"best" Dvorak SQ cycle

[kishnevi]

Time for a Dvorak string quartet cycle. Closest I have is the Emerson SQ doing the later quartets.
I am leaning to Panocha, but only on OCD grounds. I have two of the Supraphon sets (Symphonies and Orchestral Works), and will likely get more.

But if one of the others is better....

[Jo498]

Complete I only have the Stamitz. They are on the "warm and relaxed" side as far as I recall. I could imagine that the Panocha is better but in any case one should pick such a complete one basically for the quality of the earlier quartets (which are, unfortunately not all very interesting and sometimes overlong pieces). Because for the last 4 or so one will always find better accounts by ensembles who did not record the whole lot like Smetana, Janacek, Pavel Haas etc.

[Daverz]

I have all 3, but haven't done much comparison.  I'd venture that Panocha is the most polished sounding group, but you can't go wrong with any of them.

[Jo498]

I forgot to mention the "New Vlach Quartet" on Naxos which is missing from the choices. (I am pretty sure it is complete, just not boxed.)
They are the only ones where the discs are easily available separately for those who may not want a complete set because they already have several recordings of the last 3 quartets or so. I have two discs from the Naxos (and another one with the piano quartets) and they are all quite good, probably somewhat leaner than the Stamitz.

[Karl Henning]

As the question is Which Dvořák SQ set do you like?, I have replied with the Stamitz.

I do like their set, though it is also true that it is the only set I have.

[amw]

I rate Panocha & Prague about equal although my personal preference is for the former. There is not much ground between them in terms of quality and interpretation, it's more a matter of which ensemble's sound you like better.

That said, if you find an alternate universe where the Talich Quartet recorded a complete cycle, go with that one.