a25105 ...
I'm using Herbie's Ultra Sonic RX's. So far, I've put these into the REF-3 preamp and the CD player. Next will be the phono stage and the amp. I see no reason at this point ... or ever, to buy another CD player. Red Book CD's can boggle the mind. If you haven't sent your CD-7 back to the factory for the "SE" power supply upgrade, I highly recommend it. The CD player is using a full compliment of SR Black fuses, Herbie's tube dampeners, a Synergistic Research Level III power cord and a balanced Von Gaylord Legend IC. Expensive, yes. But I know what the CD-7 is capable of at this point ... and it goes WAY beyond reason.
On Linda Ronstadt ...
Glad you're appreciating it. She was a great singer, and when unleashed with Nelson Riddle on the Great American Songbook, she was a power to be reckoned with.
If you truly like the music on the "Round Midnight" Ronstadt album, you'll like the other two as well ... the same level of artistry and the same quality of sound. Prior to Nelson's Riddle's passing, they had a fourth album planned. Untimely death, indeed.
The music you've been exposed to on these albums are really a trip into musical history. Here's some other artists to expose yourself to:
Jo Stafford ... "Ballad of The Blues." I have the original six eye Columbia stereo. The sound is excellent and the sound stage goes on forever.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jo-Stafford-BALLAD-OF-THE-BLUES-Columbia-CS-8139-Stereo-Re-issue-Very-Good-/...Here's another Jo Stafford album where she appears with the Art Van Damme Quintet. Excellent sound. Van Damme plays the accordion with his group. Don't laugh, he really swings and along with Myron Florin, was on of the world's premier jazz accordion players.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JO-STAFFORD-ART-VAN-DAMME-QUINTET-nr-mint-vinyl-lp-ONCE-OVER-LIGHTLY-six-eye...Jo Stafford "Jo + Jazz.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jo-Stafford-Jo-Plus-Jazz-CD-New-/142210293531?hash=item211c64df1b:g:srsAAOSw...Helen Merrill ... Another great artist to explore.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Helen-Merrill-With-Clifford-Brown-Vinyl-New-/361836544410?hash=item543f23819...Chris Connor is a good one if you like the sultry jazz style:
Here's a Chris Connor "must have" reissue:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Finest-Of-Chris-Connor-2-LP-near-mint-vinyl-in-shrink-Bethlehem-1001-/38...June Christy ... A teriffic jazz ballad singer. She was married to the great tenor sax player Bob Cooper. She's been one of my favorites since high school in the 50's. In fact, I bought this album when it first came out. Its a must have. Here's a sealed copy of Cisco's reissue of "Something Cool." I have it as well as the original. The Cisco reissue is better. Buy it, you won't be sorry:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JUNE-CHRISTY-Something-Cool-CISCO-180g-NEW-OLD-STOCK-SEALED-USA-LP-/38195407...Doris Day ... I love Doris Day:
This one belongs in your collection ... demo quality all the way. Amaze yourself and your friends with the artistry and sound quality on this album.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DORIS-DAY-Day-By-Day-1956-Mono-COLUMBIA-LP-/361583305911?hash=item54300b64b7...All of the above recommendations have been in my collection for years. All are demo quality that will bring out the best from your system. Most are mono ... but the kind of mono that will have you asking: "Who needs stereo?"
I truly hope you try these albums. Compared to what passes for pop music these days, they are a breath of fresh air.
If you like, I can recommend some really great male ballad singers from the past as well. Have you ever heard Tony Martin? :-)
Please keep me posted. One the things I enjoy most about this hobby is that it gives an opportunity to expose those two or three generations up the line from me to great music like we've been discussing here. Like they say ... "Eminem and Justin, eat your friggin' hearts out. :-)
