[NoBodyNoWhere]

Skoll!!!

The bass, the dynamics, the airy highs. Oh my, the 3D soundstage and imaging! I was blown away with a Mani 2 last year, but this is on another level folks. Best four hundred dollars in analog audio? Could be...needless to say I'm having fun today. Thanks Schiit Audio for providing such superb audio products for the money!

I totally agree. I thought the Mani 2 sounded better than the ifi phono preamp, but I am really impressed with the Skol. I’m currently digitizing Charlie Chaplin’s score for “Countess from Hong Kong” from a vinyl I picked up at a thrift store. The records sounds remarkably good which probably means the content is nothing anyone wanted to listen to a lot… But it does sound good coming through the Skol.

 

[Balthazar B]

Wonderful Christmas album of classic 50s Deutsche Grammophon recordings on two CDs. Lovely rich old-world sound quality on a mix of stereo and mono selections - orchestral, choral, and organ abounds. Anyone who is familiar with DG Original Masters releases in I'll know this sound.

This is Volume 2 and I have been unable to find it on streaming services. Volume 1 can be found on Apple Music but nowhere else, strangely.

Das Weihnachtsalbum

The first album is on Qobuz as well:
https://play.qobuz.com/album/0002894745732

I couldn't find Volume 2 on Qobuz, but boy, did it sure get panned:
https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-12144/

 

[sixergixer]

The first album is on Qobuz as well:
https://play.qobuz.com/album/0002894745732

I couldn't find Volume 2 on Qobuz, but boy, did it sure get panned:
https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-12144/

Nice finds! Both the album on Qobuz and the bah-humbug review. Most of what that fellow complained about is what makes it so charming for me.

 

[AndreYew]

Another great Christmas album:

https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.557099


review: https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-9777/?search=1

 

[ArmchairPhilosopher]

Not a Christmas album, but the perfect soundtrack for a quiet yet productive afternoon in the office.

Qobuz -> Roon -> M1 Mac mini -> Gungnir MB -> Lokius -> Mjolnir 3 -> DCA Æon Noir

 

[Kristofa]

Another great Christmas album:

https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.557099


review: https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-9777/?search=1

I love this CD. I took a chance on buying it but so happy I did.

 

[O8h7w]

Yesterday:
https://outerbanksdistilling.com/

Visit included tasting, beverage for A and a tour of the new still, fermenting and bottling installation which recently started operations.

Typically, I am not a rum fan however, I am a fan of local distilleries.

The Kill Devil Pecan Rum is outstanding.
"Inspired by large pecan trees that tower over our distillery, Kill Devil Pecan Rum gives us the chance to utilize local produce. The honey used is sourced from our neighboring town of Wanchese while the pecans are from an orchard just across the Croatan sound in Manns Harbor. This rum has butterscotch in the nose and starts out with nutty pecan flavors giving way to a subtle honey finish that gives it body and a creamy mouthfeel. A rather pleasant byproduct of our production is a large quantity of rum soaked pecans. We have now begun to candy these pecans-"

I'd love to get my hands on some of that "rather pleasant byproduct", but it doesn't make much sense to ship such a thing across an ocean, does it? So... has anyone possibly heard of a european distillery doing any similar rum, possibly with similarly pleasant byproduct?

Also, thankyou everyone for the varied and plentiful Christmas music recommendations. This has been very pleasant

I pay you back by highlighting a recording of excellent dynamic range. I searched Spotify a few years ago and listened to several dozen recordings of this song, looking for the one that best captures the scale and dynamic that can be heard in a good live performance with a good soloist and a large, good choir. This is it. It happens to be in Swedish, but even for those of you who do not know this language it may well become the definitive version of this song.

Some systems won't give it the proper scale. Some systems don't even have enough gain. But played loud on large loudspeakers in a large room, this recording is an extraordinary experience.

Play with caution... it may have the power to convert non-audiophiles into audiophiles.

https://tidal.com/track/23366536

 

[adias]

Thank you Mike Moffat and Jason Stoddard for superior audio products! A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

 

[r2muchstuff]

That rum sounds wonderful! I've never had a rum distilled from honey before.

The honey is added along with the pecans after distilling. Molasses is the mash for distilling. Mash is distilled at 10% alc/vol.

The candied pecans are a taste treat also.

 

[Kristofa]

These are our Christmas additions.

 

[cgb3]

I love the Aberlour A'bunadh. I actually had a snifter of Johnny Walker Green last night. Unusual for me to go for a blend, but it is a blend of malts. Very pleasant.

The first 20 years or so, I drank what my father and grandfather (and probably their forefathers) drank, Scotch Whisky.

Many bad mornings. Many bad days. I seriously thought about abstinence (and tried it for periods).

Enter 5 times filtered vodka. Straight shooters, water back. No hangovers, ever. Productive next day.

Not everyday, but when I drink, it's clear.

 

[Balthazar B]

Not everyday, but when I drink, it's clear.

So does it follow, then, that it's clear when you've been drinking?

 

[cgb3]

So does it follow, then, that it's clear when you've been drinking?

Clear to partly cloudy. Just the way I like it.

 

[Sinister Whisperz]

I hate Christmas music so here's my contribution Beth Hart, Am I the one live. I just found this version today. I busted out the Grado 325e and the Piety and was floored. Her voice never ceases to amaze me.

 

[artur9]

Random question about needledropping.
I have a Thorens MM-08 with, apparently, a problematic ADC in it. I'd have to find out what it's doing and correct with something like Audacity... OR

Is it possible to just record/digitize from a Mani2 into a Mac?