Challenge Classics
- Thread starter Audiocrack
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Maybe interesting to note that Bert van der Wolf prefers the dsd 256 files of his recordings to the dxd files albeit his latest recordings are all native dxd ......
The Beethoven symphony recordings are really fine from a sound quality perspective but there are CC files from Bert that sound superior ... but I suppose you will find that out soon ....
I looked for indications of the native format of the recordings, which were there the last time I did downloads a year ago......but could not find it mentioned anywhere. am I to assume dxd? or is there another way, or maybe a place i'm missing to look.
my agenda is to hear it in the original format with the MSB Select II whatever that might be.
Apart from a few of his earlier recordings that are native dsd Bert records (currently) in dxd.
What DAC is he using to listen? We cannot exclude that his preference is just due to the system performance, not the format.
+1! But most of the time we do not have technical information enough about the recording.
I was thinking the same thing.
likely he is using the Merging Technology unit, the 8 channel NADAC, for playback, since these are all multi-channel masters.
I preferred dsd to pcm (disliked the redbook performance) through the 2 channel version of the NADAC when I heard it doing Quad......but never heard it with native dxd masters.
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as I posted a few moments ago, my perception of the NADAC 2 channel dac was that it was not optimal for redbook PCM. I never heard higher rex PCM with it. but i'd guess that the dac, in this case, might be a factor for Burt's playback preferences. it's only a guess.
I just finished downloading the rest of these dxd files and i'm sampling them now on the MSB. they are seemingly better than the Quad files so far. and I listened to these Quad files quite a bit.
Which CC recordings did you download? In my view Bert’s recordings still belong to the very best out there. Interesting to hear how they compare to your best files in your set up.
I guess I have to admit i'm not sure who Bert is exactly. I thought he was the CC guy. so I likely need to do some research and identity which of 'Bert's' recordings I have already. here are the one's I down loaded. all 2 channel dxd.
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Prok 1-5
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Prok 6-7
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Prok 3-4
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Bruk 1
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Mend 4-5
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Beet Pian 1-2
https://www.spiritofturtle.com/shop...2&attribute_pa_channels=stereo&v=7516fd43adaa
Faure--pian
Bert van der Wolf is the mastermind of Northstar: in most of the recordings that you can download from www.spiritofturtle.com Bert is the producer, balance and recording enigineer. Furthermore he is editing and mastering these recordings.
Btw, the various Bach recordings with La Petite Bande are very impressive as well: for example the singers in the Mattheus-Passion are gorgeous and the recording quality is outstanding.
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I went ahead and added the Beethoven cycle and the 2 Mahler's.
i'm truly impressed by what I've heard from the de Vriend Beethoven's so far. this is reference digital full orchestral music. wow!!! (with the caution i'm no classical expert).
I've had the Quad files of these for over a year, listened to them often, and they are merely very good but did not stand out to my ears. but these now have a delicacy, texture, ease and liquidity from the native dxd with full orchestral that reminds one of great vinyl (at least played through the MSB). and this more refined sound compliments the excellent energy and pace of these recordings.
Beethoven Symphony's are among my most played music......these last few years. and these are now at the top of my digital list.
i'm truly impressed by what I've heard from the de Vriend Beethoven's so far. this is reference digital full orchestral music. wow!!! (with the caution i'm no classical expert).
I've had the Quad files of these for over a year, listened to them often, and they are merely very good but did not stand out to my ears. but these now have a delicacy, texture, ease and liquidity from the native dxd with full orchestral that reminds one of great vinyl (at least played through the MSB). and this more refined sound compliments the excellent energy and pace of these recordings.
Beethoven Symphony's are among my most played music......these last few years. and these are now at the top of my digital list.
maybe should have waited to post.
yesterday the downloads went fairly smooth. today it's a cluster.......likely more downloads are straining the bandwidth of the site. dxd files are huge and 3 to 8 gig files take long times to download. so I have to watch them and kick start them as they fail and hang up. maybe my post caused more of an issue and maybe it did not.
yesterday the downloads went fairly smooth. today it's a cluster.......likely more downloads are straining the bandwidth of the site. dxd files are huge and 3 to 8 gig files take long times to download. so I have to watch them and kick start them as they fail and hang up. maybe my post caused more of an issue and maybe it did not.
Enjoying the ones you could download? Hope you agree with me that Bert's files/recordings are amazing and wonderful!
I downloaded 6 more today, for a total of 23 since Thursday afternoon. and there were some almost 8 gig files today......one that took 4 hours. just more hang ups today compared to the earlier ones.
i'd say sound quality wise, these files are uniformly overall the finest sounding digital I have yet heard. so many passages where my prior expectation would be some sort of distortion and they sail right through. the native dxd is so natural, so easy and grounded; the overall tonal and dynamic balance seems right on to my ears. just a splendid job of recording and producing.
Bravo to Bert!!!
yes......amazing and wonderful.
