Post by hiredfox March 20, 2012 (1 of 17)
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This one is a disappointing transfer, often muddy and dense and with distinctly brittle high strings, an ear piercing unidentifiable instrument shriek at about 3 mins jangled my nerves and unsettled our listening for a few minutes. Not at all warm and seductive, certaily an enigma and not one of Simon's best but maybe he started from very poorly preserved tapes?
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Post by Jonty March 21, 2012 (2 of 17)
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I don't hear this recording as you describe it. Yes, the upper strings can be slightly fierce but no more than other EMI recordings of this period (I am thinking of Boult's Vaughan Williams symphonies) but I don't hear any particular denseness.
I can't find the shriek you describe either.
I would point you towards Polarius T's comment on the Szell recordings (197 in the Signature thread) and say that these transfers for these EMI SACDs have been well managed.
PS Just pulled out the RBCD of the Vaughan Williams pieces (I don't have the Elgar). The CD sounds boxy and restricted in comparison. The SACD is at a noticably higher level with much more insight to the recording, as you would expect.
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Post by hiredfox March 21, 2012 (3 of 17)
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Jonty said:
I don't hear this recording as you describe it. Yes, the upper strings can be slightly fierce but no more than other EMI recordings of this period (I am thinking of Boult's Vaughan Williams symphonies) but I don't hear any particular denseness.
I can't find the shriek you describe either.
I would point you towards Polarius T's comment on the Szell recordings (197 in the Signature thread) and say that these transfers for these EMI SACDs have been well managed.
PS Just pulled out the RBCD of the Vaughan Williams pieces (I don't have the Elgar). The CD sounds boxy and restricted in comparison. The SACD is at a noticably higher level with much more insight to the recording, as you would expect.
Certainly food for thought as we listen again at the weekend.
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hiredfox said:
This one is a disappointing transfer, often muddy and dense and with distinctly brittle high strings, an ear piercing unidentifiable instrument shriek at about 3 mins jangled my nerves and unsettled our listening for a few minutes. Not at all warm and seductive, certaily an enigma and not one of Simon's best but maybe he started from very poorly preserved tapes?
The very same impression I had when I first listened to the 4 disc boxed set of Martinon's All The Works For Orchestra from EMI/Japan.
My solution.........each disc received a double dose of Ultra Vivid Polish, demagnetized the discs, placed a millennium compact disc damper atop the disc and my Marantz SA112s lovingly rewarded me with what I can only describe as state of the art.
People that are unwilling to "experiment" get what they deserve.
My tweaks are tried and tested and have always rewarded me with turning rather murky affairs into a cause for sonic celebration!
Caution: Just don't apply this to SHM~SACDs........they sound pretty fantastic sans tweaks (save for demagnetizer and damper).
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rammiepie said:
The very same impression I had when I first listened to the 4 disc boxed set of Martinon's All The Works For Orchestra from EMI/Japan.
My solution.........each disc received a double dose of Ultra Vivid Polish, demagnetized the discs, placed a millennium compact disc damper atop the disc and my Marantz SA112s lovingly rewarded me with what I can only describe as state of the art.
People that are unwilling to "experiment" get what they deserve.
My tweaks are tried and tested and have always rewarded me with turning rather murky affairs into a cause for sonic celebration!
Caution: Just don't apply this to SHM~SACDs........they sound pretty fantastic sans tweaks (save for demagnetizer and damper).
You mean you didn't just spit on it and wipe it with your sleeve? That's what true professionals do.
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Post by Esacede March 21, 2012 (6 of 17)
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rammiepie said:
The very same impression I had when I first listened to the 4 disc boxed set of Martinon's All The Works For Orchestra from EMI/Japan.
My solution.........each disc received a double dose of Ultra Vivid Polish, demagnetized the discs, placed a millennium compact disc damper atop the disc and my Marantz SA112s lovingly rewarded me with what I can only describe as state of the art.
People that are unwilling to "experiment" get what they deserve.
My tweaks are tried and tested and have always rewarded me with turning rather murky affairs into a cause for sonic celebration!
Caution: Just don't apply this to SHM~SACDs........they sound pretty fantastic sans tweaks (save for demagnetizer and damper).
I just received the Martinon set and they sound rather damped.
I have never heard of these products before, but I'm willing to give it a try. Now, this damper, you can just put it on your cd and place it in the player?
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flyingdutchman said:
You mean you didn't just spit on it and wipe it with your sleeve? That's what true professionals do.
Not to be gross, but make sure YOU don't cough up a phlegm ball., FD............or you'll be wearing that SACD on your sleeve!
FD, you always were Phlegmboyant!
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Esacede said:
I just received the Martinon set and they sound rather damped.
I have never heard of these products before, but I'm willing to give it a try. Now, this damper, you can just put it on your cd and place it in the player?
Ultra Vivid is manufactured in the US by Walker Audio in Audubon, Pennsylvania.......he also manufacturers a demagnetizer called the Talisman which can also be used to demagnetize one's speakers (and it really does an amazing job if you are able to get beyond the skepticism of why it could possibly work) and the CD damper I use is called the Millennium compact disc damper which is manufactured in Germany. ALL of these products are sold by Music Direct in Chicago, Illinois.
I was VERY disappointed with the pricey Martinon set upon first listen but after applying all of the above, I really could NOT believe I was listening to the same discs. A VERY dramatic improvement....and a beautiful set of recordings, at that.
Ultra Vivid also does an incredible job with Blu~ray and DVD discs..........equally dramatic improvements across the board. Just DO NOT apply to SHM~SACDs......but the demagnetizer and damper CAN be used on those discs (and sounds much better than without).
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Post by hiredfox March 22, 2012 (9 of 17)
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rammiepie said:
The very same impression I had when I first listened to the 4 disc boxed set of Martinon's All The Works For Orchestra from EMI/Japan.
My solution.........each disc received a double dose of Ultra Vivid Polish, demagnetized the discs, placed a millennium compact disc damper atop the disc and my Marantz SA112s lovingly rewarded me with what I can only describe as state of the art.
People that are unwilling to "experiment" get what they deserve.
My tweaks are tried and tested and have always rewarded me with turning rather murky affairs into a cause for sonic celebration!
Caution: Just don't apply this to SHM~SACDs........they sound pretty fantastic sans tweaks (save for demagnetizer and damper).
Rammiepie, this boy tweaks & tweets so thanks for the tip, I'll try it.
Maybe EMI will supply with discs?
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One has to ask, at these prices why bother? You are not going to get a modern recording. These retreads should be in the bargain bin.
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