B&W Matrix 805 and 804

[Elite-ist]

Scott: I seem to recall one of the mix tapes I have from you has got that piece recorded on it.

Nando.

 

[braxus]

Scott: I seem to recall one of the mix tapes I have from you has got that piece recorded on it.

Nando.

Completely possible Nando. Its a favorite of mine and makes sense I'd share it with others. Probably forgotten I sent it to you previously at some point.

 

[orange]

This recording favors the horn, the other the woodwinds. It's also a bit faster IIRC. Even among symphonic recordings there are great variances in the arrangement and recording techniques. I place that horn off to the right a bit myself, I think but the highs are not as bright as that previous mono? recording I posted. It also seems to me that over the years engineers and conductors have gone for the bombast of the horns and drums over the woodwinds and strings in many works. Strings can be sweet or really grating and perhaps they have noticed how audiences didn't like the more dissonant and drastic sounds.

And maybe you can blame Igor Stravinsky and Leonard Bernstein too. Making 20th century symphonic music popular for the masses was not easy.

 

[orange]

Maybe not blame Bernstein...here is a poor recording of a 1967 CBS special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afU76JJcquI

 

[braxus]

More listening. The sub is helping the bottom end. Its set low so it doesn't overpower the main speakers. Listened to some CDs and a SACD. Very impressive speakers. I can't see how the newer 800 series speakers can better what these can do. I think these ones are keepers, unless I come into some gold and end up getting a new set of 804 D3 speakers.

 

[stuwee]

Hello Scott buddy! Nice to see you found your dream speakers, I found mine as well and still struggle with perfection...

Craig

 

[braxus]

Hi Stu. Long time. Yup these speaker sound good. Good enough for me to not desire an upgrade. They want 10 grand for the D3 counterparts, so I'm not planning to get those. My next upgrade is the preamp. Working on that right now with someone. That said the Rotel I'm using is very good, but its got a hum problem at the moment. I've been wanting to get a tube pre for a while now, so that is coming soon.

 

[stuwee]

Hey Scott, where ya leanin' on the tube pre-amp? Cary? Manley? or one of the Chinese units?

I always wanted tubes somewhere in the signal path, just never had a chance to here some good shit here at home! good luck, keep us posted, love ya buddy!!!

 

[braxus]

A used Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 preamp with gold face. Comes with an outboard power box which I'm told is expensive to do in itself. The SFL-2 is a very neutral sounding preamp, as it doesn't sound tubey. I'll know what the benefits of the tubes are in this pre when I get the unit.

 

[stuwee]

I've heard reviews of this SF pre and it is neutral like a good solid state, so may I ask you why that one? Some very nice Conrad Johnson tubed pres went this route and I wondered why, is there a special sound that makes the circuits they use? Very curious...

 

[braxus]

Its neutral which should match my speakers. I don't really know the sound of this unit, but I've heard other tube SF units. I'm taking a chance that the tubes will help the sound in this pre.