The Pmart rep of the US
Transferred from a 15ips tape that Bob selected from several heās had available to him over this years, this is a superb new release. Heād waited until he found the right tape, and this is it. The sound is just magical. Review here.
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In keeping with efforts to post in this thread information about HDTT releases that are really good or particularly special, this iconic album was released today in a Pure DSD256 transfer from a 15ips tape. Iāve been listening to a preview sample of this transfer for the past several days and it sounds deliciously real, with natural timbre and overall very analog-like sound quality. In comparing to the MoFi SACD and the [delete SHM] Japanese SME SACD, the new HDTT release makes for a delightfully relaxing, enjoyable listening session. As good as those SACDs are, I feel my shoulders relax from a release of tension as I go back to listening to this Pure DSD256 transfer.
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Thatās cool. Just a note: I donāt think there is an SHM-SACDā¦ There have been several SACDs, but Sony has not issued any SHM-SACD.
Iām playing the DSD 256 Sketches of Spain right now and I must say Itās breathtaking!! The highs are so clean thick and airy, so much body. The instruments are so dense textured and real. Incredible huge soundstage. Beautiful music. This is one of the best, if not the best recordings HDTT has released to date!
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How does it compare with the Analogue Productions SACD, do you know? Iāve had this album on my acquisition list in SACD or DSD, preferably SACD.
Iām not sure which album youāre referring to here. But, Iāve not heard the AP SACD of the Saint-Saens and I donāt think they issued one for Sketches of Spain.
I stand corrected. The MoFi Sketches of Spain SACD. How does it compare with the HDTT?
The MoFi Sketches of Spain is very nice. I enjoyed it for quite a few years. Same is true for the Japanese SME SACD. But then I listened to the HDTT DSD256. And Iāll never go back. The HDTT simply sounds more like real instruments. But, and a BIG but, what you hear may depend on how well youāve set up your DSD256 playback. Just like vinyl, my friend.
As I wrote in the snippet review for HDTTās album page and will say in my full PF review:
This is yet another excellent transfer from HDTT with all those characteristics of instrumental naturalness and air that Iāve come to anticipate. When I switched to this Pure DSD256 transfer from any of the other CD and SACD reissues which I had to compare, I found my body simply relaxingāthe built up tension disappearing. I realized that Iād been quietly, subconsciously, cringing while listening to these other reissues. As good as the SACD releases may be in many respects, they just sound like digital, the instruments sound flat and two dimensional. As with many other of HDTTās transfers, this Pure DSD256 transfer has more air around the instruments, the instruments have a more three dimensional body and texture, and the sound is simply more like good analog. In sum, the instruments sound more like real instruments performed in a real space. Overall: the sound has great resolution, air, frequency extension and dynamics. And, a very low noise threshold, as with most of HDTTās releases.
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Thank you. I do have very good setups for both DSD256 (Lumin T2 until the AirLens fantasy is realized) as well as SACD playback (PST+DSDAC).
So Iāll look forward to the HDTT.
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Again, keeping up with mentioning albums from HDTT in this thread I find in are nicely special, hereās another. Released by HDTT in 2018, but Iād not gotten around to listening to it until today.
For anyone interested, hereās what my brief PF review will likely say when it gets published in a āNotes on Recent Findsā article in another month or so:
This album was recorded when the Cannonball Adderley Quintet had been performing together consistently and had really gelled. And the clean, crisp performances really show it. The pairing with Nancy Wilson is simply inspired.
Terrific, clean sound from a 15ips two-track tape directly to DSD256. I am completely impressed with the musicianship and the sound quality. This is heaven.
If youāve only heard the CD, youāve not heard the beautiful instrumental sounds and the voice of Nancy Wilson that are captured in this recording.
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Iāve never gotten into Sketches which is illogical because Miles Smiles is among my top 5 Milesā albums. Maybe this new transfer will change my mind.
The only version of Sketches I have is on the āMiles Davis Gil Evans - The Complete Columbia Studio Recordingsā. I had the Mofi SACD but gave it to a friend.
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As much as I admire the many excellences of the recent HDTT DSD256 release, "Sketchesā has never been among my favorite Miles Davis albums, either.
Iām with you. I get about half-way through and decide to move on. Iām not sure why. The recording is very good.
Iāve lived with Sketches of Spain for about forty-five years. I know it pretty darned well and I like it more and more as time goes by.
It is one of my favorite Miles album.
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Again, keeping to the theme of sharing HDTT releases that are well worth acquiring, hereās a review of 20+ classical reissues from HDTT, that Iām pleased to now have in my music library:
Review here. The article includes links to several additional reviews of HDTT classical reissues that are similarly excellent.
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Thank you Rushton! I look forward to reading your reviews!!!
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So Iām listening to this guy in DSD256. The sound staging seems a bit disappointing. The bass and drums all seem to be position at the left and coming out of the left speaker, and the piano is all on the right.
Is it just me? Is it a function of the mixing in the original tape from which this was mastered?
