Audiophile CDs

acmf74
acmf74 Posts: 936
edited March 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Can anyone recommend me some CDs to listen to? I like jazz, classical and strings in general. Thanks!
Post edited by acmf74 on
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2010
    Classical:

    Ravel: La Valse
    Holst: The Planets
    Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture (Telarc version)
    Mahler: 5th Symphony

    Jazz:
    Yelllowjackets: Time Squared
    Spyro Gyra: Just about anything~
    Dave Brubeck: Time Out
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
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  • TG Meat
    TG Meat Posts: 159
    edited February 2010
    Check out Boney James and Kyle Turner. Both are solid with a Sax.
    Anthem D2v
    NAD M50 Music Server
    B & K Reference 200.5
    Parasound A21
    B & W 804 (Mains)
    B & W HTM1 (Center)
    Polk Rti4 (Surrounds)
    PS3
    Seaton Submersive HP
    Pioneer PDP 6010FD Kuro
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited February 2010
    I've been using this 2 cd set as the benchmark for bass and vocals reproduction with my LSi15's... Plus, I love early Motown stuff and the way it was produced.
    http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Motown%2040%20Forever:1921600894

    I have upgraded recently to SC IC's and that combined with the Proceed 3 Amp I use to push the fronts have warmed the sound and improved the bass.

    For classical, I found this at Goodwill for $15: http://www.amazon.com/Classical-Mood-Vol-1-16/dp/B000RI0HXU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1267194124&sr=1-2

    One thing I noticed since going this route with my setup is that some of my cds now sound like pure crap. I put on an old Santana Greatest Hits cd I have once and I thought in a panic that something had happened to my speakers... I mean the sound stage seemed to have totally collapsed. I frantically checked all my connections and then I put in another cd that I knew sounded really good on my system (Tori Amos) and it sounded as great as it always had. The Santana cd sounded very compressed and the soundstage just fell to pieces.
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • TG Meat
    TG Meat Posts: 159
    edited February 2010
    +1 on that Santana album....I noticed the same thing.
    Anthem D2v
    NAD M50 Music Server
    B & K Reference 200.5
    Parasound A21
    B & W 804 (Mains)
    B & W HTM1 (Center)
    Polk Rti4 (Surrounds)
    PS3
    Seaton Submersive HP
    Pioneer PDP 6010FD Kuro
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited February 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    Classical:

    Ravel: La Valse
    Holst: The Planets
    Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture (Telarc version)
    Mahler: 5th Symphony

    Jazz:
    Yelllowjackets: Time Squared
    Spyro Gyra: Just about anything~
    Dave Brubeck: Time Out

    + 1 on The Planets - one of my favorites!
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2010
    As for jazz, you can't do better than two new series just launched over the course of the last six months. Its a very good time for lovers of 'classic jazz' (ca. 1958-67). There are many more titles scheduled for release in these series.

    First, there are the Analogue Productions hybrid SACDs, mastered by Steve Hoffman. A few titles include Art Blakey Moanin' (the only one I have so far). Other prominent titles in this series include Canonball Adderly Somethin' Else and Grant Green Idle Moments, Horace Silver Tokyo Blues, Dexter Gordon's Go

    Second, there is an XRCD series being put out by Music Matters (Alan Yoshida and Joe Harley). I have only one title in this series, but it too is a fantastic production: Hank Mobley's Soul Station. Other titles in the XRCD series inclue Sonny Clark Cool Struttin and Tina Brooks Trublue.

    Acoustic Sounds does a good job keeping both series in stock.
    http://store.acousticsounds.com/AcousticSounds
    2 Ch.
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    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
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    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
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  • mshan242700
    mshan242700 Posts: 823
    edited February 2010
    Sinatra at the Sands, Hugh Masekela - Hope.

    Excellent performances and very good recordings, too.




    :)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2010
    David Benoit-Every step of the way
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • cubdog
    cubdog Posts: 835
    edited February 2010
    Look for jazz on the Telarc label. Most are excellent recordings.

    cubdog
    Shuguang Classic S8MK
    Emotiva XDA-2
    Bel Canto M300 mono blocks
    Bel Canto DAC 1.5
    Squeezebox Touch
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited March 2010
    For Santana grab the mobile fidelity ones. WAY better.


    Mobile fidelity versions are generally excellent in my eyes.

    http://www.mofi.com/store/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idcategory=0&priceFrom=0&priceUntil=999999999&sku=&keyWord=&customfield1=1&SearchValues1=2&customfield=1&SearchValues=2&resultCnt=10&order=1&Submit.x=55&Submit.y=10
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited March 2010
    erniejade wrote: »
    For Santana grab the mobile fidelity ones. WAY better.


    Mobile fidelity versions are generally excellent in my eyes.

    http://www.mofi.com/store/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idcategory=0&priceFrom=0&priceUntil=999999999&sku=&keyWord=&customfield1=1&SearchValues1=2&customfield=1&SearchValues=2&resultCnt=10&order=1&Submit.x=55&Submit.y=10

    Thanks for the link!
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited March 2010
    I would also recommend looking at stuff that was released under the (now defunct) DCC label. Many of those were mastered by Steve Hoffman and have very good sound.

    You can get some here:
    http://www.dccblowout.com/dept.asp?dept_id=37

    I wouldn't necessarily buy the expensive ones, but some of the compilations are a good start. I bought about 50 or so from this website about 2 years ago and I've been happy with nearly all of them.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited March 2010
    For a Jazz CD, I recommend The Miles Davis Quintet's "Workin' With" on the JVC XRCD CD. Truely great Miles Davis perfomances and great mastering.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • pploeser
    pploeser Posts: 88
    edited March 2010
    Don't know if you are a fan of organ music, but my dad has some recordings from Gothic Records. I can't attest to their audiophile quality, as it's been quite a while since I heard any of them. Anybody else have feedback on that label?
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  • Montoya
    Montoya Posts: 506
    edited March 2010
    John Paul Jones- Zooma great album most people haven't heard.
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  • IrishNiner
    IrishNiner Posts: 116
    edited March 2010
    Another jazz suggestion - Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" 1997 Columbia Jazz label. Remastered on a Presto all tube 3 track machine. Great stuff!
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  • hagmanm2
    hagmanm2 Posts: 205
    edited March 2010
    Montoya wrote: »
    John Paul Jones- Zooma great album most people haven't heard.

    +1 on the recommendation. I heart JPJ. Have you guys listened to Them Crooked Vultures? I've had the privilege of seeing them in concert twice now (once at Austin City Limits Music Festival and once at the Fillmore in Charlotte NC). Excellent heavy raw sound. John Paul Jones from Zeppelin, Dave Grohl from Nirvana and Foo Fighters and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal. :) Sorry, off topic, I just get really excited!

    OK OK OK, back to a recommendation: I would like to throw in to the mix The Angry Man of Jazz himself, Charles Mingus. Check out Epitaph. I read an excellent article about him years ago. His story and music are phenomenal, and I've been a fan ever since!
    Living Room: Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-25 | Turntable: Technics SL-B200 | CD Player: Rotel RCD-955AX | Fronts: Polk RTiA3 | Center: Polk CSi A4 | Rears: Polk FXi3 | Sub: Velodyne DPS-10 | Cables: AudioQuest Type4 & TypeA

    Office: Carver HR-742 | Speakers: RTi6 | Turntable: Numark 1600
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  • Ranger0912
    Ranger0912 Posts: 50
    edited March 2010
    Good quality and thoughtful selection of artists is a hallmark of the "32 Jazz" label. You'll probably find that whatever your level of sophistication or taste, they'll have something you'll enjoy. Best source is Amazon.
    McIntosh MA-7000 Integrated
    Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD
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    Signal Cable, Magic Power Cables
    Signal Cable, Silver Resolution Balanced Interconnects
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  • lumpy
    lumpy Posts: 113
    edited March 2010
    Valerie Joice - New Yourk Blue
    pop

    media room: Lsi25 mains driven by an audiosource amp300, LSi9's driven by another amp300, LsiC drivin by an audiosourcAmp200, Lsi7 rear channels driven by receiver - Yamaha 863, Panamax 5300, epson 6100 w/ 106" elite cinatension2 screen, HPz555 media center, oppo 980, techniques SLbd3 turntable,xbox and ps3,

    living room: VM30 mains driven by a niles 2125, VM20 center and VM10 surrounds, velodyne dsp10, yamaha rxv661, cambridge audio dvd89, panamax5300, philips 42" plasma
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited March 2010
    Emilie-Claire Barlow - The Very Thought of You
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  • Caf
    Caf Posts: 3
    edited March 2010
    I cannot recommand enough BACH's Six Cello Suites by Paul Tortellier.
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  • Vandam
    Vandam Posts: 22
    edited March 2010
    organ wrote: »
    Emilie-Claire Barlow - The Very Thought of You

    +1, just discovered her via iTunes...yeah. I know.
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  • acmf74
    acmf74 Posts: 936
    edited March 2010
    Picked up Reference Point - Acoustic Alchemy CD Jazz New Age

    Great recording AND music.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    Mapleshade records has awesome CD recordings and awesome jazz & blues. Take your pick, he's got many to pick from.

    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/main/catalog.php
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Mapleshade records has awesome CD recordings and awesome jazz & blues. Take your pick, he's got many to pick from.

    http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/main/catalog.php

    Do you have any recommendations for both sonic quality and musical enjoyment (not just demo material)?

    I'm into both - but would eager to hear any recommendations! :D

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Do you have any recommendations for both sonic quality and musical enjoyment (not just demo material)?

    I'm into both - but would eager to hear any recommendations! :D

    Well the sonic quality of ALL his recordings are stellar. To get you stated, I would try out, "Mapleshade Music Festival," "The Art of the Ballad," "13 Shades of Blue," and "Jazz Grooves." The last three are considered the "Best of" Mapleshade records and they really are exciting and give you an idea of what he has to offer. I've only one classical recording by them, the name of which escapes me now, but it is one of the finest performances and SQ of classical music I've heard. I'll try and dig it up and get back to you.

    BTW if you are in a fun mood, they have a CD called, "Cats are Stealing My ****," which is a compilation of audiophile samplers that will show you what your rig can really do. I must warn you though, some of it is off the wall but the sonics give you goosebumps.

    Hope this helps.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited March 2010
    You can also find some good stuff on www.referencerecordings.com Most of their stuff are HDCD.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2010
    If you can find them.....VTL put out a series of CD's / LP's years ago, and they are VERY good.

    You know, I've got some Mapleshade CD's....well recorded, but, man, some of that stuff is really awful.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    If you can find them.....VTL put out a series of CD's / LP's years ago, and they are VERY good.

    You know, I've got some Mapleshade CD's....well recorded, but, man, some of that stuff is really awful.
    BDT

    I agree. I've bought some CDs there that the only saving grace was the incredible sonics. You have to know your stuff when buying there.

    BTW VTL is another I've not heard of. What are some of their offerings?
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  • acmf74
    acmf74 Posts: 936
    edited March 2010
    Some really good suggestions here..... perhaps make this thread a STICKY?
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