When Linda Ronstadt Became a Star
Mobile Fidelity reissues Heart Like A Wheel...
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LATEST ADDITIONS
Counterpoint DA-10 digital processor
Someone interested in buying a digital/analog converter today must make tough choices. Not only are there several competing technologies to choose frommulti-bit, 1-bit, hybridbut every converter also has its own musical signature. When someone buys a converter, they're locked in to both the technology and the sound.
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Recording of October 1974: Bax Symphony No.5
Bax: Symphony No.5 in c sharp
London Philharmonic Orchestra; Raymond Leppard, conductor.
Musical Heritage Society MHS-1652 (LP, From Lyrita SRCS-58).
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London Philharmonic Orchestra; Raymond Leppard, conductor.
Musical Heritage Society MHS-1652 (LP, From Lyrita SRCS-58).
Sir Arnold Bax (18831953) completed his fifth symphony in 1932 and dedicated it to Sibelius. Its first performance was conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1934. Have any of our major orchestras ever played it? Not to my knowledge, and after over 40 years, it's about time. At least we have it on disc now, in addition to The Garden of Fand and Tintagel. Lyrita has even more Bax in their catalog.
Musicians as Audiophiles: Jerome Sabbagh
Chances are, if you're a regular Stereophile reader, you're already a fan of tenor saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh. How so? Because our astute crew of writers, editors, and all-round trendsetters have their collective fingers on the pulse of music that matters. Stereophile Contributing Editor Fred Kaplan reviewed Sabbagh's 2015 vinyl release, The Turn, bringing his honed insight to bear on a recording he describes as "spectacular. Sabbagh's sax floats palpably between the speakers, Ted Poor's drumkit crashes and sizzles . . .Ben Monder's guitar sparkles or wails. . . and Joe Martin's bass plucks and thumps like an anchor. Everything is clear, in a wide, deep, seamless space."
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Jordi Savall Illustrates History with Music
Jordi Savall, the gifted viola da gamba player and ensemble founder who, together with his late wife, soprano Montserrat Figueras, infused early music with inestimable life and color, has released his 16th high-resolution musical history book for Alia Vox. As one might expect from an artist dedicated to promoting music as the great unifier, the 37 tracks on the two-hybrid SACD set, Venezia Millenaria 7001797, along with its copious illustrations and five comprehensive essays in six languages, explore the history of the water-surrounded refuge.
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Advanced Alpha Over-Ear Open Planar Magnetic Headphones
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
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One of a nice handfull of $500ish planar magnetic headphones at the show, I was impressed with the Advanced Alpha at CanJam@RMAF last October. In my report I said:
Maybe it was just the show conditions, or maybe I was just in the right mood, but holy smoke these sounded really good to me on first listen. I've been wrong at shows before so don't take this as gospel, but I sure liked these Advanced planar magnetic cans.
Well, time to find out if we can trust my ears at shows.
Classic Rock Landmark Finally Reissued on 180 gram LP
Joe Walsh before the Eagles . . .
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Pass Laboratories XA25 power amplifier
The XA25 stereo amplifier is the latest addition to Pass Laboratories' XA series of amplifiers and, at $4900, the lowest priced. It weighs only 45 lbs, has single-ended inputs only, and outputs 25Wpc into 8 ohms, 50Wpc into 4 ohms, or 100Wpc (!) into 2 ohms. According the XA25's well-written owner's manual, it will deliver 50W peaks into 2, 4, or 8 ohmsin class-A.
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Jadis JA200 Mk.II monoblock power amplifier
"How natural the sound," wrote Jonathan Scull in March 1994, in his Follow-Up on the original Jadis JA 200 monoblock amplifier, which then cost $18,990/pair. "How easy it was to follow the musical line and fall into the music. How deep, controlled, tight, and satisfying the bass. How magnifique the midrangethe traditional strength of the Jadis presentation. How full and satisfying the lower midrange. How open, airy, how right the highsnot at all hard, but very extended and natural. How involving their presentation. How full, how harmonically correct, how wonderfully compelling. How magical."
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Listening #182: Audio-Creative GrooveMaster II tonearm
In my youth, I unwittingly trained myself in the art of deferred pleasure. I did this by investing my allowance in every mail-order product that caught my eyethings I saw in the back pages of the magazines and comic books I lovedthen settling in for a wait that always seemed interminable. This happened most often in summer months, when extra chores brought extra cash, and when school didn't interfere with keeping vigil at the mailbox.
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