I just felt compelled to post something after the listening session last night. The system has become an emotional vault that connects in many ways with the occupant. Well it did last night! I made a video but when playing it the sound was terrible compared to what was felt live. It may have been the C-9 screwing with the phones microphone and/or the DJ sub phasing creating a boomey effect. There was non of that in the sweet spot and the sound was consistent when walking around the room taking the video. The only change was behind the Crystal speakers where the highs became subdued and bass a bit bloated near the TV sound panels. Going to investigate further. A grainy picture below to show bobc's amps positioning. I will have to dig out the SLR for better pictures that will properly fit in this forum.

Another album I picked up at Craft, along with Bill Evans. Buddy Guy live in Berkeley in 1968. I don't know if the kids still say "cooking with gas" but that is exactly what Buddy is doing. And the sound is fantastic.



24/192 FLAC download.

Sviatoslav Richter had both a huge technique and a huge musical personality, and that is why he is considered the pianist of (at least) the second half of the 20th century. Both his technique and personality are on full display in the 1951 live recording of Beethoven's huge Diabelli Variations. He plays some of the more "athletic" variations with a stupefying combination of speed and power, and in the more contemplative sections he finds a hypnotic stillness.



On CD from the Richter/Beethoven/Profil box.

The sound is OK, good enough to fully appreciate the amazing performance.

Here's the video of Brahms Piano Trio No.1 with Alena Baeva, Hayoung Choi & Vadym Kholodenko.
Please have a look at 1:20... the rosin is flying of Hayoung's bow like a cloud of dust... amazing 4K camerawork from my good friend Stelth Ng!
This is YouTube.. in the BlueRay it's much more defined & sharp!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FzWj0Hk4sM

Enjoy

Ed

Kenny Burrell "Midnight Blue" Blue Note/Tower Records SACD

This edition sounds very nice.

Grateful Dead "To Terrapin--Harford '77" Disc 1 of 3

It's been too long since I heard some guitar from Jerry. And much longer since I listened to this show.

Man, the system is really warmed up and sounding great.

See link below for all details:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650275298-decware-model-se34i5-aka-rachael-t...

Bouncing in my head while I was tinkering with the cars outside was a tune from “The Spirit of Condon” – Louis Armstrong’s “Someday You’ll be Sorry.” I’ve learned the wisdom in that song a few times. Need something to push that tune out so. . . .

“Count Basie & Friends–100th Birthday Bash” Roulette 2 cd set, disc 1

Pulled this from the shelves, a great collection of great Basie in that Roulette sound.



Nat is singing "I Want a Little Girl" a favorite old song of mine, and it makes me realize how fortunate I am to have my wife.

Have a great holiday season Mr. L !!!! Sure seems you have the means for some great listening.

Holding off on the Takshaka speaker cables. I am so enamored/proud of my hybrid creation.

I decided to soup up the Mid-fi Rig! I took delivery of SVS Prime Pinnacle Speakers and the PB-1000 Pro Subwoofer. Very pleased! I still have my POLK 1.2 SDA-SRS Speakers. I alternate with SUB always in play dialed in.

It is not the Listening Room Decware System. However, for Solid State Class AB, is enjoyable.

Happy Holidays to All!

CHEERS, Stone of Tone

I would have a deposit down on this too, if I didn't have the ZMA. Just finished reading the Thread this morning.

Some late Chicago Style. . . .

"The Spirit of Condon" Jazzology cd

Eddie Condon on board, with Wild Bill Davison and Art Hodes as well. Recorded in Manassas, VA 1971 and 1973

Got most of the shoveling done. . . oy. . .it was cold going.

Have a little time with the system again and this one caught my eye and called to me. I really like the first of the two "shows" released here.

Bill Evans "Portraits at the Penthouse: Live in Seattle" Resonance Records cd

Gunter Wand's approach to Bruckner (and everyone else) is what I'd call "classical." Clear eyed, maybe even cool, and emphasizing the architecture of the music over emotion. It is very effective in this collection of live recordings of Bruckner's "mature" symphonies, 3 - 9.



16/44 FLAC download

I was enjoying the 8th.

And now for something completely different, and sounding really great on the system today.

Stan Kenton "New Conceptions of Artistry in Rhythm" Capitol cd

On to


Joshua Reman Elastic Band "Momentum" Nonesuch cd

I didn't quite get to finish listening to this yesterday so I'm re-listening to the second half of the disc. . . staying warm before I have to go out snd shovel five or six inches of snow.

Well it's 10 degrees. . . and water is flowing, as far as I can tell no frozen pipes. That was the big worry. And we still have power (and a full bathtub to fill toilets with if power DOES go off).

Another 30 hours or so to go until the furnace and techs are scheduled to arrive. I think we'll make it. Lots of shoveling to be done today. .  . I'm going to deal with it in stages.

No music spinning yet. Hope to get a bit of time in front of the system after my first shoveling bout.

It is supposed to get down to 47 here tonight. I had a friend from back east who says in California anything above 50 is shorts weather and anything below that is really cold. He was pretty much right on.

It is always fun to talk about interesting records, and that often means talking about what you like and sometimes don't like. If not everyone understands opinions on music are JMO/FWIW/YMMV then I feel like that their problem. Same as your or my opinion on tubes or speakers or Christmas dinner.

It is 7 here and supposed to drop to -7 tonight.

And I doubt that anyone would like what I listen to.
Weird stuff in interesting combinations play in my room!

I know you meant it in a light-hearted way. I sense and sometimes am let know that persons think I am recommending things when I am just chronicling what I am spinning. For the most part I post my listening on two other forums as well.

I wonder why I do it here sometimes, but hey it's just a habit of years now.

Miraculously the space heaters have kept the house warm enough I am going to retire now. Can't wait to have a furnace running again. It's COLD, 17 degrees and will drop about 7 more degrees before dawn. .. .

I need to think about the tracks as alternate takes, not outtakes. It isn't like they were rehearsing. And, FTR, I meant pimping in a light hearted way. It doesn't take much prodding to get me to buy a Bill Evans album. Regardless, Bill Evans albums are like potato chips and I can't stop at just one.



DSD download from HDTT

It took a while for me to warm up to Conversations With Myself, but when I fell I fell hard. It is unique.

You're very welcome; enjoy

Hmmm. . . I didn't realize I was "pimping" this or anything. I do know this material very well and this is the best the released material has sounded to me on digital. Haven't listened to this on vinyl for some time, but have listened to digital versions since about 1989 and have multiple copies of the original material. Almost played disc 1 again today but ran out of listening time. And I always enjoy alternate material and outtakes--I never had to apologize for that.

One of my favorites!  I haven't heard the One-Step - I'd like to.  I have the Analog Productions 45's.  Sound is incredible.  I'd like to to a comparison with both.  I have seen at least two Youtube reviews that prefer the Analog Productions - but BOTH get great reviews.

Lon,
You got my attention on this one.  I saw them open up for the Dead in 1973.  Great musicians.

Lon has been pimping Haunted Heart for a while, and I finally bought the download. I can say the new remastering sounds different than my "Complete Riverside", but is clearly louder and would take more effort than I'm willing to expend to fairly compare the SQ. I got it for the outtakes, which I always feel a little guilt listening to, because they are outtakes. But they are fascinating, and it isn't like they are any clams in there.



24/192 FLAC download

Continuing my revisit of Yes material with "Open Your Eyes."

On to a new reissue of a session I have not listened to in too long, Manfred Schoof / Irène Schweizer /Barney Wilen "Jazz Meets India" MPS Japan cd

I finally found out where I had stashed this box set so I'm spinning disc 1. Long time no hear this stuff.

Sir Douglas Quintet "Complete Mercury Recordings" disc 1

Hi, got tubes, they look great! will test when I have time, thank you Chris

Benny Goodman "Complete 1937 Madhattan Room Broadcasts Volume" Viper's Nest cd

From this box set:



I wish this had been transferred or mastered a bit better, but great music from a tight band swinging away.

I have one Mainstream for sale. Like new. PayPal F&F and I will cover shipping to the continental US. $200

Bob Wilbur and the Tuxedo Big Band of Toulouse, France "Unrecorded Fletcher Henderson Arrangements for Benny Goodman" Arbor Jazz cd



Fun, swinging stuff.

Now, "The Inimitable Teddy Wilson" Xanadu cd

Teddy with Duke Jordan, Larry Ridley and Freddie Waits. Really hitting the spot right now.

Thelonious Monk "Bremen 1965" Sunnyside 2 cd set, disc 1

It's cold. Going to be cold til late Monday when our new furnace should be installed. And lots of snow too. Oh joy.

Got this new release in yesterday and it is in EXCCELLENT (mono) sound,.

Thelonious Monk "Bremen 1965" Sunnyside 2 cd set, disc 1

Good performances too.

"The Dorsey Brothers Volume 3 Recorded in New York 1930-33" Jazz Oracle cd

I'm in need of a pick me up after pledging for a new furnace, and trying to keep warm with this hot dance from the 'thirties.

Hi Matchstikman
I have exactly what your asking for. A Zrock 2 with no mods. Works as intended. Send me a PM and we can go from there.
John

Saxguy, “Easy swiitch” sounds like a good preparation and will be given a “Whole Lotta Love”.  I only have ST  bottle 45’s (Tung Sol, RCA, Sylvania) and recently got around to purchasing a pair of etched RCA UX-245 globes that test a bit above 90%.  It should be fun to hear some globes that everyone seems to praise as the best sounding 45’s.  Due to arrive early next week.

I'm alive. Not sure I am "well." Just found out I need to purchase a new furnace. That literally takes away all my money.

Hello, Lon.

If I am an old timer, you are an antique timer.  HAHA.

Yeah, I have a system that been good to me for several years and it got me off the acquisition cycle. The old, old, old blue Torii still sees action and it still sounds great. I have two ZROCKS at the moment. I have a friend with a system that I think could use a ZROCK.  Maybe there's an old one, an original, that's gathering dust for someone.

Anyway, I'm glad you are alive and well.

Hello old timer, good to see you posting. Hope you find one.

Hello.

It has been some time since I last logged on. And, what do I find on messages? People letting me know that some user is using my handle as a scam or something like that.

Anyway, this is THE Matchstikman.

I've a second system and I'm interested in an original ZROCK; maybe called a ZROCK2 back in the day. No mods are necessary.

I'll pay a fair price.
I use Paypal.
Just in case, when it comes to scams, if you are a brand new user with only 2 posts and you've only been on this site for 2 days, the odds of me contacting you are rather small.

Thanks, in advance.

I agree about the 45.  It’s the most realistic presentation of “bring there” that I’ve heard.  I wasn’t prepared for it when I first listened.  After finding some globe 45s, there was even more solidity and weight to everything without losing the realism.

I figured out a way to organize everything so I can easily switch between the 45s and the Sarah when it arrives.  

I don’t know if there are supply issues right now, but I’ve been almost in the same spot on page one for quite sone time.  Back in early October Sarah told me via email that invoices for November 2022 deposits would be going out soon.  We’re in mid-December and it looks like things have slowed down significantly over the past two months.

Incidentally, the first thing to finish up yesterday morning was a UFO2.1 in a cherry base. In just the right light the gold knob gleamed just enough to seem like copper. I could almost imagine a copper tone against that cherry base... I have a new respect for that Cherry/ Copper combo it is really striking. It was passing moment, but I might not have noticed it if it were not for this thread, honestly.

I am also still on the lookout for some more varied samples of Wenge, I will post something somewhere if I do Cheers

Nice, I like it. Thanks for sharing it.

Ok, thanks.

My earliest experience as a concert goer was to hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta. After he was poached by the New York Phil he was succeeded by Carlo Maria Giulini and his brief tenure in LA was considered a "golden age." I was at college and just starting to work during that time and didn't go to any concerts. But based on Giulini's recordings it was indeed something special.



16/44 FLAC download

The Pathétique has always been a Giulini specialty, and it is easy to see why from this recording.

Agreed. Folk Singer is probably my best sounding LP (Mofi) and CD (Japanese, maybe SHM-CD) , and even it if it didn't sound so good it would be in the rotation for the music.

I've been listening to the earlier piano music of Schoenberg and Webern. I want to call it "modern" but it is like a hundred years old now, older than Brahms' music was when I was playing it in high school. It is atonal, and while some of it sounds like a sugared up 4 year old pounding on the piano, most of it is very interesting. Maybe even beautiful in its way.



16/44 FLAC download

Maurizio Pollini's 20th Century album is a who's who of important piano music. Besides Berg, Schoenberg and Webern there is Prokofiev and Stravinsky, Debussy and even Pierre Boulez.