Box Blather

Leo K. · January 09, 2025, 01:18:15 PM

Quote from: Spotted Horses on January 09, 2025, 11:01:59 AMWas it a wax buildup/infection sort of thing? I hope to hear that things are improving.

My doc says it's probably build up of fluid in the eustachian tube, maybe due to Covid in Sept last year. He did confirm no wax build up. Hopefully the ENT doc can see what happened. The last four days my hearing has suddenly improved and the pressure between ears has lessoned, though sometimes it's still sensitive to sound (talking voices). I am hoping things are better now, it's so nice to hear rich bass sounds again. Thanks!

Leo K. · January 09, 2025, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: Mookalafalas on January 09, 2025, 10:59:47 AMSorry to hear about the ear condition, but it sounds like you are getting a handle on it. I hope it's not a tinnitus type condition, triggered by high frequencies. My wife suffers from that from time to time, and it is very frustrating for her...

Thank you! Over the last few years I have had some soft ringing time to time. Hopefully tinnitus won't get worse now. Never had hearing get so bad, thankfully things are looking better!

Leo K. · January 10, 2025, 05:15:35 AM

I can't get enough of these large string quartet boxes, like the Alban Berg and Amadeus boxes - truly remarkable sets. I thought there'd be too much repetition of repertoire, but I didn't realize how fun it would be to return to the Beethoven and Mozart quartets.

Holden · January 10, 2025, 02:43:55 PM

Quote from: Leo K. on January 09, 2025, 01:20:46 PMThank you! Over the last few years I have had some soft ringing time to time. Hopefully tinnitus won't get worse now. Never had hearing get so bad, thankfully things are looking better!

If it is eustachian tube blockage/dysfunction, one of the treatments is to put a small cut in the ear drum to equalise pressure and maybe insert a very small tube to assist with drainage. However, they'll only do this if the use of medications such as antihistamines/antibiotics/corticosteroids doesn't look like working. Best wishes for improved hearing.

Mookalafalas · January 10, 2025, 03:37:20 PM

Quote from: Leo K. on January 10, 2025, 05:15:35 AM

I can't get enough of these large string quartet boxes, like the Alban Berg and Amadeus boxes - truly remarkable sets. I thought there'd be too much repetition of repertoire, but I didn't realize how fun it would be to return to the Beethoven and Mozart quartets.

Early in this thread, someone lamented that there were no quartet or small ensemble boxes. That situation has certainly changed!
My "problem" with quartet collections is that they sound very different from group to group, and when I find one I particularly like, I don't want to listen the other ones any more. Maybe that will change in the future...

DavidW · January 11, 2025, 11:30:23 AM

Quote from: Mookalafalas on January 10, 2025, 03:37:20 PMEarly in this thread, someone lamented that there were no quartet or small ensemble boxes. That situation has certainly changed!
My "problem" with quartet collections is that they sound very different from group to group, and when I find one I particularly like, I don't want to listen the other ones any more. Maybe that will change in the future...

The Prazak Quartet box has been a surprisingly nice investment. I ended up either liking or loving almost everything they've touched. I could see myself jumping onto heavy hitters like the ABQ and Amadeus.

Leo K. · January 12, 2025, 09:36:29 AM

Quote from: Mookalafalas on January 10, 2025, 03:37:20 PMEarly in this thread, someone lamented that there were no quartet or small ensemble boxes. That situation has certainly changed!
My "problem" with quartet collections is that they sound very different from group to group, and when I find one I particularly like, I don't want to listen the other ones any more. Maybe that will change in the future...

I see what you mean, and because of this, I usually have to space my listening to these boxes out. And I forgot to mention the grand Emerson Quartet box too. I love that they have a Mendelssohn cycle and the two Prokofiev quartets. Also love their Beethoven and Shostakovich cycles.

Brian · January 13, 2025, 12:03:28 PM

Get ready for another Ormandy box!!

The Rca Victor Recordings 1935-45
Label ‏ : ‎ Sony Classical (Sony Music)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 21
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Rca-Victor-Recordings-1935-45/dp/B0DSQZRM73/

Spotted Horses · January 14, 2025, 10:17:53 AM

Quote from: DavidW on January 11, 2025, 11:30:23 AMThe Prazak Quartet box has been a surprisingly nice investment. I ended up either liking or loving almost everything they've touched. I could see myself jumping onto heavy hitters like the ABQ and Amadeus.

The Prazak Quartet Box is one that I sometimes regret passing on, except that I have so much of it in individual releases or boxes.

DavidW · January 14, 2025, 11:30:05 AM

Quote from: Spotted Horses on January 14, 2025, 10:17:53 AMThe Prazak Quartet Box is one that I sometimes regret passing on, except that I have so much of it in individual releases or boxes.

That makes it harder to buy. In my case, I had nothing but Beethoven, though I had streamed a bit (especially Martinu) over the years.

Atriod · January 14, 2025, 01:19:00 PM

Prazak Quartet is likely my all time favorite general string quartet box (not one by a single composer).

Current favorite in print string quartet box is this one, amazing interpretations, flawless intonation, and rather different from when they went to Philips/Decca. And though I am not a fan, straight leg pants are back in style, just like the Italiano never going out of style!