I admit to getting utmost pleasure from the outstanding releases Bob Witrak continues providing to us via his High Definition Tape Transfers catalog. As I've said before, his extensive offerings are like wandering into a treasure room filled with some of the greatest classical and jazz albums ever released. I'm delighted to have these opportunities... Read More »
In this issue, we have some exquisite new albums at NativeDSD, led by a new Pure DSD256 release from Cobra Records with a fascinating program for solo piano. And two new releases from the creative artists partnering with Brendon Heinst at TRPTK, and more. I hope you will find something to further explore. Flowers We... Read More »
Yes, you know by now that I keep track of Bert van der Wolf's recording projects. I've been holding my reviews of the two releases below because I keep hoping to add yet a third release along with them—wishfully the first release from Bert's new High Street Studio recording studio, HERE. But, alas, while Bert's... Read More »
One of my all-time favorite violinists is Arturo Delmoni, who has recorded far too infrequently. Here we have an opportunity to hear him performing in a superb reissue of his recording Music for Violin and Guitar. Originally released by Athena Records in 1993, this reissue is a significant sonic improvement over the original CD-only version... Read More »
Bob Witrak, founder and mastering engineer for High Definition Tape Transfers (HDTT), continues to astound me with the quality of his releases. Those of us who value recordings from the "golden age of stereo," and who are obsessive compulsive about obtaining the best sound quality possible, owe Bob a great debt of gratitude for his... Read More »
Producer's Choice, Vol. 2. Cobra Records 2025 (Pure DSD256-Direct Mixed, Stereo) Edit Master Sourced (To be released December 12 at NativeDSD) Cobra Records' 25th Anniversary celebration continues with the release of Producer's Choice, Volume 2. And it is phenomenal. Earlier this year, I wrote with enthusiasm about the release of Volume 1 which included selected... Read More »
My meanderings in music over the past few weeks have surfaced some nice releases at NativeDSD, with quite varied selections to share. We have three new Pure DSD releases from Hunnia Records, APSoon Records, and Octave Records (good to see them back in the Pure DSD game). And we have music ranging from the Suites... Read More »
I have long valued recordings that use a single stereo microphone (or microphones whose capsules have been closely spaced) because of their authenticity, immensely precise and stable imaging, and overall greater "true-to-life" representation of the musicians when performing within a natural acoustic environment. Getting it all right is not easy, it does not just happen... Read More »
Whenever I get to hear something that is so supremely good, and so delightfully performed, with such insight and richness, I feel it warrants a immediate sharing with you. This new Yarlung Records Pure DSD256 album, released today, is such a recording. Can you tell I'm excited about it? Yes, indeed! You need to hear... Read More »
What a pleasure to hear of a new label with audiophile aesthetics emerging from the greater Los Angeles commercial music community! This was my immediate reaction when I first started talking by phone with Ryan Sillifant, producer, mastering engineer, and performing artist for a new label, BigRibbons, launched by Wes Dooley, founder of AEA Microphones... Read More »
Anna Fedorova is, to me, one of the most exquisite pianists performing today. Her interpretative skills are subtle, inventive, and completely engaging. And her technical skills are simply amazing. When she performs, I just slide into a very happy place listening to her. Her most recent release is delightful. Liberté, Anna Fedorova, Orquesta Sinfónica de... Read More »
Once again we have a full measure of excellent recordings released in recent weeks. If I didn't like them, I would not write about them. And I do like these very much. They start off with an outstanding new recording of trumpet concertos from the inestimable Tine Thing Helseth and Lawo Classics, then some very... Read More »
As Yarlung Records celebrates its 20th Anniversary, founder Bob Attiyeh is reissuing in Pure DSD256 some of the 15ips 2-track tape recordings made in earlier years. We've previously seen released David Fung's Evening Conversations (HERE) and coming before long will be Ciaramella's Music in the Court of Burgundy. But now we have this very excellent... Read More »
Bob Witrak continues to find really nice recordings to release over at HDTT. This time around we have a Basie/Ellington Redux reissue, a Coleman Hawkins album transferred from the original Crown Records 15ips master tape, an excellent Fritz Reiner Living Stereo reissue, plus three albums that I've had in my Pure DSD256 From Analog Tape:... Read More »
Analog Tone Factory is a label new to me but it has been releasing some very nice all analog albums on high quality vinyl and transfer to analog tape for the past few years. Their LPs have already received very high recommendations in the audiophile press, but since I've been away from vinyl for half... Read More »
Offered for your perusal are thoughts on six releases to be found at NativeDSD. Included are two outstanding performances of Prokofiev's symphonies by Gianandrea Noseda and the LSO (the Fourth and Sixth); a first recording from Jared Sacks' newly opened residential recording studio in Pure DSD256, giving us a glimpse of more nice recordings to... Read More »
Every now and again a recording comes along that is of such supreme quality, that I simply must stop and tell you about it. It deserves a special stand alone article. And this performance by Ning Feng, recorded by Jared Sacks, is such a release. Read on... Brahms & Goldmark Violin Concertos, Ning Feng, Konzerthausorchester... Read More »
Oh yes! I am excited about this. I am in love with this. Why? Because this is what audio should be. Frans de Rond, founder and recording engineer for Sound Liaison has released a stunning new album in Pure DSD256 with Carmen Gomes Inc. It is phenomenal. It is clarity, purity and utter transparency at... Read More »
Bob Witrak has been busy in recent weeks releasing a nice assortment of albums. Among them is an outstanding set of Bruckner's music in modern recordings from the excellent recording engineer, John Proffitt, and provided to HDTT by John directly from his edit master files. Also included below is a marvelous Lewis Layton recording of... Read More »