SA-CD.net - Help with Jazz at the Pawnshop?

Post by hawk January 20, 2010 (1 of 7)

I was wondering if anyone could help sort the differences between the Jazz at the Pawnshop SACDs that are available out there. I realise that most audiophiles interested in Jazz recommend the album(s)but there seem to be issues and reissues from the same label and from different labels. Some are quite reasonably priced whereas others are quite expensive and harder to find. What's more is that there seems to be a volume 1 and a volume 2-some are MC, some are not etc. Can anyone familiar with these albums give a little help and possibly make some recommendations based on price vs what you are getting?

Thanks

Post by FullRangeMan January 20, 2010 (2 of 7)
Some audiophiles say this is the best Jazz recording of the past century(STEREO). I could prefer the FIM version bacause of the luxury bookpack SACD package. I do not like plastic cases. Jazz at the Pawnshop - Arne Domnerus

Post by Claude January 20, 2010 (3 of 7)

There are reissues by the original label Proprius (first single volumes 1 and 2, then a box set) and by the asian label FIM

I haven't done a comparison, but I can recommend the 3-SACD edition, which sounds excellent and is not expensive (at least in Europe). It has a new mastering (including 4.0 remix) and bonus tracks. The packaging is very basic.

Jazz at the Pawnshop - 30th Anniversary
http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=16424643 (Tracklist, description)
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/76031 (picture of the packaging)

" the original O.R.T.F.-miked stereo two-channel master tapes were used to derive difference information which was fed to the two surround channels to make a 4.0 surround SACD. "

http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=2780

Post by flyingdutchman January 20, 2010 (4 of 7)
Claude, Just to let you know, FIM is not an Asian label. FIM is out of Seattle, Washington. Winston Ma, while of Asian descent, lives and works out of Seattle.

Post by jakeroux January 20, 2010 (5 of 7)

I purchased the 3 SACD/1 DVD box set for around $50 (USD), as I recall, about a year ago. As pointed out above, the SACD's are multi-channel and are hybrid. From a sound-quality standpoint, they are quite good, although I suspect it’s primarily the background “noise” (talking, clinking of glasses, sound of register, etc.) that give you the “being there” feel.

Not sure what the going rate is on the box set now, but I found that the three SACDs are uniformly good, both in sound quality and in performance/material, so no need to worry that you are buying filler “bonus tracks” with the purchase of the box set as opposed to the individual disc(s).

Post by Claude January 20, 2010 (6 of 7)
flyingdutchman said: Claude, Just to let you know, FIM is not an Asian label. FIM is out of Seattle, Washington. Winston Ma, while of Asian descent, lives and works out of Seattle. Thanks for correcting me. I had thought the company was asian because some of their titles seem to be aimed at the asian market (chinese instrumentals etc).

Post by hawk January 22, 2010 (7 of 7)
Thanks for the replies...I think it's the FIM issues that seem a bit overpriced...I don't know if that is because of quality or something else...the proprius box set seems to be more reasonably priced than the one FIM disc.