Needledrops and demo tracks

No - not 100% yet

 

Stop it you lot, too many clues!

 

Actually, it's not what you would expect.

 

Good

 

Here ya go then Rob (I mention you specifically because I doubt anybody else is interested), here are the two recordings but done using the other phonostage. Now I have to say, having listened to them just now on headphones, that the recording medium (or DAC or whatever) is very much a limiting factor in the validity of this - but anyway:

dcd.wav - Dead Can Dance

td.wav - Thomas Dolby

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Here are the original recordings from the other phonostage:

Black Sun Dead Can Dance.wav

Dissidents Thomas Dolby.wav

Edit: I have modified the original recordings so that they are the same sample rate etc. as the new ones

 

.. mistake

 

Cheers Mark, will listen tonight.

 

Just a different box of electronics is it? No other changes?

 

first is a bit more dramatic on the drums but grainy compared to the second which soars on the vocals. I listened via headphones on computer & main system speakers

I look forward to the revealing but won't hold my breath as regards me affording it

Added comment ... I just thought my comments could be ambiguous .. I was referring to Dead Can Dance previous track & the new track only

(not comparing DCD with TB)

 

Yup, just the phonostage has been changed - even the interconnects are the same (as is the cartridge loading). The same A2D was used - the same computer etc - everything the same.

Thanks for taking the time to have a listen UK Duty Paid .

 

I notice that the recordings were at different sampling rates so I have modified them to be the same (original post changed) - as a result people may have to download the long title versions again if they want absolute parity - sorry.

 

Just had a good listen to both sets.

Prefer the second pair of files by quite some margin - especially on the Dolby tracks.

The first stage sounds splashy and a little muddled, like there are some IMD issue.
The second is cleaner and more relaxed, with less 'splat' and 'splash' on transients and the stage simply sounds like it has more headroom and isn't being pushed hard.

 

Rob, just to clarify - are you saying you preferred the tracks with a long title,or the ones with a short title?

 

Long title preferred.

 

Ah, I thought so from your description - many thanks.

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UK Duty Paid - could I ask for the same clarification from you please - long title or short title?

 

Did a similar thing with Mark this afternoon but using my box of tricks vs his new one. Interesting to hear other peoples comments on the recordings...

 

short title one

based on Dead track as I thought the vocals superior but it did lose a bit of drama on the drums

 

Many thanks for the clarification .

So, we have a vote for the short tile version (with a resevation) and one for the long title version.

UK Duty Paid - have you listened to the Thomas Dolby track - if not, do you fancy giving that a try too please?
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I played all the tracks blind to sq225917 last night using my (new) Grado headphones. On the TD track he instantly recognised the two phonostages (and correctly identified them - preferring the short title version); however, on the DCD track he struggled to decide which was which and he preferred the long title version, finding it had better texture.

 

Thomas Dolby the long title this time

If I had to make a choice based overall between the two I think I'd get more mileage from the longer title versions as these have more impact

but then when costs come into the equation ....

 

All will be revealed regarding cost - their isn't a big advantage in either direction in this regard though.