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In Reply to: Favorite recordings to show of your (tube) system posted by tuber on July 29, 2002 at 11:04:18:
Especially "Blue Light Til Dawn". Just a deep, rich, recording with amazing tone. I love the way they mic'd the instruments. My only complaint is that there tends to be a bit of sibilance on all her recordings. Like they should move the microphone back another few inches.
Follow Ups:
I've noticed that (sibilance) too on more than one of her CD's! It occurs on both my home and work systems and both are (modest) tube systems. This leads me to another question that may be a bit naive, but here goes: On many of the instrumental and classical CD's I listen to, when I raise the volume to a 'satisfying' level for me (most folks tell me I like to listen at louder volumes) there is a marked hiss that is constant as long as there is recorded music (disappears with no signal, or in the short gaps between cuts). This hiss is quite distracting to me in silent or quiet passages where it is most apparent. It occurs on both of my (tube) systems, as well as in SS when I had it, only with specific recordings. Is this solely a function of the way the music is (originally) recorded? Would a better top-end improve this? I have this ideal in my mind to eliminate the hiss and have the instruments all occuring holographicly in a 'black' silent space. Perhaps this can never happen with these particular recordings. My systems are listed under the Inmate Sytems section, but I have a feeling they are not to blame. Two recordings that come to mind that this 'hiss' is apparent on are Rubenstein's Beethoven Piano Concerto's remastered from a 1956 recording on RCA, and the wonderful Ry Cooder colaboration with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt called A Meeting by the River.
Very likely the problem is with the recording particulary if you only notice this problem with certain recordings. However once I went the balanced power route it greatly reduced background noise. The nice thing about it is that it helps all the items in the stereo system. I also like roller blocks for my CD and turntable. A separate isolation transformer for your digital sources is best. Good idea to keep the digital stuff isolated from the other equipment. Of course YMMV but I feel power quality is an important often overlooked part of the equation.
Now, the Cassandra problem with vocals is inexcusable. I've noticed it on several of her recordings and you would think someone would have taken notice.I mean, I love "Blue Light..", but the sibilance almost ruins the magic for me. It's not too bad if you listen at casual levels, but once the volume gets past a certain point, it really becomes annoying.
Other than that, I use the recording as a reference for vocals, bass, drums, and spatial evaluation. Her version of Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey" is mind blowing. And her duet with Vinx on "Children of the Night" is hauntingly beautiful.
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