Post by zeus July 30, 2003 (1 of 30)
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Does anyone else find the transfer of this 24bit/96kHz recording to DSD less than satisfactory? I have both the original CD and SACD and, by comparison, the highs on the SACD are strangely muffled. This is most noticeable with the cymbals, but the strings are also recessed. I don't think it's solely due to the fact that it's a PCM recording as I haven't noticed this on other such transfers (though admittedly I only have a few). There's better separation of instruments and an overall warmer sound on the SACD, but the highs are disturbing. The CD layer on the SACD would appear to be derived from the DSD conversion so you need to compare it to the original CD instead. This is the only case thus far where I've duplicated a recording and felt reluctant to toss the CD.
I'd like to buy more of the Chandos Vaughan Williams titles but I'm a bit wary now. This will be my fourth VW cycle!
Comments anyone?
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Post by fviken July 31, 2003 (2 of 30)
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zeus said:
Does anyone else find the transfer of this 24bit/96kHz recording to DSD less than satisfactory? I have both the original CD and SACD and, by comparison, the highs on the SACD are strangely muffled. This is most noticeable with the cymbals, but the strings are also recessed. I don't think it's solely due to the fact that it's a PCM recording as I haven't noticed this on other such transfers (though admittedly I only have a few). There's better separation of instruments and an overall warmer sound on the SACD, but the highs are disturbing. The CD layer on the SACD would appear to be derived from the DSD conversion so you need to compare it to the original CD instead. This is the only case thus far where I've duplicated a recording and felt reluctant to toss the CD.
I'd like to buy more of the Chandos Vaughan Williams titles but I'm a bit wary now. This will be my fourth VW cycle!
Comments anyone?
This is most disturbing news. I was really looking forward to this release, being the record of the year 2001 in Gramophone (redbook version). I thought this would be a winner, with almost guaranteed musical content (given the rave reviews) and a recent recording. Do other have the same impression as zeus? Is this also true for the other Chandos SACD's? I was really looking forward to their SACD releases, but now I'm a bit set off by this observation.
Would you go as far as recommend the CD version before the SACD version as the one to by?
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Post by zeus July 31, 2003 (3 of 30)
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fviken said:
Would you go as far as recommend the CD version before the SACD version as the one to by?
First off, if you like Vaughan Williams and don't already have this, you must get it ... on CD or SACD. I personally think the later revised score is an overall improvement ... a lot tighter ... but as a document of how VW viewed the piece at the time, it's very interesting.
As for the sonics of the transfer, reviews by others I've read haven't noted such a problem with the highs. Maybe it's just something to do with my system ...
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Post by fviken July 31, 2003 (4 of 30)
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zeus said:
First off, if you like Vaughan Williams and don't already have this, you must get it ... on CD or SACD. I personally think the later revised score is an overall improvement ... a lot tighter ... but as a document of how VW viewed the piece at the time, it's very interesting.
I'm not familiar with his symphonies, but I really like the "A Sea Symphony" (Telarc). I have also played his Tuba concerto, which is regarded as one of the main works in the tuba literature.
What would you suggest as a starting point for his Symphonies (preferably on SACD)? I assume the 1912 version of the second is a bit more of a curiosity, and maybe not the best starting point for getting to know his symphonies?
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Post by zeus July 31, 2003 (5 of 30)
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fviken said:
I'm not familiar with his symphonies, but I really like the "A Sea Symphony" (Telarc). I have also played his Tuba concerto, which is regarded as one of the main works in the tuba literature.
What would you suggest as a starting point for his Symphonies (preferably on SACD)? I assume the 1912 version of the second is a bit more of a curiosity, and maybe not the best starting point for getting to know his symphonies?
The Telarc "Sea Symphony" is excellent. Tuba concerto? I've never heard it. I'll have to hunt it down. I'm a bit of a VW completist, though I've been concentrating more on his vocal works for the last few years.
As for other options on SACD, there's the Vanguard Tallis Fantasia etc (a great selection of pieces) which I don't have. But the most promising is this Chandos cycle from Hickox. Hickox is a very fine VW interpreter. Where to start is hard to answer as they all reveal different facets of the composer's voice. Personal favourites are probably Nos. 3, 5 and 6 but Haitink's performance of Nos. 8&9 (on CD) is very persuasive. Get them all!
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Post by Dinko July 31, 2003 (6 of 30)
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I have never heard the CD so I cannot compare. Although relative to other SACDs, this one does sound a little... 'muffled' perhaps in its upper range. (On the multichannel mix that is, I still haven't listened to the stereo programs.)
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Post by pann August 4, 2003 (7 of 30)
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zeus said:
Does anyone else find the transfer of this 24bit/96kHz recording to DSD less than satisfactory? ---------
-------I'd like to buy more of the Chandos Vaughan Williams titles but I'm a bit wary now. This will be my fourth VW cycle!
Comments anyone? ---------
I have recently bought three Chandos' --London Sym, Psastoral and Sym No.4.
I sold two of them and the No.4 is ready to go on eBay any minute.
The reasons being -- so so music, so so performance and harsh, conjested recorded sound.
I like his Sea Sym on Telarc very much.
I bought based on Chandos' reputation as an audiophile label. Sadly, it failed me.
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Post by Dinko August 4, 2003 (8 of 30)
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pann said:
I bought based on Chandos' reputation as an audiophile label. Sadly, it failed me.
I think that when it comes to regular CDs, Chandos' audiophile reputation is highly deserved and remains intact.
Their SACDs however may require some further experimentation before they get them right.
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Post by zeus August 4, 2003 (9 of 30)
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pann said:
I have recently bought three Chandos' --London Sym, Psastoral and Sym No.4.
I sold two of them and the No.4 is ready to go on eBay any minute.
The reasons being -- so so music, so so performance and harsh, conjested recorded sound.
Well I wouldn't agree on the "so so music" part but this is a matter of taste. Anyway, I'm planning to give another a try. With the announcement recently of the fifth title (Nos. 6 & 8) recorded this year it looks like Chandos are going for the complete cycle. Also the inclusion of previously unrecorded works is attractive.
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I've posted a review of this SACD which tried to address some of your points about string sound as well as the "worth" of the original version. Have a read and let me known what you think.
Cheers, paul s
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