Another HPB&R purchase.  I have this on CD and have the vinyl of Vol. one too...not my favorite music of either of these musicians but worth a listen occasionally...

No apologizes needed to play a little EW&F.  I've got some of their LPs in a box somewhere and I saw them live in Omaha in the Mid 70's.

This next LP was spinning when I was 13 yo or so.  This copy from HPB&Rs...sounds great.  I may pick up a couple more America LPs that were there, tomorrow on my way home from work. Again, I have them but where they are is a mystery.  Easier to buy another copy than find the box that contains them.

The next and last LP before bed.  Have to get up early for work...well I get up early anyway...usually between 4:30 and 5:30.  It's very rare for the alarm to wake me.  Mark.

Music played on the Titanic. .. a fascinating cd . . . Dad really likes it. Nicely recorded.

This



From this Blu-ray audio disc

Only have time for one CD before leaving.  This is a favorite from the Dead...

Syd,  did you see that I put my RFT/Seimens EL-34s back in the Torii on Monday?  With the Nanotec speaker cables I'm trying out currently, the painful treble I occasionally was getting with some recordings has been much improved...so I thought I'd see how my old friend the EL-34 would do with the Nanotecs...very nice.  Giving the Russian Photons a rest.  Mark.

PS...Syd, I think I bought a couple Coltrane reissues by Rhino Vinyl..."My Favorite Things" and "Coltrane Sound".  I'll listen to them this weekend and let you know what I think.  I've actually been very pleased with the Rhino Vinyl reissues I've bought in the past...they are surprisingly good.  But specifically the Coltranes...I have to listen again.  I think I've got an Org Coltrane reissue that seemed to have some Boomy Bass...I'll have to revisit it now that I've made so many changes for the better to my system.  Later...

That's good to hear, Lon.  I may pick up more.  Mark.

I did see you`d put the EL34`s back in for comparisson while you`re running new speakers and sp/cbls in Mark. I`ve done the same while I settle some new sp/cabls in. I actually put them back just before and noticed some extra shimmer and of course the bass got more weight behind it. Now both those attributes seem counter productive.
The new cables could do with a bit less of both so the Fotons should fit back in with great results. Having the EL34 bass back is kinda nostalgia so I wont miss it. The Fotons are great.
I`ll have to look at the different label outputs for Coltrane and others.
"Dakar" is on it`s way and I dont know what label it`s on. I hope it has him playing in a not to frenetic stage of his career.

Listening to it now. I`m gonna love this one. Smooooth.
John Coltrane ‎– Dakar
Label:
Prestige ‎– PR 7280, Universal ‎– 0888072351172
Series:
Back To Black –
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 180 Gram

The baritone sax has just kicked in...v/nice

I`ve just bought a nice unit for my albums. It`ll dwarf my collection....I can put all the knick-knack on it as well. The lava-lamp is languishing....dont think it`ll make the cut.  

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351404728690?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=S...

This CD...

Syd, I had written a long post about Dakar and the Back to Black label and had included multiple links but before I was finished my computer gave me one of the frequent Blue Screens and crashed... everything was lost. I don't want to go through it again but I would suggest to seek out a review of each Back to Back reissue you consider buying.  From the Hoffman thread on Back to Black, which is really a Marketing Slogan for Universal Music Vinyl product, it is hit and miss at best for quality. B2B vinyl isn't available at any of the 4 New Vinyl vendors I use so it's unlikely I'll buy any. But of course, let your ears be the judge.  Mark.

Sly & Robbie - Dub Rockers Delight

Typical sound of Channel One in the 82-84 years.

and now Sly & Robbie - Money Dub

slightly earlier stuff, about 79-80, faster, bouncier

Both are heavy as lead.

I use a Torii IV amp and Omega 7XRS speakers and the system doesnt need subs to make my furniture and cabinets shake. The snares are crips, the delays and reverb effects are beautifully detailed. Bass doesnt rumble.

Perfect way to spend time while my wife isnt around. She can't take music at loud volume, especially monotonous, repetitive drum and bass!!!

Syd,  sounds like you're having fun.

In the Cave.  Will play this LP purchased at HPB&Rs on Friday on my way home from work...less than 4 bucks in excellent condition.

PS...this one's better than I expected...the sound really pops...the acoustic guitars and flute...wonderful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI0yw8mFuoA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvdZUzMjH7E  the whole album

Certainly am Mark. I dont often have sounds appearing in front of the speakers let alone above my head. It`s all gone bonkers. I always pictured total envelopement as the goal and some albums are delivering.
I might dip my toe in the water with a Tull album. Never seen them but a couple of their albums used to be on the scene. Thick as a brick and another one. Very popular here.

ps The bass on my "My Favourite Things" is drony as well. I cleaned it up with a 12AU7 in the ZP3. A TFK. Made a lot of difference. The bass got more tuneful. Also the EL34`s pump it out but with the tube change it was ok.

Syd,  I just remembered that the Torii MK IV has a bass switch that is supposed to tighten up the Bass.  I couldn't remember which one it was so back to the Owners Manual I went.  I'm playing the 45 RPM ORG reissue of Coltrane Jazz and think the switch helped.  Mark.

PS...much, much better with the Bass Tightened up a bit with the switch.

Now this Analogue Productions reissue...

This will be the last LP tonight.  A 1974 reissue of this album originally released in 1959...

Floating away in Dallas.  I think we're close to breaking records for rainfall here...

I listened to this via spotify with the Taboo MK IV, Jolida 100 and Audeze LCD Cans.  I wasn't too sure about this one at the beginning but by the end I'd grown to like it...I'll listen to another soon.  Mark.

Hey Lon,  I see you're on now...got a question.  Do you have any Dylan on Vinyl?  Original or reissue.  What would you say is your preferred way to listen?...the Stereo or Mono versions?  I'm listening to the MONO CD box right now and I'm trying to decide if I want the Mono Vinyl box too...very tempted.  Mark.

Well Lon,  you failed me...hehe.  You must be otherwise occupied.  I read about the Mono Box on the Hoffman thread...lots of love for this set over there.  I went to Pop Market and bought this Daily Deal before it was sold out...this has happened before when I dilly dally.  Good deal at $145...that's 16.11 per slab of Vinyl.

It's 177.26 on Amazon...

http://www.popmarket.com/features/117446666?cid=nl%3A1129481485&utm_medium=email...

I thought I had all the Vanguard records Mark, but on second look he took a post Le-Faro trio into the Vanguard as well. I shall get round to them, I bet they`re great.
I`m trying not to buy cd`s. 1, My rotel is temperemental and likes to cut out on one channel. Tilting it up and dropping it doesn`t work anymore.2, My ancient backup player sounds grainy and from the Ark.
I reckon Lons got about all Dylans released.



I think you`re ready to stock up on R. Wyatt albums Mark.

Syd,  I don't know that I've heard R. Wyatt.  How would you describe his music?

Bill Evans played many many times at the Village Vangaurd during his life with many different Trios but the only three that were officially recorded and released were those in 1961 with Scott La Faro and Paul Motian, some in 1967, "California Here I Come" with Eddie Gomez and Philly Joe Jones and then the 1980 recordings with Marc Johnson and Joe Labarbera. I recommend them all.  There is a Fan recorded box called "Secret Sessions" released by Milestone, has 8 CDs worth of Vanguard recordings from 1966 to 1975.  You can pass on those, the recording quality isn't as good as the offical releases.

On CD players.  If you'd like a cheap and very Musical player, I would recommend a used Jolida 100. It has two 12AX7 tubes in it...I changed mine to a pair of Raytheon/Baldwin 12AX7s...sounds great. You can get one for about $500.  I have two and love them (one black face one silver).  When ever I see one come up for sale, I'm tempted to buy it as a back up. Mark.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jolida/jd100.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0304/jolidajd100a.htm

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/digital-sources/cd-players/jolida/jd-100a/prd_321...

This CD next...

Syd,  sounds interesting.  I'll listen to some on Spotify next time I fire up the Taboo Amp.  There are 11 albums on spotify, the most recent released in 2009.  What albums would you recommend I sample?  Mark.

Thanks Syd,  that gives me a place to start on my introduction to Robert Wyatt.  He looks like a rather crusty old fellow.

I have never deleted my ebay email alerts for Jolida CD players...so I'll keep an eye out too.  They come up on Audiogon occasionally too. Be careful not to buy the prior model a 601, I think...it was a piece of crap.  You want a Jolida 100 or 100A... they are the same thing.  Also since Jolida stopped selling them the Chinese factory where they were made has begun selling a new version without a headphone jack.  I don't know how this one is but I'd stick with the ones Jolida marketed and sold.  The one Jolida sold was actually a model sold in Europe...Germany? under another name but they looked identical right down to the remote...the cost of them was much higher under the European Brand.  I've forgotten the name of the one Jolida copied...maybe that's why they stopped selling them.  Don't know but the new Jolida model is like $2900 and requires more tubes, has a DAC, etc.  I'll stick with my simple Jolida 100, thank you!  

Now a little Monk...I'm trying to decide if I want the Speakers Corner Vinyl reissue of this one for $35.  Mark.

PS...I found the reference to the similarity to another CD player in this article...a quote..."Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before? The JD-100A may look familiar to some readers, especially those in Europe. Cosmetically, it is identical to a machine marketed by Lua of Germany, the Cantilena.  I asked Michael Allen, President of JoLida, to clarify the matter for me. His comment? "No comment"."

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/jolida-jd100_e.html

No problem, Lon.

This CD now...

Listening to this via Spotify...Taboo MK IV...Audeze LCD Cans.  I'm trying to decide if I want the MFSL 2 LP version of this Live Concert recording from the early 70's...prior to the "Last Waltz".   Anyone have an opinion on this one?  Mark.

PS...I've been reading and Jan. of 2013 new remixes were made of the songs of the original LPs and the 2001 remastered 2 CD set.  A two CD set or 4 CD set with the last two CDs being a complete concert are available.  Now I have a lot to think about and research.  Apparently the 2013 remixes have greatly improved sound.  I know I want the music just not sure which form...Maybe the 2 LP MFSL Vinyl of the original Mix and then one of the remixes...2001 or 2013...on CD which more than doubles the tracks compared to the Vinyl.

PSS...to save others time, who may want this music...my conclusion is that the original Tape/Mix used for the original LPs and by MFSL was not  great.  The new 2013 mixes are the best they've been so no MFSL vinyl copy for me...I've added Live At The Academy Of Music 1971 [2 CD]  ($15) to my Amazon Wish List and until a vinyl copy of these mixes is released, these will have to do. A Hoffman thread on this below.  I read lots more but they all pretty much reach the same conclusion.   By the way what I just finished listening to was the 2 CD 2001 mix...the Music is fantastic...the 5 man Horn Section adds a lot.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/the-band-rock-of-ages-vs-live-at-the-acade...