STeVE can't get over just how goshdarn neat he is
Apr 21, 2018 21:49:58 GMT
Post by Boozin' Susan on Apr 21, 2018 21:49:58 GMT
Here's a good one. A SHite with too much free time compares five versions of a Doors album.
The dude slobbers all over the DCC CD (which I put into boldface for easier reference) but see if you can spot his big mistake:
1. DCC gold cd
2. DCC vinyl
3. Analogue Productions DSD download
4. Analogue Productions 45 rpm vinyl
5. HDtracks 24/96 flac download
For the 3 digital versions I own, all were played back from my MacBook Pro using Audirvana connected via USB to my PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC. The DCC cd was ripped to my hard drive, this eliminated the possibility of the source influencing the sound. The 2 vinyl releases were simply played on my VPI turntable using an Ortofon 2m Black cartridge through a Manley Chinook tube phono pre. Amplification was all the same, PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP integrated tube amp.
I started with the AP DSD version - it was just ok, Jim's voice seems to be mixed too far back in the recording. Bass was there but it was subtle. The mids seem sucked out to me, the high's are ok, pretty smooth and non-fatiguing. Overall, I just wasn't excited when playing this one.
Second was the HDtracks 24/96 flac - A lot livelier, bass and mids sound better, Jim's voice more up front. The high's are more prominant, a bit hot perhaps. I did notice the soundstage was a little narrower, mostly inside my speakers. Overall, this one was better than the AP DSD version for me.
Third was the DCC gold cd ripped to my hard drive - I love it!
Very well balanced, Jim's voice felt eerily real like he was in my room. The mid bass weight is punchier, the highs are really good but natural and not edgy or fatiguing at all. Soundstage is wider and deeper than the previous two. So far, my clear favorite although the HDtracks version isn't that far behind it.
Fourth was the AP 45 RPM vinyl version - Maybe it's the difference between sources or analog vs. digital, but this beats the AP DSD version by a long shot. Seems almost like a different mastering, much more involving and punchier. I could live with this if it were my only vinyl version. I did, however, still prefer the DCC cd version.
I spent some time just comparing the AP vinyl to the DCC cd rip. Both are very smooth but the DCC beats it in the mids hands down.
Finally I ended everything with the DCC vinyl version - This is my favorite but is very close to the DCC cd rip. It is very obvious that they share the same mastering unlike when comparing the AP DSD to the AP vinyl versions. It was close to the cd but had a slightly warmer sound. I chalked this up to using both a tube phono pre and a tube amp, both with NOS tubes. Maybe I just prefer analog to digital but I could crank this up and it just sounded awesome from top to bottom. This is air guitar material for sure.
I want to say that the only version that I just flat out did not like was the AP DSD version. I could live with any of the others if I had nothing else to compare them too. Being able to directly compare each version cemented the fact that I prefer both the DCC releases, I can't imagine that they could be improved upon. Perhaps on a different system the results could be different, I plan on upgrading speakers in the near future so I may revisit this again.
Did you catch it? Look's like Chazz neglected to mention daddy's name!
An oversight STeVE soon corrects:
It's not surprising that you like the DCC versions, I mastered them for lifelike sound, warmth and the most realism I could find on the master tape. The actual master is thin and reedy when heard flat. The Elektra L.E.D.O. which all LP's were cut from in the 1960s is also warm and more lifelike than the master. I took that as my clue that the "master tape sound" was changed even before the album was issued in 1967! So I didn't feel any obligation to reproduce that thin sound. In other words, I took some artistic license (as did the mastering engineer back in 1967..)
At any rate, that's my story. Glad you like the sound of the DCCs. Yes, the DCC Gold CD and DCC vinyl should match each other damn closely. That's the proper way to do it.
And this one after a Shite takes the bait:
For extra fun, go back and see how many times STeVE used the word "I" in his little poat.
What an asshole.
The dude slobbers all over the DCC CD (which I put into boldface for easier reference) but see if you can spot his big mistake:
Chazz said:
So, I have spent a few nights comparing The Doors - Strange Days in every format and mastering that I own. Here's the list, not in order of favorite.1. DCC gold cd
2. DCC vinyl
3. Analogue Productions DSD download
4. Analogue Productions 45 rpm vinyl
5. HDtracks 24/96 flac download
For the 3 digital versions I own, all were played back from my MacBook Pro using Audirvana connected via USB to my PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC. The DCC cd was ripped to my hard drive, this eliminated the possibility of the source influencing the sound. The 2 vinyl releases were simply played on my VPI turntable using an Ortofon 2m Black cartridge through a Manley Chinook tube phono pre. Amplification was all the same, PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP integrated tube amp.
I started with the AP DSD version - it was just ok, Jim's voice seems to be mixed too far back in the recording. Bass was there but it was subtle. The mids seem sucked out to me, the high's are ok, pretty smooth and non-fatiguing. Overall, I just wasn't excited when playing this one.
Second was the HDtracks 24/96 flac - A lot livelier, bass and mids sound better, Jim's voice more up front. The high's are more prominant, a bit hot perhaps. I did notice the soundstage was a little narrower, mostly inside my speakers. Overall, this one was better than the AP DSD version for me.
Third was the DCC gold cd ripped to my hard drive - I love it!
Very well balanced, Jim's voice felt eerily real like he was in my room. The mid bass weight is punchier, the highs are really good but natural and not edgy or fatiguing at all. Soundstage is wider and deeper than the previous two. So far, my clear favorite although the HDtracks version isn't that far behind it.
Fourth was the AP 45 RPM vinyl version - Maybe it's the difference between sources or analog vs. digital, but this beats the AP DSD version by a long shot. Seems almost like a different mastering, much more involving and punchier. I could live with this if it were my only vinyl version. I did, however, still prefer the DCC cd version.
I spent some time just comparing the AP vinyl to the DCC cd rip. Both are very smooth but the DCC beats it in the mids hands down.
Finally I ended everything with the DCC vinyl version - This is my favorite but is very close to the DCC cd rip. It is very obvious that they share the same mastering unlike when comparing the AP DSD to the AP vinyl versions. It was close to the cd but had a slightly warmer sound. I chalked this up to using both a tube phono pre and a tube amp, both with NOS tubes. Maybe I just prefer analog to digital but I could crank this up and it just sounded awesome from top to bottom. This is air guitar material for sure.
I want to say that the only version that I just flat out did not like was the AP DSD version. I could live with any of the others if I had nothing else to compare them too. Being able to directly compare each version cemented the fact that I prefer both the DCC releases, I can't imagine that they could be improved upon. Perhaps on a different system the results could be different, I plan on upgrading speakers in the near future so I may revisit this again.
Did you catch it? Look's like Chazz neglected to mention daddy's name!
An oversight STeVE soon corrects:
Steve Hoffman said:
I know I shouldn't be commenting on threads like this, my natural bias and all, but...It's not surprising that you like the DCC versions, I mastered them for lifelike sound, warmth and the most realism I could find on the master tape. The actual master is thin and reedy when heard flat. The Elektra L.E.D.O. which all LP's were cut from in the 1960s is also warm and more lifelike than the master. I took that as my clue that the "master tape sound" was changed even before the album was issued in 1967! So I didn't feel any obligation to reproduce that thin sound. In other words, I took some artistic license (as did the mastering engineer back in 1967..)
At any rate, that's my story. Glad you like the sound of the DCCs. Yes, the DCC Gold CD and DCC vinyl should match each other damn closely. That's the proper way to do it.
And this one after a Shite takes the bait:
Steve Hoffman said:
You're welcome. I shouldn't have said anything but what the hell. The Doors are still near and dear to my heart..For extra fun, go back and see how many times STeVE used the word "I" in his little poat.
What an asshole.