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Discussion: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini - Matsuev

Posts: 52
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Post by hiredfox February 11, 2010 (21 of 52)
Now, time for more controversy...

On my high-end stereo system this is the best recorded, best sounding and most enjoyable silver disc that I have ever heard. BAR NONE, FULL STOP!

Who do we have to thank for this masterpiece in addition to James Mallinson as producer? None other than those ex-Living Stereo musical magician legends Dirk Sobotka and John Newton (with Mark Donohue).

Isn't it just great when all those enormous SACD/DSD talents come together for our pleasure. The tighter the segment becomes the more likely this will happen one guesses. Through concentration obviously comes quality.

The performers are none too shabby either. I like Gergiev more and more in this his most reflective and sympathetic period.

Post by dcramer February 11, 2010 (22 of 52)
hiredfox said:

Isn't it just great when all those enormous SACD/DSD talents come together for our pleasure. The tighter the segment becomes the more likely this will happen one guesses. Through concentration obviously comes quality.

The performers are none too shabby either. I like Gergiev more and more in this his most reflective and sympathetic period.

Thanks for this, I didn't realize it had been released and have placed my order. You make a good point - I suppose the obvious analogy would be the resultant increase in the quality of play if a sports league reduced the number of teams. I've always thought that SACD would evolve into a relatively small but stable and well-supported niche market for those who think that the highest possible fidelity DOES matter and brings us closer to the music. Segments of the analogue market (vinyl and reel-to-reel) have been doing this as well although the price of admission for the Tape Project tapes makes Esoteric SACD prices look like chicken feed :-)

Post by hiredfox February 12, 2010 (23 of 52)
dcramer said:

Thanks for this, I didn't realize it had been released and have placed my order. You make a good point - I suppose the obvious analogy would be the resultant increase in the quality of play if a sports league reduced the number of teams. I've always thought that SACD would evolve into a relatively small but stable and well-supported niche market for those who think that the highest possible fidelity DOES matter and brings us closer to the music. Segments of the analogue market (vinyl and reel-to-reel) have been doing this as well although the price of admission for the Tape Project tapes makes Esoteric SACD prices look like chicken feed :-)

More discs like this and the case for a DSD standard surely will become compelling at least amongst serious audiophiles and true music lovers. When the quality of sound is this good, there is no need for sonic gimmicks.

Post by Fugue February 12, 2010 (24 of 52)
I canceled my order based on two bad reviews of the sound (overly dry, muffled piano, etc.), now I'm reading some rave reviews. Grr....

Post by Windsurfer February 13, 2010 (25 of 52)
Fugue said:

I canceled my order based on two bad reviews of the sound (overly dry, muffled piano, etc.), now I'm reading some rave reviews. Grr....

One can trust only one's own ears - and then sometimes even they will surprise you! I have experienced opposite reactions to a disc auditioned on two different occasions. It is an eyebrow lifting experience!

Post by hiredfox February 13, 2010 (26 of 52)
Fugue said:

I canceled my order based on two bad reviews of the sound (overly dry, muffled piano, etc.), now I'm reading some rave reviews. Grr....

They will not have "Sold Out" yet, John. You have a superb equipment line up so it is difficult to imagine a bad result for you with this disc.

Post by Xavier Gallet November 13, 2012 (27 of 52)
I don't know if some of you have come accross this but on my system, the disc would cut in some sections (always the same), principally in the Rhapsody. I first thought the disc was dirty and cleaned it but it didn't change anything. I then tried a different copy and again faced the same cuts. Buying a third copy - as an ultimate attempt to resolve my problem - didn't help. Very frustrating.

Otherwise, I agree this is a very good disc with tremendous sound and performance.

Post by Fugue November 13, 2012 (28 of 52)
hiredfox said:

They will not have "Sold Out" yet, John. You have a superb equipment line up so it is difficult to imagine a bad result for you with this disc.

I eventually bought it...sounds great! I have an even better system now than when this thread got started. I can't praise it as highly as you did, but it certainly sounds good...and a lot better than the negative reviews would have one believe.

Post by Don_Angelo June 18, 2013 (29 of 52)
Xavier Gallet said:

I don't know if some of you have come accross this but on my system, the disc would cut in some sections (always the same), principally in the Rhapsody. I first thought the disc was dirty and cleaned it but it didn't change anything. I then tried a different copy and again faced the same cuts. Buying a third copy - as an ultimate attempt to resolve my problem - didn't help. Very frustrating.

Otherwise, I agree this is a very good disc with tremendous sound and performance.

Thank God I was begining to think I was mad...
I experience audio glitch in the Rhapsody on that release and tested three copies, could you tell me what player you use ?
Seems like a compatibility issue. I use a Marantz SA-7003 and the audio glitch happens at track 14 on the SACD stereo layer only I guess (the player does not support multicanal).

Post by andrei_nz June 19, 2013 (30 of 52)
Edvin said:

I hate the Rachmaninov piano concertos. Wonder why since I love his symphonies and other pieces. Another insightful posting from me!

Three solutions come to mind:
(1) You have been listening to concertos 1&4 rather than 2&3. 1&4: An hour of life I will never get back.
(2) Crap versions. Abbado and Argherich (spelling?)for example are sublime.
(3) Make sure you put the silver shiny discs in the tray. They sound terrible when the stylus hits them.

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