Touch due to the vocal projection giving the recording a solid 3D effect. |
REO Speedwagon-Hi Infidelity Side 1 Alexander Zonjic-Elegant Evening Side 1 Rod Stewart-Tonight I’m Yours-Side 2 Toni Tennille-More Than You Know-Side 2 SQ Audiophile George Thorogood-Bad To The Bone Side 2 Missing Persons-Spring Session M Side 2 Aretha Franklin-Who’s Zoomin’ Who? Side 1 Larry Gatlin/Gatlin Brothers Band-Sure Feels Like Love Side 1 SQ Audiophile White Lion-Big Game Side 1 Gerry Rafferty-North & South Side 1 Yes it was 80’s night so I spun a couple extra LP’s No surprise only 2/10 made Audiophile status. Missing Persons SQ was a disappointment since Bob Ludwig mastered it. Vocals were recessed and murky by choice? White Lion SQ was very good considering the genre. The Gatlin Brothers was the SQ champ tonight also delivering intelligent "country" lyrics. A top shelf 1980’s country album.
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John Anderson-All The People Talking Side 1 Rufus/Featuring Chaka Khan-Rufusized Side A Joe Venturi And George Barnes-Gems(CJ 14) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Vision Quest-VA Side 2 The Manhattan Transfer-Mecca For Moderns Side 1 Atlanta Rhythm Section-A Rock And Roll Alternative Side 2 SQ Audiophile Bud & Travis-...In Concert Act II Debussy-La Mer MS 6077(6 eye) Side 2 SQ Audiophile Either Vision Quest or Bud & Travis were the weakest SQ recordings tonight but both "Lunatic Fringe" and "Malaguena Salerosa" were very enjoyable. ARS gets the SQ crown with a very solid 3D soundstage. Great studio band!
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+1 @big_greg Yellowjackets/great recording! |
+1 @slaw Standing Hampton is one of my favorite pop/rock recordings from the 1980's. |
@slaw Thx! I play 1 side to get as much variety of music genres in a single listening session. This also is helping me get through my entire vinyl collection at a faster rate. I will then be able to decide on upgrades and toss outs giving my vinyl collection complete organization. |
The Firm-ST Side 2(Other Side) Hiroshima-ST Side 1 SQ Audiophile Pointer Sisters-Contact Side B Paul Bley-Copenhagen And Haarlem Side 4 SQ Audiophile Beethoven-Violin Concerto(Chung) London L25C-3029 Side 1+2 SQ Audiophile Sammy Hagar-Standing Hampton Side 1 Eighth Wonder-Fearless Side 1 Chris Conner-Classic Side 2 SQ Audiophile All recordings had at least VG SQ tonight if forced to claim the weakest "Contact" gets the nod. Chris Conner wins with SQ tonight just misses reference level due to being slightly forward and aggressive. |
Andreas Vollenweider-Caverna Magica Side A SQ Audiophile Fleetwood Mac-Live Side 3 Johnny Lytle-Swingin’ At The Gate Side 2 Roberta Flack-Featuring Donny Hathaway Side 1 Liz Story-Part Of Fortune Side B SQ Audiophile Shooting Star-Hang On For Your Life Side 2 Buena Vista Social Club-ST(repress) Side 1 Karen Brooks-Walk On Side 1 All recordings sounded very good tonight although I could only give 2 Audiophile status with Liz Story just edging in. Carverna Magica is a great (SQ) recording which might set you back $15? IMO the performance/SQ is superior to many $100+ Audiophile must haves? Shooting Star might interest Bad Company fans with a slightly updated 80’s vibe. Buena Vista Social Club is another disappointing vinyl repress(expected better SQ) might keep looking for the original CD at the thrift stores.
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+1 @bkeske How would you rate the SQ of The Concert For Bangladesh? Have passed on several VG copies at various estate/garage/yard sales but would like to have in my collection. |
Rita Marley-Who Feels It Knows It Side B Janie Fricke-It Ain’t Easy-Side 1 Eagles-Long Run Side 1 Herbie Hancock-Perfect Machine Side 2 SQ Audiophile Ruth Price-With Shelly Manne..(Contemporary S7590).Side 1 SQ* Bob Seger-Beautiful Loser Side 2 Fathers & Sons(CBS FC 37972) Side 2 SQ Audiophile Eric Clapton-August Side 2 Perfect Machine is a reference level recording regarding SQ. *Ruth Price is a live recording at The Mann Hole(1960) The SQ is borderline Audiophile it does have some tape hiss but the stellar performance more then makes up for this.
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Respighi-MS 6001(6 Eye) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Holly Dunn-The Blue Rose Of Texas Side 2 SQ Audiophile The John Colianni Trio-Blues-O-Matic(CJ 367) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Aerosmith-Classics Live Side 1 Michael McDonald-If That's What It Takes Side 1 Doobie Brothers-Cycles Side 2 SQ Audiophile Graham Parker-And The Shot Steady Nerves Side 1 SQ* Norman Connors-Love From The Sun Side B SQ Audiophile With 5/8 recordings delivering Audiophile SQ makes for a great night. As expected Aerosmith was the weak link in SQ. *Graham Parker was a very good but aggressive(hot) recording. The SQ winner was The John Colianni Trio which is a near reference level recording! |
Tony Bennett-A Time For Love Side 1 Randy Travis-No Holdin’ Back Side 2 Led Zeppelin-IV(no barcode symbol label)* Side 1 Police-Ghost In The Machine Side A SQ Audiophile Freddie Hubbard-Sweet Return Side 1 SQ Audiophile Son Seals-Chicago Fire Side B Jefferson Starship-Freedom At Point Zero Side A Zoot Sims-And The Gershwin Brothers Side 2 SQ Audiophile All vinyl had above average SQ tonight except Son Seals or Starship being the weakest(average) I don’t believe the *Zep is an early pressing maybe mid/late 70’s, acceptable SQ curious if mint OP is much better? Hubbard and Sims are both great Audiophile recordings. I give the slight edge to Freddie Hubbard since its not as forward and has a wider soundstage. Both are great jazz recordings/performances for a minimal cost. |
Ann Richards-The Many Moods Of Ann Richards(Capitol ST 1406) Side 1 Chuck Flores-Drum Flower(CJ-49) Side 2 SQ Audiophile The Judds-Greatest Hits Side A Jethro Tull-The Zealot Gene Side 3 David Amram-Havana/New York(FF-057) Side 1 Hooters-One Way Home Side 2 The Call-Into The Woods Side 2 SQ Audiophile* Dee Bell/Duran/Getz-Let There Be Love(CJ-206) Side 1 SQ Audiophile The SQ champ tonight goes to Dee Bell. Stan Getz is sublime on this set. Nice 3D soundstage on this recording. *The Call has sounded better(on same system) we all know the variables. Regarding the current Jethro Tull release the songwriting is there not the voice. I hope this thread does not become overloaded with Youtube posts of systems/recordings playing ect. I would appreciate more content on recording quality some of us are still Audiophiles(not just record collectors). |
+1 @big_greg Marauder one of the great southern rock recordings. Dry County kicks a.. |
Luciano Pavarotti-The World's Favorite Tenor Aries Side 2 Ricky Skaggs-Country Boy Side 2 Vikki Carr-For Once In My Life Side 1 Rare Earth-In Concert Side 1 Boston-ST Side 2 Al Dimeola-Casino Side 2 SQ Audiophile Dave Mason-Old Crest On A New Wave Side 2 SQ Audiophile Kate Wolf-Give Yourself To Love Side 3 SQ Audiophile Difficult to claim worst SQ tonight but was disappointed in a VG+ original pressing of Boston might need to get a reference level copy. Al Dimeola is the SQ(Ludwig) champ tonight. |
@sbank Good morning! Motels-ST appears to be an original pressing. I will post dead wax info later today. |
Hall & Oates-Live Time Side B The Fabulous Thunderbirds-Hot Number Side 1 Carole King-Thoroughbred Side 1 Iron Maiden-Piece Of Mind Side 2 Marlene VerPlanck-Sings Alec Wilder Side 2 SQ Audiophile Motels-ST Side 1 SQ Audiophile Joe Jackson-Night And Day Night Side SQ Audiophile Horace Silver Quintet-Further Exploration...(Tone Poet) Side 2 SQ Audiophile Since 4/8 had Audiophile SQ the night was a success. What a great debut by the Motels with great SQ(Ken Perry/Rumours). The SQ champ was very close but I will give the nod to Martha Davis and band over VerPlanck by a nose.
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Willie Nelson-Shotgun Willie Side 1 Roger Hodgson-Hai Hai Side 1 SQ Audiophile Chapter 8-Forever Side 1 SQ Audiophile The Fraser MacPherson Quintet-Jazz Prose(CJ-269) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Steven Stills-Manassas Side 3 Lavern Baker-Sings Bessie Smith(Speakers Corner) Side 2 Joni Mitchell-The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Side 1 SQ Audiophile Brunch-Concerto No.1(Perlman Angel S-36963) Side 2 SQ Audiophile A great night when 5/8 recordings are Audiophile level. Willie had the weakest SQ at 4.3(above average) but what an overlooked recording. The SQ champ was very close between all 5 recordings. The crown goes to Fraser MacPherson, it lacked the very slight digital? edge of Chapter 8 and Hodgson(Doug Sax). I rarely comment on performance level since it's even more subjective then sound quality, but all 8 recordings rate 5/5.
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Dean Martin's-Greatest Hits Volume 2 Side 2 SQ 3.9 Sanford And Townsend-Smoke From A Distant Fire Side 1 SQ 4.2 Herbie Hancock-Sextant Side 1 SQ 4.2 Rosemary Clooney With Les Brown(Aurex EWJ 80268) Side 1 SQ 4.4 Donna Summer-Four Seasons Of Love Side 2 SQ 4.2 Beethoven-Fourth Piano Concerto(MS 6745) Side 1/2 SQ 4.3 Joyce Collins Quartet-Moment To Moment Side 1 SQ 4.3 Linda Ronstadt-Hasten Down The Wind Side 1 SQ 4.3 |
Michael Stanley Band-Heartland(Tribute/Michael Stanley Gee) Side 1 SQ 4 Joan Southerland & Luciano Pavarotti(London QS 26437) Side 1 SQ 4.2 Muddy Waters-"King Bee" Side 1 SQ 4.2 Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley- Hey Joe!/Hey Moe! Side 1 SQ 4.2 Wynton Marsalis-ST Side 2 SQ 4.1 REO Speedwagon-Hi Infidelity Side 1 SQ 3.8 Neil Diamond-September Morn- Side 1 SQ 4.3 |
Pink Floyd-The Dark Side Of The Moon(Blue Triangle) Side 1 SQ 4.5 Dewayne Phillips-Texas Rhythm(Cowpatty CR-922) Side 1 SQ 4.2 The Police-Synchronicity Side 2 SQ 4.2 Seals And Crofts-Down Home Side 1 4.2 Linda Ronstadt-Lush Life Side 1 SQ 4.4 David Frizzell & Shelly West-In Session Side 2 SQ 4.3 Beethoven-Symphony No.7(Angel S35945) Side 1 & 2 SQ 4.3 |
@spiritofradio I believe its an original pressing Green/Red Atlantic SD 8229. The cover is a heavy gatefold with liner notes and lyrics. In the dead wax GB and P.R. appear on both sides. Yes I am conservative with sound quality ratings mostly due to not having a top level ultrasonic record cleaning machine which could add 1 or 2/10 of a point. Currently using an entry level Nitty Gritty which has provided 8 years of trouble free service but an upgrade is needed. I think my highest rating is a 4.8 Harry James/Sheffield and a Mercury Living Presence/Balalaika Favorites. Any recording that receives a 4,5/5 or > is an audiophile level recording. |
ABBA-Greatest Hits Side 2 SQ 3.9 The Rolling Stones-Some Girls Side 2 SQ 4 Anne Murray-Snowbird Side 1 SQ 4 Keith Jarrett/Jan Garbarek-Luminessence Side 2 SQ 4.3 The 5th Dimension-Go Where You Wanna Go Side 1 SQ 4.2 Ramsey Lewis-Routes Side 1 SQ 4.2 Crosby, Stills & Nash-ST Side 1 SQ 4.4 CKLW-Solid Gold Volume 2 Side 3 SQ 3.7 |
@big_greg +1 "Sweet Return" is an exceptional traditional Jazz recording regarding the performance and SQ. Joanne Brackeen's performance is sublime. |
Vikki Carr-For Once In My Life Side 2 Foghat-Live Side 2 Johnnie Taylor-Eargasm Side 1 Jody Miller-He’s So Fine Side 1 Jean-Luc Ponty-A Taste For Passion Side 2 George Shearing-The Fool On The Hill Side 2 Marian McPartland-From This Moment On(CJ-86) Side 1 SQ Audiophile Chicago-At Carnegie Hall Side 7 Nothing sounded below average tonight despite only McPartland having Audiophile SQ tonight. If I was forced to say which recording was 2nd best I would give the nod to Jody Miller. An interesting bit of trivia Johnny Taylor-Disco Lady was the 1st single to be certified platinum(2 million copies) an unlikely feat considering the heavy hitters in the 70’s. Chicago at Carnegie Hall was a M- garage sale find for me so very little risk. The SQ is not as poor as some have mentioned. The live recording in Japan is touted as better performance/SQ but I have only heard on Youtube. |
San Remo Festival-1968 Twelve Greatest Hits(Epic BF 19056) Side 1 Bartok/Stokowski(Everest SDBR 3069) Side 1 Emmylou Harris-Elite Hotel Side 1 Queen-News Of The World Side 1 Teena Marie-Naked To The World Side 2 SQ* Audiophile Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66-ST Side 1 SQ Audiophile Iron Maiden-Piece Of Mind Side 1 The Don Shirley Trio-In Concert Side 2 SQ* SQ* Don Shirley could have Audiophile SQ but my thrift store album had excessive static/noise despite the perfect cover. Teena had Audiophile SQ with a very digital tonality. might sound better on CD? By default a mint thrift store find Brazil ’66 takes the SQ crown. Emmylou and Queen were a slight disappointment regarding SQ. |
@bslon Thx. As an Audiophile not a record collector, I felt if someone kept 50+ year old records in pristine condition they deserved a new home not the trash. |
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass-What Now My Love Side 1 Rosie Vela-ZAZU Side 2 The Edgar Winter Group-They Only Come Out At Night Side 2 Vikki Carr-One Hell Of A Woman Side 1 Lita Ford-Stiletto Side B Tal Farlow-A Sign Of The Times(CJ-26) Side 2 SQ Audiophile Dean Martin-Gentle On My Mind Side 2 Gladys Knight & The Pips-I Feel A Song Side A SQ Audiophile As usual a mixed bag playlist. Purchased about 20 49 cent Mint/Mint- undesirable vinyl LP’s at Goodwill several days ago and 3 were played tonight. Ms. Carr was clearly the best of the 3. Concord Jazz takes the SQ Crown against a somewhat weak SQ bunch tonight. I Feel A Song is a great(content) 1970’s R&B recording with Audiophile SQ. Holds up with Gaye/Flack and Wonder. |
@big_greg Thx for the update. Another vinyl LP now wanted for my collection. On the positive side $25 should get a M- copy. "Century's End" is another great Donald Fagen song from the soundtrack of "Bright Lights, Big City". |
@big_greg +1 Especially for "True Companion". Is the SQ of the entire album above average for a rock recording? |
