Furtwangler Rome Ring on SACD

[Nicholas G]

Just wondered if anyone bought this and has compared it to the old EMI CD version.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPGS-50083

[Willem Orange]

On Saturday, October 4, 2014 2:36:25 PM UTC-4, Nicholas G wrote:
> Just wondered if anyone bought this and has compared it to the old EMI CD version.
>
>
>
> http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPGS-50083

Just about anything is preferable to the overly de-noised and de-clicked EMI version- but in any case if you go to the stevehoffman.tv site (google that and furtwangler rai ring sacd) he compares the set to the Pristine version. There are other reviews on the Internet all of which say the set is way, way too expensive.

[William Sommerwerck]

SACD sound is only marginally superior to CD sound. There is no justification
for an SACD of a 60+ year-old mono recording. The set is probably aimed at the
Japanese market.

[Mort]

William Sommerwerck wrote:
> SACD sound is only marginally superior to CD sound.

Hi,

Occasionally, as in some recent Praga re-issues , the alleged SACD sound
is worse than the original CDs.

I find that some RCA Living Stereo hybrid SACDs do sound richer and more
realistic than the original CDs,and that the CD tracks on the SACD
sound somewhat better than the original CDs. I have a stereo system, not
surround sound, but of course my CD player does have an SACD mode.

I have posted about this before. In the mid-1920s, when electrical
recording was available, some record labels stuck to the tin horns but
put "electrical recording" on the record sleeves. One wag commented that
the only "electrical" in those recordings was the light bulb at the
ceiling.

We sometimes see similar situations in wild vs. farm raised salmon,and
organic foods, where a slogan brings in more money.

On the other hand, I have been told by audio engineers that many record
companies do not wish to spend the money to re-master older recordings
to the best modern standards, but just re-issue from the same older
masters. A recent detailed review of the newest iteration of Solti's
Ring pointed this out, and called that a missed opportunity.

Good listening,

Mort Linder

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[Benito]

On Saturday, October 4, 2014 8:36:25 PM UTC+2, Nicholas G wrote:
> Just wondered if anyone bought this and has compared it to the old EMI CD version.
>
> http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPGS-50083

I know this set is expensive. When I bought the SACDs they cost me around 300 dollars, and now they seem to be even more pricey, but I have to say that it was a worthwhile investment.

Don't believe what others may tell you, about other releases sounding almost as good, these recordings were sourced from master tapes and sound infinitely better than any other release of the 1953 RAI Ring Cycle. Although somewhat inconsistent in parts, the depth of sound, particularly in the orchestra is very impressive for a mono recording from the early 1950s.

For my money this is the greatest Ring on record. The orchestral playing has long been underestimated due to shoddy sound quality on previous releases, but here is actually shown to be largely excellent, the singing is sublime and the conductor is, as always, breathtaking. Playing the SACDs (or extracted DSD files) on a top sound system yields magical results.

[Nicholas G]

How did you extract the DSD files and what do you use to play them? Where did you buy the SACD?

[Benito]

I sent them to a friend of mine who used his PS3 to extract.

I usually listen to the DSD files on my Astell and Kern portable player. Otherwise I play them straight off the SACDs.

I bought them from CDJapan too, but I seem to remember the cost was only 200 dollars or so, but after Customs Tax I ended up paying more like 300 in total.

I gather the best way to order is directly from amazon.co.jp, as it's supposed to be cheaper.

This is the cheapest on there- http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B0%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC-%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%81%AE%E6%8C%87%E7%92%B0-%E3%83%95%E3%83%AB%E3%83%88%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A7%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC-%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AB%E3%83%98%E3%83%AB%E3%83%A0/dp/B00JKA13AW/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414085382&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=furtwangler+sacd+ring

The RAI Ring in this sound will blow your mind...