Best recordings (for sound quality)

[zenpmd]

I've recently bought a really good set up and now want to give it a good blast with some really top rate SACD's, can anyone recommend anything?

[jwinter]

Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome to the forum!

It's not SACD, but I've been really enjoying Riccardo Chailly's new Beethoven set.  Both the sonics and the interpretations are superb:

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[Scarpia]

I've recently bought a really good set up and now want to give it a good blast with some really top rate SACD's, can anyone recommend anything?

Are you interested in multi-channel or two channel programs?

[Cato]

Here are a few:





and any stereo system needs to be tested by Arnold Schoenberg's Gurrelieder!

This one comes highly recommended:

[Todd]

I don't listen to SACD, but assuming that SACD layers are at least as good as the CD layers on hybrid discs, I would have to say that almost anything conducted by Jordi Savall, or Paavo Jarvi's LvB recordings, whether the symphonies or the PCs with Ikuyo Nakamichi, would fit the bill. 

[Brian]

Here are a few:

This nearly destroyed the stereo in my car! The dynamic range is truly amazing. The Boulez/Berlin Ravel albums would also be great for cranking up the volume and being surrounded by vivid sound.

For true SACDs, you should try the Respighi Pines/Fountains/Festivals with the Sao Paulo SO and John Neschling. Pretty much anything the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Ivan Fischer have done original to Channel Classics counts as well (Dvorak Symph 7, Mahler 2, 4, 6). And I suggest Todd's picks of Savall and Jarvi; Savall's CDs tend to sound spectacular.

[mc ukrneal]

This:
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And this:
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come to mind.

Philips have some great discs like this one:

[Scarpia]

It is fascinating that taste diverges so widely.  I had both of those recordings at one time and, despite being a great admirer of Boulez, got rid of both because the sound was so objectionable to me that I found them listenable.   I see both of them have the DG "4D" logo, and in the technical description of their 4D system, DG boasts about their ability to individually manipulate a huge number of digital audio channels in a computer-controlled mixer.  That's my problem with them, to my ear they sound artificial, almost as if I am listening to a very sophisticated synthesizer.

It seems obvious to me that a good concert hall is the best mixer, if the result can be captured properly.  The recordings that I regard as the very best are ones made with advanced but minimal technology.   For older recordings, I have a lot of admiration for Mercury, and for digital, there are many Telarc recordings that are superb in the naturalness of sound.  Both of these labels typically recorded with only 3 microphones, no electronic equalization.  For multi-channel, some of the Pentatone recordings are breathtaking, like the Brahms 2nd Symphony with Jarowski. 

[Marc]

Daniel Chorzempa playing Bach and Liszt organ works.

Early 1970s recording, quadrophonic, and now (hybrid) multi-channel.



http://www.amazon.com/Organ-Works-Bach-Liszt-Hybrid/dp/B0009KBMLM/

[Marc]

And, since each and every one of us has got only 2 ears (I guess), this one for stereo: Respighi's Roman Trilogy with Enrique Bátiz!!



http://www.amazon.com/Respighi-Symphonic-Poems-Ottorino/dp/B0000013TI/

(Apologies for swearing in the multi-channel church.)

[Cato]

It is fascinating that taste diverges so widely.  I had both of those recordings at one time and, despite being a great admirer of Boulez, got rid of both because the sound was so objectionable to me that I found them listenable.   I see both of them have the DG "4D" logo, and in the technical description of their 4D system, DG boasts about their ability to individually manipulate a huge number of digital audio channels in a computer-controlled mixer.  That's my problem with them, to my ear they sound artificial, almost as if I am listening to a very sophisticated synthesizer.

It seems obvious to me that a good concert hall is the best mixer, if the result can be captured properly.  The recordings that I regard as the very best are ones made with advanced but minimal technology.   For older recordings, I have a lot of admiration for Mercury, and for digital, there are many Telarc recordings that are superb in the naturalness of sound.  Both of these labels typically recorded with only 3 microphones, no electronic equalization.i.

Well, I hear none of that: I have a BOSE SurroundSound with a mid-priced Sony amplifier and a lower end Toshiba DVD/CD player-recorder.  Maybe that causes the difference?  Or just different ears!   

Quite true about Mercury: here is a must-have from their glory days.

[mahler10th]

Philips have some great discs like this one:

I am going to relisten to that as a result of this!  I think I only heard it once  ...perhaps I haven't had it up loud enough or was doing something when it was on...one of those things I like about GMG, always having to re-evaluate on new information...Thanks for the tip, I'll put it on shortly.

This little critter right here in response to the original poster.  As clear as hell   , wide dynamic range, and it's just as well no-one spoiled it by dropping a pin during the brilliant playing and song from von Otter...

[Cato]

I am going to relisten to that as a result of this!  I think I only heard it once  ...perhaps I haven't had it up loud enough or was doing something when it was on...one of those things I like about GMG, always having to re-evaluate on new information...Thanks for the tip, I'll put it on shortly.

This little critter right here in response to the original poster.  As clear as hell   , wide dynamic range, and it's just as well no-one spoiled it by dropping a pin during the brilliant playing and song from von Otter...

This - as well as other DGG Boulez/Mahler CD's - are recommended.  I chose #7 because of the compelling performance AND the sound.

[Brian]

And, since each and every one of us has got only 2 ears (I guess), this one for stereo: Respighi's Roman Trilogy with Enrique Bátiz!!



http://www.amazon.com/Respighi-Symphonic-Poems-Ottorino/dp/B0000013TI/

(Apologies for swearing in the multi-channel church.)

I already recommended a different Respighi Trilogy album! We need to have a head-to-head comparison!

Scarpia's Brahms recommendation is definitely a great CD!

[xochitl]

anything telarc/cleveland orch

[Scarpia]

I already recommended a different Respighi Trilogy album! We need to have a head-to-head comparison!

Respighi seems to inspire great audio.

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There's also an astonishingly good Karajan/Philharmonia with Walter Legge on EMI.  Doesn't seem to be available as an individual release, except an old out-of-print one


but I have it here.

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Much better than his later Berlin recording.

[Scarpia]

Well, I hear none of that: I have a BOSE SurroundSound with a mid-priced Sony amplifier and a lower end Toshiba DVD/CD player-recorder.  Maybe that causes the difference?  Or just different ears!   

When I had the recordings I was generally listening on Sennheiser HD580 headphones off my old NAD pre-amp and a dedicated headphone amp.   Lately I listen mostly with my fairly modest rig (Marantz CD play and Amp, Polk LSi9 speakers with a sub).  But those DG "4D" recordings still rub me the wrong way.  Lately I listened to Boulez's DG Bartok and had the same reaction (although I am aware that I am in the minority in not admiring those recordings).

[TheGSMoeller]

A few off the top of my head that I've found to have marvelous sound, and great performances.

[The new erato]

Best - I don't know. Great - definitively!

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[TheGSMoeller]

...and a few contemporary pieces from Bang on a Can alum Gordon and Lang. Both with spectacular sound.