Hi-Rez Highway

Posted by jdaniel@jps.net (A) 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.

Edits: 09/28/16