Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - Blogs - LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/a/ en Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:16:46 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - Blogs - LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/a/ Who said oldies must be old? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:29:29 GMT I always appreciate good music, more so if it's new music that is currently being produced and released.

Thus, it was a great delight to hear an album entitled "A Strange Arrangement" by Mayer Hawthorne.

If you like "oldies" or motown or soul, you owe it to yourself to check out this album. The music is fantastic, catchy and just great overall.

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBKx8PyE5qQ ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html <![CDATA[Don't limit yourselves!]]> http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:54:19 GMT It often saddens me when one of my brothers younger friends cringes at the idea of jazz or anything pre-1990. It delights me when I am able to... It often saddens me when one of my brothers younger friends cringes at the idea of jazz or anything pre-1990.

It delights me when I am able to play them some of this "old crap" and they suddenly become aware of great music they never would have otherwise heard.

New isn't necessarily better, despite what our society seems to think and continuously push on us. A recent head-fi'er admitted he doesn't listen to anything pre-1970's. An ESPN writer recently trashed The Beatles. To me, a huge music fan, these trends sadden me in a way that is hard to express.

This isn't really a complaint as much as it is venting and concern. Thus, if your reading this, I ask you to recommend a couple of your favorite old recordings that date from before 1970.

Here are two lesser known titles I adore, both for sound quality and performance quality:



Barney Kessel - The Pole Winners



Sonny Rollins - Plus Four

Now....which ones are your favorites? ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html DEMO TRACKS!!!! Part 1 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:49:13 GMT My all time favorite demo tracks! Here is a list of demo tracks I use for trying out new equipment. Not only am I going to list them but I will... My all time favorite demo tracks!

Here is a list of demo tracks I use for trying out new equipment. Not only am I going to list them but I will also tell you WHY I use them.

Most of my friends complain that I use too many "unique" or custom mastered songs so I will list tracks you can find and use off the regular CD. Might be expensive to track down each track if you don't own each CD but hopefully, you'll own a few of these. If not, at least you'll be buying some great sounding music. Here we go!

1. Francesco Durante - Magnificat in B flat major

This is, in my honest opinion, some of the most beautiful music ever written and recorded. If that isn't enough reason why to have this work, here are some more. This particular work consists of 8 tracks as presented on the CD. Each track could be used individually as a demo track. The voices and instruments are very well recorded and there is many a nuance to pick out in the recording. In general, I use them in demo purposes to see how well a system performs with multiple voices in a choir setting. Often times choir voices seem mushed together. Not on this recording when played back on a high end rig.

Where to find it:
Durante et al. - Magnificat in B, Stabat Mater, Confitebor


2. Rebecca Pidgeon - Spanish Harlem

This is a rather well known demo track. In the off chance you haven't heard it, then here is why. It is extremely well recorded and the performance justs breathes life out of your speakers. It's the best demo track out there for female vocals.

Where to find it: Rebecca Pidgeon - The Raven


3. John Williams - The Raiders March

A well recorded and mastered version of a famous theme we all know and love. I love to use it an orchestra demo recording. There is some low bass on this that doesn't translate well to most systems and thus, helps eliminate the entry level gear from the big boys. The best version of this track is on the Raiders of The Lost Ark DCC disc catalog number DZS-090. However, it's expensive and getting hard to find. The version down below is a nice compromise.

Where to find it: John Williams - Indian Jones and The Last Crusade


4. Danny Elfman - This Is Holloween

This has got to be one of the most lush and complicated recordings I have ever heard. It's all hear - brass, winds, strings, voices, sound effects, charm - you name it - it's in this recording. A lot of speakers and headphones have trouble separating everything clearly. Find a system where every voice sounds different and where every sound has it's own individual space and you'll have a winner.

Where to find it:
Danny Elfman - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas



5. Holst - March

This is THE bass track to own. The track is either no 3 or 4. I can't remember exactly as I don't have the CD handy but this track is a bass killer. Out of all the headphones out there, only the HD-650 can handle it properly. The PS-1 fails this track misserably. This track causes amps to clip and speakers to blow, so be carefull. The bass should be very low and tight. Not fat or warbly. It should have a quick transient impact you can hear and feel. If you can't feel it - they system isn't resolving the low frequencies right.

Where to find it:

Holst et al. - Suites 1&2, Music for Royal Fireworks and more

So there you go - 5 tracks to demo stuff with. If you want another 5 more then stay tuned! ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html A musical recommendation for this week! http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:44:03 GMT Art Pepper & Chet Baker - The Route.



There is an old saying that goes "Don't judge a book by it's cover". Often times this is extremely helpful in the literary world. I would love to propose a new saying "Don't judge a recording by it's cover art."

Why? For so many years I have walked past this recording in many a music store and have always ignored it because 1. it's a Capitol release on CD and 2. the cover never really struck me as something great. How foolish I was!

Capitol has always been "The Home of Norberg" for me and that equates to a musical and mastering disaster. Ever since I heard the Norberg Sinatra re-issues I have steered away from anything Capitol. However, not long ago I heard he had left. After rejoicing, I slowly started looking at the Capitol catalog once again, albeit, rather cautiously.

The art work on this particular title never struck me as anything great. This is probably one of the main reasons I never picked it up and read what was on it. It wasn't until a great friend of mine gave me this CD as a gift that I finally decided to hear it.

The music itself is brilliant and sounds rather good. No surprise as the digital transfers were handled by the great Ron McMaster. No Norberg crap here! As I said before, the music is brilliant. No surprise as it contains two of the greatest brass players ever - Chet Baker on trumpet and Art Pepper on sax.

Most people are familiar with Chet Baker as there are many who know his signature tune "My Funny Valentine" or "Look For The Silver Lining" which is prominently featured all the time on movie channels (so I am told).

This album is not a real album in the sense that viewing the musical selections creates a cohesive whole. Rather, these are selections of fabulous music brought together for the first time. The origin of these recordings are from Pacific Jazz Records, an old record label that put out some fantastic jazz albums back in the day. Here you get 8 selections in Stereo and 3 in Mono. Don't let the mono selections bring you down as 1. they only exist in mono and 2. the sound fantastic as well. Both Pepper and Baker play with style and force. Both shine through each performance and the music flows with ease and swing.

If your a jazz fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this fantastic album. The best part is that it can be had for under $10.00!!! Considering the talent, the music and sound quality - it's a steal. Go buy it now! ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Bad music http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:03:45 GMT Often many people disagree over what makes music good. A famous comedian once said that good music what *you* listen to and bad music is everything... Often many people disagree over what makes music good. A famous comedian once said that good music what *you* listen to and bad music is everything else.

In my ever expanding quest to hear more music I have resorted to many options to expand my aural pleasures and dislikes.

What a surprise it was to come across an old vinyl record that specifically presents bad music. :p



The vinyl, entitled "Music To Suffer By" is certainly that. However, I found it to be rather comical.

Bad or not, it's certainly worth a listen. Enjoy it if you can. :wink_face:

LISTEN TO IT HERE!!! ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Vinyl Transfers FAQ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:55:31 GMT I get a lot of requests for transfer or remastering jobs. Along with the requests comes a multitude of questions. In an effort to help the... I get a lot of requests for transfer or remastering jobs. Along with the requests comes a multitude of questions.

In an effort to help the curious, here are some of the most FAQ I get and the responses:

- Is this safe?
Absolutely. I have received hundreds of recordings from as far away as Japan and India and not one has been damaged by a transfer.

- Is this legal?
Absolutely. The RIAA "fair use act" states that you can make copies of any recording that you own.

- How long does it take?
The quick answer: It depends. With vinyl, the transfer takes as long as it does to play the record plus anywhere from 2 – 20 hours or more for the post-processing and remastering.

- How can I learn?
You can start by using Google. Do a search for “vinyl transfer” or “vinyl rip” and your bound to get a ton of results. Read as much as you can. There are dozens of books available on how to master. Most are very good and provide you with tricks of the trade to help you understand how things are done a certain way.

Most importantly, PRACTICE! As in most cases, practice makes perfect. Don’t expect to learn this overnight. Transferring and post-processing takes a lot of time and effort to get right but it sure is FUN! Most importantly, use your ears!

- I don’t have expensive gear. What should I get?
Believe it or not – you don’t need expensive gear to do this. I have heard transfers done on $18,000.00 turntables and a $35.00 used Technics table and the sound quality is ALMOST THE SAME!

The sound you get will mainly depend on the quality of the vinyl and the cartridge you are using. This need not be an expensive (well….at least not that much) hobby.

- Can you tell me what tricks you use to get the best sound?
Sure. Not too many engineers or hobbyists will tell you their secrets but I will. The things I use the most to get the best sound is…….my ears. There are other tricks here and there but they only work if you listen carefully. You can pull off a decent remaster using a cheap 5 band graphic EQ if you listen carefully. Obviously it will pale in comparison to a GML parametric but you’d be surprised what you do with cheap gear and a little of know how.

- What’s the most important advice you can give me?
HAVE FUN! There is no use doing a transfer if your going to be fretting over every single detail. Sometimes you can get perfection but other times you’ll get very good or decent. The results can vary but as long as you enjoyed getting the result, then all else shouldn’t matter because you can always try again. :D ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Using your head!! http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:07:39 GMT THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BINAURAL RECORDINGS Image: http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/12/binauralmic.jpg Part Two: Using your...
THE WONDERFUL WORLD
OF
BINAURAL RECORDINGS



Part Two: Using your own head!

As mentioned before in part one, one way to record binaural sound is by using your own head.

This is as easy as putting one omni-directional microphone behind or near each ear. Usually the weight of the microphones should be enough to hold them in place but should they not want to stay in place, you can secure them with a paper clip or with some tape.

The best thing about this method is that they are in stealth mode. They are hard to spot and the microphones tend to be so small that most people won't even notice they are on your head.

The other good thing about this is that you don't need a dummy head!;) All you need is your head, the microphones and a recorder.

So, how do the recordings sound like? Here are a few I did using my head.

ALL RECORDINGS DONE BY ME AND ARE NOT FOR SALE! Feel free to distribute them freely. The recording chain is as follows: Microphones placed on top of ears -> various gain settings -> Belkin iPOD voice recorder -> iPod -> Remastering software -> YOU.:D

Jet flying directly overhead. Facing plane with jet going front to back.

Jet flying directly overhead from left to right.

Here are some I recorded while at Disneyland.

The Disneyland Railroad arrives and passes by before boarding.

Going from Disneyland Main Street Station to New Orleans Square - Notice how going through a tunnel affects the sound. Also notice that when the train arrives, there is a telegraph office behind me.

Waiting at the Star Tours Spaceport

RECORDING WHILE MOVING:

The previous recordings were recorded by me and in all of them, my head was stationary - that is - it did not move.

On these recordings, my head was moving due to walking or being on a moving platform that moved from side to side.

Bathroom Break:rolleyes:

Walking Through An Arcade

The Haunted Mansion WARNING: VERY DYNAMIC!!!

As you can hear - using this simple approach produces very nice results. I must admit that I had a lot of fun doing this.

The negative aspect is that you really can't monitor your own recordings. Thus, you have to guess what gain settings to use. Also, you can't eat, drink, cough or talk to anyone.

In the next article, we shall make and use a Jecklin disc. :D ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html THE WONDERFUL WORLD Part I http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:13:47 GMT THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BINAURAL RECORDINGS Image: http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/12/binauralmic.jpg Part One: Binaural:...
THE WONDERFUL WORLD
OF
BINAURAL RECORDINGS




Part One: Binaural: What it is and how its done.

Binaural literally means “relating to two ears”. However, when used as a recording term, binaural recording is a method of recording audio which uses a special microphone arrangement which usually replicates what a human would hear if he were in the location where the sound or sounds are being recorded.

The term was often misused as a name for stereo but binaural recording is very different from stereo recording. STEREO uses simple "left-right" information gained from relative level differences and time arrival differences of the sound entering each microphone. When done properly, a good stereo recording can present the listener with vast amounts of information including soundstage and music instrument placement. BINAURAL uses the concept of STEREO but also attempts to imprint frequency-dependent distortions of phase and amplitude that change when sound reaches the eardrums. These distortion effects vary with the direction of the sound source as well as the human body (most importantly the human head and ear).

Binaural recordings seek to replicate the to imprint frequency-dependent distortions of phase and amplitude by using what is commonly called a Dummy Head. Professional heads vary in size, quality, build, cost and most importantly, recording approach.

In most cases, the recordings done with Dummy Heads reproduce sound in such a way as to produce a three-dimensional effect which gives the listener the impression of being in the Dummy Heads place. In other words, it’s the ultimate ‘you are there – LIVE” effect. However, this effect is only able to be reproduced when the listener is using headphones. When used with loud speakers however, the realism is lost. However, a good binaural recording will sound very similar to good purist-miked stereo recordings (but without the three dimensional realism).

In the world of today, with technologies like Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES, one would think that binaural recording is just another new trick for recording music. This is far from the truth.

Binaural was first used in transmission of opera from the stage of the Paris Opera House in 1881. Inventor Clement Ader used pairs of carbon telephone transmitters across the stage, mixed down to two separate telephone lines going to the homes of subscribers. They had to have two telephones and put the receivers from each one to their ears producing the binaural effect.

Modern day recordings are much more HI-FI and usually utilize special “dummy heads” which seek to replicate a human head and ear as closely as possible in order to achieve the best recording possible. The picture at the top of this article is just one type of dummy head.

OTHER DUMMIES





As you can see, the dummies all look different but the recording approach is similar in general.

Most dummy heads place the microphones inside the head where the eardrum would be located and apply a special EQ preset which compensates and corrects for the sound traveling through your ear canal. (SEE BELOW) That way, when you listen to the recordings, it doesn’t have to go through the ear canal twice.



This results in the most accurate recording possible while providing 3D realism.

There are other ways to achieve binaural recordings. The second most popular method is using what is called a Jecklin Disc or Jecklin Baffle.

The idea of using an absorptive baffle between two omni directional mics was first proposed by Alan Blumlein, but was later refined and perfected by Juerg Jecklin (I think it is the same guy who makes those fugly electrostatic headphones).

Anyway, Jecklin's baffle was 300mm in diameter, made of 3/8" plywood covered with about 1" of foam and sheepskin on each side. However, the precise thickness of the baffle doesn't appear to be critical. I have tried baffles of about ½ an inch to 4 inches thick and it made little difference. The important thing to focus on with a Jecklin disc is the 165 mm (8 inch) distance between the two omni directional microphone capsules. This places each microphone to about….you guessed it, the distance of the human ears.

THE JECKLIN DISC






The third way to achieve a good binaural recording is to use yourself. That’s right, use your own head. The easiest way to do this is to place one omni-directional microphone near each one of your two ears and record the sound.

So, how do you do this yourself?

Well, I’ll tell you.

1) Buy a dummy head (you will need A LOT of $$$$$$)

2) Wait for part two of this article…… ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html The Magic of Mono http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:34:33 GMT A lot of people like to complain. I am not one of them. However, because I want to be a lawyer - I know darn well that is PAYS to complain.... A lot of people like to complain. I am not one of them. However, because I want to be a lawyer - I know darn well that is PAYS to complain. Regardless, I am still not an individual who likes to complain. There are people who complain about everything or anything.

In the audio world, one of the complaints I hear is that people dislike MONO and much prefer STEREO. I have never understood why. One quick example I always use is Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. The new remaster is in pristine STEREO but the original mix (and the one Steve Hoffman used) is MONO. A quick comparison and you'll see that the MONO beats out the STEREO.

Another example is The Beatles. The MONO mixes have a special magic - a special punch you can hear. The vocals are more realistic and the music sounds more immediate.

The nay-sayers will point out that these are "special" exceptions to the rules.

Well - yesterday I got this old, old vinyl LP which I got from ebay. I quickly cleaned it and gave it a spin. This isn't the Beatles or even someone famous. Rather it is an old folk LP featuring a singing trio. Despite being in MONO the music and vocals just sounded fantastic! I'm guessing this LP is from the mid 1960's and it sounds great. While it may not be "Hi-Fi" in modern day terms, the sound is just magical. There is depth, warmth, separation and yes - there is soundstage. :eek::D

So why do I write this? Well - don't discard a recording just for being MONO. Keep in mind that STEREO or multi-channel isn't the end all and be all of music. Pick up a MONO Gray Label pressing of Sinatra or a MONO Bob Dylan and you'll see that there is a special magic within those MONO grooves!;) ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Dirty Vinyl - What to do? http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:57:53 GMT Recently I have been chatting a lot about vinyl to friends and family alike. First I settle their minds as to why I am listening to an “out of date”... Recently I have been chatting a lot about vinyl to friends and family alike. First I settle their minds as to why I am listening to an “out of date” format and then proceed to show them how great vinyl can be.

Given the recent trend of bad mastering on the digial side of the music world, and the release of top notch performances on vinyl (that mastered superbly), it’s no surprise that a lot of people are returning to the analog domain of vinyl recordings.

You got a turntable! You got a phono amp/pre-amp/integrated amp! You got some speakers/headphone! What do you do now!?

Most people rush out, buy a record they love and put it on. Cue the arm and on come some snap, crackle and pop. What’s worse – you don’t even eat Rice Crispies!!

All those memories of noisy vinyl come back and you start regretting your moves. I’m here to say that there is a solution! DON’T PANIC!!!

One of the questions I get asked the most by Vinyl Noobs is – “Do I have to clean my records?”.

The answer is – If you want good sound – YES!

The next question I get is “Even if they are BRAND NEW?”

The answer to that is – YES!

Then the response is “Oh - OK. How do I do it?!”

Before I continue, let me explain why even new records need cleaning. For that – let us take a visit to a record pressing plant. Hop onto the internet school bus as we learn how records are made.

Field Trip

SNACK TIME!

Back to the Field Trip

Ok. When the biscuit is pressed by the stamper into a record, there is a release agent that is used to separate it and prevent mold from growing in the grooves. You want to clean brand new records so that you can remove any pressing debris and the "mold release compounds".

But why clean them? Well, for one, you’ll get better, clearer sound. Secondly, you’ll add life to your vinyl record and your stylus.

So, how do you clean LP’s? The answer depends who you ask. So – here are a few ways to do it. Starting out with the cheapest.

1. Alcohol with cotton balls.
This involves getting a cotton ball, wetting it a little with alcohol. You then run the cotton ball over the dirty LP moving it in a semi-circular motion until the LP look clean. Proceed to play.

2. Distilled Water with paper towels
Run the LP under luke warm tap water, making sure to wash away the dirt and keeping the label dry. Then rinse the LP with distilled water and tap dry with paper towels. Proceed to play.

3. Nylon Brush with Dawn and Distilled Water
Some people like to purchase a soft nylon brush and follow the above procedure (No. 2) but with 2 drops of Dawn added in the wash.

4. Carbon Fiber Brushes
This is used as a dry cleaning method. The bristles are tiny and are good at getting into the grooves to get the dirt out.

5. D4 Brushes / Groove Glide
These brushes come with a fluid you apply to the brush and then use to clean the record.

6. Disc Doctor Fluid & Brushes
Some people feel this is one of the best methods. You can find more information by search for “Disc Doctor” under google.

7. Vacuum Cleaner w/ Fluids
This is the most expensive, but IMHO, the most effective way of cleaning a vinyl record. This involves using fluids to clean out the grunge from the grooves and then using a vacuum machine to suck out the grime and fluid.

Ok. There you have it. 7 ways of doing it. Directly after this comes the following question – “What do you prefer LFF and why?”

Well, in all honesty, I don’t like method 1 because it doesn’t clean the record good enough. I don’t like method 2 because it can leave grunge behind when not done properly and the label is bound to get wet. I don’t like 3 because Dawn will leave grunge behind.
I don’t like 4 when done by itself. I don’t like 5 when done by itself. I do like 6 when used in combination with 7. I LOVE 7.

No. 4 & 5 is great when you use it to clean records which have already been through No. 6 and 7.

The best thing a Vinyl Noob can do is get a vacuum record cleaner. It need not be as expensive as one might think.

HERE is how you can do it yourself for under $30.00.

The next step up is The KAB EV1 record cleaner. This is under $200.00 and the only thing you need to add is your home vacuum cleaner. The design of the EV1 is based on the Nitty Gritty Design which is a much more expensive vacuum cleaner.

After this comes the models from Nitty Gritty, VPI, AcousTech, Hannl, Keith Monk and others. These are much more expensive than the previous two options but they come with their own vacuum and some are completely automated.

I know a few hundred dollars is a bit extravagant for a hobby, especially when it is merely an accessory to the hobby. But ask yourself a few questions the following questions:

Do you plan on holding onto your LP's indefinitely?

Do you believe that there are albums you own on vinyl that will never be available on any other format, including CD/SACD?

Do you love vinyl, but really hate surface noise?

Do you consider yourself a vinyl music collector?

Well, if you answered yes to any of the above, then you should own a record cleaning machine. A record cleaning machine is the single most important “upgrade” you can get in the analog vinyl world. It really does make a world of difference.
For those of you worrying about the continued use of cleaning fluid (and their prices), here is how to make your own formula. It is not the one I use (that’s a secret) but it works equally as good.

To make 16 ounces, use 75% distilled water, 25% alcohol and add 2 drops of DAWN liquid detergent.
If you want to make killer fluid, go 50% water, 50% distilled water with 4 drops of DAWN liquid detergent.
To clean Shellac 78’s, use 100% distilled water with 2 drops of DAWN.
There are tons of variations on how to make homebrew record cleaning fluid. Some people use a drop of Downey as a surfacent instead of DAWN.

Some people just buy the Disc Doctor stuff.

Whatever method you use, just make sure you use it. Never play a dirty record on your turntable. Your stylus and ears will thank you.:D ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html OK....you got $$$ for Christmas....what to buy? How about.... http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Tue, 25 Dec 2007 09:43:07 GMT ..some of these things. All highly recommended from me. Steely Dan - Aja (Remastered by Kevin Gray)... ..some of these things. All highly recommended from me.

Steely Dan - Aja (Remastered by Kevin Gray)

This album has only one version that sounds better than this according to some and that's the Steve Hoffman version which is very hard to get. Make it easy on yourself and get this now!

James Taylor - Sweet Baby James (Remastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray

If you a fan of James Taylor then get this ASAP. The sound is dynamic, warm and has that wonderful breath of life that only Steve Hoffman can get.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray)

A classic album with great music remastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. 'Nuff said.

RCA LIVING STEREO SET ONE (Get it before it's OOP)

This is the first set and it should be owned by all headfiers. They have all been lovingly remastered and they are all capable of being demo discs on their own. Get them while you can.

Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (Remastered by Doug Sax)

A wonderful SACD done by Doug Sax. The sound is warm and very nice. Recommended for jazz lovers and jazz beginners. An essential jazz album.

If you need more recommendations, just keep checking this blog from time to time.

And in case you got some more $$$ - get a turntable as vinyl is making a comeback baby!!! ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Merry Christmas To You (The Christmas Song) http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:36:40 GMT Indeed. Merry Christmas to all of you who so much as glance at these words. Indeed, the Christmas Song (in its many interpretations) does put one... Indeed. Merry Christmas to all of you who so much as glance at these words.

Indeed, the Christmas Song (in its many interpretations) does put one in the mood for the Christmas season.

I am sure there are hundreds of different versions but the one I LOVE and remember most tenderly is by Nat King Cole.

I am sure many of you agree. However, the surprising question for many would be "What Nat King Cole version do you prefer?"

WHAT?! There is more than one!

Yes, yes...there is more than one version of The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole. In fact, there are 4 versions I know of.

Nat King Cole recorded this for the first time in 1946 with his group The Nat King Cole Trio. Apparently, Nat King Cole wasn’t happy with the first recording so the record company had them re-record it with a string section. This second version is probably the second most played.

Nat King Cole recorded it again in 1953 in MONO with Nelson Riddle conducting. If I recall correctly, Capitol Records released this version sometime in 1960 and this version became a gold record. It was a major hit for Nat King Cole. However, it was re-recorded in 1961 using Nelson Riddle’s arrangement but WITHOUT Nelson Riddle and released in 1962. This last version is the one that gets the most air play over the holidays now. THIS PISSES ME OFF.

I know what your thinking…”LFF, don’t be a grinch! It’s the holidays! Enjoy Nat and be happy!”

Well – before you continue – let me explain why. If you have ever picked up a 1950’s Capitol Grey Label LP in MONO (especially from Frank Sinatra catalog) then you know that Capitol managed to get some AMAZING sound from their records and artists. Most people I chat with agree that Capitol had that Golden Age sound from 1953 – 1960. If you want proof – try to obtain the 1953 recording of “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole and you’ll see. This is the version that became the hit. This is the version that has that special Golden Age sound. This is the version that I love. This is the version that is OOP and extremely hard to get a hold of. This is the version that no one plays anymore. This pisses me off.

Here we have a wonderful song, with wonderful sound and it is nearly impossible to find and when you do find it – it has usually been no-noised and/or badly remastered.

So why do I write this – well – just to let my fellow holiday music lovers know that there are other versions and that one of them is really worth seeking out.

“But LFF, you said it was OOP!” Yeah. On CD! There is always vinyl…..AND YOUTUBE!

:DI hope all of you have a Very Merry Christmas!:D ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Coming back..... http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:52:08 GMT Well, hopefully I can get some new things up tonight. Wish me luck!:cool: Well, hopefully I can get some new things up tonight.

Wish me luck!:cool: ]]> LFF http://www.head-fi.org/forums/blogs/%user_name%/-a.html