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HDTT's DSD Transfer of Stravinsky's complete Firebird on Columbia: my deepest gratitude for a job well done

128.177.161.139

Posted on September 27, 2016 at 22:35:03
The Columbia Stravinsky Firebird DSD transfer sounds just like my old Lp: but without the inner groove distortion and pops and clicks. It's quite miraculous actually: all the signature liquidity and coherence of Analog is preserved. I knew I was in for a treat within minutes of the opening theme: how easy it is to distinguish between low strings and low reeds, playing in unison!

The recording as originally engineered is better than average for Columbia and that's not saying much--but if you want one of the most interesting and persuasive Firebirds around, Stravinsky's own is the one to have. The bass drum is deep and impactful, one can sense air and "elbow room" around the players, and the closely-mic'd winds and brass retain their warmth. Massed strings as originally recorded are just a touch "hot," though not as coarse as they'd become by the mid 60's.

Everything positive about the recording is enhanced by HDTT's DSD transfer, just as everything negative about the recording seems to have been enhanced by Sony's old CD.

The original tape used by HDTT had to have been flawless; I don't hear any blemishes at all, so no need to worry about downloading the unedited DSD track.

 

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This one?, posted on September 28, 2016 at 07:26:54
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

They've got a lot of Stravinsky going on at HDTT.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

That's the one, posted on September 28, 2016 at 08:20:55
Sony has released hi res versions of Stravinky's mono recordings, and it will be interesting to see if they release his stereo era versions, likely in 96/24.

In any case, I'll likely wimp out and download Stravinsky's own stereo Rite from 4 track tape.

Yes, some may cringe at the idea of giving the royal digital treatment to a mass-produced tape, enshrining Columbia's dubious sonics, but HDTT's facsimiles sure as hell beat the CD. And in any case, I don't listen to Columbia for the sonics, I listen because they landed contracts with so many truly legendary artists.

 

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