Recommendations for a few high SQ classical CDs

lowrider57,

You got the part about 1987 New Year's Concert right. It is far from the best sound quality that ever was. I, don't ask why, happened to have had a plain any-store copy Made in West Germany, one more like that Made in U.S.A. and now I have this Japanese K2. I bought K2 simply because it existed and those regular copies were getting on my nerves. Not that I listened to them more than once a year, or every two years. K2 is definitely better than ordinary CD, surely not four times better like the price might suggest but I think it is decent. Still, I suggested it as a decent-sounding material for some easy-classical listening. Kind of when we get tired of Mahler's attacks and need a break.

As far as actual Deutsche Gramophone recordings go, would it make a difference that this particular CD/concert was recorded live with whatever constraints the venue might have brought? I have no idea, but I do have some of the Deutsche Gramophone recordings you are implying and I think you are spot on about the imperfections of sound. It may be my ears, but I think that this particular New Year's Concert is a bit better to start with. To repeat, not great.

@glupson, First of all, I'll try to control my anger and disappointment at DG for screwing up the sound on such a vast catalogue of wonderful performances from many of the greatest artists, orchestras, and conductors who ever graced the stage.

I usually watch the Vienna New Year's Concerts on PBS. I haven't heard the Karajan performance in its entirety, but there are several positives. It takes place in the Musikverein with its unique and unsurpassed sonics, and it has Karajan (albeit near the end of his life) leading the VPO in which they shared an amazing chemistry. IMO, live recordings from the Vienna "Great Hall" seem to sound a bit better than many of the other venues recorded by DG engineers. The ambience of that concert hall adds so much to the recording.
   The audio mix on the live TV broadcast usually sounds pretty good. Live TV broadcasting takes priority over music recording companies, so maybe the DG engineers are not allowed to use their standard over-mic'd recording techniques. Even so, they record and mix their own audio feed for a later release.

I've never heard K2HD, but I own some Japanese SHM-CD's and Blu-spec and since they are simply remasters made from the original digital masters, to my ears they just sound like a cleaner CD with tipped-up highs.

@n80, check out Anton Bruckner, one of the masters of the symphonic form. Symphony No. 7, 8 and 9 were written at the peak of his creativity. Symphony No. 4 "Romantic" is a good introduction to Bruckner since it is very melodic.

Gunter Wand/ Berlin Philharmonic on RCA Red Seal has outstanding SQ with terrific performances. RCA Red Seal is one of the great classical labels known for high quality recordings.

https://www.amazon.com/Symphony-7-Anton-Bruckner/dp/B00004YMJ0/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qi...

https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Symphony-No-8-Anton/dp/B00005Q66Y/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&...

https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Symphony-No-4-Anton/dp/B0000247D1/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&...

... and don't buy any remastered versions.

I own very few CDs since they are too flat sounding but some SACDs are really good.The best I have heard for sound quality is the Colin Davis/Concertgebouw version of Symphonie Fantastique on Pentatone.
Even in the 2 track stereo output it is simply fantastique!

- Herbert von Karajan Beethoven Symphony No. 9 Japanese Import (UHQCD). *Currently out of stock on Elusive Disc
- Mahler Symphony No.1 (XRCD24) - http://www.elusivedisc.com/Mahler-Symphony-No-1-XRCD24/productinfo/HIQSXR35/- Brahms: Symphony No.4 [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]  - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCCG-9956?s_ssid=e363725b8189cb6df7