Best sound quality recording to play on Hi-Fi
17 February 2011, 11:15 AM
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Best sound quality recording to play on Hi-Fi
My entire music collection is made up of excessive noise 
I would like to know what you all think is the best sounding recording to make the most of my Hi-Fi??
No computerised dance crap though please
Hi-Fi is -
Arcam Alpha 9 Pre amp
Arcam Alpha 9P Power amp
Naim N Sat Speakers with Focal JM Lab Active Subwoofer
Music source is a converted MK1 X Box MP3/FLAC Storage system (1 terra byte) through a DAC Magic Converter.
I would like to know what you all think is the best sounding recording to make the most of my Hi-Fi??No computerised dance crap though please
Hi-Fi is -
Arcam Alpha 9 Pre amp
Arcam Alpha 9P Power amp
Naim N Sat Speakers with Focal JM Lab Active Subwoofer
Music source is a converted MK1 X Box MP3/FLAC Storage system (1 terra byte) through a DAC Magic Converter.
17 February 2011, 11:19 AM
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You'd be suprised how much other music is computerised now. I'd hazard a lot of other genre's see comupters and various software before seeing a CD 
I'll stick to my computerised Dance crap though
I'll stick to my computerised Dance crap though
17 February 2011, 11:23 AM
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Have noticed when I am made to endure the drivel on the radio how much of it now sounds false. (Especially vocals) I was bought up on Mainly Punk. Then in later years, Heavy Metal.
Spent a lot over the years on Hi-Fi only to listen to a poorly recorded racket
17 February 2011, 11:24 AM
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The Sixties from T Bone Burnett's Proof through the Night album (the drums at the end should sound like ... drums)
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (dynamic range)
Grace Jones- Slave to the Rhythm (low low bass)
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (dynamic range)
Grace Jones- Slave to the Rhythm (low low bass)
17 February 2011, 11:58 AM
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At least if it's all computerised crap now, I may as well be into the underground computerised crap
(IMHO Trance music is as good as it has ever been once you filter through the unengineered pants) 
17 February 2011, 12:16 PM
#6
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I presume you mean which songs and not which recording format ie CD, vinyl etc?
In which case you need a proper band with proper singers and that will depend on your tastes. I like a lot of dance music but when I want to really hear what my system can do I play something like Bob Marley, Alicia Keys, Joe Johnson etc.
In proper HiFi magazines they often use Diana Krall to compare high end set ups. I don't really like that kind of music so its no good for me
In which case you need a proper band with proper singers and that will depend on your tastes. I like a lot of dance music but when I want to really hear what my system can do I play something like Bob Marley, Alicia Keys, Joe Johnson etc.
In proper HiFi magazines they often use Diana Krall to compare high end set ups. I don't really like that kind of music so its no good for me
17 February 2011, 12:16 PM
#7
< sucks through teeth > This could be interesting; what one person would say sounds good on Hi-Fi another would argue that it sounds too false or the recordings have been over produced.
IMO have a look back at some of the old stuff thats had alot of studio time thrown at it. This will NOT be a popular list but by any means, it does sound very good on very good Hi-Fi, although you could argue that some were "over produced":
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
Stevie Wonder - songs in the key of life (LP)
Fleetwood mac - Rumours or Tango in the Night (or a good compilation)
Supertramp - Breakfast in America
T-Rex - The Slider (you'll need a compliation to get 20th century boy) -
OK. Bit to old/cheesy for ya LOL?
Ok, some newer noise then:
Seal - 1991-2004 (all of his tracks are very well produced)
Foo Fighters - Echos, Silence Patience and Grace.
Kings of Leon - Only by Night (especially on full volume )
The Verve - Forth (Urban hymns has better tracks but they are not as polished IMO, except for lucky man ).
Muse (hmm spolit for choice here - BTW lots of compter stuff going on here)
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (bit heavy on the bass, but it works - especially cranked up loud)
KT Tunstall - Drastic Fanstastic
Elbow - The seldom seen kid
Metal? Oh, I don't know, I play it too loud to care. But I'd guess AC/DC or Guns and Roses (Appetite for Destruction or Use your Illusion 1 ).
Want electro-techno-houso-funko-danco music? Has to be one thing and one thing only: Chemical brothers. (if you want old school: Faithless- sunday 8pm).
Thats just from having a quick look through what I have on file, so probably missed some less embarrasing stuff
IMO have a look back at some of the old stuff thats had alot of studio time thrown at it. This will NOT be a popular list but by any means, it does sound very good on very good Hi-Fi, although you could argue that some were "over produced":
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
Stevie Wonder - songs in the key of life (LP)
Fleetwood mac - Rumours or Tango in the Night (or a good compilation)
Supertramp - Breakfast in America
T-Rex - The Slider (you'll need a compliation to get 20th century boy) -
OK. Bit to old/cheesy for ya LOL?
Ok, some newer noise then:
Seal - 1991-2004 (all of his tracks are very well produced)
Foo Fighters - Echos, Silence Patience and Grace.
Kings of Leon - Only by Night (especially on full volume
)The Verve - Forth (Urban hymns has better tracks but they are not as polished IMO, except for lucky man ).
Muse (hmm spolit for choice here - BTW lots of compter stuff going on here)
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (bit heavy on the bass, but it works - especially cranked up loud)
KT Tunstall - Drastic Fanstastic
Elbow - The seldom seen kid
Metal? Oh, I don't know, I play it too loud to care. But I'd guess AC/DC or Guns and Roses (Appetite for Destruction or Use your Illusion 1 ).
Want electro-techno-houso-funko-danco music? Has to be one thing and one thing only: Chemical brothers.
(if you want old school: Faithless- sunday 8pm).Thats just from having a quick look through what I have on file, so probably missed some less embarrasing stuff
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17 February 2011, 12:43 PM
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17 February 2011, 12:44 PM
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It sounds best on CD imo, especially considering the era it came from: Most CD albums at the time were horrible, flat, and tinny sounding (don't make me dig out some examples
). This one is far from it.There is a dynamic range that is missing on alot of other "studio albums", especially of that era. And incidentally its the best sounding Dire Straits album. I grew up on Dire Straits and as a result have their whole back catalogue (even on CrO2 tape
), plus some Knebworth videos. As an alternative, Making Movies isn't too bad, but BOA is notably better.
Last edited by ALi-B; 17 February 2011 at 12:47 PM.
17 February 2011, 12:47 PM
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Who "told" you this myth?
Its sound best on CD imo, especially considering the era it came from: Most CD albums at the time were horrible, flat, and tinny sounding (don't make me dig out some examples ). This one is far from it.
There is a dynamic range that is missing on alot of other "studio albums", especially of that era. And incidentally its the best sounding Dire Straits album. I grew up on Dire Straits and as a result have their whole back catalogue (even on CrO2 tape ). Making Movies isn't too bad, but BOA is notably better.
Its sound best on CD imo, especially considering the era it came from: Most CD albums at the time were horrible, flat, and tinny sounding (don't make me dig out some examples
). This one is far from it.There is a dynamic range that is missing on alot of other "studio albums", especially of that era. And incidentally its the best sounding Dire Straits album. I grew up on Dire Straits and as a result have their whole back catalogue (even on CrO2 tape
). Making Movies isn't too bad, but BOA is notably better.Love Over Gold is a much better sound especially on vinyl.
17 February 2011, 12:48 PM
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Who "told" you this myth?
It sounds best on CD imo, especially considering the era it came from: Most CD albums at the time were horrible, flat, and tinny sounding (don't make me dig out some examples ). This one is far from it.
There is a dynamic range that is missing on alot of other "studio albums", especially of that era. And incidentally its the best sounding Dire Straits album. I grew up on Dire Straits and as a result have their whole back catalogue (even on CrO2 tape ). As an alternative, Making Movies isn't too bad, but BOA is notably better.
It sounds best on CD imo, especially considering the era it came from: Most CD albums at the time were horrible, flat, and tinny sounding (don't make me dig out some examples
). This one is far from it.There is a dynamic range that is missing on alot of other "studio albums", especially of that era. And incidentally its the best sounding Dire Straits album. I grew up on Dire Straits and as a result have their whole back catalogue (even on CrO2 tape
). As an alternative, Making Movies isn't too bad, but BOA is notably better.
17 February 2011, 01:01 PM
#16
Most painstaking example I can think of is probably Curosity Killed the Cat and Wet Wet Wet's popped in souled out (don't ask, I'm an 80's child), Michael Jackson's "Bad" is another woefully lacking one. The re-masters/compilations churned out in the late 90's probably sounded much better.
Hmmm, Telegraph road - the full extended version. Hmmmm. Might have to pop that on when I get back home LOL.
17 February 2011, 02:04 PM
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Find me an orginal 80's CD realese that does have realistic bottom end?
Most painstaking example I can think of is probably Curosity Killed the Cat and Wet Wet Wet's popped in souled out (don't ask, I'm an 80's child), Michael Jackson's "Bad" is another woefully lacking one. The re-masters/compilations churned out in the late 90's probably sounded much better.
Hmmm, Telegraph road - the full extended version. Hmmmm. Might have to pop that on when I get back home LOL.
Most painstaking example I can think of is probably Curosity Killed the Cat and Wet Wet Wet's popped in souled out (don't ask, I'm an 80's child), Michael Jackson's "Bad" is another woefully lacking one. The re-masters/compilations churned out in the late 90's probably sounded much better.
Hmmm, Telegraph road - the full extended version. Hmmmm. Might have to pop that on when I get back home LOL.
Try the CD of Heaven 17's The Luxury Gap..... arghhh!!!!! Mastered by Helen Keller
17 February 2011, 03:16 PM
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17 February 2011, 04:09 PM
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I have to admit I have a HiFi fetish and own these bad boys
http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/produc...0/your-speaker
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...ed=0CCEQ9QEwAA
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...w=1080&bih=506
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...w=1080&bih=506
Last edited by Dingdongler; 17 February 2011 at 04:13 PM.
17 February 2011, 04:39 PM
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One of my favourites to get out when i want to show off what my systems capable of Folk Singer by Muddy Waters on vinyl released by a company called classic records.
They used the original '64 master tapes, pressing it on a good quality heavy plastic and it sounds amazing. well worth a look as a flac download is available.
They used the original '64 master tapes, pressing it on a good quality heavy plastic and it sounds amazing. well worth a look as a flac download is available.
17 February 2011, 04:48 PM
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I would say metallica's black album is a good one, Paul Wellers wild wood is great as well. If you want a great test then Magnetic Man is the bollocks. If you want vocals then I find Listening to Portishead on a good system really shows extra depth in the vocal compared to a crap system. Originally forgot to add Radiohead OK computer has some great moments on it as well for vocals as well as picking up all the seperate sounds and instruments on some tracks.
Last edited by Luan Pra bang; 17 February 2011 at 04:50 PM.
17 February 2011, 05:00 PM
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Surely you should be listening to music you like rather than what will sound good on a particular hi fi set up 
With the odd exception though, I would say steer clear of anything that has been remastered.
With the odd exception though, I would say steer clear of anything that has been remastered.
17 February 2011, 05:54 PM
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http://www.linnrecords.com/recording...tmas-gift.aspx
This is a 24 bit rate 48kHz "quality" FLAC file that will play with VLC.
The first music since vinyl to make sound "come alive" in the room.
Awesome Audio
dunx
P.S. Not cheap tho'.
This is a 24 bit rate 48kHz "quality" FLAC file that will play with VLC.
The first music since vinyl to make sound "come alive" in the room.
Awesome Audio
dunx
P.S. Not cheap tho'.
Last edited by dunx; 17 February 2011 at 06:06 PM.
17 February 2011, 06:03 PM
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Pontificating
.
17 February 2011, 06:44 PM
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