The worlds most realistic recordings? - Simpson Microphones calls for listeners

Thanks for the specifics - as a horn listener, I find your comments very interesting indeed (not least given the nature of the microphones involved).

Andy

 

Hi Andy, I was definitely listening at below 'realistic' levels for this kind of music. I am surprised a little by the venue, so I'd have to echo (if you'll pardon the pun) sq's comments. I'll have a listen under a pair of Stax headphones over the next few days and see what, if any, difference that makes.

 

Andy, sorry for the delay i've been adding various stages of voltage regulation into my digital front end.

I'll do some more listening this week.

 

That would be very interesting, thanks.

Are those Stax headphones open-back or closed (isolation)?

Throughout the long history of audiophiles & engineers comparing headphone with speaker playback, one consistent difference is in the perception of reverb.

Andy

 

Your help is much appreciated, thanks.

Andy

 

I preferred B. but was that the question? I spent more time with the WAV files.

Both recordings very clear and clinical (which I don't dislike): very dry (but the acoustics of the hall may have dictated that.)

Very nice, but I prefer some of my Gimell recordings, notably

Gimell CDG1M 001 Byrd - The Great Service

and in Hi Res 24/96

http://www.gimell.com/recording-Allegri-Miserere-Palestrina-Missa-Papae-Marcelli.aspx

I would like to hear some piano music, to compare to (say) Telarc CD-80692 - Dinnerstein - Goldberg Variations

I would also like to hear some male and female speech.

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System

Foobar in XP with ASIO or Kernel Streaming when possible

Optically linked Beresford DAC directly into a Quad 405-2 (completely refurbished with new capacitors and op-amp) driving a pair of MB Quart 980s floorstanders. 20 years old - two bass units, aluminium dome the size of a tennis ball for the mid range and a titanium dome tweeter - crisp and revealing without a hint of harshness when paired with the Quad.