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In Reply to: Vanska LvB 9th In Multichannel posted by Robertc88 on December 19, 2006 at 05:46:21:
I just did a *quick* measurement with the Radio Shack SLM of the front speakers and the rears independent of each other just for the very opening of the finale of the Vanska Beethoven 9th. The front speakers with the rears turned off peaked at 92 decibels. The rears with the front speakers turned off peaked at 78-79 decibels (depending how I pointed the meter). So, there is *measurable* sound from the rears during the first minute or so of the finale.I can say for sure that there is also *audible* rear channel participation (although minimal for the most part) during the entire disc. I know this because just yesterday I mistakenly started listening with rears turned off. It sounded flat as pancake. I realized the mistake turned on the rears and it sounded much better.
But let me make it patently clear this is *no* Fischer Mahler 2nd with respect to sound quality. This is true even though the "clarity" of the Vanska content is probably in the same league (although not for the choral portion). Comparing the Vanska Beethoven 9th to the Fischer Mahler 2nd with respect to sound quality reaffirms unequivocally that clarity of content is just a small (although important) ingredient to a truly masterful recording. Both recordings may be all-stars but the Fischer is Michael Jordan and the Vanska, perhaps Kevin Garnett. We're talking miles apart.
With respect to the performance of the Vanaska, I can't comment yet because I have had so many false starts in trying to listen to it all the way through. Upon listening to the Fischer Mahler 2nd I was so enthralled with the performance and the sound I got up and *immediately* wrote comments to this forum. My last sentence in that post was "I'm off to listen to my new Vanska Beethoven 9th". Well, that was not quite fair to Vanska, because as they say in show business the Fischer was a "tough act to follow". But then family members came home 2/3 ways through the first movement so I had to shut down. The following day I could only get through the first two movements because frankly was falling asleep mid-performance (because I was tired, not because of the performance). Then yesterday I forgot to turn on the rears. I did finally get all the way through but I really wasn’t in the mood by that time.
I can say that so far it has not "grabbed me" like it has so many other listeners. But I honestly have not judged the performance yet. And who knows under the right conditions the sonics may improve as well.
Robert C. Lang
Follow Ups:
The subtle ambience is what keeps drawing me to more and more of these multichannel recordings. I'm very very glad to be participating in this type of listening experience.Boasting the rears a bit and getting the proper balance was worth the effort and made a very big difference over my initial opinion of this recording. Getting myself in the sweet spot afterwards (with my favorite beverage of course) allowed me the pleasure of the best listening experience I've personally ever encountered with this particular symphony.
Give it another shot and hopefully this time around your listening experience will be undisturbed. You may need to make some system adjustments as I did with this recording and also try cranking it a bit. I can safely say this one just adds to the list of what I've come to expect with respect to listening in multichannel with recordings from BIS!! WOWWWW!!!!!
Now the fun begins
Robert C. Lang
I'd be very interested in your views on the Haitink versus the Vanska on the 9th. As you probably know, I've been VERY impressed with the Haitink, particularly the first two movements, which are hammered out like no other performance I've heard. The Vanska has received glowing recommendations, particularly in the latest (December) Gramophone, and I'm tempted to try it, but after a very unimpressive 3rd symphony from him (IMO, of course), I'm a little hesitant.In terms of sound quality, I would expect them to be poles apart--the Haitink is very close-up (but not oppressively so), with stunning impact (the best sound from LSO Live that I've heard), while the Vanska is more likely to have been recorded from a much more distant perspective. Incidentally, the Haitink is recorded at a relatively low level, so you need to crank it up to get the full impact!
Give me a bit more time with the Vanska 9th and after the holidays I'll send it your way. I was planning to do so with perhaps another recording or two. Do you have Music for Organ, Brass, and Timpani on Sonoma? It is amongst the very best SACDs!!I do plan to get the Haitink LvB 9th in the near future. I've already found some good prices for it. I'm also looking forward to Robert's opinion of that one.
...of Beenthoven issued since the sixties. There isn't a "bad" recording/interpretation in the bunch, but I'll guarantee that most of them will at least be "different" from what you are used to. And the sound is outstanding, at least as decoded in pure DSD multichannel.
Harry
The Haitink 3rd doesn't have me "locked in" so to speak versus the Vanska SACDs. I do want to try aother though and my first thought was go to with the 9th but perhaps a "two-fer" would be more enticing to me. Perhaps the Haitink 2nd & 6th recording since I'm happy with the Vanska 9th!I'm also curious on the Herreweghe. I may get this one to see how I feel it stacks up. More than likely there will be more to come also.
Decisions, decisions!! Thank goodness the cost of a recording doesn't break the bank cause I so do want to continue buying SACDs and listen in multichannel!
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