Hello Forum: I come seeking advice on Octave Records.
A younger me was very passionate about quality hi fi reproduction. Then children, work, and life took their toll and all that equipment fell by the wayside. Most my working career required weekly travel. During that time my go to audio was phone and decent in ear monitors.
Over the last few years since COVID sent me to work from home I’ve been slowly upgrading my vintage system. Recently I made an upgrade that, for the first time, opened up a soundstage in my space. Now I’m hearing instruments placed in space with more clarity and detail than ever before!. That’s why I’ve come seeking advice. I found Octave from watching Paul’s informational videos on YouTube
I’m looking for reference material that will showcase this layered soundstage that I’ve found. Where with eyes closed the speakers disappear and instruments are L,R, Center, further back, ect. I want to hear details. I want to hear the room. Then I can use that material to evaluate further upgrades or room treatments. With my material I’ve been leaning toward small ensembles where I can clearly hear each instrument. The Goat Rodeo Sessions, Bach Trio’s, Miles, Chet Baker, David Grisman. I really need to revisit the Dark Side of the Moon.
For a reference I’m more interested in material that will showcase that sonic landscape within the confines of my space and equipment. Are there any stand outs that come to mind that I should consider? Please and Thank You in advance.
Although not on Octave Records, I can highly recommend Ben Webster “Live in Copenhagen” DSD256 from highdeftapetransfers.ca
Also Beethoven Septet performed by members of the Vienna Octet, also from highdeftapetransfers.ca
While there is some tape hiss that is clearly audible, the performance itself, and sound quality is fantastic.
Several I would recommend. Jazz classics 1950 has excellent space. So too does Pennies from Heaven, and next month the new release is a live album that is spectacular for depth.
Mr. McGowan! Thank you for taking time to make a couple suggestions. I sampled both. I leaned toward Jazz Classics 1950’s. I’m recently retired, trying to make sense of the current state of things. Equipment really hasn’t changed all that much over the years. But the options to deliver source material have exploded. Frankly, I don’t speak the language, it hasn’t been a priority to keep up. I looked up DSD to find I don’t have a device that will decode. Those download options are out. Same with SACD. That leaves 4 download options, and I have no idea which of those will actually work. Which leaves vinyl, which isn’t an option yet for 50’s. All this catching up, and a rainy Sunday morning has put me in less enthused state. I think I’ll put on some 50’s acoustic jazz and ponder how much of all this complexity is enough.
OK, no streaming. That means no point in putting together a playlist & sending a link, so I’ll mention a couple of songs and the recordings they’re found on.
I Know, on Fionna Apple’s When the Pawn …
and
The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale, by Eric Clapton & Friends
It must be expensive to audition music, do you have a way of qualifying purchases before you make them? Just wondering, especially as a guy who much prefers listening to playlists as opposed to whole albums. I’ll typically audition 20 or more tracks before finding one I really like, and that’s with using all the various tricks in Roon, etc. that I know.
Take your time as it can be daunting. Hook up with a buddy and or use this forum (its one of the best) but please consider streaming. It opens up a world of possibilities.
Its not that hard to grasp or expensive to break into. Once your there, youll have a million songs in your library… enjoy
There are several low-cost options for being able to play dsd256 and other high resolution downloads. One can go as simple as a Panasonic 4k blu ray disc player (the one for $1100 the UB9000) that has a slot for plugging in usb flash drives, and plays/decodes up to dsd256. It also sounds good with regular cd’s.
There are also streaming devices from Eversolo, the A6, A8 & now A10 that also accept usb flash drives that play dsd256 (and I believe dsd512 also).
I apologize to the forum if I came off grumpy or snarky this morning.
During my early road warrior days I was happy just to have so much music available on my I-Phone while traveling for work. Earphones and later in ear buds were all I listened to. Most of my music is higher bitrate mp3, mp4, ACC as Apple upgraded their compression. Then I have a small collection of vinyl. I have a used copy of Miles Filles die Kilimanjaro that presented a really good soundstage the other night. The slight record noise only added to the charm.
So now that I have equipment sorted out. I’m thinking the next leap in sonic performance will come from improving source material. I know I’m using lossy compressed files. But I-Tunes files are awfully bloody convenient and simple. From what I’ve gathered so far, conversion to FLAC or one of the other lossless formats calls for storing the files on a server on my network accessed with more software and doesn’t take long to start sounding like a pain.
Perhaps the simplest, solution for higher quality source material would be to start acquiring good vinyl recordings and perhaps upgrade cartridge or phono pre.
I’m using Apple Airplay to a Wiim Mini to an inexpensive DAC and on to amp.
My frustration this morning came when none of the formats available for download fit my limited experience. When I see 44.1k - 352.8k 24-bit. I don’t know what to do with that. Will it work through my phone? Will ITunes play it, or would I access through the WIIM app? These are all complexities I didn’t expect.
OH! And I do stream, but not in the sense you intended. I like Europa Jazz and Radio Paradise. Both broadcast HD and present a lot of artist and music I’ve never heard before.
Thanks for taking a look. Perhaps I misunderstand what you’re saying but the download options include PCM (regular digital audio like CDs). DSD is only an option.
Amazon as well, if you have a Prime subscription it’s included. It can be set up easily in the Wiim app.
I just set up a Wiim Pro for my brother in law. We used the analog out since he doesn’t have a DAC. Sounds pretty good. Streaming is pretty easy these days.