Ascend Acoustics Official Music Recommendation Thread

[davef]

Thanks to the many music recommendations from our forum members, I have been enjoying more music than ever before. Artists / Bands such as Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne, Allison Kraus, Cassandra Wilson, Josh Groban, Air, Tegan and Sara – and so many more wonderful recommendations. When I read comments on the forum regarding what YOU are listening to, 90% of the time I purchase the CD.

I made these purchases knowing that it was critically important for me to know what our customers are listening to. While it was my initial intention to listen and to learn all of your various preferences, I wound up enjoying every single one of these recommendations. “Enjoying” isn’t a strong enough word --- I simply fell in love with the music, all of it. A different artist for a different mood, different times of the day, some for the kids, others for me and the wife alone, others for me when I am working, others just for me with the lights dimmed and the rest of the family sleeping… I can honestly say there is nothing I don’t enjoy these days.

So here it is --- our official music recommendation list. I need more from you and I want our customers listening to more music, so please don’t be shy, post your recommendations. All of them… And whenever you find something new, please post it.

All genres are welcome… from popular artists to those that almost no one has heard of (these are some of my favorite recommendations). I listen to everything these days, from the occasional head banging heavy metal session to the chill and mellow of slow jazz, from the carefree simplicity of country to deeply emotional blues… From the zaniness of kid’s songs (although I do *try* to avoid these) to the thought provoking complexity of bands/artists such as Pink Floyd/Roger Waters and the like, from local artists known only around the LA music scene to artists known by everyone…

We have had many threads like these in the past, but instead of digging up the old we will start anew.

Please post, and post often :)

Thanks in advance!!!

[Timbre]

What a great idea Dave. I know I will be checking back here frequently to make new music discoveries that I can add to my library.

My picks this time are from DTS Entertainment. Herb Alpert's Passion Dance (DTS CD), and Brazilian Bossa (DTS DVD-Audio).

These two are very fun to listen to, and the hi-rez sound is tops.
They really bring out the best in my Ascend set up.;)

Enjoy!

[jvillas]

Thank You Dave, I too like to know what folks are listening to,and recommending.
I have 2 recommendations. I have chosen 1, Classical Symphonic, and 1, Jazz.

Beethoven Symphonies nos.5 and 7. Wiener Philharmonic, Carlos Kleiber cond. On DG label.

Keith Jarrett (Solo Piano)
The Koln Concert 1975, ECM label.

Both are excellent recordings.

[Mitch G]

Here are a few suggestions that may not have shown up on folks' radar screens.

Rabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. An alt-country/acoustic album for the most part. Great music/lyrics and shows off the Sierras rather well, imo.

All of a Sudden I Miss and/or Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die by Explosions in the Sky - Not sure what category they're in, but it's all instrumental (no lyrics) kind of psychedelic. Neat background music when doing a crossword, reading a magazine, surfing the web. Not the highest fidelity, though.

Challengers by the New Pornographers. Not much of a fan of their earlier albums, but this one I really like.


Mitch

[Quinn]

For piano- great recording.

David Fung, Evening Conversations
http://www.yarlungrecords.com/#davidfung2

[curtis]

For piano- great recording.

David Fung, Evening Conversations
http://www.yarlungrecords.com/#davidfung2
This one from Yarlung Records is also very good:
http://www.yarlungrecords.com/#janakistringtrio1

Lately, I have been listening to Feist - "The Reminder".....didn't think I would like it at first...but now I really like it.

Also Jennifer Warnes - "The Hunter" has been in my rotation.

[openwheelracing]

A few I am listening at the moment and thoroughly enjoy, don't laugh:

Dave Koz: A Night at the Movies.
Eagles: Hell Freezes Over
Diana Krall: Best of Diana Krall
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme

[curtis]

Diana Krall: Best of Diana Krall

Almost picked that one up today...ended up getting Led Zeppelin's "Mothership" (Greatest hits) and "Best of Chicago - 40th Anniversary Edition" instead.

[davef]

Great stuff... Please keep them coming (I ordered 2 CD's today)



A few I am listening at the moment and thoroughly enjoy, don't laugh:

Dave Koz: A Night at the Movies.
Eagles: Hell Freezes Over
Diana Krall: Best of Diana Krall
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme

Hell Freezes Over is one of my personal favorites and something I use for critical listening on occasion. Took the wife (then girlfriend) to see this tour twice --- 5th row at Irvine. GREAT show!

[curtis]

I highly suggest everyone have a look at http://www.yourmusic.com/.

If they have the disc you want, it is $6.99...and that includes shipping. The only caveat is that you have to fill up a "queue" so that they can automatically send you one disc a month and charge you for it....other than that, you can buy as many as you want.

[Eddie]

I highly suggest everyone have a look at http://www.yourmusic.com/.

If they have the disc you want, it is $6.99...and that includes shipping. The only caveat is that you have to fill up a "queue" so that they can automatically send you one disc a month and charge you for it....other than that, you can buy as many as you want.

yikes, that site used to be $5.99 shipped! Also didn't remember anything about a queue or getting charged for one CD per month. Maybe they were losing money.

I think they are a branch of the BMG Music Service, which I use. Can usually get deals for CDs at around $6-7 shipped each, plus the introductory package is very sweet. I think BMG has more titles, but still nothing like Amazon. Weak on more recent alternative music. Can't get Jack Johnson for example. And each month you get an email with a "Featured Selection of the Month" at some ridiculous $19 price plus shipping, which you have to click to refuse within a week or two or they send it to you automatically.

The problem with clubs like this is that half the time I find myself buying CDs that I don't REALLY REALLY want but am just sort of curious about and get snookered into buying due to availability at low prices. :o

[curtis]

Yes...they are a branch of BMG. It seems they have everything BMG has....and I like the system better, so I cancelled my BMG membership.

[Brian]

I've been listening to a lot a music on my 340SEs since I purchased them around a year and a half ago and if I had to recommend one album, I think it would be Yoko Kanno's Wolf's Rain OST (http://www.amazon.com/Wolfs-Rain-Yoko-Kanno/dp/B0001NBMWQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1198961326&sr=1-1). Track 3, Coração Selvagem in particular is pretty amazing on these speakers.

[GirgleMirt]

Interesting, even though you've suggested an OST, I've never really given any thought to what many of these great composers might have done away from soundtracks. I've always been impressed at the quality music of many of these japanese anime/movies, and it basically doesn't suffer from the music destroying engineering most commercial albums suffer from. But there's quite a bit non-OST stuff they've done... Hmmm! I'll probably check it out a few of these, as well as a few other albums from others similar sources! :)

As for my recommendations, I always go back to the old classics. The Division Bell always impresses (Gilmour's rendition of a few pieces in his acoustical DVD are beautiful), as well as older classical Pink Floyd albums. Roger Water's Amused to Death is also a must have and at 10$ from amazon is really a no brainer for a great musical journey.

[Sam1000]

"Before these crowded streets"
"Crash"

I have a hard time deciding which one I like the most from these 2. Sierra's really bring out the finer details out of these recordings. There's a really nice passage at the end of the song "Crush" on the first CD which often gets edited out when the song plays on the radio. If you ever want to buy just one DMB cd, buy these two :-)

[sensibull]

If you're been enjoying Damien Rice and Ray LaMontagne, I'd say definitely give Iron & Wine a listen, particularly the last two albums The Shepherd's Dog and Our Endless Numbered Days. Somehow both earthy and poetic, folky yet edgy. Kind of like an Southern Gothic Nick Drake.

And if you like Allison Kraus, maybe check out Gillian Welch. Less bluegrass, more folk/Americana but equally stunning singing chops with a little more edge.

[Phernamar]

The following CDs sound amazing on my new Sierras...

Rosa Pasos - "Rosa" is the name of this CD released on Telarc Records in 2006. I found the recommendation in the New Yorker Magazine. Rosa Pasos is a Brazilian jazz singer and guitarist who performs her own music along with some covers. This CD shows off how quiet and subtle the Sierras are. These speakers can really whisper if they need to and they truly do justice to this gorgeous recording.

Anonymous 4 - "The Lily and The Lamb" is a recording of medieval chant and polyphony by a fantastic quartet of women. I am always amazed at how beautiful this recording sounds even when listening from the back of the house. It was released in 1994 on Harmonia Mundi.

Norah Jones - "Feels Like Home". For me, this is the standard to measure up to when it comes to recorded upright bass in pop music. I'm not a huge fan of every single song on this CD and I think the vocals are a bit too forward, but... I listen to it over and over again because it sounds so dang beautiful in my Sierras.

Brahms - "Ein Deutsches Requiem" - Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Chorus (Telarc 1984). I am listening to this CD as I write. I probably own 6 recordings of this piece and this is still my favorite, mostly because of the stunning choral direction by Shaw.

[BradJudy]

So much music, it's hard to come up with just a few. How about some international fun:

Lilit Pipoyan - Lialousin - Armenian folk singer that a fellow audio geek turned me on to. I also have her Blue Flower CD which has some good tracks, but overall I like Lialousin better. Samples and CD available here: http://www.armenianmegastore.com/AMS/cds/cd_lilitp.html

Cheb Mami - Meli Meli - Algerian/French Rai singer - great singer and a very accessible Rai album (IMO) You might recognize the voice from Sting's Desert Rose song. Can be had for cheap in the Amazon used section - http://www.amazon.com/Meli-Cheb-Mami/dp/B00001QGLA/ref=m_art_li_3

12 Girls Band - Eastern Energy - Chinese instrumental classical meets modern, a bit like Bond. This album received some US interest because of their cover of Coldplay's Clocks. More accessible than straight traditional Chinese music, but perhaps less than one of the Tan Dun/Yo-Yo Ma ventures.

Orlando Cachaito Lopez - Cachaito - solo album from the bass player featured on Buena Vista Social Club. One of the tracks has been a standard on me demo CD for a while now. Not traditional Cuban music though, there are many other options for that direction.

[curtis]

Thanks Brad. Some of the names look familiar...probably from the some of the tracks you introduced to me before. I am definitely going to check them out.

[clarke68]

Rosa Pasos - "Rosa" is the name of this CD released on Telarc Records in 2006. I found the recommendation in the New Yorker Magazine. Rosa Pasos is a Brazilian jazz singer and guitarist who performs her own music along with some covers. This CD shows off how quiet and subtle the Sierras are. These speakers can really whisper if they need to and they truly do justice to this gorgeous recording. Thanks for that, I haven't heard that one. I have the album she did with Ron Carter (http://www.amazon.com/Entre-Amigos-Friends-Passos-Carter/dp/B00009QH8D/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199390427&sr=1-3) on the Chesky label...amazing sound and very good performances, especially the duets with Carter.



Orlando Cachaito Lopez - Cachaito - solo album from the bass player featured on Buena Vista Social Club. One of the tracks has been a standard on me demo CD for a while now. Not traditional Cuban music though, there are many other options for that direction.Ooooo...which track do you use? I used to use "Tumbanga" to test subwoofers. The whole album is a bit "bass hot" anyway, but his solo on that tune used to make this Klipsch subwoofer I had spit mad port noise. Great album, tho. That one and Mambo Sinuendo (http://www.amazon.com/Mambo-Sinuendo-Ry-Cooder/dp/B00007H1Y2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199390695&sr=1-4) were my favorites that came out of that whole "Buena Vista Social Club" thing.

Here's a couple others that sound particularly good on the Sierra, I'll do more as I think of them:

Alex Riel - DSB Kino (http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/2808678/a/D.S.B.+Kino.htm)
Traditional "swing era" jazz with incredible sound quality. The bass/trumpet duet intro to "Ain't Miss Behavin' [sic]" will blow your mind.

Nik Bartsch's Ronin - Stoa (http://www.amazon.com/Stoa-Nik-Bartschs-Ronin-Bartsch/dp/B000E0W2AC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199391320&sr=8-1)
Probably unlike anything you've ever heard, this sounds sorta like Steve Reich put together a jazz band to play funk. Intelligent mood music that's actually fun to listen to.

[BradJudy]

Ooooo...which track do you use?

I use Redencion both for the layering of instruments (particularly towards the end of the track) as well as the piccolo, which comes in around 0:35 with a note that's a pretty pure 2200Hz tone. Since this often falls into a crossover region, it can be all over the place. I've played it on dozens of systems at RMAF and that note is anywhere from piercing to distant.

[clarke68]

I use Redencion both for the layering of instruments (particularly towards the end of the track) as well as the piccolo, which comes in around 0:35 with a note that's a pretty pure 2200Hz tone. Since this often falls into a crossover region, it can be all over the place.Very cool, thanks! I'm going to try that tonight...might make it in to my next review!

[curtis]

Very cool, thanks! I'm going to try that tonight...might make it in to my next review!
Brad, you should ask for a reference footnote if it does. :)

Because of you two or three, I just ordered "Cachaito" and "Entre Amigos/Among Friends".

[curtis]

OK...because of this thread, another thread here, and thread over at AudioCircle, I have four new discs:

Orlando Cachaito Lopez - Cachaito, the guys did not steer me wrong on this one. I played it this morning while getting ready for the office.

Rosa Passos & Ron Carter - Entre Amigos/Among Friends; I fell asleep to this one last night. Sounded great, very relaxing to me.

Chantal Chamberland - Serendipity Street
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0005JB6SQ

Erin Boheme - What Love Is; Incredible voice for an 18 year old.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E6EIVW

Too funny....as I was writing this, my Dad called. He is at my house picking my kids up after school. He saw the "Cachaito" and "Entre Amigos/Among Friends" discs and said he was borrowing them. :) Good thing I already ripped them to FLAC.

[clarke68]

Rosa Passos & Ron Carter - Entre Amigos/Among Friends; I fell asleep to this one last night.Not exactly the strongest endorsement I've ever heard... ;-)

I had a listening party at my place Friday night (guys loved the Sierra-1). Lots of great stuff was played, but this was my favorite discovery:

Dark Side of the Moon A Capella (http://www.darksidevoices.com/buycd.phtml) - incredibly original and successful take on the Floyd classic. Super well-recorded, the bass (singer) sounds awesome and the voices just float. Highly recommended for fans of Pink Floyd or vocals.

[curtis]

Not exactly the strongest endorsement I've ever heard... ;-)

Ha! That didn't come out very good.....but if you knew the weekend I had, you'd understand. :)

[Quinn]

For vocal and gospel I like The Fairfield Four- Standing in the Safety Zone. I use track 6 as a favorite torture test as to whether speakers play the 4 voices distinctly separate and in harmony or are just a blend of voices.

[pegleg]

Josh Groban's new Noel displays the male voice to perfection (at least on Ascend).
I also love acappella, especially Toxic Audio, The Real Group, Rajaton and Idea of North. Anything by those groups sounds fantastic.

[curtis]

I think we have a lot of guitar fans here.

If you are one of them, this disc from various artists doing "new" flamenco style of playing is very good. I was surprised to find out that one of artists is Slash from Guns & Roses.

http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Soul-Flamenco-Various-Artists/dp/B000006FCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1200069608&sr=1-1

[davef]

For Flamenco guitar (and similar), I strongly recommend anything from Jesse Cook. This one is particularly good and was one of my reference CD's when doing critical listening during the design phase of the original CBM-170...

http://www.amazon.com/Tempest-Jesse-Cook/dp/B000005P49/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_a

[dorz11]

One I would love to recommend is

subdudes - Miracle Mule

Sounds fantastic through my CBM-170SEs!

Jim

[Ecks]

I would like to add two cd's to this discussion

[Ecks]

whoops...hit the return key by accident too early.....

I would like to add two cd's to this discussion. Neither is new but both are great.

first is the Ray Charles "Genius Loves Company" (also seen as "Duets").
This comes in a two cd set: one is SACD, the other is regular cd.
Great pairings and awesome sound!!!

the second is "Chesky Records 20th Anniverary" (two CD set in stereo) which is a sampler from the CD's produced by one of the outstanding recording companies in existence. This collection is well thought out and its audio quality is stunning.

They both are a pleasure to listen to, especially on my Sierra's.

L8er
Ecks

[MichaelG]

This is not a cd but it is something I am really enjoying lately. MHD, Music: High Definition is a HD channel I am getting on cable. I'm listening to an Acoustics set by James Blunt tonight and it is great! Dolby Digital and HD makes you feel like your right there. If you have a DVR, you can search and record many artists.

Michael

[curtis]

This is not a cd but it is something I am really enjoying lately. MHD, Music: High Definition is a HD channel I am getting on cable. I'm listening to an Acoustics set by James Blunt tonight and it is great! Dolby Digital and HD makes you feel like your right there. If you have a DVR, you can search and record many artists.

I didn't even realize I had this channel. Thanks for the heads-up!

[openwheelracing]

hmmm, I may have found THE reason to re-subscribe to cable again...

[REFLEX]

I've picked up a few SACDs, some rock and industrial.. and some classical as well (yeah, some range there hehe) ...... The ones I have picked are all Multichannel and sound downright awesome with my old speakers, cannot wait until wednesday to hear them with my new Ascend 170s and CMT center.


I'm just wondering what SACDs out there you guys might recommend? I'm more into Rock/Pop and some Classical.

[clarke68]

I'm just wondering what SACDs out there you guys might recommend? I'm more into Rock/Pop and some Classical.It may have already been mentioned, but Dark Side of the Moon (http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Moon-30th-Anniversary/dp/B00008CLOA) is essential for anyone with a surround setup.

[REFLEX]

Wow, thanks! Can't believe I missed that one last night while I was ordering a few from Amazon. I'll get it right now.

[omegacentrix]

Here are some recommendations:

Jazz, visceral impact, imaging, vocals
Artist: Sophie Milman, Album: Sophie Milman Track:Aqua De Beber

Vocal, imaging, focus, clarity
Artist: Priscilla Ahn, Album: Priscilla Ahn EP, Track: Rain

Soundtrack, ambience, drums
The Bourne Ultimatum, Track: Tangiers

Rock/Orchestral, vocals
Artist: Stars, Album: Set Yourself on Fire, Track: Your Ex-Lover Is Dead

Soundtrack, vocals
Artist: Camille, Album: Ratatouille, Track: Le Festin

Classical, Piano, Orchestral
London Symphony Orchestra performing:
Concerto No. 5 for Piano and Orchestra in E-Flat, Op. 73 - "Emperor": I. Allegro
Album: Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 5 & 2 - Classic Library Series

Out of curiosity, anyone have recommendations for great piano recordings? I've also found several tracks on Chesky's Ultimate Demonstration Disc to be incredible sounding - especially the sax on Track 15.

Regards,
Dave

[c_smith]

I love this thread. Great idea.

I'll throw out some recommends, but I'll also throw out the caveat that my musical tastes tend to lean (though not exclusively) to the more independent/off-the-beaten path stuff...the stuff you'd read about/hear about on pitchfork (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/) or cokemachineglow as well as various blogs like Gorilla vs Bear (http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/), etc.
So, here are a few things that popped up on my "recently added" on iTunes, things that I'm in to and listening to now:

• MGMT - Oracular Spectacular : Here's a video (http://www.court13.com/TimeToPretend_480.mov) for the first track "Time To Pretend" if you want to preview.

• Vampire Weekend - S/T : Probably the most talked about band of the past 6 months, and their first full-length just came out this last weekend. If you scour the music blogs and keep up, you've surely heard of these guys. A sample of two tracks (http://www.vampireweekend.com/music.php) can be located here. Great, great album blending musical styles into something their own. Pitchfork put up their appearance on David Letterman (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/48448-vampire-weekend-a-punk-live-on-late-show-with-david-letterman).

• Evangelicals - The Evening Descends : Great band from Oklahoma that, because of this fact, got lumped in with The Flaming Lips. But these guys are definitely carving out their own sound as to escape that trapping. A sample can be found here (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/do/skeletonman.mp3).

Okay, we'll start with those...don't want to bore anyone. This stuff may not be for everyone, but hey, that's part of the discovery of music. I can throw plenty more out there if people are digging this. Buying music is an incredibly expensive habit of mine...almost as expensive as my audio habit. :D

[Pilk]

I just popped in some Spyro Gyra 'Wrapped in a Dream'. WOW. The Sierra-1's just blew me away on my Yamaha RX-V2700, pure stereo, no sub. Add that to your list if you like jazz/funk. It is a musical treat and will really give any speakers the work out.

[Fantom]

For SACD recommendations:

Of course Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon.
It's a great mix without overdoing it. You'll hear a lot of things that were faint or muffled before. This is a hybrid disc, and while the multi-channel SACD mix was redone from the original tapes, the CD layer seems to just be a boosted (compressed, audio not file size) version of the original CD release, meaning it's flatter and has more noise.

A lot of Bob Dylan.
Many Bob Dylan albums have been released on hybrid SACD. Most are just stereo SACD, but they still sound great. I recently got Blonde on Blonde, which is a 2 disc hybrid CD / stereo SACD / multi-channel SACD. All the Dylan re-releases, whether CD remasters or SACD remasters, seem to stay true to the source. By this I mean that the multi-channel versions won't make a ton of use of the surround channels, but will widen the sound stage with the center channel. Also, certain tracks will sound more acoustic and raw, having more of a record feel than a typical pop CD feel. I wish all remasters were like this.

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue.
Simply classic. There is a DualDisc (CD on one side, DVD on the flip side) version out there as well. Note that this is a DVD layer with 5.1 Dolby Digital, and NOT DVD-Audio. The nice thing with this disc is that you can rip the CD version for your mp3 player or other use and then play the 5.1 mix on any DVD player. The 5.1 mix sounds good, but is not uncompressed quality (it's 448kbps DolbyDigital).
Of course, for the best quality, you need the SACD version. I've read there was a 2ch SACD released awhile back, but I just got a more recent version that contains 2ch SACD as well as 5.1ch SACD. There is NO CD layer on this disc, and some have complained about reverb in the surround channels. I like the 5.1 mix and do not feel that the surround channels are distracting at all. The center channel is used heavily though. As I understand it, the album was originally recorded to three tracks, which you get across the front in the multichannel mix. Again, if you don't like it, the stereo SACD mix is present as well.


And 1 recommendation for CD.

Herbie Hancock - Possibilities.
This album is Herbie playing with others, and the style of each track becomes a combination of Herbie and the other musicians. I became interested in this album because I like jazz and Herbie Hancock. I could see many others liking this album for the other artists present, including Santana, John Mayer, and Christina Anguilera. I am not a Mayer fan, but I can't say I don't like his track on this album. Similarly, I would never buy an Anguilera album, since I don't like her songs. However, I do really like her voice, and the song she chose on this album works really well with her voice and Herbie's piano playing. The track also shows off the Sierra's quite well.

If you are a Herbie fan, please don't be turned off by some of the artists you might not be a fan of on this album. If you want good clean vocals combined with superb instrumentals to play on your new Ascends, check this one out. If you are unsure about Jazz because can't stand completely free form instrumental jamming, the songs and vocals will hold this one together for you. Basically, many different people can find many different things to like about this album.

[openwheelracing]

Herbie Hancock: River: The Joni Letters

I had it prior to the Grammys and never knew it was nominated. Never listened to it either due to over time at work.

Finally popped it in last night. Very satisfying. Definitely worth buying. The recording is excellent.

[jvillas]

Classical music fans, especially chamber music fans. I picked -up the Beethoven Late String Quartets, performed by the Takacs Quartet.This Grammy award 3cd set was released in 2004 and completes there Beethoven Quartet cycle.The sound is outstanding, and there performance is superb. I highly recommend these performances,They are simply delightful,and convincing.

[jvillas]

Highly Recommended,released in early 1993 by Water Lily Acoustics.
CD Title- A Meeting by the River
Artist Musicians
Bottleneck Guitar- Ry Cooder
Mohan Vina- V. N. Bhatt
Tabla- Sukhvinder Singh
Dumbek- Joachim Cooder

All titles composed by- Ry Cooder There are 4 traks, just under 40 minutes of
incredible music.

I'm a big Ry Cooder fan,This CD is a truly special and unique recording.

Of special note- This is a pure analog recording using all custom-built triode vacuum-tube electronics.
Quote from liner "No noise reduction,equalization,compression,or limiting of any sort was used in the making of this recording."

Here is a link to a review of this recording
http://www.stereophile.com/recordingofthemonth/493rotm/

For Audiophiles into Vinyl a 2 disc 45rpm release
http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=41719

[curtis]

I just received an expensive disc from Acoustics Sounds.

Acoustic Sounds sends out an email flyer once or twice a week. One of them had a disc that caught my attention:
http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=39769

A well known chinese artist playing the guzheng.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guzheng

The disc is mastered using the K2 HD mastering technique:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K2_High_Definition

Anyways, as expensive the disc was/is, I decided to buy it. I knew that I could always give it to my Dad as a gift.

The disc arrived yesterday, so I have only had a limited time with it, but from my viewpoint, it is pretty impressive. Then again, I only have limited experience with guzheng music.

[curtis]

My Dad "borrowed" the disc in my previous post. Doesn't look like I will be getting it back any time soon. :eek:

[curtis]

Herbie Hancock: River: The Joni Letters

I had it prior to the Grammys and never knew it was nominated. Never listened to it either due to over time at work.

Finally popped it in last night. Very satisfying. Definitely worth buying. The recording is excellent.
I received this disc in the mail yesterday. I listened to it before going to bed. Excellent disc!

[ImagePree]

And 1 recommendation for CD.

Herbie Hancock - Possibilities.
This album is Herbie playing with others, and the style of each track becomes a combination of Herbie and the other musicians. I became interested in this album because I like jazz and Herbie Hancock. I could see many others liking this album for the other artists present, including Santana, John Mayer, and Christina Anguilera. I am not a Mayer fan, but I can't say I don't like his track on this album. Similarly, I would never buy an Anguilera album, since I don't like her songs. However, I do really like her voice, and the song she chose on this album works really well with her voice and Herbie's piano playing. The track also shows off the Sierra's quite well.

If you are a Herbie fan, please don't be turned off by some of the artists you might not be a fan of on this album. If you want good clean vocals combined with superb instrumentals to play on your new Ascends, check this one out. If you are unsure about Jazz because can't stand completely free form instrumental jamming, the songs and vocals will hold this one together for you. Basically, many different people can find many different things to like about this album.

Thanks for this recommendation. I sampled a few of the tracks on Amazon before purchasing. And I've gotta say that quite a few of the songs are constantly stuck in my head all day.

I'm a new CMT340 owner by the way running in stereo.

[Robert7]

I really appreciate this thread as I cannot think of a better way to be introduced to new favorite music. Just a few to mention that seem to get the best out of my 170 original mains is Muddy Waters "folk singer" in HDAD
24/192 and 24/96
For the surround I like the Coldplay Live 2003" and
Celine " All the Way A decade of songs and video"
but like more and more people I meet, my taste for music seems to be all over the place

I am using a HK AVR435, anyone have any opinions on how much better this piece of electronics would sound with the Sierras
I am using a Denon 3910 for my source
340se for center and inwall rears with a Rel Strata III subwoofer
My room is small
Rob

[muzz]

Listening to Joni Mitchell's "A Case Of You" right now..
Fantastic..

I will have to get the CD "Blue" of hers after listening to this on Sierras.
I always liked Circle game as well.

Ooooops......A Perfect Circle is coming on!!

Judith!!

CYA!

[Sam1000]

I am using a HK AVR435, anyone have any opinions on how much better this piece of electronics would sound with the Sierras
I am using a Denon 3910 for my source
340se for center and inwall rears with a Rel Strata III subwoofer
My room is small
Rob

I'm using HK247 with Sierra Front stage and it sounds awesome.

On the other hand, I picked up "A meeting by the river" after reading about it in this thread and really liked the title song.

[davef]

I am using a HK AVR435, anyone have any opinions on how much better this piece of electronics would sound with the Sierras
I am using a Denon 3910 for my source
340se for center and inwall rears with a Rel Strata III subwoofer
My room is small
Rob

Hi Rob, in my opinion, upgrading to the Sierra-1 would offer a significant improvement but only you can be the judge :)

[merrymaid520]

One of the best recordings I have heard recently on my sierras with my new proceed amp is the Blu-Ray of Dave Mathews & Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City MH. Its uncompressed sound & sounds phenominal!

[drewface]

ani difranco's self-compiled retrospective "Canon" is a very good 2-disc album, and sounds fantastic on the 340SEs.

also, if you like ska/punk at all, Streetlight Manifesto's newest album, "Somewhere in the Between," has some really amazing horn sections. i've been pretty much hooked on it since it was released.

[jvillas]

Highly recommended;
Chicago Underground Duo- in praise of shadows
Chicago Underground Trio- SLON
If you like progressive jazz these two cds are for you. The current Chicago jazz scene is very rich and lively,and has been for years.
musicians-Rob Mazurek-cornet/computer
Chad Taylor-drums
Noel Kupersmith-bass/computer
A combination of acoustic and computer sound compositions. A sonic treat for your ears,and your Ascend loudspeakers. Superbly recorded.

I found these compositions quite intuitive, easy to listen,very enjoyable and quite refreshing.

http://www.thrilljockey.com/artists/index.html?id=10011

[Pilk]

I found these compositions quite intuitive, easy to listen,very enjoyable and quite refreshing.



So your saying these are like a really good soft drink? Excellent!

[curtis]

This is not really a recommendation for the music....as I am not a big Nine Inch Nails fan(although some of the tracks I like).

But it is more of an endorsment on how they are selling their latest offering. I certainly hope music is sold this way more often in the future.

For $5, you can download the entire 36 tracks in a lossless format. There are also different versions as well....from free MP3's all the way to special edition discs and vinyl, also Blu-Ray.

Myself, I went the $5 route, and got all the tracks in FLAC.

http://ghosts.nin.com/

It also helps if you have a fast internet connection.

[Mike^S]

Ah, thanks for reminding me Curtis. Good stuff! :)

[Hawkbilly]

For any of you jazz fans, if you haven't heard any of Molly Johnson's offerings you are really missing out on something. I have two of her cd's; Messin Around & Another Day. They are both brilliant, and the recordings aren't bad either.

[Sam1000]

I bought this 2 days ago after renting it from netflix. When I rented it, I did not return it for 3 weeks because I kept playing it every other night.

The sound quality is superb. You will be playing "Echoes" over and over again. The picture quality is a little grainy though for Blue Ray, but the sound and the music more than compensate the picture quality. I wish they had released just one disc for Royal Albert Hall concert for lower price, but Amazon has a best price right now for 22.99 for dual disc. The disc has some Pink Floyd classics plus some material from Gilmour's album "remember that night". The bonus disc has some interesting tidbits too like an awkward conversation between Gilmour and Waters.

Amazon has some good reviews of this too.

[muzz]

I am a hard rock/metal guy USUALLY(although I love Motown too), I'm a bit older, so I love Queensryche,Metallica, Zep,Foghat, Queen, Bad co.etc.....
There are MANY hard rock and metal bands I like, too many to mention, the list would be retardedly long..
What am I listening to?
The Carpenters!!

I grew up in a big family(NOT a big house though), I am the 2nd youngest, and I'm 43.....
I grew up listening to MANY genres(Older bro- Aerosmith/Floyd/Zepp etc),Motown(Older sis- She loved it), and mainstream(the turles, stones, would be top 40, etc,)..
So many influences...... fabulous!!
I'm listening to the Carpenters- "The Singles 1969-73"(my oldest sisters fav when I was a youngin), and MAN do they sound good on Sierra.
Good arrangements(by her brother Richard), Great sound(IMO)....all old ass analog stuff, along with the hiss..........
Hi-Hats sound like ummmm...... Hi Hats!!
Muted drums(which I dislike, but I understand here)..
Sounds good on Sierra, I can tell ya that!!
Karen Carpenter had a fantastic voice IMO.
Before anone bashes me, I have PLAYED drums in hard rock/metal bands for years, love that stuff, but I grewup with this, and still appreciate quality old stuff(vocals especially)
Save it, this post is about something else totally.

[MichaelG]

You are not alone. I have Carpenters - The Singles 1969 - 1981 in SACD and it is a great collection. Its not something I listen to everyday but Karen's voice is incredible.

Michael

[curtis]

For fellow Morphine fans.....

A couple of years or so while looking for a particular Morphine CD, I came across a band called Twinemen that is made up of some former members of Morphine and got one of their CDs. Ofcourse, a lot of Morphine influence, and very enjoyable. They have a new CD available that I plan on getting.
http://www.twinemen.com

But the CD I am recommending here is by A.K.A.C.O.D. Another band recently formed by former Morphine members (Dana Colley...who is also in Twinemen). I ran across their debut CD while looking for the latest from Twinemen. It is excellent...and if you like Morphine, I highly recommend getting ahold of the disc!
http://www.akacod.com

[davef]

You are not alone. I have Carpenters - The Singles 1969 - 1981 in SACD and it is a great collection. Its not something I listen to everyday but Karen's voice is incredible.

I suppose I will come out of the closet too... :o

I think I will give the kids their first exposure to Karen Carpenter this evening.

Anything to stop the constant bombardment of Barney and now "Elmo's World" :p

[curtis]

That's too funny....

That last few weeks, when my kids are doing homework, I have been playing classical music.....it isn't my favorite genre, but it seems to have a interesting effect when the kids are doing their work....less fidgeting and better concentration. I will continue it and see if it holds true.

[Galwin]

For fellow Morphine fans.....

A couple of years or so while looking for a particular Morphine CD, I came across a band called Twinemen that is made up of some former members of Morphine and got one of their CDs. Ofcourse, a lot of Morphine influence, and very enjoyable. They have a new CD available that I plan on getting.
http://www.twinemen.com

But the CD I am recommending here is by A.K.A.C.O.D. Another band recently formed by former Morphine members (Dana Colley...who is also in Twinemen). I ran across their debut CD while looking for the latest from Twinemen. It is excellent...and if you like Morphine, I highly recommend getting ahold of the disc!
http://www.akacod.com

Curtis,

You may also enjoy Sandman's band from 80's and early 90's Treat Her Right. It's blues with an attitude. They were big in Boston - saw them in sweaty little bars.
http://www.amazon.com/Anthology-1985-1990-Treat-Her-Right/dp/B000009NUR/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210683681&sr=1-3

Jim

[MichaelG]

If you have MHD, Music: High Definition there are a few performances that seem to be stuck on my DVR.

Sheryl Crow Part 1 is very good with great sound and bass that shows off the Sierras.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Part 1, great sound

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Part 2, which is apparently not Tom Petty but a collection of live performances of Cream (Eric Clapton), Logins and Messina, and the Eagles. All of which are great recordings.

Michael

[merrymaid520]

Recent albums i have been enjoying with my sierras & new preamp:
Daryl Stuermer - another side of genesis (plays guitar for them)
Rob Thomas - solo album "Something to be"
Mudcrutch - first debut album with tom petty
Eagles - Long road out of eden & The very best of remastered
Jack Johnson - curious george soundtrack(fantastic sound)


I have been enjoying my setup so much lately that I have buying older albums from artists I enjoy versus listening to the mp3 counterpart.

ahhh......the joys:)

[Abiathar]

I can't believe I don't see Jazz at the Pawnshop listed on here for a jazz recording. Good music and great recording, you feel as though your part of the audience.

Steve

[muzz]

I suppose I will come out of the closet too... :o

I think I will give the kids their first exposure to Karen Carpenter this evening.

Anything to stop the constant bombardment of Barney and now "Elmo's World" :p

It's OK Dave, we have a KCA meeting once a month.
your welcome to stop by anytime!! :D

[muzz]

Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime

Underrated as a compilation, and IMHO their BEST overall album, although I like Rage and Empire too.

It has to be RIGHT up there!!

Epic- Great sound, kickass musicianship,great vocals great song writing (IMO), and a great story.

Set your AVR/Pre-Pro to LFE +SW(re-directed bass) and see what happens...... it'll shutdown alot of Sub amps with it's constant thunder at high volume.

Have a fan handy, and don't put your hand on the heatsink for long.......

[Gin262]

Loving these guys, Fleet Foxes: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=7279488

Double LP available here: www.subpop.com

For $14 you get a gatefold Double LP, their recent full length release and the earlier EP Sun Giant. Not to mention a digital download of decent quality MP3, a pin and sticker. ;)

Blake

[rogerm]

Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime

Underrated as a compilation, and IMHO their BEST overall album, although I like Rage and Empire too.

It has to be RIGHT up there!!

Epic- Great sound, kickass musicianship,great vocals great song writing (IMO), and a great story.

Set your AVR/Pre-Pro to LFE +SW(re-directed bass) and see what happens...... it'll shutdown alot of Sub amps with it's constant thunder at high volume.

Have a fan handy, and don't put your hand on the heatsink for long.......

Thanks Muzz, I downloaded it this morning. I don't know how I missed this one. Great stuff!!

[muzz]

Glad ya like it.

I know Dave does as well..:D

Good stuff that never seemed to get the credit that it deserved.

[cyberbri]

I can't believe I don't see Jazz at the Pawnshop listed on here for a jazz recording. Good music and great recording, you feel as though your part of the audience.

Steve

I'll second that!
I'm actually listening to it right now, been a while since I broke it out.


I'll drop a few other recent favorites of mine...


Sufjan Stevens (http://www.amazon.com/Illinois-Sufjan-Stevens/dp/B0009R1T7M) - (Come on feel the) Illinoise. One of my favorite records ever. I can listen to this over and over. Thoughtful tracks, amazing orchestration and instrumentation. Uses so many different instruments from track to track, sometimes lone aco guitar, sometimes full string section with choir. Album is about different things in Illinois' history, but it is one of the most beautiful and touching albums I've ever heard. It also graced a lot of best-of lists in 2005 when it was released. Check out tracks 4, 9, 12, and 16 on the Amazon link there.

Cold War Kids (http://www.myspace.com/coldwarkids) - Robbers & Cowards. Excellent vocals, amazing bass guitar and drum definition, plus various guitar sounds and styles, good midrange-y vocals and other instruments (tamborines and the like).

Beirut (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=5050508) - The Flying Club Cup. Amazing instrumentation with all sorts of instruments, from aco guitars to accordians, pianos, strings and brass, instruments I don't know the names of. Sort of like an old French movie soundtrack feel. Great imaging and layers of sound. Sounds similar to Sufjan Stevens.

I've also been enjoying the jazz and bossa nova on Bebel Gilberto's Tanto Tempo (http://www.amazon.com/Tanto-Tempo-Bebel-Gilberto/dp/B00004SWJX/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1214376679&sr=8-2). Great instruments and imaging, and very sensual vocals too. Stumbled on the disc by accident, so it's a very lucky find.

[cyberbri]

Loving these guys, Fleet Foxes: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=7279488

Double LP available here: www.subpop.com

For $14 you get a gatefold Double LP, their recent full length release and the earlier EP Sun Giant. Not to mention a digital download of decent quality MP3, a pin and sticker. ;)

Blake

I recognize that first song on that page. I sometimes listen to KEXP.org streaming during the day at work, so I hear a lot of stuff passively and don't know who the artists are. I might have to pick that album up. :D

Have you ever heard Kings of Convenience? Their "Riot on an Empty Street" album is great. Most of the songs are 2 guys on acoustic guitars.

[davef]

Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime

Underrated as a compilation, and IMHO their BEST overall album, although I like Rage and Empire too.

It has to be RIGHT up there!!

Epic- Great sound, kickass musicianship,great vocals great song writing (IMO), and a great story.

Set your AVR/Pre-Pro to LFE +SW(re-directed bass) and see what happens...... it'll shutdown alot of Sub amps with it's constant thunder at high volume.

Have a fan handy, and don't put your hand on the heatsink for long.......

Agreed! Excellent CD, loaded with Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) influences.

Another great one is "Amused to Death" (Roger Waters). This one is a personal favorite, fantastic sound quality and imaging.

[MichaelG]

I bought the Jesse Cook cd "Tempest" after reading about it here. I really enjoy it on the Sierra's. I have ordered his DVD One Night at the Metropolis to check out some more. Thanks for the recommendation!

Michael

[mthoodmark]

Couple recommendations:

Eskimo & Sons: How Does It Feel To Be Crushed By One Man With The Strength Of A Million?

Really enjoying the female vocal/xylophone on the track 2012, you can hear lots of details/depth in the track. They have some songs posted here (http://virb.com/eskimoandsons). No Sh*t is a classic track from that album as well. Now I really want to see them live!

In the same vein, I also like Emily Haines: Knives Don't Have Your Back. Website with sample track here (http://www.emilyhaines.com/media.html#).

Ascend speakers really allow the voices of these female talents to come alive, along with the instrumentation.

[curtis]

You are not alone. I have Carpenters - The Singles 1969 - 1981 in SACD and it is a great collection. Its not something I listen to everyday but Karen's voice is incredible.

I just got this in the mail today. Sounds great, and I have not tried the SACD layer yet!

[devotiondoubt]

I find it appropriate that my first post is in relation to music.


On their third full-length recording TV on the Radio continue to show why every other band in America should be calling it a day.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Dear_science_album_cover.jpg/200px-Dear_science_album_cover.jpg

TouchandGo/Interscope 2008




An amazing collection of tracks from one of the founding members of The Jayhawks.
http://assets.mog.com/amg/pop/cov200/dri700/i757/i75766k65ma.jpg

Hacktone 2007

[curtis]

Borders is having a 40% off sale on all CDs with this coupon:
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon40cds1110.asp

[scape]

Borders is having a 40% off sale on all CDs with this coupon:
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/coupon40cds1110.asp

sweet find! I was about to pick up yo-yo ma today! thankyas for the tip!

[scape]

wow, had to share this, the new yo-yo ma cd is fantastic. the audio recording quality is simply superb, and the amount of music types is amazing. all over the place it seems. i highly recommend this to classical, jazz, and world music fans.

[curtis]

For those of you that are Patricia Barber fans, and fans of good recordings, I just got Patricia Barber's "The Cole Porter Mix". Excellent stuff.

[Gardog]

I have always liked Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions. The disc is an amazing recording.

Also, Wynton Marsalis - Std Time Vol2 is awesome. In fact, nearly everything he does is awesome.

[Mike^S]

If anyone wants to test out the low frequency output of their subwoofer check out the track "Childhood Dreams" by Nelly Furtado. I'm not really a fan of her music but the beginning of this song has some loud organ music. I literally lol'd after seeing the woofer on my JL F112 nearly reach it's 3 inches of excursion as my fireplace rattled along.

[scape]

If anyone wants to test out the low frequency output of their subwoofer check out the track "Childhood Dreams" by Nelly Furtado. I'm not really a fan of her music but the beginning of this song has some loud organ music. I literally lol'd after seeing the woofer on my JL F112 nearly reach it's 3 inches of excursion as my fireplace rattled along.

haha, that's awesome. and an awesome sub, i'm jealous!
i played an old cd the other day (crystal method, vegas) and track 4 came up (high roller) and the bass line is unbelievable, the low hz and spl is just nutty! i never had listened to it with a nice speaker system, it is a good experience :)

i figured I'd give a link: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Crystal+Method/Vegas/High+Roller

and while i'm at it, here's a funny one from another artist i like (sigur ros), though I'm warning you that the video is nsfw, as it has a bunch of nude people running silly around a forest, lol
http://www.last.fm/music/Sigur+R%C3%B3s/+videos/6102097

[mziegler]

I recommend Beck's Sea Change cd. Very well recorded, great songs. The album has an almost acoustic feel to it. I have bought his other stuff since, but Sea Change remains my favorite.

[chas]

I've tried to consolidate the recommendations in this thread to a list...let me know if you see something I missed.

http://swbg1.tripod.com/ascend_music.htm

[scape]

that's awesome! I especially like the notes column

[nguay]

I'll throw out Les Claypool's new album "Of Fungi and Foe." It's a well recorded album that features the usual great bass and Claypool quirkiness.

[lsolum]

Alan Pasqua, Dave Carpenter, & Peter Erskin, Standards (Fuzzy Music)--Recorded with KMF Audio Stereo Tube Microphones, this CD has an exceptionally natural and "live" sound.

Branford Marsalis Quartet--Metamorphosen (Marsalis Music)--A wonderful release from a "state of the art" quartet.

O+S, O+S (Saddle Creek)--The self-titled release by Orenda Fink & Cedric LeMoyne incorporates Fink's recordings of ambient sounds with gorgeous vocals. You haven't heard anything quite like it, but it is totally accessible.

[davef]

I've tried to consolidate the recommendations in this thread to a list...let me know if you see something I missed.

http://swbg1.tripod.com/ascend_music.htm

Excellent!! Nice work - thanks!

[curtis]

I was bored tonight, so I went over to Barnes & Noble to have a look around.

In the music/video section they had the Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City Music Hall on BluRay. It has been in my Blockbuster queue for a long time. So I bought it.

Freaking fantastic!

[GirgleMirt]

I've listened to Brian's 2007 Yoko Kanno's Wolf's Rain OSTs recommendation for quite a while and there's some great music in there! :)

Lately, I've been thoroughly loving Kawai Kenji's Fate Stay Night OST (can listen to samples here (http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Stay-Night-Kenji-Kawai/dp/samples/B000JVSUKW/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1)). Again, pretty different from western music but that's pretty much the point. :p Music varies a lot, but listen to track #3, 6, 10, 15, 17, 18, 23, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 35, 37, 38. Ok that's a lot of 30 secs clip to listen to haha but really, fantastic and different music. (pm for more?)

Acoustic guitar: Don Ross (Bearing Straight, Huron Street), Peppino D'Agostino (Every Step of the Way) are great, and I'm slowly discovering Micheal Hedge, Aerial Boundaries album is pretty nice (album title track (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLXBABH2JuY&feature=related), advance to 3 mins, or view #2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTiyg2lmbOE&feature=related))

This guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zumUI0_zyo) played it pretty well, but messed up a little at the end... Still pretty nice.

Strunz & Farah's Primal Magic is not bad...

Don't know if it's been recommended before: Jose Gonzalez, Veneer for example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4_4abCWw-w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X2W_U0vSLY&feature=related

What else... Classical, Bach, always my favorite...

Queenryche is pretty weird... Just listened 20 seconds of "Queen of the Reich" and it sounded exactly like Highway star by Deep Purple. So maybe more than Floydian influences there!


Oh, and a really cool song, Bang Gang - It's Alright, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6c4hb_red-camera-skate-en-slow-motion filmed with RED Camera. (make sure you check out the HQ version and run it at full res!)

[scape]

I was bored tonight, so I went over to Barnes & Noble to have a look around.

In the music/video section they had the Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City Music Hall on BluRay. It has been in my Blockbuster queue for a long time. So I bought it.

Freaking fantastic!

i'm jealous!! that sounds like it would sound amazing :p
what's music on bluray comparable to? I imagine it is 5.1, but is it DTS or better? I noticed that something similar to this but on DVD would be a bit compressed, sometimes as dolby digital (around 450kbit)

[chas]

i'm jealous!! that sounds like it would sound amazing :p
what's music on bluray comparable to? I imagine it is 5.1, but is it DTS or better? I noticed that something similar to this but on DVD would be a bit compressed, sometimes as dolby digital (around 450kbit)


Here's a link to a review of the disk which discusses the audio quality:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=489&show=review

[scape]

wow, dolby true hd; that's rockin. what AVR do you have to decode it?
i have yet to try out true hd on my denon!
I recently found out that dolby digital runs at a lower bit rate than DTS, but that most material is capped at 500kbit anyways, which is like half of CD audio quality! i can't wait to see true hd material for either dts or dolby, that quality of sound must be amazing and distinguished.

[M3_Pete]

This post might draw some jabs, but what the heck. I was reading a subwoofer review (can't recall which one) and the guy said he was playing Enter Sandman by Metallica during a party and pretty soon had half the party in his listening room being impressed by the sub.

So I thought that although I'm not a Metallica fan, I do like that song, why not try it out. Never mind that the album was released in 1991 ...

Bought the CD at Wal-Mart, took it home and cranked it up. Older Onkyo AV receiver with 70 watts, original 340 mains, and an Outlaw LFM-1 sub, fired up in two-channel and that thing ROCKED! It has a really driving bass line and kick drum and tom-toms that really come at you when listening at club levels.

Not "serious" music, but pretty fun.

[curtis]

Pete....did you get a comment from the wife or neighbors? :)

[buddhadas]

I know I'm going to hate myself for asking, But...can you describe "serious" music? :D
I personally love Metallica, as well as Frank Zappa, the Flaming lips, the Dead Kennedy's, Bach, Beethoven, and on and on and on......

Peace,

Jim

[M3_Pete]

I guess I can't describe "serious" music, but I get the feeling that most of the recommendations on this thread are not for thrash bands. I didn't mean anything by it.

Maybe I'll fire up Holiday in Cambodia and see if it sounds "serious" to me. :)
=================
curtis, I waited till the wife and kids were gone, closed the windows and fired it up. The neighbors on that side of the house don't really talk to us (we are friendly, they are not), so I never heard about it from them.

But I'm pretty impressed how well the house is insulated. I've gone outside while I've had some loud music on, and it's really not that noticeable. I guess out here in the Conejo Valley they actually use insulation, as opposed to those beach houses ....

Maybe I didn't tell you I moved, we have been in Agoura Hills since last July.

[buddhadas]

Nice area Pete!

I was just having fun with the "serious" music crack. The one absolute for me is, I listen to all types of music more often than ever, since i got the Sierra's.

Jim

[davef]

This post might draw some jabs, but what the heck. I was reading a subwoofer review (can't recall which one) and the guy said he was playing Enter Sandman by Metallica during a party and pretty soon had half the party in his listening room being impressed by the sub.

So I thought that although I'm not a Metallica fan, I do like that song, why not try it out. Never mind that the album was released in 1991 ...

Bought the CD at Wal-Mart, took it home and cranked it up. Older Onkyo AV receiver with 70 watts, original 340 mains, and an Outlaw LFM-1 sub, fired up in two-channel and that thing ROCKED! It has a really driving bass line and kick drum and tom-toms that really come at you when listening at club levels.

Not "serious" music, but pretty fun.

Hey, I love rocking out to some Metallica every now and then. I enjoy their older, less commercialized music (Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, And Justice for All...) Great Stuff....

[Mike_in_FL]

Some music I plan on listening to when my cherry Sierra's arrive...

Acoustic Alchemy - Against the Grain. British guitar-playing duo.

Dave Grusin - Mountain Dance.

Rainbow - Down to Earth and Difficult to Cure. Some hard rock from Richie Blackmore's other band...

Rush - Signals.

Enya - any

Dire Straits - Love over Gold, Brothers in Arms and Alchemy (live version of Sultans of Swing is awesome)

Mozart - Requiem

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (music from our wedding - very high WAF ;) )

I played most of these when I originally got my 340SE's, so it is fitting that I play them again when my new toys arrive :)

Mike

[ddlooping]

Hi all :)

I'd recommend...
Seal (1994) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_(1994_album))
Peter Gabriel: UP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(Peter_Gabriel_album))
Khalil Chahine: Opake (http://turkhoise.com/index.html)
... both for your enjoyment and for testing your systems. http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[ddlooping]

How could I forget?? :eek:

An "incontournable" (must-have) for any music lover:
Talking Heads: Remain in Light (CD/DVD reissue) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remain_in_Light#Reissues) http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/images/icons/icon14.gif http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Tushar]

Hi! Thought I'd try to use the recommendation list in reverse. I can post elsewhere if this breaks up the flow of just recommendations.

Having subjected my Sierra's to alot of rock music over the last year, I'm interested to listen to some good classical. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on string music. I really like Leos Janacek but don't know what are good instrumental albums of his work, well played and recorded. I would be interested in recommendations of good performance recording of any other similarly interesting composer you may suggest such as Debussy, Bartok, Stravinsky, Prokofieff, etc... I am interested primarily in string music, less interested in piano, less still in Opera but I'll take any recommendations I can get.

[jvillas]

Hi Tushar, by string classical recordings are you referring to orchestral, or chamber music(Sonatas, Duets ,Trios Quartets etc.). Also do you have a preference as to what century of classical 20th ,19th, 18th etc. I listen to a lot of Chamber string music and some orchestral.

[Tushar]

jvillas,

Thanks for reply, any pointers.

By string classical recordings are you referring to orchestral, or chamber music(Sonatas, Duets ,Trios Quartets etc.).

Actually, string and wind of any type is fine from solo to chamber music to orchestral pieces.


Also do you have a preference as to what century of classical 20th ,19th, 18th etc. I listen to a lot of Chamber string music and some orchestral.

Mainly interested in composers around the turn of the century (19th-20th century) or more recent, though I'm really looking for new things to try, so any suggestions of modern, recent work (even avant garde) or earlier less known composers are also interesting for me to listen to.

[scape]

Yo yo ma is great I think.

[jvillas]

Here is a very short list of a few of my favorites
Beginning In the 70's there was a movement called minimalism. Minimalism has gone through several phases since and has gotten quite complex. This movement also has its counterparts in the visual and dance arts. I would give a listen to Philip Glass Complete String Quartets by the Kronos Quartet (1970's - 1990's) Also a favorite of mine is John Adams Shaker Loops for Strings

Allen Pettersson,(Swedish Composer)I believe he passed away in 1980 or 81. His works are extremely complex and difficult to listen to. His Symphonies are composed in great blocks and are very thick. one movement can be 30+ minutes long. I love his Violin Concertos. He wrote 2 of These Concertos. They differ from the traditional concerto in that the violin rarely stands out from the orchestra. I must admit I am not a big fan of violin concertos, but these concertos are simlply awesome.

Other favorite composers Alfred Sshnittke, Penderecki, Crumb,and many others.
There are very few recordings available from these composers. so if you find one and want to experiment a bit grab it and give it a listen to.

For me the greatest chamber works of the 1st. half of the 20th century are the Quartets composed by Bela Bartok. He wrote 6, and cover most of his composing life from about 1910 - 1945.Great stuff and a challenge to listen to.

Some people like Mahler, and some like Stravinsky Orchestral Works, I like them also but my favorite is Maurice Ravel. His orchestral works are like paintings,richly colorful with great texture and grace. Boulez has done some very good recordings of Ravel. Most people are aware of his Bolero,made famous by the movie 10.

Really there is so much more that is great, just too numerous to mention, but there is just one that I must tell you about. I guess technically it is considered progressive jazz, though I think it would fit quite well under modern classical.
The CD is titled A Rare Thing, the band is called 774th Street Quartet.All the music is composed by the band members, and is great stuff. The CD came out in 2006. The label is Bloody Murder(BM101-1) They are 4 horn players. The recording is outstanding, The sound of the Contrabass Saxophone is hair raising.If you own the Sierras this recording would give them a real work out.

I would encourage you to experiment and take a risk and try something new. With music thats what I have always done, and man have I come across some really great music and found what works for me.

[Tushar]

jvillas,

Thanks for the recommendations. I will definately track down a rare thing and look into your other suggestions. Regarding Bartok do you have specific performances, recordings in mind.

R
Tushar

[jvillas]

I highly recommend a recording made in the mid-seventies by the VEGH QUARTET. This recording should still be readily available. It was originally released on the Telefunken label. Sandor Vegh, and Bartok were friends. There friendship enabled Vegh to interpret Bartoks Quartets in the way Bartok intended.

My second would be a 1995 recording by the Keller Quartet on the Erato label. Andras Keller was a pupil of Sandor Vegh, and as you may very well guess Vegh passed on to Keller what Bartok said to him.

enjoy, jvillas

[ddlooping]

jvillas, thank you for taking the time to post these well thought-out and well written suggestions. :)

[jvillas]

I would like to recommend Madeleine Peyroux Her most recent album titled BARE BONES was released in late march. I feel this is her best album to date. This album has some well written songs, along with a great band, and of course her distinct vocal style.

She will be here in Chicago and will be performing at the annual free Jazz Festival in early September, and you can bet I'll be there to see her performance. Man, I am really looking forward to that Friday night.

[scape]

peyroux is awesome, I'm excited about this jazz concert you speak of, I hope it's on the internet, I'm no where near IL!

[curtis]

Never thought of myself as a Weezer fan, but I recently got "The Red Album" and I've got it playing pretty loud right now.....and it sounds great!

[curtis]

I don't think I have posted this here before...but I have, please forgive me.

This site lists some well recorded CDs with good micro and macro dynamics:

http://www.digido.com/honor-roll.html

[davef]

I don't think I have posted this here before...but I have, please forgive me.

This site lists some well recorded CDs with good micro and macro dynamics:

http://www.digido.com/honor-roll.html

Thanks Curtis -- extremely valuable for anyone into critical music listening.

[arkiedan]

This thread as slowed down so I thought I'd add a few favorite albums and artists that I don't see very often. Most are older records but that's what I listen to.

How about:

Linda Ronstadt - "Sentimental Journey" with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.
Linda Ronstadt - "What's New", also with Nelson Riddle

Both of these albums showcase Ronstadt's wonderful voice, fantastic phrasing and range. Nelson Riddle, of course, needs no introduction. His bands are always perfect, no matter who they play behind, from Sinatra to Ronstadt. These recordings are first-rate and Linda has just the right amount of "air" around her fine voice.

Eric Clapton "Unplugged". A live session just as the title says - completely unplugged. Great sound and terrific guitar playing.

Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening. "Pleasures of Their Company"
The troublesome Ms. Battle as great as I've ever heard her and Parkening's guitar is every bit her equal. Great sound and both artists obviously enjoyed the session and each other's company.

Julian Bream - "Plays Granados and Albeniz". Beautifully recorded - one of the finest classical guitar players in the world.

George Jones - "The Cold Hard Truth". I never cared much for George Jones (or country music for that matter) until I heard this album. His voice, his entire life in fact, is perfect for the great selection of songs, from the title song which most say is the story of his life. Great sound by a legend of country music.

Hope you give a couple a listen.

arkiedan

[chas]

Master list updated...drop me a PM if any corrections are needed:
http://swbg1.tripod.com/ascend_music.htm

[davef]

Master list updated...drop me a PM if any corrections are needed:
http://swbg1.tripod.com/ascend_music.htm

That is awesome!

Thanks Chas!!!!

I have now purchased 30-something CD's off this list. Been listening to a lot of Dave Matthews and Melody Gardot lately (although she is not on the list but should be added - "My One and Only Thrill" is addicting)

[chas]

...Melody Gardot lately (although she is not on the list but should be added - "My One and Only Thrill" is addicting)

now added to the list...

[JK_112880]

Found a really cool website:

www.lala.com

You can sample over 8,000,000 full-length songs for free--and legally!

You get one free listen of any complete song the site hosts. Thereafter, you get a free 30-second clip of that particular song. You can buy a song for 10 cents and listen to it in your web browser or you can download MP3s starting at 89 cents each. All of the music is DRM-Free and can be used in iTunes/iPod or any other player.

[qwknuf6]

That is awesome!

Thanks Chas!!!!

I have now purchased 30-something CD's off this list. Been listening to a lot of Dave Matthews and Melody Gardot lately (although she is not on the list but should be added - "My One and Only Thrill" is addicting)

Dave Matthews is good :D

[aggieactuary]

Check out The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca. I think it's probably my favorite album of 2009.

Broadly, it's considered indie rock, but it transcends genre.

[aggieactuary]

Also, I found that Regina Spektor sounds great on my Sierras!

Try Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope.

[maxcooper]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but know some folks from local listening sessions and other forums. :-)

Here's some music that I have purchased recently that I ended up listening to over and over again. I also bought a bunch of other music, but these are the ones that really "stuck". These aren't for critical listening, but rather for rocking out while you are working or otherwise in need of a beat:

Justice: "Cross" (http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Justice/dp/B000PHX8QQ) -- high-energy hard electro. I like every song on the album, which is unusual for this genre. If you like Daft Punk and rock music, you'll probably like this, too. This studio album is better than their live album (perhaps not a surprise, but Daft Punk's "Alive 2007" (http://www.amazon.com/Alive-2007/dp/B000YBH2UG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1275129165&sr=8-4) is a must-have in contrast).

Ok, enough 2007, it is time to go back to the 70s and 80s... :D I saw the MJ "This Is It" movie last summer and really enjoyed it. I was already "too cool" for MJ when I started buying CDs as a kid in the 80s, so I didn't yet own any MJ. :) The current releases have some demos and commentary from Quincy Jones that are interesting to listen to, too, if you are in the mood to hear some stories behind the songs.

Michael Jackson: Off the Wall
Michael Jackson: Thriller


I also recommend Last.fm. Its a great way to find new (to you) music. It is sort of like Pandora in that you can start a new "station" by typing in an artist or song that you like, except that instead of having musicians listen to all the songs and categorize them (like Pandora does), last.fm uses feedback from other users to play songs you might like. Many digital media players (squeezeboxes, cell phones, PC music players) can "scrobble" (record) your plays to last.fm, and in return you get recommendations for music, events, see what your favorite songs/artists REALLY are (rather than what you THINK they are), go back and find a song you heard but don't remember what it was, etc. You'll also help other users find music they might like based on your plays. Check it out if you are in the mood for something new: http://last.fm

-Max

[curtis]

Hey Max! Welcome to the forum!

[muzz]

Watching Hell Freezes Over in DTS, at slightly above reference...
Man I dig this DVD, simply an outstanding performance IMO.
It even looks halfway decent with the BH200 upsampling to 1080 at 106".....good scaler.

[pegleg]

Although the wrong season, James Taylor at Christmas is a good album and especially the duet, "Baby It's cold outside" with Natalie Cole. On my Sierras, it sounds like they've dropped by for a visit.

Pegleg

[TheDarkInsideTheKnight]

Hi! Thought I'd try to use the recommendation list in reverse. I can post elsewhere if this breaks up the flow of just recommendations.

Having subjected my Sierra's to alot of rock music over the last year, I'm interested to listen to some good classical. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on string music. I really like Leos Janacek but don't know what are good instrumental albums of his work, well played and recorded. I would be interested in recommendations of good performance recording of any other similarly interesting composer you may suggest such as Debussy, Bartok, Stravinsky, Prokofieff, etc... I am interested primarily in string music, less interested in piano, less still in Opera but I'll take any recommendations I can get.

I realize that the quoted post is almost a year old, but the recommendation pertains to what Tushar is looking for. I just listened to 'Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone' and was absolutely blown away. I'd definitely recommend it if you are looking for some string music.

[Fantom]

Agree with TheDarkInsideTheK... that's a long name. Anyway, 'Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone' is brilliant.

Better yet than just a plain old CD? There's a Hybrid SACD. You get stereo CD, stereo SACD, and multi-channel SACD! You can have your quality and channel choices and rip it too!

[Too_Blue]

Don't see much in the way of blues, so I'll add a couple:

Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers - True Stories - Telarc Blues 2003

Some folks think this album is too smooth and polished to be a blues great. So what. Some folks think they're the most intelligent lifeforms in the universe too. And even if all that is true (I disagree), this CD is worth the $10 or so you can grab it on Amazon or E-bay for. Why? The last track, Thackery's 9+ minute rendition of Roy Buchanan's "The Messiah Will Come". I'd pay the money for that one track alone. I'm a huge Roy fan and I have to say that Jimmy Thackery does a better job on this song. 'Nuff said. Oh, and it will give your sub (if you use one) a workout. This song is what feeling the bass is all about.

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - American Music, Texas Style - Blue Thumb/Real 1999

If you're not into Big Band Blues, you probably won't care for this CD much. But again, track 6, "Swamp Ghost" makes the purchase worthwhile. This 6+ minute instrumental track showcases Brown's smooth yet intricate guitar style, as well as sometimes scorching sax and organ solos. And it too will show you what kind of bass your system can offer. "Throbbing" might not be the right word, but it's the first word that comes to mind.



So far I've written down over two dozen suggestions from this thread and intend to check 'em out. Great thread!

[Too_Blue]

Great album.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41C20P1XP5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Too_Blue]

Another.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61jbC5%2BeWBL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[steven1110]

Just stumbled across this thread and have enjoyed a night of sampling music. Definitely found a few new ones to listen to.

I didn't see much acoustic guitar other than Don Ross and the Dave Matthews bluray so I'll add a few names. Andy McKee, Antoine Dufour, and Nicholas Barron. In all honestly, you could pick any of these artists http://www.candyrat.com/artists/allartists.aspx and find something you like about them. I have with probably 90% of them.

Enjoy!

[Too_Blue]

One of my favorite acoustic guitar albums:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510788ZNNFL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[GirgleMirt]

Some free youtube goodness I ran accross yesterday, Kenji Kawai, a japanese composer who's mainly, to my knowledge, worked on OSTs for different animes and movies. Fantastic composer, live performance of one of his pieces for Ghost in the Shell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJsEYwguuj8&feature=related

[Dr. House]

Kurt Elling Nightmoves

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Kurt-Elling/

[soundseeker]

A few I am listening at the moment and thoroughly enjoy, don't laugh:

Dave Koz: A Night at the Movies.
Eagles: Hell Freezes Over
Diana Krall: Best of Diana Krall
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme

I'm a new owner of a pair of Sierra-1 and this Diana Krall CD just floored me when I cued it up. The nuances in her voice and the wonderful sounding instruments placed around her in the soundstage were just amazing.

The Eagles' "Long Road out of Eden" is one of my favorite albums (am I dating myself here?) and IMHO one of the best engineered recordings I've heard. Can't wait to give it a thorough listen.

[Too_Blue]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/Gone%2C_Just_Like_a_Train.jpg

[Too_Blue]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51I3KimvrwL._SS500_.jpg

[Too_Blue]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51U3t5hrneL._SS500_.jpg

http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/

[King]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51U3t5hrneL._SS500_.jpg

http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/


Plus 1
And
CASH (If you want to hear the end game.)

[Funambulistic]

Hello all!

About 95% of my music collection is not "audiophile approved" but my Sierras are so musical (and revealing) I can listen to everything without wincing at poor(er) recordings. Some stuff in my current rotation:

Dead Can Dance - "Into the Labyrinth" (this is one of my all time favorites)
American Beauty - Original Score (this, in particular sounds awesome on the Sierras - subwoofers need not apply!)
Galdiator - Original Score (Lisa Gerrard's [Dead Can Dance] vocals are heavenly and the Sierras convey the dynamics with ease!)
Nine Inch Nails - "The Fragile"
The Dead Weather - "Horehound" (raw, blues based R&R!)
Autechre - "tri repetae +++"
The Jesus and Mary Chain - "Greatest Hits"
The Social Network - Original Soundtrack

Thank you everyone for your suggestions - I've got a lot of listening to do!

[soundseeker]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61OYXqnw-NL._SS500_.jpg

A laid back and melancholy effort from Mark Knopfler. Subtle, detailed, simple, clean, well engineered and recorded. No over-the-top axe work here, plenty of air and space to appreciate each instrument and note. Perfect for showing off the Sierra-1s.

[RobH]

Keith Don't Go off of Nils Lofgren Acoustic Live. I know this album has been mentioned before on the Forums, but, Wow!, this track is amazing on the [Classic] Sierra 1's.

As a side note, I've only had my Sierra's a few months. I am absolutely pleased with these speakers. I'm sure the NRT upgrade is great...but the Classic Sierra's provide the exact sound I was looking for: warm, smooth (yet very detailed), fantastic bass, balanced. A very complete package. Enjoying music more than ever.

[surfcane]

An excellent album that sounds great and really is good to help you relax is

Harp Magic by Peter Sterling - sounds great on Sierra's and cant wait to hear it with the towers

[JustaSheep]

My new favorite album since getting the towers is Bon Iver (self-titled). I suggest starting with the third track, Holocene, if you want to give it a try. If you don't like that one, you probably won't like the rest. If you're on the fence after #3, keep going.

[steven1110]

My new favorite album since getting the towers is Bon Iver (self-titled). I suggest starting with the third track, Holocene, if you want to give it a try. If you don't like that one, you probably won't like the rest. If you're on the fence after #3, keep going.

Great suggestion! Been listening to that album for about a month now. Holocene is the best of the album but I really enjoy the first three songs played in succession. They flow very well from one track to the next.

[johnk]

Bon Iver is a great album for the towers. Very high production values let the towers shine. I suggest starting with the first track and continuing to the last.

My top tower moment so far has been listening to Tinariwen-Imidiwan:Companions. Very easy for me to close my eyes and get lost in the desert.

[JustaSheep]

I suggest starting with the first track and continuing to the last.

To clarify, the 1st 4 tracks are awesome and the rest of the album is good, too. I suggested Holocene as a test because I didn't want anyone to get turned off by the distortion that's used in the first song. It's not indicative of the rest of the album, IMO, but I like it just the same.

[davef]

My new favorite album since getting the towers is Bon Iver (self-titled). I suggest starting with the third track, Holocene, if you want to give it a try. If you don't like that one, you probably won't like the rest. If you're on the fence after #3, keep going.

Received this CD last week and I purchased based on the recommendatons here. This is a fantastic CD that sounds great on the Towers and the Sierra-1. Warning: Extremely relaxing!!!

[JustaSheep]

Received this CD last week and I purchased based on the recommendatons here. This is a fantastic CD that sounds great on the Towers and the Sierra-1. Warning: Extremely relaxing!!!

Glad you like it, Dave. It's still in my current rotation and it's been about 2 months.

[johnk]

A few things to note. First, the Bon Iver album noted above received a number of Grammy nominations, hopefully widening the audience.

Second, the previous Bon Iver album ("For Emma, Forever Ago") is also wonderful, but it's quite different, especially for this forum's users. It's less experimental, still with beautiful melodies, but most importantly here it's not nearly so well recorded. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver actually recorded most of it alone in a cabin in the woods over the course of a winter. The recent album I listen to because it's lovely and sounds fantastic; the previous one because it's beautiful despite not sounding fantastic.

Third, the new album from Tinariwen, "Tassili", also Grammy-nominated, is worth a shot if you're open to something different. You can google them to read the backstory, but my point here is that this is another record that sounds great on great speakers. It was literally recorded in a tent in the desert, but obviously by pros. The songs are mostly acoustic guitar, simple percussion and vocals in the language of the Tuareg. There is space all over this record. The music is ofter referred to as "desert blues," but it has a bit more bounce than blues. It's my favorite record of the year.

[JustaSheep]

Third, the new album from Tinariwen, "Tassili", also Grammy-nominated, is worth a shot if you're open to something different.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm on my second play through and liking it a lot. I grew up listening to my dad play Brazilian jazz so I'm used to not understanding the singing. You can't understand most modern music even in English anyway, so it's really no different.

Edit: On third play and really enjoying it. It's very soulful and surprisingly clean sounding.

[steven1110]

Demo'd Tinariwen last night and it sounds like something I can get in to. I'll have to give them an extended listen over the holidays.

For those interested in a modern 60's soul sound, check out http://bosleymusic.net/.

[JustaSheep]

Demo'd Tinariwen last night and it sounds like something I can get in to. I'll have to give them an extended listen over the holidays.

For those interested in a modern 60's soul sound, check out http://bosleymusic.net/.

I did try the Bosley and I guess it's not my cup of tea. I could certainly see why someone looking for that style would like it though.

Has anyone here had experience with The Flaming Lips DVD-A recordings?

[Don1953]

how about some old vintage rock n roll - my all time fave - bruce springsteen and the e st. band - seen them about 25 times in concert - rock on

don

pioneer 60 '' Kuro - plasma
av 123 speakers - rs 1000's, bigfoot, rs 450's, rs 300's, x-box, rega apollo cdp - fantastic player, oppo bdp - 93 - just got from santa, av 123 - mlf - 15 subs - in rosewood, better cables, bluejeans cables

don;);););)

[petmotel]

Some of my favorites for both content, and SQ.

Patricia Barber "Modern Cool" MoFi SACD
Gene Harris Quartet "Listen Here!" Concord Jazz SACD
Spiro Gyra "Wrapped In A Dream" Heads Up SACD
Donald Fagen "Morph The Cat" Reprise DVD-A
Earnest Ranglin "Order of Distinction" AIX DVD-A
AIX Allstars "Moonlight Acoustica" AIX DVD-A
Christy Baron "Steppin' " Chesky SACD
David Sanborn "Timeagain" Verve DVD-A

Jay

[petmotel]

I recently purchased 3 Sierra NRTs that are currently doing duty as LCRs in a 5.1 system. I'm truly amazed at the clarity, power, detail, extended bass response, to put it simply, how well they recreate the sound of live music.

I've played just about my entire music collection since I've added the Sierras, and one thing of note is; the better the source, the better the reproduction. At first glance this may seem obvious, but due to the ability of the Sierras to resolve the finest of detail, nuance, inflection, and harmonics, it's even more important in truly appreciating what these speakers are capable of.

With all of the aforementioned said, here are a couple of selections that stood tall under the scrutiny of the Sierras.

Lawrence Juber "Guitar Noir" an AIX title DVD-A in glorious 5.1 surround. This is acoustic guitar by one EXTREMELY talented musician (accompanied by others). If not familiar with it, run don't walk to your nearest computer to order it. There is a ton of fine detail in Lawerence's guitar work. SUBLIME on the Sierras.

Another title I've liked since I recently acquired is Spyro Gyra's "Good to GO-GO". This is a Heads Up title (division of Telarc) and is just immaculately recorded in 5.1 surround on SACD. This recording is so crisp, clean, dynamic, and realistic sounding, the sound quality will blow you away, and if you like modern "cool" jazz, the music is exceptional as well! The sax work in this selection sounded like Mr. Beckenstein was in the room, percussion is also extremely realistic. My previous Mirage OM-7s have served me well, however, the Sierras are better in every respect I can think of, at about a quarter (if not less) than their total volume. Crazy!

Jay

[shadow]

I'd like to recommend "Meyer & Bottesini Concertos".

Music of double bass, cello and orchestra helped me evaluate how my speakers and sub are integrating and how tightly the sub can project low frequency MUSIC.

http://media.aadl.org/covers/1210140_200.jpg

[petmotel]

I just played what I will use as the first shiny disc with which to audition my new Sierra Towers when they show up next week. I recently bought a used set of Sierra NrTs, and have thoroughly enjoyed playing about every piece of music I own. Tonight I played a Chesky SACD-Paquito Rivera's "Tropicana Nights" and it was absolutely the most amazing thing I've yet heard from my system. I have to give props to Chesky Records, they absolutely nailed it with this title, and the NrTs served it up to perfection. WOW, a magic time machine, I was transported back to a time when the rich and famous partied in Havana!

Jay

[dittomusik]

Jay,
that Tropicana Nights seems like good fun!

i love the last two Talk Talk albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock. great dynamics, very interesting songs, and Mark Hollis' voice is amazing.
i listen to both vinyl and CD versions of these.

[curtis]

My new favorite album since getting the towers is Bon Iver (self-titled). I suggest starting with the third track, Holocene, if you want to give it a try. If you don't like that one, you probably won't like the rest. If you're on the fence after #3, keep going.


Great suggestion! Been listening to that album for about a month now. Holocene is the best of the album but I really enjoy the first three songs played in succession. They flow very well from one track to the next.


Bon Iver is a great album for the towers. Very high production values let the towers shine. I suggest starting with the first track and continuing to the last.


Received this CD last week and I purchased based on the recommendatons here. This is a fantastic CD that sounds great on the Towers and the Sierra-1. Warning: Extremely relaxing!!!


A few things to note. First, the Bon Iver album noted above received a number of Grammy nominations, hopefully widening the audience.
Just got this disc. Was contemplating getting it because of this thread, but after watching the Grammys, it put me over the edge. Great stuff!

[dittomusik]

and for an incredible acoustic version of the last song (Beth/Rest) on Bon Iver's eponymous album, check out this recording made when Justin Vernon visited the World Cafe last year:

http://soundcloud.com/pmwtumblr/bon-iver-beth-rest-solo-piano

i wish this was available somewhere as a nice hi-res version. still sounds awesome.

[kinggimp82]

Here are some recommendations for some great acoustic guitar These recordings really make my Sierras shine. :)


Tim Reynolds - Stream
http://www.amazon.com/Stream-Tim-Reynolds/dp/B000056CFD/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338230546&sr=1-1

Andy Mckee - Art of Motion
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Motion-Andy-McKee/dp/B000E5N0C6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338230697&sr=1-1

Tommy Emmanuel - Center Stage
http://www.amazon.com/Center-Stage-Tommy-Emmanuel/dp/B0016AK3CI/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338231165&sr=1-2

[jbistany]

For the Prog-rock, or rock fans...

Was in Australia a few months back on a business trip and a couple of the local guys suggested picking up two AUS bands, both CD's have grown on me a lot and worth a listen if your into this type of music.

Karnivool - Sound Awake

Dead Letter Circus - This is the warning

Recent release and easy to listen to... Not sure what category this is in

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the woods

Revisit a blast from the not so distant past

Tool - AEnima.... Always in my rotation, anything from these guys is good if you like the dark stuff

[steven1110]

For the Prog-rock, or rock fans...

Was in Australia a few months back on a business trip and a couple of the local guys suggested picking up two AUS bands, both CD's have grown on me a lot and worth a listen if your into this type of music.

Karnivool - Sound Awake

Dead Letter Circus - This is the warning

Recent release and easy to listen to... Not sure what category this is in

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the woods

Revisit a blast from the not so distant past

Tool - AEnima.... Always in my rotation, anything from these guys is good if you like the dark stuff

I've gotten out of the progressive rock scene over the last few years so I really enjoyed this post. While Karnivool was good, I really enjoyed Dead Letter Circus much more. Somewhat reminds me of Evans Blue before Matisyn got the boot. Also, check out Fair to Midland...they might interest you.

Silversun is great too. I really liked their first album but their 2nd didn't do much for me when I heard it a couple years back. I'll need to revisit it.

[jbistany]

I've gotten out of the progressive rock scene over the last few years so I really enjoyed this post. While Karnivool was good, I really enjoyed Dead Letter Circus much more. Somewhat reminds me of Evans Blue before Matisyn got the boot. Also, check out Fair to Midland...they might interest you.

Silversun is great too. I really liked their first album but their 2nd didn't do much for me when I heard it a couple years back. I'll need to revisit it.

Totally agree on DLC, much more stamina, you can literally let the whole cd run without changing tracks once you get acclimated to their sound. I just wish they would have done a better job in the studio, its a bit on the harsh side and loud....but unfortunately, that's how most are theses days. I'll check out fair to midland, thx for the tip.

[kwarny]

I picked these up last week
-Right Away, Great Captain - The Church of the Good Thief (Digital Album)
http://rightawaygreatcaptain.bandcamp.com/album/the-church-of-the-good-thief

-Angus and Julia Stone - Down the Way

[darkpoet25]

Here are some recommendations for some great acoustic guitar These recordings really make my Sierras shine. :)


Tim Reynolds - Stream
http://www.amazon.com/Stream-Tim-Reynolds/dp/B000056CFD/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338230546&sr=1-1

Andy Mckee - Art of Motion
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Motion-Andy-McKee/dp/B000E5N0C6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338230697&sr=1-1

Tommy Emmanuel - Center Stage
http://www.amazon.com/Center-Stage-Tommy-Emmanuel/dp/B0016AK3CI/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338231165&sr=1-2

Tim Reynolds is an amazing guitarist. I have the Live At Luther College 2-disc set he did with Dave Matthews. Great album. I have the concert BD of them at Radio City Music Hall, I had no idea how short Tim really is. At first I thought that both he and Dave were sitting down before the camera pulled back a little bit and I saw he was actually standing.

[RobH]

David Crosby's 1971 album, If I Could Only Remember My Name is a sonic wonder; actually one of the finest sounding album's I've ever heard. One online review states:


First off, the sound is impeccable. I mean really, really impeccable. It may be one of the best sounding albums you ever hear. I thought the original CD release sounded great, but this 2006 edition, which also includes a DVD-A disc for surround sound, is simply jaw dropping. The acoustic guitars are treated with such care, sounding clear and crisp but with a warmth and depth often missing from acoustic based albums.

The mix itself is gorgeous with a truly unique layered depth to the instruments, vocals, and even the atmosphere. It is an organic, whole experience that draws you in with its beauty and charm, and keeps you there with Crosby’s beautiful song writing and musical arrangements. Truly astounding.

The standard CD is very inexpensive (I paid $7.99) and sounds amazing. Ordered the Rhino re-issue (mentioned above) for comparison sake. Still waiting for that disc to arrive.

Highly recommended.

[JustaSheep]

Does anyone have an opinion on hybrid SACD's?

[curtis]

Does anyone have an opinion on hybrid SACD's?Hybrid SACDs have the normal redbook layer and the hi-res SACD layer....so you can play them on any CD player.

If your CD player can handle the hi-res layer, great, if not, it just plays the normal redbook.

I've never had a problem with them.

[JustaSheep]

Hybrid SACDs have the normal redbook layer and the hi-res SACD layer....so you can play them on any CD player.

If your CD player can handle the hi-res layer, great, if not, it just plays the normal redbook.

I've never had a problem with them.

Thanks, Curtis. I didn't know if there would be any cons to a dual-layer audio CD.

Does Oppo have any competition in a player that will play both SACD and DVD-A? I haven't had any luck finding one.

[Mag_Neato]

Thanks, Curtis. I didn't know if there would be any cons to a dual-layer audio CD.

Does Oppo have any competition in a player that will play both SACD and DVD-A? I haven't had any luck finding one.

How about this one:


http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA751BD

[JustaSheep]

How about this one:


http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA751BD

Thanks, Mags. I guess by competition I meant in the $500 range or less.

[Blutarsky]

I totally recommend the OPPO BDP-95. Terrific audio & Video. At the price I can't see it being beat. Plus, you only need one component for all discs

I hooked mine up using both RCA Analog, and HDMI outputs. It always sends signal to both outputs. It has dedicated DACs for both outputs.

I only regret not getting one modified for region 2 DVDs. (Although, I think you lose the warranty)

B.

[JustaSheep]

I totally recommend the OPPO BDP-95. Terrific audio & Video. At the price I can't see it being beat. Plus, you only need one component for all discs

I hooked mine up using both RCA Analog, and HDMI outputs. It always sends signal to both outputs. It has dedicated DACs for both outputs.

I only regret not getting one modified for region 2 DVDs. (Although, I think you lose the warranty)

B.

Thanks. I am not configured for the analog outs right now...and may never be. My setup is in an open family room setting, so I'm not sure I will go that route, but might.

So, for the time being, I would opt for the BDP-93.

[curtis]

I purchased a used BDP-83 earlier this year from someone in our local A/V group.

I only use the HDMI connection into my Sherwood Newcastle R-973, and I am very happy with it's performance.

[Blutarsky]

I sold my OPPO BDP-83 and a Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD player, and got the OPPO BDP-95.

The OPPO 83 has analog outputs, but doesn't have the Audio DAC path of The 95. At the time I was using the 83 for video, and The Cambridge for Audio CD.

The BDP-95 hooked up using the analog stereo outputs has the best audio I have heard from Discs, and I had a Modwright.

I use 2 different inputs on my Yammy receiver, and select the output I want from the OPPO..... HDMI or Stereo.

It is a bargain, considering it replaces two components.

B.

[JustaSheep]

I sold my OPPO BDP-83 and a Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD player, and got the OPPO BDP-95.

The OPPO 83 has analog outputs, but doesn't have the Audio DAC path of The 95. At the time I was using the 83 for video, and The Cambridge for Audio CD.

The BDP-95 hooked up using the analog stereo outputs has the best audio I have heard from Discs, and I had a Modwright.

I use 2 different inputs on my Yammy receiver, and select the output I want from the OPPO..... HDMI or Stereo.

It is a bargain, considering it replaces two components.

B.

I certainly like the idea of having the BDP-95 and being able to switch between the two outputs depending on source, but when I consulted Oppo about this given my AVR (Onkyo TX-NR809) they insisted it would be better to run digital input only to the AVR because it was going to convert back to digital and then to analog again to the speakers. Edit my edit: I found a post on avsforum that confirms ADC then back through DAC for analog inputs.

If this is true, the analog out on the BDP-95 (or any other for that matter) would be useless to me and actually detrimental. I could not find anything to confirm or disprove their statements, so I dismissed the BDP-95.

Care to set them (and me) straight? :confused:

[Blutarsky]

Here is OPPO's spec sheet...

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-95/

I am no engineer, but....I believe that OPPO did this for a reason.

When I connect the 95's stereo output to an analog component input on my Yamaha Reciever, and use pure audio mode, I assume that my receiver turns into an integrated amp, and the signal stays analog all the way to my ears.

When I switch out of pure audio mode, various digital processing , and my Sub comes into play.

I can hear the difference.

For most CD music I prefer this set up with my Towers.

Try this, and get back to us. You might like it.

B.

[JustaSheep]

Here is OPPO's spec sheet...

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-95/

I am no engineer, but....I believe that OPPO did this for a reason.

When I connect the 95's stereo output to an analog component input on my Yamaha Reciever, and use pure audio mode, I assume that my receiver turns into an integrated amp, and the signal stays analog all the way to my ears.

When I switch out of pure audio mode, various digital processing , and my Sub comes into play.

I can hear the difference.

For most CD music I prefer this set up with my Towers.

Try this, and get back to us. You might like it.

B.

Thanks, B. The limitation seems to be in my Onkyo, not in the analog source. I will try to clarify this with Onkyo before making a SACD player purchase for sure and report back when I have an answer.

I completely agree the routing you described is desirable and is what should happen. However, per Oppo and comments on the Onkyo owners thread at avsforum, my AVR will not route analog sources directly to the amp.

[Blutarsky]

Unless you buy a used SACD player, I think the OPPO BDP-95, might be the best SACD player for the money. You will need to address the Receiver issues first, or I don't believe you can take true advantage of SACD. I wish my Receiver had Balanced XLR inputs.

Happy shopping.

B.

[tim h]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your music interests/listening pleasures. Admittedly, I haven't read ALL of the responses, but I have yet to see anyone mention any of my usual critical listening choices. Consequently, I figured I would throw these out there. In the interest of expedience, I won't go into details of how these qualified, just a simple summary; especially since my opinion is just that--my opinion.;) I would be interested to hear any feedback or suggestions to similar artists.

Talk Talk, The Colour of Spring, 1986, Capitol-EMI Records
Great dynamics; good imaging; a myriad of different instruments and sounds; just an overall fun listen. And, it is an analog recording!

Dead Can Dance, Into the Labrynth, 1993, Warner Bros./4AD
Fantastic imaging, especially Lisa Gerrard's solo, track 3; very dynamic; really good LF extension. This is my "If I had to choose ONLY one demo CD..."
I can only imagine how the SADC version of this must sound.

Tears For Fears, The Seeds of Love, 1989, PolyGram
A long-time favorite band, with a fantastically engineered compilation of songs

Elbow, Asleep in the Back, 2001 V2 Music Ltd
A diverse, albeit dark, CD. I'm a pretty big fan of these guys. Track 6, 3:17, some seriously deep bass.

Stan Getz, Serenity, 1991, PolyGram
A live recording with great spacial ambiance; highlights Mr. Getz's talent; some cool stand-up bass

Death Cab For Cutie, Transatlantisicism, 2003, Barsuck Records
Ahh, what can I say about this CD...it is very personal to me AND it's a good listen. Good LF extension; good imaging, especially the piano in Track 7, Transatlanticism.

The Stills, Logic Will Break Your Heart, Atlantic Recording Corp.
A very well-engineered, progressive rock CD.

David Benoit, Waiting for Spring, 1989, GRP Records
I found this CD early in my jazz foray, and it remains one of my all-time favorites.

Sigur Ros, uhh...pick one
A completely unconventional band that pulls from their Icelandic roots to create a remarkable soundscape on each of their releases.

Special EFX, Global Village, 1992, GRP Records
I love the imaging on track 4 and the bass dynamics of track 7.

Natalie Merchant, Tigerlilly,erli1995, Elektra Entertainment Group
I this CD is a great balance of pop appeal and a showcase for Ms. Merchant's lovely voice/creative talent.

Acoustic Alchemy, Natural Elements, et al, MCA Records
I do love acoustic guitars. which brings me to...

Craig Chaquico, Acoustic Highway et al, Higher Octave, BMI
and
Craig Chaquico and Russ Freeman, From the Redwoods to the Rockies, 1998, Windham Hill
Both of these artists are just phenomenal guitar players and musicians, and I think you would be hard pressed to not enjoy just about any of their work.

There it is a VERY scaled-down list of the music that I consider my reference material. Enjoy.

Tim H

[surfcane]

I recently purchased bluray of Rent the musical live on broadway (got a used one to check quality before giving it as a gift).

This bluray with my system/setup - it is like being there - I would definitely use the song Glory/Light my candle to demo to show vocal range, imaging, instruments etc

(set up is NAD 775HD, Towers - Ribbons LCR, sierra-1 wide front, rythmik 2-12",
emotiva upa-1 for R&L Towers).

A few others I have recently put high on play list:

Jackson Browne solo acoutstic vol1/2

Keb Mo

Rosa

Friday Night Live in San Franscisco -DiMeola, McLaughlin, deLuca

Little River Band - The definitive collection

Matt Nathanson - some mad hope

men at work (lots of stuff - super hits is great - sax really shows off towers)

The celtic viol - Jordi Savall

Elton John - Live in Australia

Also if you like musicals - Wicked is a must with two of the best female vocal voices from broadway Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel

[tim h]

Right on, Surfcane. Congrats on the towers and the setup in general. Thanks for the music recommendations.
Tim h

[Funambulistic]

@Tim H,

I cannot agree more with you on Into the Labyrinth. It is my all time favorite piece of music and accompanies me to every demo. It does sound fantastic on my Sierra NrT's. I am fortunate enough to have in my possession the complete box set of DCD on SACD. All of the recordings benefit from the higher resolution treatment, some more than others. Oddly enough Into the Labyrinth, which I feel is the best recording of the lot, is a mixed bag. There is more "air" around the instruments and "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" is magnificent, but it seems that some of the transients, especially on percussion instruments, seem softened a bit. I do not know what the original intent was on the recording, so I could not really say which one is right. I would love to hear it on vinyl...

Have you heard Anastasis yet? It is pretty awesome and the recording is absolutely pristine. Good stuff!

[tim h]

I hadn't heard it (or heard of it) until now. I went to DCD's website and listened to their demo--I like. Thanks!!

[GirgleMirt]

An album i've been enjoying a lot lately: porcupine tree' The Incidenr. If you want to check out a preview: time flies, octane twisted and I drive the hearse might give you an idea if you like the style. (ill add links when i'm on pc.. [dit] links added!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTEWlSTQ1RI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF4ZoQVYkAg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N_T1Ih-RH8

From another album, In Absentia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScwrmGToPyY&list=PLBD101801893F56AF&index=10&feature=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxdKdTt729E&feature=BFa&list=PLBD101801893F56AF

[billy p]

Hey guys I saw Jesse Cook last night....what a talented group of musicans. Untill recently.... I never would've listened or bought a Cook CD but threads such as this made it happen for me and of course my Ascends played a major role...;).

I'll say this about my speakers having now heard him live and listening at home....the Ascend Towers are as close to lifelike as I've ever heard and I understand now that Dave knows guitar!:D

Ps: This was the start of a NA tour for Blue Guitar sessions CD...check out your local venues for dates because they're simply amazing live....:)

[merrymaid520]

Hey guys I saw Jesse Cook last night....what a talented group of musicans. Untill recently.... I never would've listened or bought a Cook CD but threads such as this made it happen for me and of course my Ascends played a major role...;).

I'll say this about my speakers having now heard him live and listening at home....the Ascend Towers are as close to lifelike as I've ever heard and I understand now that Dave knows guitar!:D

Ps: This was the start of a NA tour for Blue Guitar sessions CD...check out your local venues for dates because they're simply amazing live....:)

Very cool! I have quite a few of his albums, most are very well recorded! I agree, I would not typically listen to that genre but the ascends really shine with material like this:)

[postrokfan]

In my heavy rotation lately:

Sigur Ros-Valtari
Deftones-Koi No Yokan
Deadmau5->Album Title Goes Here<
Santigold-Master of My Make-Believe
The Veils-Sun Gangs
Animal Collective-Centipede Hz
Led Zeppelin-III

Enjoying my music more than ever with the Sierra-1s.

[davef]

Hey guys I saw Jesse Cook last night....what a talented group of musicans. Untill recently.... I never would've listened or bought a Cook CD but threads such as this made it happen for me and of course my Ascends played a major role...;).

I'll say this about my speakers having now heard him live and listening at home....the Ascend Towers are as close to lifelike as I've ever heard and I understand now that Dave knows guitar!:D

Ps: This was the start of a NA tour for Blue Guitar sessions CD...check out your local venues for dates because they're simply amazing live....:)

Wow -- that is awesome. I have been a fan of his work for so many years now. I am going to check tour dates :)

[avsnoob10]

Hey guys I saw Jesse Cook last night....what a talented group of musicans. Untill recently.... I never would've listened or bought a Cook CD but threads such as this made it happen for me and of course my Ascends played a major role...;).

I'll say this about my speakers having now heard him live and listening at home....the Ascend Towers are as close to lifelike as I've ever heard and I understand now that Dave knows guitar!:D

Ps: This was the start of a NA tour for Blue Guitar sessions CD...check out your local venues for dates because they're simply amazing live....:)

Just got my Blue Guitar Session CD last night, awesome recommendation, my 15 year old B&W Matrix 803 Series II sound terrific can't wait to play this on my new Sierra towers when they get delivered sometime in next few days. thanks.

[billy p]

Just got my Blue Guitar Session CD last night, awesome recommendation, my 15 year old B&W Matrix 803 Series II sound terrific can't wait to play this on my new Sierra towers when they get delivered sometime in next few days. thanks.

All of Jesse Cooks recroding are HQ...Cook had mentioned during the concert that he writes, records and engineers all his own music in studio...and always looking for new ways to improve his playing guitar. The music for this CD was composed/ or based on the criteria one would listen too if they were feeling blue or just blah because your GF left you and is walking out the door...his words...lol. Yeah I love this CD and it should sound wonderful on your new RAAL Sierras...:D

Btw...I stumbled upon this link for finding well recorded material...what surpised me, was some of my CDs that I like are not so well recorded...:(
http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/

[JustaSheep]

Billy,

That link is very interesting. One thing I noticed, almost 100% of the time, the newer the album, the worse the recording.

I also noted when sorting by Album DR rating, there are some strange results near the top of the heap. Krokus?!?!

[davef]

Just got my Blue Guitar Session CD last night, awesome recommendation, my 15 year old B&W Matrix 803 Series II sound terrific can't wait to play this on my new Sierra towers when they get delivered sometime in next few days. thanks.

Just got my copy too :)

2 CD's I have been enjoying recently are Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi and Dark Night of the Soul by Philip Wesley. Both are remarkable solo pianists and if you like relaxing and emotional music -- this is it. Love the way piano sounds on the towers :)

[kinggimp82]

Billy,

That link is very interesting. One thing I noticed, almost 100% of the time, the newer the album, the worse the recording.

I also noted when sorting by Album DR rating, there are some strange results near the top of the heap. Krokus?!?!

I can't tell if the ratings are for overall quality or just a rating of dynamic range. I'm thinking the latter. I love listening to the black keys and they pretty much get bad marks on that site. I think their albums sound fine. If you haven't seen them in concert you should because they sound great and put on an excellent show.

[JustaSheep]

I can't tell if the ratings are for overall quality or just a rating of dynamic range. I'm thinking the latter.

Agreed, I misspoke. DR doesn't = well recorded/engineered. I think it would apply to quality more closely with some genres, but not all.

[kinggimp82]

I think the loudness war is a problem though. Mixing music to remove dynamics and just make it loud makes no sense. Although some bands just have little dynamic range because of their style. I'm fine with it as long as it's their individual style and sound. Groups that have dynamics and reduce them for the sake of simply being loud drive me crazy.

[curtis]

Here is good list of songs with good dynamic range, and well recorded.
http://www.digido.com/media/honor-roll.html

[billy p]

I can't tell if the ratings are for overall quality or just a rating of dynamic range. I'm thinking the latter. I love listening to the black keys and they pretty much get bad marks on that site. I think their albums sound fine. If you haven't seen them in concert you should because they sound great and put on an excellent show.

We saw the BK's this past August...what a fun show. It was an outdoor venue and we got drenched because it started to rain while "The Shins" were on stage and it kept on raining throughout the evening. Best part of the show was when Dan and Patrick just jammed for a few songs without the rest of the cast...:D

I'm of the mindset that I would rather listen to any CD or band that I like vs. a well recorded track or disc I have no desire for...although lately I've being looking fore the latter....just takes longer to get used to it...:) I do agree that the music of today has changed which is better suited for people on the go...to bad.:(

Re: Bill...:)

[kinggimp82]

Best part of the show was when Dan and Patrick just jammed for a few songs without the rest of the cast...:D

I'm of the mindset that I would rather listen to any CD or band that I like vs. a well recorded track or disc I have no desire for...although lately I've being looking fore the latter....just takes longer to get used to it...:)

Definitely agree that the best part of the show is when Dan and Patrick jam solo! I am in the same boat as you. Generally I just listen to stuff that I really like but I have been listening to more and more new (new to me) well recorded music. Trying to broaden my horizon in what I listen to. My Sierras just sound so nice that I am in constant search for new quality media. Although before I had my Sierras I thought my 170's also sounded great.

[Blutarsky]

http://www.digido.com/media/honor-roll.html
If good sound is a criteria, these are recommended.

B

[avsnoob10]

Just listened to Fields of Blue from Jesse Cook - Blue Guitar Sessions album on my new Sierra Towers with RAALs and all I can say is WOW.... simply awesome!!! Thanks Dave.

[billy p]

Just listened to Fields of Blue from Jesse Cook - Blue Guitar Sessions album on my new Sierra Towers with RAALs and all I can say is WOW.... simply awesome!!! Thanks Dave.

My favorite tracks from that CD are broken moon & witching hour but I'm really enjoying the entire CD....you might like some of his older stuff...it all sounds excellent with or without the RAAL....:)

Cheers... Bill...oh btw I read over at AVS your thinking of attending that GTG with your Sierras....sounds like it will be a blast...:)

[avsnoob10]

My favorite tracks from that CD are broken moon & witching hour but I'm really enjoying the entire CD....you might like some of his older stuff...it all sounds excellent with or without the RAAL....:)

Cheers... Bill...oh btw I read over at AVS your thinking of attending that GTG with your Sierras....sounds like it will be a blast...:)

Yeah, I am looking into getting Frontiers album. I have a ripped version of Santoo Govi's older albums from the same genre, neat stuff you might want to give a shot. Though some of Govi's work gets too latin..ish.

Seriously thinking about the GTG, would be 2+ hour drive but pretty sure it would be well worth the trip.

[billy p]

Yeah, I am looking into getting Frontiers album. I have a ripped version of Santoo Govi's older albums from the same genre, neat stuff you might want to give a shot. Though some of Govi's work gets too latin..ish.

Seriously thinking about the GTG, would be 2+ hour drive but pretty sure it would be well worth the trip.

I've have a down loaded version of Govi's "Touch of Light...CD"...sounds great too...:D.

Well if you cam team up with another member...making the drive a lot more enjoyable and maybe help share some of the cost.

Cheers...Bill...:)

[rickst29]

For me the greatest chamber works of the 1st. half of the 20th century are the Quartets composed by Bela Bartok. He wrote 6, and cover most of his composing life from about 1910 - 1945. Great stuff and a challenge to listen to.
This is not an accessible set of works, and I'd consider it unsuitable for a person's first introduction to string quartets. Nonetheless, the recording which I prefer is: http://www.amazon.com/Bela-Bartok-Quartets-Emerson-Quartet/dp/B000001G9O.

For big stuff, to show off your speakers really well and enjoy some fantastic music, you could use Sony's re-mastered set of Mahler Symphonies (Leonard Bernstein). http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonies/dp/B005SJIP1E/. Crank up the final mvt of #7 to become familiar with Mahler; and then go back to listen to the Greatest Symphony ever Written (#5); and ultimately graduate to #9. (#4, #6, #7 and the unfinished #10 are really good too.)

"Bolero" was kind of a joke. For more serious Ravel, maybe the Mother Goose Suite, or his Orchestration of Musorgski's Pictures at an Exhibition. (Maybe this one, with other pieces: http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pictures-at-Exhibition-Modest/dp/B0000012VG).

I've played most of this music in non-professional groups, badly.

[Clarke B.]

I'm a new Sierra-1 owner (as of a month ago), and it's been nothing but pleasure and revelation. Today was a new revelation. You know what sounds absolutely amazing on these speakers? Old Tom Waits LPs. I do 80%+ of my listening on vinyl (Technics 1200-MKII with an Audio-Technica AT-440MLA cartridge--and I will defend this turntable to the end! (But I also DJ, so I have it around.)), and my Lord, Closing Time through these speakers... Intimately recorded, lots of piano, intricate and subtle acoustic guitar, and of course Waits's inimitable and crazy voice. I mean, pretty much everything sounds really good through the Sierras, but this just really struck me; it really seemed to highlight things that are especially amazing about them.

[curtis]

After watching the Grammys, I decided to purchase the Bruno Mars "Unorthodox Jukebox", and Jack White "Blunderbuss" discs.

http://www.amazon.com/Unorthodox-Jukebox-Bruno-Mars/dp/B009IRVSVQ

http://www.amazon.com/Blunderbuss-Jack-White/dp/B007CKNX28

I'm enjoying them...but what I really want to say is when getting new music, it renews my appreciation for my Ascend/Rythmik setup!

[rsmt2000]

Thanks to this thread, I am thoroughly enjoying music from Jesse Cook and Ludivico Euinadi. I always used to think that Piano is a boring instrument as opposed to other string and percussion instruments but I am thoroughly enjoying the solo piano stuff. still classical piano is something I am not liking much...:-)

Anyone listen to the instrument sitar in the song "Traveller" from Anoushka shankar? It sounds fabulous on my sierra towers with RAAL.

[edgeh2o]

Few things beat sharing and discovering new music. Here are some of my current favorites, I really encourage you to try them out, and please let me know if you like :)

1. College & Electric Youth - A Real Hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8
From the Drive soundtrack, great movie and great song. 80's synthy sounding, which I'm a big fan of. I've probably listened to this song hundreds of times by now. Sounds sort of mesmerizing, great for pondering or introspection.

2. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse - Revenge (feat. the Flaming Lips)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRGflWOpwts
From Dark Night of the Soul, a collaboration between director David Lynch, Danger Mouse, and Sparklehorse. Song sounds very chill, perfect for relaxing or thinking about life. I've gotten many goosebumps listening to this song.

3. Chromatics - These Streets Will Never Look the Same
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygCOLpZhWyg
More 80's synthy-sounding. Sounds great on my Sierra-1, as do all of these songs. You should also give Chromatics - Lady, a listen too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbx8qRg6tPE

4. Depeche Mode - Wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfcnpJRf0Q
Pretty haunting song, and the music video is absolutely perfect for it. Definitely watch it if you haven't! Song has some pretty nice low-end that gets in the low 20's.

5. Bat for Lashes. She gets a few songs mentioned. Absolutely beautiful voice and music.
Bat for Lashes - Laura.
Live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGWoB4JjV9Y
Official music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UznHTBZIa8E
Goosebumps, goosebumps, and goosebumps for me. Very touching.

Bat for Lashes - the Wizard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5BNBrnDXwE
Hypnotic sounding, very easy to get lost in.

Bat for Lashes - Pearl's Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3coSedm7o

Bat for Lashes - All Your Gold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3coSedm7o

6. Pnau - Embrace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo2aOEhlqfQ
Musical bliss. Super underrated. I just recently read that Elton John declared this the best album in the last 10 years and signed Pnau to his record label, and has actually collaborated with them since. Pretty amusing.

7. Brazilian Girls - Last Call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkQkfNjQLj4
Sounds kind of dancy, but I honestly think this is one of the chillest songs I've ever heard. My ears love this song. Currently in my top10 favorites. Especially great for summertime, don't know why.

8. M83 - Midnight City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX3k_QDnzHE
Sounds amazing, especially on a great system. Really good production in this song. Fun sounding, makes me feel like a kid again. Makes you feel like you could do anything.

9. Major Lazer - Get Free (feat. Dirty Projectors)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI3shBXlqsw
I don't know what it is about this song I love so much. It's electronic and it's chill-sounding, and it sounds great on my Sierra-1. Makes me want to make the world a better place.

10. Beach House - Myth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuvWc3ToDHg
Very soothing sounding. Slow, laid-back, perfect for relaxing. Seen her perform live many times, she's very magical.

11. Apparat - Goodbye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKB1ba03qiA
I first heard this song on Breaking Bad, awesome show BTW! Song gives me goosebumps, sounds great on a nice system, has a very nice soundstage, legendary-sounding.

12. Daft Punk - Veridis Quo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhZaHf8RP6g
Chill head-bopper song. Something mysterious to song. One of my favorites by DP. Thought they did an awesome soundtrack on Tron too.

I want to continue, but I've probably listed too many as it is. Please give them all a fair chance when you have time. They are all unique and special in their own ways. Til next time.

[davef]

Thanks to this thread, I am thoroughly enjoying music from Jesse Cook and Ludivico Euinadi. I always used to think that Piano is a boring instrument as opposed to other string and percussion instruments but I am thoroughly enjoying the solo piano stuff. still classical piano is something I am not liking much...:-)

Check out the CD called "Rockfluence" by Scott D. Davis....

[GirgleMirt]

Bowie's last album, The Last Day, quite good music!

If you like Sigur Ros or Godspeed YBE (somewhat atmospheric music), This Will Destroy You album Tunnel Blanket should be decent treat!

Youtube; [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas]Micheal Manring[/quote] was quite something with his Zod I think it is bass guitar! His album think it's called Thonk is not bad either.. :)

[RPM]

Diana Krall - "The Girl in The other Room"

[Sam1000]

Diana Krall - "The Girl in The other Room"
+1. If you like that, Get the 'Live in Paris' DVD. You will really like how the Piano sounds on Sierra and Sierra Towers. Jeff Hamilton's drum solo on 'Devil may Care' also sounds fantastic on that DVD. Really dynamic.

[Too_Blue]

765

[RPM]

+1. If you like that, Get the 'Live in Paris' DVD. You will really like how the Piano sounds on Sierra and Sierra Towers. Jeff Hamilton's drum solo on 'Devil may Care' also sounds fantastic on that DVD. Really dynamic.

Thanks I will do That!

[rsmt2000]

Check out the CD called "Rockfluence" by Scott D. Davis....

Thanks Dave. It is Awesome.

[SteveR]

You guys are educating me on some of the more "fringe" areas of music. My tastes have always been pretty wide but some of the music suggested here ranges from very nice to not quite my cup of tea. I do respect everyone's right to like what they want and I do enjoy being educated on some of these artists.

Over the past 6 years my electronic "toys" has dwindled away due to lack of space in our new to us house. Now that we are right sizing I will have a room for music and HT so I am in the process of buying all new stuff including speakers. I have an order in for Tower/Horizon w/RAAL and 200SE surrounds. We are living in a small RV as they build our new house so my music collection is in storage.

However, I have started quite a Wishlist in Amazon. Can't wait to hear all these wonderful recordings.

Keep those suggestions coming...

My $0.02 is:
Aaron Copland, "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring".
Diana Krall...just about any of them
Jesse Cook...all of them
Armik..flamenco guitar
Annie Lennox..her newer ones Bare..Medusa
Soundtrack to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Some amazing stuff in there.

etc.

[postrokfan]

red sparowes-The Fear is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer

769

[RPM]

Sara Bareilles

Stay
Lie To Me
Once Upon Another Time

[Mag_Neato]

For a really fun sonic track:

Infected Mushroom; Never Mind

No vocals, but really gives the system(and your ears) a workout.

[postrokfan]

Between the Buried and Me-The Great Misdirect

773

Stellar prog metal...

[edgeh2o]

For a really fun sonic track:

Infected Mushroom; Never Mind

No vocals, but really gives the system(and your ears) a workout.

Cool song, sounds good on my Sierra-1, ya might like these too,
Ratatat-Drugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhrteSZXFzM
Rustie- Death Mountain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs_DXzAYmzg / Ultra Thizz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4AqCrR_nAU
Minotaur Shock-AmDram http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIP5g9xdrro

[Sam1000]

This (http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Live-From-Melbourne-Blu-ray/dp/B00AR1G3FS/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367471573&sr=8-2) (http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Live-From-Melbourne-Blu-ray/dp/B00AR1G3FS/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367471573&sr=8-2) is a great demo BD for your system. Will give a great workout to your Sierras and Rythmik. The DVD had been out for a long time and I don't know why I didn't buy it. Maybe I was thinking they are a sellout.
However, the DTS-MA mix on the Blu-ray is one of the best I have heard on concert Blu-ray/DVDs. Great dynamics. I still like the version of hotel california from 'Hell Freezes Over' DVD though. I wish they release a BD for that concert as well, just for the sound.

[Mag_Neato]

This (http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Live-From-Melbourne-Blu-ray/dp/B00AR1G3FS/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367471573&sr=8-2) (http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Live-From-Melbourne-Blu-ray/dp/B00AR1G3FS/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367471573&sr=8-2) is a great demo BD for your system. Will give a great workout to your Sierras and Rythmik. The DVD had been out for a long time and I don't know why I didn't buy it. Maybe I was thinking they are a sellout.
However, the DTS-MA mix on the Blu-ray is one of the best I have heard on concert Blu-ray/DVDs. Great dynamics. I still like the version of hotel california from 'Hell Freezes Over' DVD though. I wish they release a BD for that concert as well, just for the sound.

That is an awesome concert video! I have the DVD version in DTS. Bought it many moons ago.

[postrokfan]

Talking Heads-Remain in Light

793

[jasondhenry]

For anyone who is into new age rock, Three Days Grace Transit of Venus is a high quality recording and it sounds stellar on the Sierra Towers.

[jasondhenry]

Another one that sounds really good to me is the best of Santana (http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Santana/dp/B0000062FZ/ref=pd_sim_m_2) CD. Love it.

[rsmt2000]

Trace Bundy - "Adapt". As is the case with me, most the reviews for this CD on amazon say that they are introduced to this album/artist through pandora.

[Kisakuku]

Trace Bundy - "Adapt". As is the case with me, most the reviews for this CD on amazon say that they are introduced to this album/artist through pandora.

Great album and that's exactly how I found it - on my Erik Mongrain and Antoine Dufour Pandora stations.

[davef]

Trace Bundy - "Adapt". As is the case with me, most the reviews for this CD on amazon say that they are introduced to this album/artist through pandora.


Great album and that's exactly how I found it - on my Erik Mongrain and Antoine Dufour Pandora stations.

Just received this today, having purchased it from Amazon based on our recommendation... This CD is FANTASTIC! Thanks a ton :)

[Kisakuku]

Just received this today, having purchased it from Amazon based on our recommendation... This CD is FANTASTIC! Thanks a ton :)

Glad you liked it. I have four of his albums and love them all, but I think "Missile Bell" is my favorite.

[parimento1]

Etta James 20th Century Masters...very skillfully remastered.

[rsmt2000]

Just received this today, having purchased it from Amazon based on our recommendation... This CD is FANTASTIC! Thanks a ton :)

Glad you liked it. Every time I really like a song and want to know the artist/album on my Jesse cook station, I see this album often. Intially I hesitated to recommend it as I thought most would know it. Thanks Kisakuku for backing me up :-)

[curtis]

So last night I got some rare time to turn up the system and do some listening in the sweet spot...

One SACD: Dire Straits - Money for Nothing, and a blu-ray: AIX Records - Goldberg Variations Acoustica, both music. Trinnov doing the EQuing below 300hz, and also placement correction. A great listening session!

[edgeh2o]

I've been listening to the new Daft Punk album Random Access Memories, WOW... new music hasn't been this impressionable on me in a while! I've listened to the album from start to finish at least 15 times so far in the past couple weeks. Some tracks stand out more than others, but as a whole, this absolutely gets a spot in my top5 albums of all time, LOVE it.

[Kisakuku]

A bit of a new discovery for me: Dawg's Groove by David Grisman Quintet (http://www.allmusic.com/album/dawgs-groove-mw0000563287) and of course his earlier stuff as well.

[jasondhenry]

Glad you liked it. I have four of his albums and love them all, but I think "Missile Bell" is my favorite.

Wow! He is really good. I listened on youtube. Now on my list of music to order.

[davef]

Glad you liked it. I have four of his albums and love them all, but I think "Missile Bell" is my favorite.

Just ordered Missile Bell :)


I've been listening to the new Daft Punk album Random Access Memories, WOW... new music hasn't been this impressionable on me in a while! I've listened to the album from start to finish at least 15 times so far in the past couple weeks. Some tracks stand out more than others, but as a whole, this absolutely gets a spot in my top5 albums of all time, LOVE it.

This Daft Punk album is fantastic, listened to it on Mog and just ordered it from Amazon. One of the most original albums I have heard in a very long time -- addictive.