High quality CD recordings


Over the last 55+ years I've spent significant time and effort trying, as we all do, to get the best sound from our systems as practicable. I'm quite happy with my current setup so the weakest link many times is the quality of recordings themselves.

I was reminded of this while using a test CD that I've used off and on for about 15 years to evaluate some recent changes I made. On this CD, after the more technical part of frequency testing is ended, examples of various instrumental and vocal presentations are given. While listening I was reminded of just how significant a difference in recordings themselves can make.

I've used advice given on these forums regarding superior recordings but these have been recommendations for specific single CD's like, for example, "Jazz at the Pawnshop" and many more. What I'm looking for, though, are recording entities that are dedicated to producing high quality recordings across the spectrum of music genres. It would be nice to have a source of recordings that we could generally depend on for good quality. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
128x128broadstone

Showing 5 responses by ptss

Hi Broadstone. Record guidebooks and reviews can be an excellent resource for finding quality recordings. Have you ever checked out the PENQUIN RECORD GUIDE or GRAMMAPHONE ? In my opinion they are a must!! I've found the specialty labels are in no way the only source for quality; and thank goodness - their catalogs are "so" limited. My experience is you 'can' find excellent recordings on many labels, but the specialist labels like Reference Recordings and Chesky, to name only 2,are consistent in their quality.
There are hundreds - no 'thousands' of excellent Deutsche Grammophon, RCA, Telarc,etc classical recordings; and "countless" good jazz recordings on a great variety of labels. It's a matter of finding them. For example I've got STINGRAY MUSIC on my TV via cable and just heard, while typing this, Anthony Spiri on CPO RECORDS playing a Piano sonata by Edward Marksen from the album Klavier Works? Even though it's low res through the TV I found the sound to be very nice, natural and nuanced. Of course the CD or DVD through my ref Spectral system will provide a far clearer and much more emotional view of this album; but just that listening has encouraged me to request my library bring it in for me -and they probably will. I can discuss finding good recordings more if you like. I also like recordings from South America and European countries. I've had some excellent recordings from Russian labels totally unknown to me and not reviewed outside Russia! It's a big world and I've found that in the Classical and Jazz music fields a love of providing good sounding music is pervasive. Great for us! Just reread your post. Sorry I strayed off your request. Will send some labels later.
Hello again and thank you Broadstone. The co-inventor of HDCD, Keith Johnson, is the same genius behind the Spectral gear and Reference Recordings. He has been fanatical about every step of his recordings--he can afford to as I believe one of his early innovations was a major factor in cassette duplication-probably providing a decent income! His partner at Spectral, Richard Fryer, is also simply "fanatical" about leading the pack. Briefly, I feel the quality of REFERENCE RECORDINGS offerings is definitely due to Johnson's genius and his design work with Spectral as he hand built some recording equipment used in recording for Reference. Thanks to Richard Fryer, of Spectral Audio, for the repetoire of Reference Recordings, and thanks to KEITH JOHNSON, true Polymath, for bringing the recordings to life.
I feel their recording quality is unsurpassed, and they have introduced real genius players, for example Kronos Quartet (I'm lucky enough to have their first Reference Recording with a piece called "Funky Chicken" if my memory serves me, so their ears are good). IMHO one could do well to acquire ALL their recordings-I know they will stand the test of time. Philips (hope my spelling is right-I've had some fine rye tonight celebrating that I go in for more heart surgery at 6am tomorrow((if I don't post again you know why :-) . My friends say I'll be fine as only the good die young; and 65 is the new 40)) label also has countless beautifully recorded albums by fabulous artists. I'll post more if I'm not busy talking to Twain, Dickens,Poe, Orwell, Kafka,Carroll, Huxley, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven,Matisse,Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt,Cezanne, Titian (my grandfather, a Norwegian whaler owned a Titian and gave it to the catholic church-who guaranteed him a seat in the first row, oh yeah..) on & on and hopefully all their interesting friends). There are many fine labels out there. (Hope I'm hear to post tomorrow). Cheers.
Thanks Isochronism. (Glad that you're "on the beat, or on time, or regular :-) , just had to look that up!).
When they confirmed my name ,etc just before op I said yes, that's who I've been- and hope I still am tomorrow!
I was lucky. Great Doc,upbeat team,hospital-+ lucky I'm here in B.C.,Canada and didn't have to pay!
Doc says everything went perfect and previous stents are in great shape. Figures I'm good for anything I want to do,walk,swim,yoga. Yahoo! But, I'll spend more time with music than all those put together. Glad to be back to the great group in this forum.
Broadstone, I agree, but I also think life is not as linear as we might like. We must do the best we can to enjoy what we have. I especially like your Martin Logans. My hearing acuity is assisted by surgery and implants in both ears! I still remember when I heard the high frequencies of alarm systems when I was about 16/17 and others did not hear them. I was raised in the country--mainly peace and quiet-and certainly no loud noise, other than our rifles! Dad gave me a 22 rifle when I was 12- bless him for allowing me to grow. I had a crystal radio, the antenna of which I attached to my brothers toes! No battery even. Not loud but I listened to the powerful U.S. stations even though I was in southern Nova Scotia. I feel I was very lucky. And I'm lucky now to be part of this forum.
Hello again Broadstone. My choices were influenced by the fact I'm on this forum on music and reproduction art. I think you're right about it being more rare; and to me it seems especially so these days, but I don't think it's more remarkable. I find Physics fascinating but math is simply out of my reach (especially since a head injury in an '89 car accident :-( I feel lucky I can still appreciate the arts!) Cheers!