New releases

[Bryn]

I somehow missed this release of a few weeks ago. Jacobs's Mozart divides opinion a fair bit, but surely at £13.70 for all three Da Ponte operas (9 CDs + CDROM of libretti) this is something of a 'no brainer':

[Dave2002]

Would that come with AutoRip if bought from Amazon for not a lot more? Looks a good deal anyway.

[Bryn]

Would that come with AutoRip if bought from Amazon for not a lot more? Looks a good deal anyway.

No AutoRip but I would rather rip to FLAC, for portable playback, anyway. By the way, what data rate are the Amazon mp3s for that issue? Oh, hang on, amazon.co.uk's own listing makes no mention of AutoRip for this set.

[Dave2002]

No AutoRip but I would rather rip to FLAC, for portable playback, anyway. By the way, what data rate are the Amazon mp3s for that issue? Oh, hang on, amazon.co.uk's own listing makes no mention of AutoRip for this set.

Agree, but sometimes autorip is convenient, and sometimes it's good to find that a CD one has bought years before has been put into one's online library. Re data rates, those aren't the only factor. I think the mp3 rates are high enough that the quality is usually acceptable (probably around 250-320 kbps), but it depends ... Also it can give very quick enjoyment before the CDs arrive through the post. I guess I'll save the extra money this time then.

[Bryn]

Agree, but sometimes autorip is convenient, and sometimes it's good to find that a CD one has bought years before has been put into one's online library. Re data rates, those aren't the only factor. I think the mp3 rates are high enough that the quality is usually acceptable (probably around 250-320 kbps), but it depends ... Also it can give very quick enjoyment before the CDs arrive through the post. I guess I'll save the extra money this time then.

The other drawback of mp3s from opera CDs is the problem of gapless playback. Gapless playback is far more common for FLAC than for mp3, I find.

[Dave2002]

The other drawback of mp3s from opera CDs is the problem of gapless playback. Gapless playback is far more common for FLAC than for mp3, I find.

Thanks for reminding me, though the worst I found was actually a set of orchestral variations. Another problem with opera mp3s is that sometimes the tracks get out of order i.e. are supplied that way - not just mangled by the end user's client software.

Aren't some of Jacobs' Mozart opera recordings in that huge Mozart box? Also in some of the HM boxes. I have a feeling I've got a few copies tucked away in different boxes. Perhaps convenient to have the operas plus the libretto though in this more modest box.

[Bryn]

Thanks for reminding me, though the worst I found was actually a set of orchestral variations. Another problem with opera mp3s is that sometimes the tracks get out of order i.e. are supplied that way - not just mangled by the end user's client software.

Aren't some of Jacobs' Mozart opera recordings in that huge Mozart box? Perhaps convenient to have the operas plus the libretto though in this more modest box.

Even if one uses mp3DirectCut to copy and paste such mp3s into a single stretch, I find that there is often still a slight glitch at the interface between 'tracks'.

[Dave2002]

Even if one uses mp3DirectCut to copy and paste such mp3s into a single stretch, I find that there is often still a slight glitch at the interface between 'tracks'.

Too much faff to bother.

[MickyD]

I would snap up the Jacobs box if it weren't for the fact that I am already very content with the Drottningholm/Ostman cycle. I see that bargain box can still be had, but at silly prices. Maybe Decca should re-issue it.

[Dave2002]

I would snap up the Jacobs box if it weren't for the fact that I am already very content with the Drottningholm/Ostman cycle. I see that bargain box can still be had, but at silly prices. Maybe Decca should re-issue it.

Östman's set is very good. Love it. Is there not a complete set available now? I found this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Nozz.../dp/B00000E3PQ Plus this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Die-.../dp/B000004CY8

[vinteuil]

I would snap up the Jacobs box if it weren't for the fact that I am already very content with the Drottningholm/Ostman cycle. I see that bargain box can still be had, but at silly prices. Maybe Decca should re-issue it.

,

Östman's set is very good. Love it. Is there not a complete set available now?

... a used set of the 10 CD box for some £25 - not bad.

http://amzn.eu/d/jesiK2q

Yes - Östman is lovely. But you wouldn't want to be without Jacobs, Harnoncourt, Gardiner and the others? ( ... the younger generation pipes up : "And Currentzis!" )


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[MickyD]

Yes, must admit, I am tempted by that Jacobs set...

[Dave2002]

In the end I did order from Amazon. There’s no AutoRip now, but sometimes I’ve noted that it appears retrospectively. I thought it might be worth the punt of an extra £1.30 in the hope that it might come about. If it doesn’t happen, it’s still less than a cup of coffee and the CDs should be good.

[Bryn]

In the end I did order from Amazon. There’s no AutoRip now, but sometimes I’ve noted that it appears retrospectively. I thought it might be worth the punt of an extra £1.30 in the hope that it might come about. If it doesn’t happen, it’s still less than a cup of coffee and the CDs should be good.

Bear in mind the cheaper one I ordered was from MDT (Englishpostbox). It was dispatched within minutes of ordering. It's quite likely to be delivered tomorrow.

[Dave2002]

I expect mine to be delivered today anyway. I've more than enough CDs to play if it gets delayed.