Miles Davis 180g LP, new pressing thoughts

[Pure_Brew]

So I picked this up over the weekend and it's a beautiful replica. Even though my current rig isn't high end on the vinyl side ( well not high end on any side actually... ) I wanted to see if there was anything about the listening experience that would draw me to pursue vinyl as a future for me.

I did discover as part of the test that my p mount cartride was loose an really was killing miles playing at peaks OUCH. I also readjusted the force and anti-skate which proved that the 1.5 gram setting was still the best for tracking.

It seems to me that this recording, as well as others I've tested, seem to offer more spacial information between the separation of different instruments and different sounds but
But why?

Personally, I think that my vinyl playback does not reach full recorded peaks the same way as my cd playback. So when I listened to this record, it seemed like I could actually play it louder. By not being assaulted by the horns in the recording, turning this up louder allowed me to hear more. This is just a theory, but it reminds me of compression in a way.

So I actually enjoyed the sound a lot. Not sure if I heard it correctly, but it was good. The tracking on miles peaks was better after reset, but not perfect. I could have slightly damaged the record the first time as tracking errors can kill a record, or so I hear.

I must say I liked the sound of all the instruments better here. The tonality and micro-phonics blended into a new picture of a recording I already liked and heard many times. I also think I lucked out in the bass performance in this empire Ltd280 cart which has been superior to anything else I owned.

So, although I can see that this could lead to great things upon further future upgrades, I'm not sure if it's worth the perceived aggravation of expense and maintenance. If I had a huge collection, it would make more sense to concentrate on a great vinyl playback system

 

[Elite-ist]

Hi Joe,

There is a reason my vinyl collection has far exceeded the size of my CD collection, probably, a ratio of 5:1. Which album of Miles Davis' did you just buy? I have a few lightly used LPs of jazz artists, including from Miles Davis.

Given the choice, I would rather have an excellent condition used record over a new store-bought CD from the same artist and title. There are musical details in the mastering of an LP that seem to be lost on the CD copies.

I would even say a 12" 45 and even some 12" Single 33s can outdo a SACD for sound quality and musical detail. And some would like to argue: well your digital playback suffers because you aren't using good enough equipment to do it justice. I disagree.

Anyways, if I can do it, I''ll record a jazz mix tape for you sometime next week, Joe.

Nando.

 

[orange]

Nando is correct. CD players tend to be made to work well with any good vintage stereo...realize the original date they proposed to release it was in 1977, in honor of the Edison 100th anniversary (they couldn't of course) so I'm certain the system was designed with the very stereos we call vintage now.

The mastering can leave something to be desired but the players are 30 years old now and simple by current standards. No, it's the recording and not the players.

I would hope that Sony and others would forego compression in vinyl that costs good money sometimes. I think you might just have a nice, open recording like you've never had it. Vinyl has that capacity-it's nice! Maybe that is why people called CDs thin etc back then.

 

[Pure_Brew]

The album is Kind of Blue. It's Was my first jazz album and I've been hooked ever since. I picked the cd up after my divorce and every part of my system had been sold but a CD player and a pair of sennhieser headphones. I never listened to an album beginning to end in the way I had listen to this one. That was like 15 years ago.

Right now I'm listening to abbey road, also a new pressing that I got for fathers day. Wonderful!

I don't think there is anything wrong with CD. I don't think it's a broken format in the slightest, and you can make anything sound really bad or good. Interesting to note I heard John Atkinson of sterophile on a pod-cast awhile back, and he mentioned that based on some pretty scientific tests, that vinyl actually had more like 20 bit info compared to CD, which is inherently 16bit. However, the 20 bit info was based on bandwidth limited info on the midrange, and that the resolution of vinyl dropped off at the ends.

This kind of makes sense, as many swear by the midrange performance of vinyl. I don't know if it's true but it sure sounds good. As far as SACD goes, I always feel like if I had a $1000 to spend on digital front end, I would think that I would get more mileage and better performance on regular CDs if I put that towards a DAC, which could likely provide higher quality on standard cd, which are also ultra available at rock bottom prices.

In any case, I could actually spend about a grand this year on an upgrade, and as much as I would really like to improve my CD performance, something is telling me I'll be wasting money, and I don't hate the current performance. I kinda feel the same way about a vinyl front end too-BUT-, that money would likey really make a big difference, bigger then any dac added to my system. I should start a "help me upgrade my system" thread with voting. Lol

I can't wait to hear the tape Nando. I do have blanks here just waiting to be used. This reminds me that focusing on one source is tough enough, let alone 2 or even 3!

 

[speakerman1]

Well I can say this. I have tried the Audio Alchemy and the Perpetual Tech. DACs and anti-jitter hooked to my CDP. I have tubed players. I did notice a difference in sound. I heard things I hadn't heard before on the CDs. It was like they woke up. The cymbals were crisp and there. They weren't subdued. I run a tubed phono amp also though. The difference I hear is when I record. The cassette or the R2R give more warmth to the music. Win I burn a CD I do it at 24/196. There are ways to improve any format. I didn't think my CDPs could be improved upon; but they were.

Things can always be better. It is a shame but that is life.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

I absolutely agree Larry, but im thinking more about bang-for-the-buck improvements. Speakers and amplifiers always come out on top for me in that department.

I could toss a lot of money at a DAC and get improvements, but with other weak links, it may not make a big enough difference for me to justify the expense.

In my price range the Benchmark DAC looks nice, but then I've had so much fun with vinyl, which could be a lot better. I'm very undecided. Very.

 

[speakerman1]

You don't have to toss a bunch of money to improve some things. I guess I'm sort of lucky thinks sort of fall in my lap. There are some very nice DACs out there for less than 200.00. You just have to shop. Don't just jump at the 1st thing you see. Take your time and research. Sometimes I shop for a year to get what I want. I always thought a CDP was a CDP. Now I know different. Alot of times you just have to talk to the right person. I waited for years for a Pioneer RT-707. I found one I can afford now it is time to put money into it. I got my 1st R2R for 35.00. I just asked around. Figure out what you want to do and ask around.

Larry

 

[laatsch55]

Kinda like the rest of us then Joe!!

 

[Pure_Brew]

Lol I wish I did know what I wanted. I have a
Parasound DAC1000, glad I didn't spend a lot on it...

Anyway, listening to Leo Kottke on vinyl right now - 6&12 string guitar. Got like 5 LPs of his.

 

[laatsch55]

Haven't heard that name in a long time.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Who Leo? Still touring.

I was pondering what Larry was saying, and when I think back, there was something really special about the California Audio Labs dac that I used to listen to back in the day. I remember wanting it

 

[laatsch55]

Yep, Leo.

 

[orange]

I notice a little difference in CD players around the 1990s because they start using hybrid DACs (Sony and a Sherwood I had once) but they start to mess up the mastering about that time. I have a cassette of Robert Palmer's Heavy Nova that sounds kinda loud (on purpose probably) and then I played The Best Of Roberta Flack, again on cassette and that was what I was expecting (other than a lot of Donnie Hathaway, of course). I have so many ways to play music that I'm probably happy with most although I know a problem when I hear one.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Orange you just made me remember that I have Steely Dan's Gaucho on both CD and Vinyl. The Vinyl is an original i got at a thrift store and I noticed the vocals most specifically sounded more real and separated in space then the CD I have. Hmm, maybe I should just invest in some good cleaning products and go back to to thrift shop runs. It is kind of fun!

Can I get some recommendations on vinyl cleaning? I kinda want a machine.

Thanks People

 

[speakerman1]

There is a cheap one that does good. If I remember right it is about 50.00. I call it sit and spin. I'll post a link. If I can get it cheaper I will do that for you.

Now a question. Would you like to try some AA gear for your CDP? You do have a digital out right?

Larry

 

[speakerman1]

Here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UK ... -4&seller=

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Thank you I have seen that cleaner before. Is that what you use?

I have both optical and coax out (Marantz CD5004). What do you mean by AA gear?

 

[speakerman1]

Yes I use it. Audio Alchemy= AA.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Ah. Well it sounds worth exploring. Is this something you are selling? What is the model?

Thank you

 

[speakerman1]

I have a bunch of them. I'll have to look. It was a deal I fell into. Just try them and see what they do. They surprised me. They were good in their time.

Larry