BaL 12.03.16 - Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 3 in A minor

**Nick Armstrong** · 13-03-16, 22:02

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

I'm a little surprised.

So am I. But the lossless download is a big improvement.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 13-03-16, 22:06

Originally posted by Caliban View Post

So am I. But the lossless download is a big improvement.

Theoretically, a FLAC lossless, 44.1 kHz, 16 bit download should be . . . er . . . CD quality.

**jayne lee wilson** · 13-03-16, 22:08

Originally posted by Caliban View Post

I may have solved this within the context of my own set-up... I tried a Lossless download from PrestoClassical - and beamed via the Airport Express, the sound is much better! Perhaps since I bought the CD quite soon after its release, things have improved. But at first hearing, this download route means I won't have to trouble our Japanese vendors. Plus I prefer downloads these days anyway. So feeling rather happy

Yes, I've come across this a few times - the Graf Dutilleux 2nd sounds better in its Qobuz lossless incarnation (though the CD is already good) - I guess whoever does the transfer to the files could effect an improvement if they noticed something.....
...But of course the replay chain is different, from your software player/HDD/SSD, through your cable-or-wireless to the DAC's receiver, so it isn't a direct comparison.... (my own USB replay sounds a touch smoother and warmer, almost whatever I use - and Audirvana+ is truly kind to the ears...)

As I've often said with SHM, I find the, er, "science" pretty dubious and the improvement which can often be apparent is probably down to remastering, often unacknowledged (or perhaps in the Japanese smallprint, of which there is often paragraphs)... You just have to decide if you love it enough to take a gamble...

**Nick Armstrong** · 13-03-16, 22:12

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

Theoretically, a FLAC lossless, 44.1 kHz, 16 bit download should be . . . er . . . CD quality.

Quite!

Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post

Yes, I've come across this a few times - the Graf Dutilleux 2nd sounds better in its Qobuz lossless incarnation (though the CD is already good), but of course the replay chain is different, from your software player, through your cable-or-wireless to the DAC's receiver, so it isn't a direct comparison.... (Audirvana+ is truly kind to the ears...)

As I've often said with SHM, I find the, er, "science" pretty dubious and the improvement which can often be apparent is probably down to remastering, often unacknowledged (or perhaps in the Japanese smallprint, of which there is often paragraphs)... You just have to decide if you love it enough to take a gamble...

Thanks jayne!! I think I'm going to be perfectly happy with my download.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 13-03-16, 22:13

An impressive collection of BaL awards with this set!

Rachmaninov: The Symphonies

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4557982

Rachmaninov: The Symphonies. Decca: 4557982. Buy 3 CDs or download online. Concertgebouw Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy

**BBMmk2** · 14-03-16, 09:25

I have the Ashkenazy set, not too keen on his conducting Rach rather than his piano playing of aforesaid composer. It seems rather steady for my liking. Previn, I think I will get, as well as the Jansons, especially if he has recorded the whole cycle!

**Nick Armstrong** · 14-03-16, 11:02

Originally posted by Brassbandmaestro View Post

I have the Ashkenazy set, not too keen on his conducting Rach ... It seems rather steady for my liking.

You must have another listen, Bbm... 'Steady' isn't a word I think it's possible to apply correctly to his way with these pieces - especially the third!

Originally posted by Brassbandmaestro View Post

Jansons... if he has recorded the whole cycle!

He certainly has! Three discs for under a tenner, what's more!! http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/W...assics/5008852

.

I have this earlier EMI box with the concertos as well, which are ok though not top of the list... It's still around e.g. at amazon, but much more expensive than when I got it (for next to nothing in an HMV sale I think)

**Barbirollians** · 14-03-16, 11:23

Originally posted by Caliban View Post

You must have another listen, Bbm... 'Steady' isn't a word I think it's possible to apply correctly to his way with these pieces - especially the third!

He certainly has! Three discs for under a tenner, what's more!! http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/W...assics/5008852

.

I have this earlier EMI box with the concertos as well, which are ok though not top of the list... It's still around e.g. at amazon, but much more expensive than when I got it (for next to nothing in an HMV sale I think)

I think BBM's strictures re the Ashkenazy have merit with regards to the Second Symphony which is rather a wallow in my opinion - Previn has much more energy in his legendary HMV recording.

**HighlandDougie** · 14-03-16, 12:04

Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post

As I've often said with SHM, I find the, er, "science" pretty dubious and the improvement which can often be apparent is probably down to remastering, often unacknowledged (or perhaps in the Japanese smallprint, of which there is often paragraphs)... You just have to decide if you love it enough to take a gamble...

As it would be a bit too techie and a bit too O/T for where this thread, I'll start a new thread in the Techie Board (if I'm allowed) on SHM-CDs

**BBMmk2** · 14-03-16, 12:18

#97, Cali

I will order. I am playing this on Spotify right now. Sounds great!

**Nick Armstrong** · 14-03-16, 13:18

Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post

I think BBM's strictures re the Ashkenazy have merit with regards to the Second Symphony which is rather a wallow in my opinion - Previn has much more energy in his legendary HMV recording.

Yes there's something very special about the Previn No.2, of course. However, I do like the way VA delivers the scherzo with more vim - as an alternative way of seeing the music. So again, I'm not sure that 'steady' is the word I'd choose.

**BBMmk2** · 15-03-16, 18:23

Originally posted by Caliban View Post

Yes there's something very special about the Previn No.2, of course. However, I do like the way VA delivers the scherzo with more vim - as an alternative way of seeing the music. So again, I'm not sure that 'steady' is the word I'd choose.

Mannered?

**richardfinegold** · 15-03-16, 19:02

Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post

Yes, I've come across this a few times - the Graf Dutilleux 2nd sounds better in its Qobuz lossless incarnation (though the CD is already good) - I guess whoever does the transfer to the files could effect an improvement if they noticed something.....
...But of course the replay chain is different, from your software player/HDD/SSD, through your cable-or-wireless to the DAC's receiver, so it isn't a direct comparison.... (my own USB replay sounds a touch smoother and warmer, almost whatever I use - and Audirvana+ is truly kind to the ears...)

As I've often said with SHM, I find the, er, "science" pretty dubious and the improvement which can often be apparent is probably down to remastering, often unacknowledged (or perhaps in the Japanese smallprint, of which there is often paragraphs)... You just have to decide if you love it enough to take a gamble...

differences in sound between downloads and cd may also be attributed to the fact that a cd has to have it's information read by the laser and extracted as it spins, compared to a hard drive, which isn't a moving target. CDs are therefore much more prone to jitter. Some of the best CD transports will actually read the cd then record the first part in a SSD
and the dac receives info from the SSD only. The Rega Apollo was the first CD player that I knew of that worked this way, and perhaps as a consequence, it would seem to take an eternity to start playing a CD

BaL 12.03.16 - Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 3 in A minor

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