listening to the 24/88.2 version currently with Singxer SDA-2 -> Verite Z-Co-te (officially how I’m going to say them from now on lol…maybe).
Anyhow…wowza… such clarity wow! lol…seriously cool. Also the SDA-2 is pretty great sounding…I didn’t have any expectations going in but color me impressed. Even at low levels it seems loud…I thought I was at my standard 80(ish) db and was actually in the 60+db…
switched to ADI-2DAC-> Phonitor XE and I’m getting more impact and clarity…cleaner bass. But I feel like I like the sound signature of the SDA-2 right now…hmm…oops ADI-2DAC was on +1dbu switched to +7dbu…lets see…
Yeah, I feels like the SDA-2 is warmer. ADI-2 with XE feels “cleaner” more precise, maybe wider less roll off. I think the SDA-2 is more “emotional”
Also back on track…what a great album! I’ve written this post while listening to the tracks…your description @Torq is pretty spot on… even if you don’t like the music it is fantastically mastered, especially in the 24/88.2khz version…wow this is a great reference album for comparing!
Fantastic!
Funny thing is I listened really quickly to this album when it released and skipped about the tracks and didn’t “listen” and dismissed it…but after reading your post I gave it another go but sitting hear listening through it and, well, thank you for bringing it back to my attention.
You’re making me want to give the SDA-2 a listen … must resist …
The “better” 4497-based implementations I’ve heard beat the RME ADI-2 DAC … as one would hope, as they’re the SP1000M, N8 and Linn Klimax (Katalyst) DSM/3 … which are 2, 3 and 23x the price of the RME unit, respectively!
“Madame X” has a few stand-out tracks, but I do think it’s much more of an experience when listened to as an album. There’s a story and progression there. Good enough to have me on the deck, with a glass of something naughty, in the Seattle mist, with just the N8, Vérité and an umbrella.
This week I’ve been revisiting some of my favorites:
-Octavarium by Dream Theater
Listening to DT with the Empyrean really shows how fast those headphones are. Songs like Panic Attack create just that. (if you are new to prog or metal in general I would not recommend trying it out with this song)
The title track Octavirum is a 24 min long tribute to all that makes DT great. huge soundscape in the intro, interesting time signatures, excellent musicianship. This is my favorite DT track and sounds fantastic.
One of my favorite blues albums of all time. Music and production quality are superb. As a guitarist this album has so much to offer. From King’s minimalist approach to playing (which manages to say more and with more emotion in a couple notes than most guitarists can do in a hundred) and Clapton’s 70’s blues/rock licks. All done with an excellent band to support them. It’s truly a special album.
Perhaps this video is sincere, ironic, or self-parody, but it seemed appropriate for the 4th of July this particular year. Moccasin Creek mashes up southern rock, hip-hop, and metal. This song combines flag waving and anti-extremism with plenty of southern USA cliches…(?)
Thanks to the pointer for this album. I mention it in my long anticipated review of headphones I don’t care much for. Somehow it slipped by me as I was scrambling up the ladder of the workplace. Well worth a listen.
Just listened ( once more) to the first two soundtracks of this trilogy. Philip Glass work for these movies is outstanding , I definitely favor Koyaanisqatsy (1982) and Powaqqatsy (1988) over Naqoyqatsy (2002).
I know Glass could be difficult , but these soundtracks are good albums to give the guy a chance.
Love this picture-like performance (by maestro Maazel) and fantastic remastering quality (by Decca engineers). Lots of texture. Vivid and delicate expressions. One of the perfect tracks to test how much information an audio device can resolve.
Ever since @Torq got me listening to Madonna…I’ve been on a kick of Madonna and Michael Jackson (24-bit 96khz) on Qobuz…I also randomly had an artist I remember liking years ago pop up again randomly
Jessie Ware: Devotion
specifically:
Running:
Night Light
Wildest Moments and a couple of others… Her Tiny desk concert on youtube NPR is pretty awesome also.
(officially how I’m going to say them from now on lol…maybe).
