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Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" drove me insane almost

I have K2 CD of Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue", that I've had for a while, but never actually carefully listened to.
Now, I put it on and almost immediately on track one, I hear pretty audible noise/distortion, when the trumpet comes in. Forward to track 4- same kind of noise. Sounds like a blown tweeter or a bad tube.
I actually had the same kind of experience when the output stage tubes in my Modwright Denon went bad.
So naturally, I'm going on a wild goose chase- switching ICs left to right, switching output tubes in my CD, preamp.
Swapped my Lamm monoblocks left to right- no change, noise is still there.
After ruling out CD, preamp and power amps, the only possible outcome is the blown tweeters (highly unlikely).
Three days later I decide to rule out the most unlikely cause.
I put the CD in the whole different system- new CD player, amp and speakers- and of course, the noise is still there.
All this time, I've been chasing system problem, it has been faulty recording!!!
Here is my questions- I'm probably the only one here, who hasn't heard "Kind Of Blue" in critical listening session.
It's been around for decades and heard by millions of people, likely by almost every member of this forum.
So you guys always knew this was a technically compromised recording with some obvious noises overlaying the music (it actually sounds like a combination of overdriven tubes and a vinyl surface noise, crackling)?
Has anyone not heard it? Has anyone been sent on a wild goose chase by it, like I had?
maril555
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I played my Sony 'SBM' ordinary CD via Sennheiser HD800 earphones and Rudistor RPX33 mk2 headphone amp. From my Sony SCD333ES to Adcom DA700 to VAC Standard to Bryston BP-26 tape out to Rudistor RPX33 mk2

Yes as soon as the trumpet comes in some crackling distortion. Clear as day.
Most likely from microphone being used. (at least my guess)

Bravo for tearing your hair out over it!
I think you win the Grand Audiophile Nervosa award.
(I never think twice over any bad noises in a single recording.)

Personally Kind of Blue is great music. This tidbit will not dampen that opinion.
In fact it strengthens it via the great 'audiophile rule of recordings':
All recordings whch are great music do not have perfect sonics.
And the Audiophile corollary: ALL the recordings with truely great sonics SUCK as music,
maril555 OP
618 posts
 
Elizabeth,
Thank you much for confirming I'm not hallucinating, really.
I guess, i have to work on my methodology, when faced with system- related "problems".
The second part of my question actually was about the other peoples experience with "Kind of Blue"- the noise/distortion is so obvious, I'm surprised, it hasn't attracted anyone's attention yet
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I only listened for the odd sound due to your post.
My Sennheiser/Rudistor combo is totally revealing. Otherwise i would never have thought about it.
I generally do not listen for sonic errors. I am paying attention to the music.
Sorry to say it seems the op is listening to the equipment at least as much as to the performance.
That is a real curse.... In my experience anyway. So I avoid paying attention to sonics and just enjoy the musicas much as ican.
I do not try to own the best edition, or best reisssue of a recording. i own a copy of it, probably both LP and Cd for a lot of stuff, but other than that I play what i got.

Like i wrote, constantly listening to the sonics is a curse. A really hard to break curse (i have been there..)
Best to ignore the stuff altogether once you got it playing well.. Then, eventually the equipment will just stop being what you hear.. And you can enjoy the music you play ALL THE TIME..

(including great performances with dreadful sonics. No problem, they just sound wonderful...)
Good Luck
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Until a Blu-Ray version of Blue is made we will never know the compromised issues. So, get on Sony's tail.
gz3827
232 posts
 
You are definitely not alone. In fact, welcome to the club!
I'd be willing to bet that Kind of Blue, regardless of the specific release, has led more people to question either their equipment, their hearing, or their sanity than any other jazz recording ever made. People tend to assume that Kind of Blue must have terrific sonics because the recording is so famous; however, it's the performance and the place of that performance in the history of jazz that make Kind of Blue so highly regarded. The sonics of the original recording (and consequently all subsequent releases) leave a lot to be desired. Ironically, Kind of Blue is a perfect example of an 'audiophile gotcha.'
It's one of those recordings that may actually sound better on less revealing, lower end equipment.
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