Post image for Vinyl Review: Miles Davis – Miles in the Sky (Mobile Fidelity 180g, 45RPM)

Vinyl Review: Miles Davis – Miles in the Sky (Mobile Fidelity 180g, 45RPM)

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Sound: 8.3
Pressing/Packaging: 9.4
Value: 9.3

Original released by Columbia Records in 1968. Catalog Number: CS 9628. Engineers: Arthur Kendy, Frank Laico. Producer: Teo Macero.

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab reissue released in 2015. 180g, 45RPM, 2LP. Catalog Number: MFSL2-437. Numbered, Limited Edition. UPC: 821797243711. MSRP: $50. Buy on Amazon.com

Miles Davis (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (saxophone), Herbie Hancock (piano, electric piano), Ron Carter (bass, electric bass), Tony Williams (drums), George Benson (guitar).

Introduction

There are many insightful reviews of the music on this disc elsewhere, so I’m not going to cover that here (as per my review philosophy). Bottom line: There is some blistering and influential music in these grooves. Tony Williams’ drumming alone produces several jaw dropping moments.

Sound: 8.3

Sound-wise, this record is somewhat inconsistent but supremely interesting and important. Drums sound exceptional, especially on the first and last tracks. Super clear with terrific immediateness. Crisp and snappy. No distortion. Electric piano on first track is also extremely nice. Coherent, tonally balanced, and surrounded by a pillow of believable air. Trumpet and saxophone are good most of the time. Saxophone has extra rich tone on the second track. I think the 45RPM cutting gets every ounce of life from the (aging) tape.

However, there are problems. Trumpet has some distracting, phasey sizzle in loud parts. Muted trumpet at the beginning of the last track is thin and screechy (admittedly, I’m not a fan of the mute). Bass quantity is uneven, with some low and upper bass notes sounding anemic.

But the main issue has to do with the varying “sizes” of each instrument–especially acoustic piano. When not soloing, piano, bass, saxophone, and even drums sometimes sound “smaller” as opposed to “quieter.” This unnatural shrinking and expanding of the instruments can be unnerving (the hard panning of drums and piano doesn’t help).

Real instruments in a real environment never sound like this. Of course, sounding “real” wasn’t necessarily the intent when this was recorded. From this record onward, Miles made greater and greater use of electric instruments and studio experimentation.

(See reference system for context on sound evaluation.)

Pressing/Packaging: 9.4

Pressing quality is excellent. My copy is fantastically flat and centered. There is a touch of vinyl noise, but well above average in this regard. Packaging is nearly as good as it gets. A heavy gatefold cover with sharp images and crisp text houses this 2LP gem.

Value: 9.3

As for value, at $50 it ain’t cheap. However, run-of-the-mill reissues cost $30 on average. And those are single LPs–not double. I’m not sure what an original sounds like, or what it would cost to get a nice copy (check eBay). Considering the quality on offer here, value is very high indeed.

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab reissue LP on Amazon.com:

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Daily Audiophile Reference System

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Here’s the system used for music and gear reviews.

Cartridges

  • Denon DL-103 MC cartridge with sapphire cantilever and micro ridge retip by Andy Kim
  • Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge
  • Signet TK7E MM cartridge

Tonearm and Turntable

  • Technics EPA-100 tonearm with Applied Fidelity rewire (copper)
  • Technics SP-10MK2 turntable with obsidian base

SUT and Phono Preamp

  • Cinemag CMQEE-3440AH step up transformer made by Ned Clayton
  • PS Audio GCPH Phono Preamp

Speakers

  • Avantgarde Acoustic SOLO active, coaxial 2-way horns
  • REL Strata III subwoofer (occasional)

Cables and Power

  • Audio Technica phono cable (DIN to RCA)
  • Transparent The Link interconnect cables (RCA)
  • Blue Jeans Belden 1800F with Neutrik NC3-B series XLR interconnects (25 ft)
  • Monoprice power cables (1 meter)
  • PS Audio UPC-200 power center

Record Cleaning

  • Loricraft PRC-3 record cleaning machine
  • Audio Intelligent Formula No. 15 cleaning fluid

Room

  • 21′ x 14′ with 8′ ceiling
  • Carpet with heavy pad over concrete floor
  • LP shelves provide some diffusion
  • No dedicated room treatments

Setup

  • Speakers 7′ apart
  • Listening spot 8′ from each speaker

Post image for Daily Audiophile Music Reviews Philosophy

Daily Audiophile Music Reviews Philosophy

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Audiophile Reissues

Our music reviews focus on audiophile reissues; primarily LPs. Since these records were released previously (sometimes, many times over), we don’t spend time going into depth about the music, which is often well-known and has been described at length dozens of times elsewhere.

Sound Quality

We evaluate the sound instead of the music. Does it sound natural or artificial? Do the performers and instruments sound like they occupy real space? Is the timbre of the instruments realistic. Are the highs, mids, and lows in correct proportion to one another? Are quiet and loud passages sufficiently different in volume yet equally clear? Is there distortion? Is there tape hiss? Is there pre-echo? We describe these sonic attributes as best we can, given the playback equipment (see the reference system).

Comparisons

If you’re an audiophile, your goal is to get the best sounding version of the music you love. Whenever possible, we review new reissues in direct comparison to original pressings or other reissues. This helps you decide which one to buy (or keep).

Pressing Quality

Pressing a perfect record isn’t trivial, and imperfect pressings almost always mean degraded sound quality. Is the disc flat? Clean? Free of handling marks, scratches, and sleeve scuffs? What about pressing defects like non-fill, bits, or bubbles? Is the spindle hole centered? Is the vinyl quiet? We expose problems such as these so you’re less likely to get disappointed.

Value

As music fanatics, we are prepared to spend good money on software. But we don’t hand over $50 just because a reissue is new–it actually has to sound that much better than cheaper versions already available. Price is important to all but the luckiest of us, so it’s always factored into our recommendations.

Wax Stacks: Best LP Crate Ever?

Friday, July 10, 2015

This Kickstarter campaign for a new kind of LP crate is worthy of a look. Precision cut plywood panels snap together without tools or hardware. With $10K to go and only four days left, they’ll need help to make these a reality. A single crate is only $59, and you get a discount for buying more.

Wax Stacks Kickstarter campaign

PS Audio NuWave DAC Review on Daily Audiophile

Saturday, January 5, 2013

PS Audio NuWave DAC Front

Price
$995. Available direct from PS Audio (USA customers only), or via local dealer.

Description
Newest and most affordable DAC from PS Audio. Notable for 192 kHz asynchronous USB and defeatable upsampling (native mode). Effectively replaces the discontinued Digital Link III DAC model, which was introduced in 2006 and still sells on some websites.

Features & Specs (from PS Audio website)

  • Three digital inputs
  • 192kHz asynchronous USB
  • RCA and XLR balanced outputs
  • High current class A output stage
  • Native mode
  • 192kHz selectable upsample
  • Low jitter PerfectWave clocks
  • Class A fully balanced discrete analog electronics
  • Burr Brown 24 bit DAC chip
  • Weight: 12 lbs
  • Dimensions: 14 × 8.5 × 2.75 in
  • Color: Silver, Black

Purpose of this Review
Evaluate NuWave DAC ($995 list) for use with computer audio via USB. Compare it to the PS Audio Digital Link III DAC ($995 list / $499 street) with and without the Musical Fidelity V-LINK 192 USB/SPDIF converter ($399 list / $199 street). This converter employs 192 kHz asynchronous processing and is part of my current digital front end. Please see complete equipment list below for details on the review system.

Background
About five years ago I evaluated several DACs in my system over the course of several months. These included a handful of mid-priced DACs from Bel Canto, Channel Islands, and Musical Fidelity. I used either the Hagerman HagUsb USB/SPDIF converter or a glass optical cable straight from my Macbook. I settled on the Bel Canto DAC2 with the optical connection and lived happily with it until it was replaced by the PS Audio Digital Link III (DLIII) sometime in late 2010. A couple months ago, I added the Musical Fidelity V-LINK 192 USB/SPDIF converter, which was a nice improvement but made me wonder how such a combo would compare to PS Audio’s newest offering, the NuWave DAC. After receiving the NuWave for review, it was played continuously for over 100 hours prior to serious listening.

NuWave vs. Digital Link III
Since my main goal was to determine how the NuWave compares to my current setup, I did the following comparisons:

  1. USB direct, both DACs set to 192 kHz upsampling.
  2. USB direct, NuWave set to native, DLIII set to 192 kHz upsampling.
  3. V-LINK 192 converter, NuWave set to native, DLIII set to 192 kHz upsampling.
  4. USB direct to NuWave set to native, V-LINK 192 converter to DLIII set to 192 kHz upsampling.

Note: The USB input on the DLIII can only handle sample rates up to 48 kHz, so the first two comparisons in the list above were done using 16 bit/44.1 kHz music only. The third and fourth comparisons above included both Red Book and hi-res music since using the V-LINK 192 converter with DLIII or USB direct to the NuWave allows for 24 bit/196 kHz material. Please see the list of music used below for details on what was played.

Listening
Overall, the NuWave is an improvement on the Digital Link III. The NuWave has more detail, air, and richer tones.

However, the differences between the two DACs were less dramatic than I expected. The sound of DLIII was surprisingly close to the NuWave, especially when used with the Musical Fidelity V-LINK 192 USB/SPDIF converter. I found the DLIII presented a slightly warmer, more pleasing sound, while the NuWave was more realistic and interesting. There were times when the DLIII sounded more cohesive, but other times when it sounded somewhat congested. Again, the differences were subtle.

The best sound was achieved using the USB cable direct into the NuWave DAC with the native setting activated. Soundstage height was maximized and tones were harmonically rich. This was especially true on hi-res material, which generally sounded more refined and nuanced than Red Book.

Wish List
The NuWave DAC is an impressive package, but it’s not perfect. Here are my only nits:

  • I really wish the NuWave had a volume control and remote to make running it without a preamp more convenient. The volume control with remote on PS Audio’s GCPH phono preamp allows me to run it direct to my active speakers for my vinyl listening, which is fantastic.
  • I also wish the NuWave had an incoming sample rate indicator, if only to confirm what I think it’s receiving from my Macbook.
  • I like the more substantial case and buttons of the DLIII better than those used on the NuWave. The plexiglass top and plastic buttons on the NuWave feel slightly cheap in comparison. On the other hand, if these materials were used in order to keep the price under $1K, I can live with it.
  • Lastly, I wish the design of the cardboard box used to ship the NuWave made it easier to re-pack the unit should the owner need to ship it again. The box doesn’t use styrofoam or cardboard spacers. Instead, it uses a single raised piece of cardboard, onto which the unit is secured by a single piece of shrink-wrapped plastic. This minimal approach is effective and great for the trip from the factory. However, once the shrink-wrap is cut and the unit it is removed, the interior of the box will need to be creatively augmented by the owner in order to keep the unit in place for another shipment.

Conclusion
The NuWave DAC is a worthy successor to the Digital Link III. It has improved sound and better features. Its few shortcomings are easy to overlook given it’s excellent price. At $995, it’s a bargain. That said, the NuWave’s predecessor, the Digital Link III, is still a surprisingly good sounding unit. Its performance at the discounted price of $499 is tempting, especially if one pairs it with a decent asynchronous USB/SPDIF converter such as the Musical Fidelity V-LINK 192 for an extra $199. Whether the extra $300 for the NuWave is worth it in your system is up to you. For me, it is. Curious how it will sound for you? Take advantage of PS Audio‘s generous 30-day in home trial purchase and give it a try.

PS Audio NuWave DAC Layout

PS Audio NuWave DAC Back

Equipment Used

Software Used

  • Channel D Pure Music v1.89d2 music server software using Memory Play and volume set to 0.0 dB.
  • All music files in Apple Lossless format.
  • All 16 bit/44.1 kHz files ripped from CD using Apple Lossless Encoder setting in iTunes with Error Correction.
  • All hi-rez files downloaded in Apple Lossless format or FLAC.
  • FLAC files converted to Apple Lossless format using XLD v20121222 decoder

Music Used (16 bit/44.1 kHz)

  • The Mercury Program: “Arrived/Departed” from Chez Viking (CD, Lovitt Records, 643859860021)
  • Jose Gonzalez: “Down the Hillside” from Stay in the Shade EP (CD, Hidden Agenda Records, 795306508120)
  • Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition from Fritz Reiner, CSO (Hybrid CD, BMG Classics, 828766139426)

Music Used (24 bit/96 kHz)

  • Arcangelo Corelli Opus 6: Concerti Grossi from The Avison Ensemble (Linn Records, info)
  • Joachim Kwetzinsky: Shchedrin: Basso Ostinato from Polyphonic Dialogues (2L, info)

Music Used (24 bit/176.4 kHz)

  • Dick Hyman: “Thinking about Bix” from HRx Sampler 2011 (Reference Recordings, info)
  • Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba Suite from Elji Oue, Minnesota Orchestra (Reference Recordings, info)
  • Walton: Crown Imperial (finale) from Jerry Junkin, Dallas Wind Symphony (Reference Recordings, info)

Music Used (24 bit/196 kHz)

  • Haydn: String Quartet In D, Op. 76, No. 5 – Finale – Presto from EngegÃ¥rdkvartetten: String Quartets (2L, info)
  • Beethoven: Sonate Nr. 32 c-moll op. 111 – Maestoso from Tor Espen Aspaas: Mirror Canon (2L, info)
  • Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique from Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Linn Records, info)

Get Better Sound Book Review on Daily Audiophile

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Jim Smith sent us a review copy of his recent hifi set-up guide book, Get Better Sound ($44.50). The book consists of 202 tips for getting the most out of your system (without spending money on new gear). It includes typical topics such as speaker placement, room treatments, and set-up tools. It also includes less common tips on how to listen, how to compare equipment, and how to plan your system. It even has a section on troubleshooting, a glossary, and a list of reference CDs.

Jim has been involved in the business of hifi for many years. He had his own shop and worked for Audio Research and Magnepan. Most recently, he headed up U.S. distribution for Avantgarde Acoustic loudspeakers. He has experience as a recording engineer and has set up hundreds of systems in customer homes and at trade shows.

Lucky for us, Jim remembered what he learned and wrote it all down in a format that is easy to digest and fun to read. His approach is straightforward. No strong endorsements for any specific technology or design philosophy — just common-sense strategies for dealing with the problems and opportunities presented by most home audio systems. He urges the reader to resist the temptation to improve a system by spending more money on yet another new component. He claims that roughly half of any system’s potential is related to the set-up rather than the gear.

Being the cheapskate I am, I was intrigued by the many free or inexpensive techniques and tweaks outlined in the book. I’ve tried many of them over the years — either on purpose or otherwise — so there were some tips in the book that I skimmed over in order to get to new ones. With 202 included, I found plenty of both old and new. I think I even found a few that were in there more than once. Overall, I’d say about 75% of the tips were useful to me.

The tips I liked most had to do with speaker placement and listening position. In my experience, these changes make the biggest difference. I was less optimistic about some of the incremental tweaks Jim advises, such as moving a component forward or backward on its shelf and keeping cables stationary in order to prevent their sound from changing. These are where I draw the line based on my own hearing ability. I have no doubt others have better hearing and can possibly detect such things.

I have to say, I loved the detailed evaluation process Jim describes using a specific music CD he uses as his golden reference. He obviously knows how this disc should sound. Getting his track-by-track descriptions and comparing them to my own observations using the same CD in my system is something I am looking forward to doing (you’ll have to buy the book to find out which CD Jim uses).

As far as value, there is no way around it — this book is a killer deal. I agree with Jim’s assertion that half a system’s potential is related to set-up. Just think of how much some us have spent on our gear. Now compare that to the cost of this book. Don’t make another wrong component purchase until you’ve heard what your system really sounds like when it’s optimally set up. Hell, Jim will even help talk you through it over the phone (for a small fee). And if you’re reading this in the summer of 2010, you’ll get an even better deal if you order the book now. Jim currently has a 25% off summer sale going on. Normally $44.50, the book is now priced at just $33.37 per copy.

Daily Audiophile Launches New Home Page, Hourly Updates

Monday, November 2, 2009

Daily Audiophile now includes hourly updates from over 30 of the best high-end audio web sites. The purpose of the new home page design is to give visitors an at-a-glance view of all that’s new in the world of hi-fi news and reviews.

The new format includes links to over 200 of the newest reviews, news, and articles — all displayed in a clear, easy-to-read format. The blog that formed the core of the old web site will continue to include commentary and analysis, but on an ad-hoc basis.

The goal of Daily Audiophile remains unchanged: To bring you a filtered and simplified view of the chaos that is the high-end audio press. Bookmark us and check back daily (or hourly) to get a handle on all that’s happening across the hi-fi mediascape.

Please check out the new home page and email us with your feedback and suggestions.

Von Schweikert, Meridian, PMC and More on HIFICRITIC

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

HIFICRITIC has published a new issue. Included are reviews of the following high-end components, among others:

  • Meridian 808i.2 CD player
  • Rega Apheta cartridge
  • Sumiko Pearwood Celebration II cartridge
  • Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua cartridge
  • Miyajima Shilabe cartridge
  • Koetsu Usrushi Sky Blue cartridge
  • Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge
  • PMC IB2i speakers
  • Kudos C30 speakers
  • Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary speakers
  • PS Audio Power Plant Premier power conditioner
  • Russ Andrews 50VA balanced mains
  • Townshend Stella speaker stands
  • Meridian F80 mini system
  • Razer Mako desktop speaker system

Check out the full table of contents (PDF). Hate ads? Consider subscribing.

Emerald Physics, Esoteric, Jeff Rowland Reviews on TAS

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Absolute Sound (TAS) has posted several reviews on its AV Guide site in recent days. They are:

Enjoy!

AQVOX Phono 2CI Mk. II Phono Preamp Review on 10 Audio

Monday, May 11, 2009

10 Audio has reviewed the AQVOX Phono 2CI Mk. II phono preamp ($2,000). This is a full-width unit (photo) with “balanced outputs on XLR connectors in addition to standard RCA outputs.” Reviewer Jerry S. auditioned the AQVOX with his SOTA Cosmos IV turntable, TriPlanar VII u2 tonearm, and Miyajima Shilabe cartridge. He compared it to the Manley Steelhead.

The AQVOX easily bests the Steelhead in the bass where it has higher resolution and greater dynamic power. The Steelhead’s sound stage is a bit deeper while the Phono 2CI’s stage offers a greater sense of being able pinpoint a performer left-to-right on that stage.

Check out more details in the entire review.

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