Great Sounding CDs

Stonebraker · Post by **Stonebraker** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:33 pm

Hey all. I'm mostly a lurker here, although I occasionally contribute to some threads, and sometimes - like right now - I create pretty self serving threads.

Anyways, I've just invested a significant amount of money into some speakers (Dynaudio Excite loudspeakers), and am very excited to get to listening. Upon giving lots of speakers test runs, I discovered how important it is to have a well produced classical album. I've read for a long time that producers or engineers, or whoever sets up the mics, have always hated Mahler because he's hard to capture properly on a recording, but some of the older ADD recordings actually sounded a lot better during certain parts then some of the DDD recordings I gave a test run of. Although some of the DDD recordings were out of this world.

So I've been a lot more selective with my CD purchases lately, and I've stopped buying from iTunes completely. I only rip the lossless files now, and I'm excited for passionato.com to open for US business. I've been using websites like classicstoday to make sure my purchases are 10/10 in the sound quality department.

Anyways, like I said this post is pretty self serving. I'm 22 and I've been proselytizing for "classical" music for quite some time now amongst friends, and I've made more than a few converts to be quite honest. But I'm really looking for some recordings to blow people away, most notably me. Like a lot of newcomers (I've only been seriously listening for about 2 years now), I love the big names: Brahms, Beethoven, Mahler and others, most notably symphonies. But I'm also excited to start listening to more chamber music once the speakers arrive.

So the TLDR version : I'm getting new speakers that are way out of my price range, and I'm looking for some great sounding recordings of music to help me justify my purchase, as well as help to proselytize some of the greatest music ever written. All help is appreciated!

pizza · Post by **pizza** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:12 pm

Here is a good place to start. I have most of these recordings and they're all considered to be audiophile staples.

http://www.classicalcdreview.com/sonichall4.html

Mango · Post by **Mango** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:25 pm

Yet more:

http://www.classicalcdguide.com/main/intro.htm

http://www.classicfm.co.uk/Article.asp? ... &spid=9447

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/currentwin.asp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/cdreview/buildingalibrary/ (IMO best of the lot, this is BBC Radio 3, CD Review "Building a Library" recommendations. Each Saturday morning, as part of the 3 hour programme "CD Review", there is a section lasting about 30 minutes called "Building a Library" where an expert runs through most of the available recordings of a famous piece and gives his/her recommendation(s). This has been running for years, and it's very good. Last week, for example, they looked at RVW's "Job" and came up with the LSO/Boult as the best version. That's the one I had, so I felt pretty pleased. The following Monday they play the whole piece. By taping these various recommendations, I've built up quite a collection.

SONNET CLV · Post by **SONNET CLV** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:10 pm

I won't offer any disc recommendations, there are many great sounding discs out there and part of the fun is in the exploring.

I will suggest that the quality you get out of those new speakers will depend upon the quality not only of the disc you feed into your player, but also on that player and its amplification system (the front end of your stereo system). If you have an older CD player or one that is naturally muddy sounding or sluggish, your new speakers may reveal flaws you hadn't heard previously. A good CD deck running into poor amplification can also deteriorate sound coming from speakers.

As for CDs themselves -- for best sound quality, you are probably safer with more recently recorded material than with way older recordings rendered to disc. Stuff before 1960 may be risky. Those are the kinds of recordings one may listen to precisely to hear an interpretation -- say an old recording by Furtwangler -- rather than to enjoy sonically. The analog/digital original source doesn't matter as much. I actually prefer much analog (including my turntable and vinyl LPs) to digital.

Also, older pressings of CDs, first generation CDs, often sound a lot harsher than do recently pressed items. So beware of these.

Enjoy your new equipment. As an audiophile myself, I know the pleasure of firing up that new equipment.

--SONNET CLV--

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:29 pm

Apologies in advance if you know this already Stonebraker one thing to bear in mind is that you should not be disappointed with your speakers when you bring them home if the don't sound as good as you had expected because if they are new it may take a couple of a hundred hours to run them in and really open them up.

Like you I'm on a voyage of discovery with Classical Music and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Ask loads of questions here and you will get really intelligent and some times conflicting responses, the people here are well informed, they are generous with that knowledge to a fault.

dirkronk · Post by **dirkronk** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:01 pm

SONNET CLV wrote: I actually prefer much analog (including my turntable and vinyl LPs) to digital.

As do I. But do enjoy the first flush of your enjoyment of sonic riches, Stonebraker. And welcome to active posting on the board.

BTW, when you've sated yourself somewhat and are ready to explore new (or rather, old) turf, you'll find several folks online willing to initiate you into the cult of analog. Just ask.

Cheers,

Dirk

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:16 pm

I will reply to the CD recommendations later, Audiophilia is a wonderful disease but very expensive to treat, you are new here so I will admit that I live in Manhattan and I don't drive, so I have no Car, I have an Audio System instead...buy really good Speaker Cables and let lots of time elapse before you reach a zenith with the speakers, I have Macintosh Speakers, they took six months to break in, I use Dialectric Cables which have a constant voltage flowing between the cable and the shielding, that means they have no break in time...one day you will turn on the stereo and it will sound just right, that means they have broken in..try leaving a CD on repeat at a reasonably low volume and play it 24/7 for a few days, that will help break them in, as will playing them REALLY LOUD...

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:53 pm

From the way you describe Audiophilia, Chalkie, is it really a disease you can treat - or is it "indulge"?

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:03 pm

Werner wrote:From the way you describe Audiophilia, Chalkie, is it really a disease you can treat - or is it "indulge"?

Oh Lord Werner there is no cure, just the limitation imposed by the size of one's wallet and the restraining influence of a wife!

dirkronk · Post by **dirkronk** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:38 pm

Seán wrote:
Werner wrote:From the way you describe Audiophilia, Chalkie, is it really a disease you can treat - or is it "indulge"?
Oh Lord Werner there is no cure, just the limitation imposed by the size of one's wallet and the restraining influence of a wife!

Amen, brother. 'Specially the wife part.

Dirk

Stonebraker · Post by **Stonebraker** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:21 pm

As usual, more help than I could've imagined! Thanks all who replied, I have a few classical music guides (Penguin, DG, all music guide to classical), but it's really getting recommendations from people that I've always had the best experience.

Thanks to the early posters who gave me links! Those were awesome links. Also as for the rest of my set up, I'm getting a pretty damn good receiver (Pioneer SC-07) that has two bang olufseen amps in it, or at least I think it does haha. I'm getting some great cables, and I'm probably planning to buy a Playstation 3 simply to use as an SACD, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray player. Also my receiver has a cord to hook into the bottom of my ipod, so all my apple lossless rips will be streamed digitally to the amp. I'm also planning to add a few fiberglass panels to the sides of my basement, as I've heard even simple things like that can really improve sound significantly. Again thanks all!

As for the disease of audiophilia, I really am hoping I come down with a serious case of it!

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:21 pm

dirkronk wrote:
Seán wrote:
Werner wrote:From the way you describe Audiophilia, Chalkie, is it really a disease you can treat - or is it "indulge"?
Oh Lord Werner there is no cure, just the limitation imposed by the size of one's wallet and the restraining influence of a wife!

Amen, brother. 'Specially the wife part.

Dirk

That's known in the Audiophile World as the Spousefactor...

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:27 pm

Stonebraker wrote:As usual, more help than I could've imagined! Thanks all who replied, I have a few classical music guides (Penguin, DG, all music guide to classical), but it's really getting recommendations from people that I've always had the best experience.

Thanks to the early posters who gave me links! Those were awesome links. Also as for the rest of my set up, I'm getting a pretty damn good receiver (Pioneer SC-07) that has two bang olufseen amps in it, or at least I think it does haha. I'm getting some great cables, and I'm probably planning to buy a Playstation 3 simply to use as an SACD, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray player. Also my receiver has a cord to hook into the bottom of my ipod, so all my apple lossless rips will be streamed digitally to the amp. I'm also planning to add a few fiberglass panels to the sides of my basement, as I've heard even simple things like that can really improve sound significantly. Again thanks all!

As for the disease of audiophilia, I really am hoping I come down with a serious case of it!

I don't think a Playstation 3 plays SACD's...also the output from an i-Pod is analog, the D/A conversion takes place INSIDE the machine, you need to buy the Wadia Dock to do what you want, or buy a Apple TV device and load your files onto that, it is the only Apple product that has a Toslink output that sends the unconverted digital signal to your pre-amp...

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/82178

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/s ... co=MTE2NTk

Stonebraker · Post by **Stonebraker** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:46 pm

Chalkperson wrote:
Stonebraker wrote:As usual, more help than I could've imagined! Thanks all who replied, I have a few classical music guides (Penguin, DG, all music guide to classical), but it's really getting recommendations from people that I've always had the best experience.

Thanks to the early posters who gave me links! Those were awesome links. Also as for the rest of my set up, I'm getting a pretty damn good receiver (Pioneer SC-07) that has two bang olufseen amps in it, or at least I think it does haha. I'm getting some great cables, and I'm probably planning to buy a Playstation 3 simply to use as an SACD, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray player. Also my receiver has a cord to hook into the bottom of my ipod, so all my apple lossless rips will be streamed digitally to the amp. I'm also planning to add a few fiberglass panels to the sides of my basement, as I've heard even simple things like that can really improve sound significantly. Again thanks all!

As for the disease of audiophilia, I really am hoping I come down with a serious case of it!
I don't think a Playstation 3 plays SACD's...also the output from an i-Pod is analog, the D/A conversion takes place INSIDE the machine, you need to buy the Wadia Dock to do what you want, or buy a Apple TV device and load your files onto that, it is the only Apple product that has a Toslink output that sends the unconverted digital signal to your pre-amp...

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/82178

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/s ... co=MTE2NTk

Wow... I guess I'll just have to add that to the list of things to buy

thanks for letting me know at least. I guess its not really a bad deal for the convenience of an iPod.

Stonebraker · Post by **Stonebraker** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:53 pm

Chalkperson, do you think me investing in the WADIA is more of a sound investment than buying a PS3? Because anything I have on CD I have lossless on my iPod. And My TV is 1080i not 1080p, so playing blue rays isnt a big deal to me just yet. Basically, it seems like the WADIA would get me much better value for my money (since I have more music on my iPod than in CD form), and it soudns like it would output a higher quality of sound than the PS3 playing CDs. Any thoughts?

EDIT: Also, any thoughts on what sort of converter I'm going to need to get for getting my vinyls to play on my new system?

Guitarist · Post by **Guitarist** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:58 pm

Every CD from Caro Mitis, a Russian audiophile label, has incredible sound. They are all SACDs but will play back on standard players.

http://www.caromitis.com/eng/index.html

Stonebraker · Post by **Stonebraker** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:01 pm

Guitarist wrote:Every CD from Caro Mitis, a Russian audiophile label, has incredible sound. They are all SACDs but will play back on standard players.

http://www.caromitis.com/eng/index.html

Nice, thanks.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:36 pm

Stonebraker wrote:Chalkperson, do you think me investing in the WADIA is more of a sound investment than buying a PS3? Because anything I have on CD I have lossless on my iPod. And My TV is 1080i not 1080p, so playing blue rays isnt a big deal to me just yet. Basically, it seems like the WADIA would get me much better value for my money (since I have more music on my iPod than in CD form), and it soudns like it would output a higher quality of sound than the PS3 playing CDs. Any thoughts?

EDIT: Also, any thoughts on what sort of converter I'm going to need to get for getting my vinyls to play on my new system?

I know nothing about Vinyl but LP's are Analog and D/A Converters will not do what you want, I think you need a Phono Stage, somebody like Dirk can help you though, the Wadia has had nothing but glowing reviews, it won an Award from the Absolute Sound as best new digital device, and at $379 is very good value for money...I have 13,000 CD's ripped in lossless, they live on a 5 Terrabyte drive...Lossless played thru the right equipment is even better sonically than the original CD...as for the PS3 unless you want BuRay get the WADIA, I love BluRay but I have the HDTV needed to display it, it's awesome but it gives you something to buy in the future...

Stonebraker · Post by **Stonebraker** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:17 pm

Chalkperson wrote:
Stonebraker wrote:Chalkperson, do you think me investing in the WADIA is more of a sound investment than buying a PS3? Because anything I have on CD I have lossless on my iPod. And My TV is 1080i not 1080p, so playing blue rays isnt a big deal to me just yet. Basically, it seems like the WADIA would get me much better value for my money (since I have more music on my iPod than in CD form), and it soudns like it would output a higher quality of sound than the PS3 playing CDs. Any thoughts?

EDIT: Also, any thoughts on what sort of converter I'm going to need to get for getting my vinyls to play on my new system?
I know nothing about Vinyl but LP's are Analog and D/A Converters will not do what you want, I think you need a Phono Stage, somebody like Dirk can help you though, the Wadia has had nothing but glowing reviews, it won an Award from the Absolute Sound as best new digital device, and at $379 is very good value for money...I have 13,000 CD's ripped in lossless, they live on a 5 Terrabyte drive...Lossless played thru the right equipment is even better sonically than the original CD...as for the PS3 unless you want BuRay get the WADIA, I love BluRay but I have the HDTV needed to display it, it's awesome but it gives you something to buy in the future...

Ah, excellent. Thanks for the sound advice I'll definetly get the WADIA now, the reviews like you said have been outstanding.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:09 pm

Stonebraker wrote:.... I'm getting new speakers that are way out of my price range, and I'm looking for some great sounding recordings of music to help me justify my purchase, as well as help to proselytize some of the greatest music ever written. All help is appreciated!

I don’t know whether you are interested in this type of music but it is one of my favourite cd’s.

Apart from the impeccable musicianship of the esteemed Musica Antiqua Koln an outstanding feature of this disc is the amazing sound quality which delivers wonderful textures from the instruments.

Imperfect Pitch · Post by **Imperfect Pitch** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:26 pm

I'm no audiophile, but the sonics on this one sound really good to me. Excellent performance too.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:26 pm

Don't forget some of the amazing remasters on Naxos by the likes of Ward Marston and Mark Obert-Thorn for historical recordings. Casal's recording of the Bach Cello Suites never sounded so good - and nobody has played them better, IMHO.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:40 pm

Brendan wrote:Don't forget some of the amazing remasters on Naxos by the likes of Ward Marston and Mark Obert-Thorn for historical recordings. Casal's recording of the Bach Cello Suites never sounded so good - and nobody has played them better, IMHO.

Unfortunately we cannot get ANY of the Naxos Re-Masters on this side of the pond...

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:33 am

Imperfect Pitch wrote:I'm no audiophile, but the sonics on this one sound really good to me. Excellent performance too.

I would agree with that one also and it is a must listen at this time of year.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:45 pm

Chalkperson wrote:Unfortunately we cannot get ANY of the Naxos Re-Masters on this side of the pond...

Wow. Are you allowed to order from Amazon France (http://www.amazon.fr/Bach-Cello-Suites- ... 191&sr=8-5)?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:58 pm

Brendan wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:Unfortunately we cannot get ANY of the Naxos Re-Masters on this side of the pond...
Wow. Are you allowed to order from Amazon France (http://www.amazon.fr/Bach-Cello-Suites- ... 191&sr=8-5)?

Technically, NO, in practice, probably...it's because Naxos USA got sued by somebody's Estate regarding Copyright, instead of settling the case and only issuing the recordings that are out of copyright on BOTH sides of the Atlantic they made the ridiculous decision to not make ANY of their Historical discs available in the USA...

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 7:16 pm

Bummer. I have to say I love the Naxos Historical Recordings, without meaning to rub salt . . .

flat6 · Post by **flat6** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:57 am

there are lots of good sounding CDs out there. here are some worth checking out:

Mercury Living Presence (http://www.deccaclassics.com/music/merc ... gpresence/)
RCA Living Stereo (http://livingstereo.alongthehall.com/discography.html)
Reference Recording (http://www.referencerecordings.com/)

most of these are excellent - performance & sound quality wise.

robmartino · Post by **robmartino** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:03 pm

It's not often I'm left stunned by the the sound of a recording, but I recently heard the Dunedin Consort's Handel Messiah for the first time and was blown away:

http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-me ... -1742.aspx

I'm not always in the loop regarding audiophile quality classical recordings, but I don't think I've ever heard this level of detail, space and warmth in an ensemble recording before. It almost sounds 3-dimensional to my ears. Not to mention a fantastic performance.

Post by **Lance** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:52 pm

ROB: WELCOME TO CMG! Glad to see you made it our way. Nice to see you posting immediately. Enjoy!

robmartino wrote:It's not often I'm left stunned by the the sound of a recording, but I recently heard the Dunedin Consort's Handel Messiah for the first time and was blown away:

http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-me ... -1742.aspx

I'm not always in the loop regarding audiophile quality classical recordings, but I don't think I've ever heard this level of detail, space and warmth in an ensemble recording before. It almost sounds 3-dimensional to my ears. Not to mention a fantastic performance.

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