@stereophilus
There is also these as an option.
ELK, have you ever heard them?
http://www.gracedesign.com/grimm/grimm.htm
ELK
Since we are into a piano theme … I hope you have discovered “Gonzalito”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAVqgmgsHPQ
@Gordon: Thanks. I did not know that this was done.
Has anyone here ever noticed quality problems while listening to Amazon CD’s?
It started with books [overnight printing[ and makes a lot of sense financially and logistically.
I doubt that it is the norm yet but all the more reason to keep the PRESSURE on quality Audio.
When they say " only 3 left but more on the way" it gives me shivers.
There was a documentary about the book printing but I’m sure the music industry is not as open to HOW MUCH of their product is actually done this way.
I have not noticed any major quality issues myself but rarely order what I already have for comparison.
I used to own record stores and pressings from different plants often sounded different.
Geeze, we, as Audiophiles, have to deal with so many hurdles and variables. Maybe we are hooked on the pain?
Hooked on sonics.
Vinyl pressings certainly vary - in my experience more than CDs. I have had some CDs that were very poor quality physically speaking, but dunno of that translated into bad digital.
@dcastle
are u home yet? or sitting on a plane?
Here is another file to critique for musical style, content, sound quality OR… if it puts a smile on your face anyway.
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-the-first-54-seconds-that-s-all-i-ask-you-ll-be-hooked-after-that-i-swear?g=2
stereophilus said: When played on my system, Elk's posted file is fairly bad. I don't doubt I would enjoy it a lot more on @assisi's system (although I didn't try this).
Good point; different systems will highlight or forgive various recording problems.
Gordon said: ELK, have you ever heard them?
I have a lot of respect for Grace Design and expect the Grimm products to be very good, but I hvae not heard them . I am curious.
Gordon said: I used to own record stores and pressings from different plants often sounded different.
Very true.
David said: Hooked on sonics.
:D
The earlier 51 puppies was great also.
I have seen made to order CDs. It is clear they are burned, not pressed, and the album art and booklets are also clearly printed to order. ArkivMusic offers out of print recordings in this fashion. The sound is superb (as we know, a burned copy of a CD often sounds better than the pressed original).
I am unaware of any evidence Amazon burns CDs to order, much less does so without informing the consumer.
Gordon kindly sent me a FLAC of his copy of "Misty," the same track I posted earlier. I have attached it, after cutting out a portion (beginning at 2:22) as I did with my copy so that the file can be uploaded. I have not listened to it yet so I don't have an opinion on the sound. Perhaps his version sounds better?
The Yamamoto version of "Raindrops" posted earlier in the thread separately illustrates his poor playing. Listen to the first statement of the melody and the poor timing, unevenness, etc. Bleh. Attached files /FileUpload/cd/00dd4189219751b2a482834c622c8b.zip (25.6 MB)Â
Gordon said: pressings from different plants often sounded different.
And how!
Elk said: a burned copy of a CD often sounds better than the pressed original).
I was also not aware of this. Hardly a day passes that I do not learn something on this forum. I particularly like the days that we learn what the UPS delivery person looks like! B-)
The burned CD phenomenon is thought to result from the CD being easier to read by the transport and requiring less error correction.
It is another audiophile conclusion which is a bit suspect, but noted by many. At times I appear to hear a difference; at others, none.