SACD / DSD

Whitesnake – Come An’ Get It (1981) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2010 # UIGY-9056] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · September 29, 2016 · Comments off

Features the 2010 DSD mastering based on Japanese original analog tape (subject to change). Reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-SACD format (fully compatible with standard SACD player, but it does not play on standard CD players). DSD Transferred by Manabu Matsumura. (more…)

Water Falls: Inspired By The Art Of Bishin Jumonji (2004) [2.0 & 5.1] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · September 17, 2016 · Comments off

This complilation is a four 15 Minute tracks of the sounds of Japanese waterfalls in 5.1 surround sound inspired by the work of Japanese artist Bishin Jumonji, based on his composite photographs of four Japanese waterfalls at the Shiseido Gallery (Ginza) in June and July 2004. (more…)

Branko – My World Electric (2005) [2.0 & 5.1] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · September 14, 2016 · Comments off

Branko – My World Electric (2005) [2.0 & 5.1]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 43:11 minutes | Scans included | 2,91 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Full Scans included | 965 MB
– Heavy pop rock with lots of electronic soundscapes. Branko blends the electric 80’s with the grungy 90’s. –

Welcome to the electric world of BRANKO: a new band with a fresh sound and a clear focus on the good old craftsmanship of writing pop songs with a twist. However new…..? The pop-rockers of Branko have all individually left their tracks in rock ‘n roll land, and now they have joined forces……

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Bruno Walter & New York Philharmonic/Columbia Symphony Orchestra – Schubert/Beethoven, Symphonies 8/5 (1999) {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · September 3, 2016 · Comments off

Just like the other three Bruno Walter releases in Sony Classical’s current crop of SACD reissues, this classic Beethoven/Schubert coupling benefits from the DSD transfer, which reproduces as faithfully as possible the musical content of the original reel-to-reel master tapes. The reviewers have noted elsewhere, the cost is a small amount of tape hiss, eminently preferable to the so-called “no noise” digital editing which tampers with the musical signal as it tries to remove noise. Here is a transfer which presents the original intentions of the artists in the best possible light, capturing the acoustic signature of the recording venue (American Legion Hall in Hollywood) perfectly — warm, reverberent, yet transparent, ideally matching Bruno Walter’s interpretive idiom. (more…)

Dvorak: Concerto in B minor / Walton: Cello Concerto – Gregor Piatigorsky, Munch (2005) {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · September 1, 2016 · Comments off

Antonin Dvorak: Concerto in B minor / William Walton: Cello Concerto
Gregor Piatigorsky, cello – Boston Symphony Orchestra – Charles Munch
SACD ISO (2.0/MCH): 2,86 GB | 24B/88,2kHz Stereo FLAC: 1,25 GB | Full Artwork | 3% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: RCA Red Seal “Living Stereo” # 82876-66375-2 | Country/Year: Europe 2005, 1950s/1960s
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Contemporary, Cello

A wonderful SACD… I recently heard the Dvorak live and I found myself comparing that performance to that on this disc.

The sound is excellent, with a very wide soundstage that may surprise those not used to hi fi playback. The sense of depth is also fine. The RCA transfer issued in the 1990’s was apparently mastered from a protection or safety dupe and suffered from a horrendous tape splice about seven minutes into the first movement; I used to cringe in anticipation of that evil edit and the change in timbre and lurch it caused in the soundfield. I’m glad to say that edit is not in evidence on this transfer. The sense of Piatigorsky being present is enhanced by the three-channel playback and this is the preferred listening mode if you have the proper equipment.

I had trepidation buying this disc based upon the above review. I almost didn’t, but I finally gave in. My benchmark is Jacqueline Du Pre’s unbelievably passionate performance amidst Sargent’s very supportive conducting. (more…)

Living Stereo: Frederic Chopin – Arthur Rubinstein – Ballades and Scherzos (2004) {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 25, 2016 · Comments off

Frederic Chopin – Arthur Rubinstein – Ballades and Scherzos
SACD ISO (2.0/MCH): 3,09 GB | 24B/88,2kHz Stereo FLAC: 1,23 GB | Full Artwork | 3% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: RCA Red Seal “Living Stereo” # 82876-61396-2 | Country/Year: Europe 2004, 1959
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Piano

If you like Artur Rubinstein’s Chopin, then this is a disc to get.
The sound here is slightly better than that on the Rubinstein Collection, but still better. Can only hope for more Chopin here in the future.

This is from the “Living Stereo” series by RCA, now re-released on SACD. The original 2 or 3 track analog masters were used. The multichannel tracks use the front 3 channels only. The stereo presented is the original mix, no remixing. The sound is great. You can hear Rubenstein breathing, and even some of his fingers hitting the keys are audible. The piano benefits from the SACD treatment…no tininess in the upper register. There are a few extraneous noises I can’t explain, but they are in no way obtrusive.

The performances are heavenly. Rubenstein, Polish himself, was a lifelong exponent of Chopin, in his full romantic expression. I can always reccomend Rubenstein when listening to any Chopin. Others are also wonderful (Ashkenazy, Perahia), but you simply MUST have some Rubenstein. Buy this SACD, get a good glass of your favorite spirit, put on your best headphones and feel the music. You will then be doing a search on Amazon for Rubenstein….trust me!

I bought the 20-bit reincarnation (1999 mix in the Rubinstein collection) of this recording just two months before the release of the SACD version, so I had to compare them. The SACD is better. It is smoother and warmer than the 20-bit version. More importantly, the SACD is also CHEAPER! It’s hard to beat Rubinstein’s interpretation of the Ballades. These must be incredibly difficult to play and interpret well. It is easy to over interpret them. I have Wild’s, Zimerman’s, Perahia’s, amongst others. Rubinstein’s seems to be the one that is just about right…not overdone..not too fast… etc. I strongly recommend this SACD for anyone who loves Chopin.

Starting with Ballade no.1 I thought Perahia was even more dramatic and was thinking well Rubenstein was born in 1887 so was over 70 when he made these recordings. Well straight on to number 2 and he was even more fiery than Perahia in the tempestuous outer sections!

Everyone will have favourite recordings (Perahia in the Ballades, Richter or Arrau in the Scherzi)but the more you listen to Rubenstein the more you understand his reputation as a Chopin magician.

The only tempo I would quibble with is the beautiful slow section in the middle of the First Scherzi (based if I recall correctly on an old Polish carol?)- I wish it was even slower.

The piano has a big, bold sound though it is slighlty clattery and of course doesn’t have the depth and resonance of a modern DSD recording. sa-cd.net (more…)

Branford Marsalis Quartet & North Carolina Symphony, Grant Llewellyn – American Spectrum (2009) {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 16, 2016 · Comments off

Composed between 1963 and 2005 these four works form a spectrum that demonstrates a tendency among composers of American concert music to draw from a wide range of musical streams; classical, popular, folk and jazz in order to reach out to their listeners. (more…)

Bucky Pizzarelli – Swing Live (2001) [2.0 & 5.1] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 8, 2016 · Comments off

Bucky Pizzarelli leads a strong quintet through this intimate live set at Makor, a Manhattan night spot. The seven-string guitarist is always game for anything, and with a superb group — including nearly everyone’s first-call bassist, Michael Moore, clarinetist Allan Vaché, vibraphonist Peter Appleyard (who previously worked with Benny Goodman, as did Michael Moore and the leader), and drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie — the veteran leads his group through seven favorites from the swing era. The set sounds very relaxed and informal, as if the musicians were playing for their own fun and had no idea tapes were rolling. A snappy take of “Perdido” and an extended workout of “Limehouse Blues” are but two of the memorable tracks recorded that evening. Suffice to say that if you own more than a couple of CDs featuring Bucky Pizzarelli, then you should pick up this very rewarding release. (more…)

Butch Baldassari – Romance In Venice (2005) {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · July 21, 2016 · Comments off

Romance In Venice is a collection of traditional and famous Italian songs reinterpreted by mandolin virtuoso Butch Baldassari.

The late Butch Baldassari – Nashville based studio musician and a founder of the Nashville Mandolin Orchestra – was known as “Mr. Tone” in mandolin circles. This unexpectedly deep and passionate collection shows why. The technique is ultra clean and precise, and the performances are full of heart. This album will transport you not to a cartoon Italy, but a real one. (more…)

Hugo Montenegro – Others by Brother & Scenes and Themes (2016) [2.0 & 4.0] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · July 17, 2016 · Comments off

Hugo Mario Montenegro was a composer, arranger, and conductor who is primarily known for his movie work in the ’60s, as well as his adaptations of film scores like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Montenegro began to branch out after the Hang ‘Em High album, recording a diverse array of albums, ranging from show tunes to electronic experiments. Throughout the late ’60s and ’70s, he continued to score films, including Lady in Cement, The Undefeated, The Wrecking Crew, Tomorrow, and The Ambushers, among many others. He continued composing and recording until his death in 1981. This SACD release combines 2 LP on 1 SACD – “Others By Brothers” (1975) and Scenes & Themes (1972). (more…)

VA – Horizont & Friends: Late Night Chillout Lounge (2003) [2.0 & 5.0] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · June 30, 2016 · Comments off

Real good and and various relaxing program of chillout music. Four groups are playing chillout typical electronical synthesizer sounds with and without lyrics but also good guitar music… (more…)

Wynton Kelly Trio and Sextet – Kelly Blue (1959) [Reissue 2004] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · June 29, 2016 · Comments off

Recorded for Riverside, this set mostly features the influential pianist Wynton Kelly in a trio with his fellow rhythm-section mates from the Miles Davis bands, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. “Kelly Blue” and “Keep It Moving” add cornetist Nat Adderley, flutist Bobby Jaspar and the tenor of Benny Golson to the band for some variety. Kelly was renowned as an accompanist, but as he shows on a set including three of his originals and four familiar standards (including “Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise” and “Willow Weep for Me”), he was also a strong bop-based soloist too. A fine example of his talents. (more…)

Willie Nelson – Stardust (1978) [Japanese SACD 2001 #SRGS 4563] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · May 30, 2016 · Comments off

Country crooner’s classic collection of easy-going pop standards features the songs Moonlight In Vermont, All Of Me, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore & others. It was arranged by Booker T. Jones & recorded in Willie’s inimitable style in Emmylou Harris’ house. (more…)

Richard Wagner: Overtures, Preludes – von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker (2001) [2.0] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · May 12, 2016 · Comments off

Esoteric have produced a remarkable transfer that preserves beautifully the hall sound, spatial information and detail. The brass and mass strings have excellent detail, revealing a lot of subtle harmonies and variation – a boon for anything Wagner. This contributes to an overall impression of sophistication and restraint and goes perfectly with Karajan’s Wagner.

In comparison with other SACDs in the Esoteric reissue program, I find the sound to be equally remarkable in quality and character to the the finest recordings available of – the highest demonstration quality recordings to start with and will better the present recording on any format.

For the source material used in the remastering, the packaging states (in Japanese) “remastered from original analog master tapes”. Based solely on the final merits Esoteric has splendidly succeeded. A must-have!

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Wynton Marsalis – Hot House Flowers (1984) [Reissue 2001] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · May 6, 2016 · Comments off

Wynton Marsalis, very much in his Miles Davis period, plays quite melodically throughout this ballad-dominated outing with strings. Branford Marsalis (on tenor and soprano), flutist Kent Jordan, pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Jeff Watts are strong assets but it is Wynton’s subtle creativity on such songs as “Stardust,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” Duke Ellington’s “Melancholia,” and “I’m Confessin'” that makes this recording special. The arrangements by Robert Freedman generally keep the strings from sounding too sticky and Wynton’s tone is consistently beautiful. (more…)