CD Questions & Answers

1) CD 可保存多久呢？
2) 现時各大唱片公司都仍然有生產這期間的 CD，我為何要買２手貨呢？CD 不是數碼記錄，張張相同嗎？
3) CD初出道時，LP迷不是彈其声硬碍耳嗎？

答 1) CD 可保存多久呢？ :了解 CD 生產過程就有答案。CD是由注朔机逐只啤出來的。朔料為粒狀透明的polycarbonate，加高温液化再加高压注入公模，成型後再冷却变回固体。常用於啤制頭盔，防彈膠等產品。CD公模制造是由原音母帶的音乐訊号驅動强力鐳射鎗，在化學質料膜胚上，壓印出凹凸不平的路軌，成為數碼訊号，成圈狀，方向由內（即track１）至外，此時的膜胚大軟，不能承受高压的注朔，需經硬化及移轉化成鋁質公模，才可大量啤印，整个制模工序必须在無塵廠房內進行。由於凹凸訊号太微細，公模不能用高硬度鋼材（可啤制过數十萬次），因為刻制困難，衹能用鋁材，鋁模啤印超过５萬只就已变形失真。啤注速度由普通碟３秒至發燒碟５秒一只。啤出來的胶片是透明的，我们CD机的鐳射不能讀出来，因此，胶片要電鍍上一層強力反光金屬铝模. , 才能反射凹凸的數碼訊号。為免铝模氧化, 需噴上一層保護透明漆，經紫外光焗乾，再在另一面印上曲目商標，一只CD到此才大功告成。整个注朔啤印亦必须在無塵廠房內進行。CD 可保存多久，就要看透明漆有没有破損脫落！存放的地方，例如陽光照到的地方，溫差大濕度大，就容易出問题！亦因此，如繼續適當存放，應可再用二三十年都不會有問题。

註：而用CD-R錄下來聽的樂迷请注意，你錄的CD-R衹有３年壽命！CD-R跟上述的CD制作是不同的。CD-R表面有一層化學料，你的 CD-Writer 錄音機的鐳射力量太弱，不能燒成凹凸，祇能將化學料變色，而CD-R最外的保護層又太弱，化學料隨時間很易再變色，導致失效。。


答 2)现時各大唱片公司都仍然有生產這期間的 CD，我為何要買 first edition ？香港女演員李司琪在1968年榮登香港公主時的玉照，與在2008年的家好月園劇集飾演荷媽時的玉照，那一張青春貌美呢？1968年的母帶經过４０年歲月，磁帶磁粉已脫落不少，不可能再生做出原音CD！唯有在 [高科技] 錄音室的 [增删濶飾] 下，才可勉强出碟，但你聽到的是：背景非常寧靜但無生氣，弦樂乾硬，整体音色单薄，與相同錄音的 LP 及頭版CD，差天共地！唉，難怪初次想親近古典音樂的朋友們，無法忍耐聽完一張此類再版CD，就永遠不再聽古典音樂 - 人類偉大精神食糧遺產，嗚呼哀哉！至於CD在那裹制造最好呢？当然是 Made in W Germany 和 Made in Japan 啦！德國和日本都是機械工程最一流的國家，二个民族的人民性格都是非常認真有紀律，她們的產品，無論汽車或朔膠啤机都是一流可靠。CD制造當然不会例外，由母帶訊号驅動强力鐳射切割造模以至啤朔都需要一級機器，和認真的员工來作品檢。更何况，在這段期間，Philips 和 Sony 都注入最佳人材往CD制造，不惜工本務求打敗LP。

答 3)CD初出道時，LP迷不是彈其声硬碍耳嗎？Yes and No. Yes 因為CD初出道時，一般CD机性能不佳， LP迷又不肯買靚CD机，声音当然很差啦。 No 因為當時的CD已做得很好，但要用靚机才可出靚聲,可借靚机都賣很貴，例如 Philips LHH2000, EMT980, Studer A730 的机价都可以買半層樓。這些机種今日仍是非常貴靚声的搶手貨，不過科技進步，今天一些普及的CD机，拿來播頭版CD，都有靚声了！

My search for first edition issued CDs or good XRCD recording CD continues. To make space for these old issues, I have sold off many of my previously bought re-issued versions CDs. The process is quite painful but is worth it as good source = good sound.

http://www.encorehifi.com/cartshop/login.php?sess=7758e4d161ea3a6d49891aa57a933495&abt=25&caller=nav

Mahler ~ More Mahler~~~~

Mahler 8: 滕斯泰特（Tennstedt）指揮倫敦愛樂樂團（London Philharmonic Orchestra）演奏的馬勒（Mahler）《第8『千人』交響曲》（Symphony No.8 In E Flat Major）擁有寬廣宏大的視野，所產生的沖擊力極強，獨唱歌手的演唱富於特點，不論是最後的頌歌還是其他地方都很有層次感，EMI的數字錄音音域極寬，效果豐富，《企鵝唱片指南》三星推薦！ CD 碟印有Made in West Germany 西德压片。 Elizabeth Connell - 女高音, Edith Wiens - 女高音, Felicity Lott - 女高音, Trudeliese Cshmidt - 女低音, Nadine Denize - 女低音, Richard Versalle - 男高音, Jorma Hynninen - Baritone 男中音, Sotin Hans - 男低音, Tennstedt - 指揮, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir 伦敦爱乐乐团及合唱团, Tiffin School Boys' Choir

Mahler 9:
索爾蒂（Solti）指揮芝加哥交響樂團（Chicago Symphony Orchestra）演繹的馬勒（Mahler）《第9交響曲》（Symphony No.9）是全情的投入，演繹極其出色，強烈的情感使演奏極具沖擊力，Decca的數字錄音動態寬廣，明亮生動，《企鵝唱片指南》評為三星！ CD 碟印有Made in West Germany 西德压片，大銀圈（銀圈到边至孔心）。 Solti 索尔蒂 - 指挥, Chicago Symphony Orchestra 芝加哥交响乐团

Stravinsky : The Fire bird. Petrushuka

Dvorak No 9

Good source = good music. My hunt for 1st edition pressed CDs continues with Dvorak N0 9..

德沃夏克 ( Antonin Dvorak 1841—1904)　　

捷克作曲家安东宁• 德沃夏克在1841 年9 月8 日生于布拉格附近伏尔塔瓦河畔的尼拉霍基维斯村一个兼做屠夫的小客店老板家中。小德沃夏克自幼开始学小提琴，对捷克民歌和民间舞曲特别感兴趣，他在教堂唱诗班和客店节日的表演，常为听者所赞赏。十三岁时，因为身为长子必须继承父业，德沃夏克被送到邻近市镇当屠户学徒，这期间他同时学习音乐，才赋大有发展。1857 年起进布拉格管风琴学校学习两年，毕业后先后在布拉格的一个乐队和“临时剧院”的乐队工作，一直到1871 年。在乐队的工作，使德沃夏克有机会接触斯美塔那的早期歌剧，包括《勃兰登堡人在捷克》 和《被出卖的新娘》等，还有幸观赏到柏辽兹、瓦格纳和李斯特等名家的演出，熟知了大量古典乐派和浪漫乐派的作品，积累了丰富的学识。六十年代，德沃夏克己经开始尝试作曲，写出范围广泛的各类作品，包括交响曲、弥撒乐、歌剧、声乐套曲和室内乐曲，但是由于没有上演，基本上不为人所知。　　1871 年，德沃夏克辞去剧院乐队的工作，婚后以教课为生，此外还兼任布拉格一所教堂的风琴师职务，但主要时间则用以创作。七十年代，他的两部作品——爱国主义颂诗大合唱《 白山的子孙》和乐套曲《摩拉维亚二重唱》，是他进入创作成熟时期和成为民族艺术家的重要标志。《 白山的子孙》 在1873 年由着名的“布拉格赫拉霍尔”合唱团首演成功，成为德沃夏克创作生活中的一件大事，或者说，一个重要的转机，自此之后，他的一些作品，如《 第三交响曲》（bE 大调）等都相继获得演出。1875 年，由于申请奥地利政府发放的“清寒天才青年艺术家”国家补助金，他附送的作品为当时参加补助金评议委员会的德国作曲家勃拉姆斯所赏识，就此，这两位志同道合的音乐家终生保持深厚的崇高友谊。勃拉姆斯热情地关心德沃夏克的成长，具体帮助他提高作曲技巧，推荐他的作品给出版商出版，使他得以开始名扬国外；德沃夏克后来把勃拉姆斯的《 匈牙利舞曲》 改编为管弦乐曲，还把自己的《d小调弦乐四重奏》题献给他——人们认为勃拉姆斯在德沃夏克生活中所起的作用，有如舒曼在勃拉姆斯的创作生活中的地位一般。1878年，德沃夏克在布拉格举行他的作品演奏会，生平第一次担任乐队指挥，又为他的艺术活动打开了一个新的天地　　德沃夏克的主要创作，除上述几部作品和七十年代末写的第一套《斯拉夫舞曲》、三首《斯拉夫狂想曲》和《圣母衰悼曲》外，大都在八十年代间世，其中包括《第六交响曲》 到《第八交响曲》、《a小调小提琴协奏曲》、歌剧《德米特里》和《雅各宾党人》 、《胡斯序曲》和第二套《 斯拉夫舞曲》等。八十年代也是德沃夏克在国内外获得巨大声誉的年代，他五次赴英演奏旅行（九十年代又去四次），所获得的辉煌成功，可以同亨德尔、海顿和门德尔松先后在英国得到的荣誉相比美。他在英国指挥自己的作品，首演神剧《圣柳德米拉》、清唱剧《鬼的新娘》和《第七交响曲》——他的《d小调第七交响曲》是专为同他关系特别密切的伦敦爱乐乐团而写的，至于他的一部首先由英国出版社出版的《G大调第八交响曲》，甚至被题名为“英吉利交响曲”。为了表达对德沃夏克的最高敬意，英国剑桥大学在1891年授予他音乐博士的荣誉学位——十九世纪末，柴科夫斯基和格里格也获得同样的礼遇。　　1888 年，德沃夏克同柴科夫斯基的结识，也是他生活中的一件大事；由于柴科夫斯基的邀请，德沃夏克曾到莫斯科和彼得堡演奏自己的作品，同样获得很大的成功。九十年代初，德沃夏克又多次在伦敦、柏林、布达佩斯、纽约以及欧美其他城市旅行，指挥演奏自己的作品。1892 年秋，德沃夏克接受美国的优惠邀请，暂时离开他从1890年开始担任的布拉格音乐学院教授职务，就任纽约国立音乐学院院长；侨居美国期间，他写出第九交响曲《新世界》和《b小调大提琴协奏曲》 等重要作品。1894年春末，德沃夏克回到波希米亚，回到自己的家园和时刻关怀着他的捷克人民中间。他继续在布拉格音乐学院的教课工作，1901年还被往命为音乐学院院长，他塔养出五十多位香乐家，其中包括着名的作曲家诺伐克（V. Nofvak , 1870——1949）、苏克（J.Suk , 1574 一1035 ）和保加利亚的克里斯多天（Xpuctob ,1875——1941) 等。德沃夏克回国后新写的作品有四首交响诗和三部歌剧，其中《水仙女》在1901年首演后受到的长久而广泛的欢迎，并不下于斯美塔那的《被出卖的新娘》。1901年当德沃夏克过六十岁生日时，在布拉格、伦敦和维也纳，都为他举行盛天的庆祝活动，但是，正是在这个时期，德沃夏克的肾脏等器官却开始患了不治之症，到1904年5月1日终因脑溢血在布拉格突然辞世。　　德沃夏克的创作浸染着深刻的捷克民间色彩，在主题与结构方面同捷克民间音乐的神韵和特点保有密切的取系。他的作品反映了作者的爱国热诚和为复兴祖国民族文化所做的且大努力：他的一些大型作品以人民的斗争和对先烈的赞颂为主题，还有许多作品再现了捷克大自然和民间日常生活画面，另一些作品则采用捷克古代的历史和美丽的神话为题材。德沃夏克同斯美塔那一样，都认为用音乐来赞颂自己的祖国和巩固人民对更加美好的未来的信念，是他们自己义不容辞的神圣职责；只是在对待民间音乐素材方面，斯美塔那所瞩目的只偏重于捷克，而德沃夏克不但注意到捷克的民间音乐，他也转向摩拉维严和斯洛伐克，他似乎更加重视斯拉夫各民族间的相互联系。例如，在他那举世闻名的《斯拉夫舞曲》中，斯洛伐克的奥德捷梅克、波兰的玛祖卡和波罗涅兹、南斯拉夫的科罗、乌克兰的屯卡，就同波尔卡、索塞卡、斯科契那，孚利安特以及其他捷克舞曲兼收并蓄。第九交响曲《 新世界》 (e小调作品第95 号）　　德沃夏克的《 第九交响曲》 不但是作者最重要和最有价值的一部作品，而且还属于十九世纪下半叶世界交响音乐珍品之列。这部作品是当作者到达美国之后不久便开始构思，而在1893年5月间最后完稿的，同年年底在纽约首次演出获得很大成功。由于德沃夏克在作品首演的最后一刻，为它取名为《 新世界》（或称《新大陆）》，再加上作者对美国的民族音乐问题曾发表过一些议论，因此音乐界曾就这部作品的内容和特性等方面掀起许多论争。　　德沃夏克一踏上美国国土，头脑里便翻腾着无数强烈的新印象，他爱看纽约港停泊的大轮船，特别关心美国被压迫黑人和印第安人的生活和命运。对黑人的音乐，他曾经这样说过：“我相信美国将来的音乐将会以所谓黑人的旋律为基础，也就是说，黑人的旋律将为在美国发展起来的新作曲学派奠立础石。当我初到此地时就有这个想法，现在更加确信不疑。这些美丽而富于变化的主题，都是从这个国土产生出来的。它们是美国的。它们是美国的民歌，美国的作曲家都应该求助于它们。所有的伟大音乐家都借助于普通人民的歌曲。”无疑地，德沃夏克在美国期间、特别是当他初到美国时所写的这部交响作品，的确受到不少异国情调韵影响，反映美国黑人或印第安民族音乐的一些特点，例如大调中的五声音阶，省去六级音的小调音阶，以及特殊的切分节奏等，在一定程度上带有新奇而强烈的色彩；正如作者所说，如果他没有看到美国，他无论如何是写不出这样的交响曲来的。但是有些评论家单从作者运用美国黑人的旋律作为主题这一点，便错误地把它说成是“美国的交响乐作品”。实际上，德沃夏克写作这部交响曲时，他怀有极深的乡愁，一直悬念着波希米亚和他留在祖国的孩子们。为此他特意到美国腹地衣阿华州捷克移民聚居的斯比尔维尔，同他的同胞生活在一起，为他的《新世界》交响曲配器，这时他的确把波希米亚音乐所特有的香郁气质和他所蕴积的对祖国的爱，巧妙地织入这部作品之中。因此，尽管作者曾反驳一些评论对他的曲解，把那些错误的分析斥为“废话”和“谎言”，并坚决声称“不管他在什么地方创作，是在美国还是英国，他所写的总是真正的捷克音乐”，但如把这部美丽的《 新世界》 交响曲视为作者对美国和捷克这两个国家的颂赞，那也是说得过去的。

Lady Lan Hua Hua Cd

I came across this Hugo CDs by chance when I was on business trip to Taipei. For those who want to experince strong vocals, mutliple instruments with stereo effect, I would stronly recommend this Lan Hua Hua Cd.

I have changed the 12 AX7 tubes from RCA to Telefunken for my Fisher 50C and immediately, I can feel the dramatic improvements! The Fisher 50C is really an amzing pair of preamplifiers. It can add warmest an dynamism to my Western Amplifiers and yet still managed to maintain the WE natural sound..

For those who are looking for vintage preamplifiers, my reommendation is as follows:

For matching with high gain power amplifiers such as Leak TL12.1: Marantz 7 or Fishers 50C

For matching with low gain amplifiers Fisher 400CX

Tannoy

My favouite vintage Tannoy back in Singapore..

Sera una Noche: La Segunda

The second album by the superb group from Buenos Aires includes some of tangos most famous works juxtaposed with powerful Argentine folk and elements of improvisation. While Séra Una Noche's first record featured superstar vocalist Pedro Aznar (a member of Pat Metheny's memorable '80s unit), La Segunda is blessed with the sultry and elegant voice of Lidia Borda. Recorded with just two omnidirectional microphones in the church at the Monasterio Gandara, two hours outside of Buenos Aires.

Take 6 - The standard

Take 6 gives definitive vocal treatments to such jazz classics as "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Straighten Up and Fly Right" with vocalist/guitarist George Benson, "Someone to Watch Over Me" with trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and "Seven Steps to Heaven" with Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau and German flugelhornist Till Brönner (featuring new lyrics by Jon Hendricks). The Standard's crowning glory is a version of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," Ella Fitzgerald's signature song - created in the studio using her original vocal from the classic 1938 Decca Records 78.
Other highlights include "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" with Aaron Neville, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" with Brian McKnight, Quincy Jones' "Grace" and "Windmills of Your Mind" (from the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair).

Fisher 50C

Recession time - Time for more music

The finiancial crisis has affected the mood and life of many across the world.

Everyone is worried and cautious with what lies ahead. Since we are unable to change what lies ahead, we will have to tak it in stride.

My workload has dramtically increased for the past few months and my business trips have also increased drastically.

Even though workload has increased, I am happy as I love these challenges.

To de-stress, I will turn to my favourite Western Electric to play some classical or jazz music. Now, with the return of my Fishers 50C pre-ampliers, the WE124b is like "Tiger adding wings"..the smooth natural Wester Electric sound with a touch of warmest and dynamism..

Ah Tao's Water way is my all time favourite CD especially when listening to the CD always reminded me to live a simple life as life is simple. We often complicate ourselves. As one grow older, one tends to accept what is yours is yours. I have let go my pair of Fihers 50C with much regret. After more then one yesr, I am glad that these wonderful preamplifiers came back in even better shape..fully restored using new old stoks capacitors and matching coloured wooden cabinets.

As times are hard, one needs music to take away our worries...Enjoy music! Life afterall is about taking challenges and live the best as we can!

Matisse - The Conductor

http://www.signatureaudio.com/conductor.html
http://hifi.gz008.com/thread-16127-1-1.html

Fisher 50C back home

This evening my previous Fisher 50C came back home

For those who want to experience the "live music" tmosphere an soundstage, you can try listening to Compay Segundo Calle Salud.

Shostakovich Cds

My journey in listening to classicl music has been quite an long and yet interesting one.

I first started by listening to the popular Mozart, Beethoven and all Karajan CDs.

Lately, I have managed to know what kind of classical music I really like and what I don't really apprceiate. In doing so, I have taken the weekend to take out those classical Cds that I have bought earlier and divide them into those I like (to keep) and those I don't (to dispose).

In doing so, I hope to reduce the number of Cds and make space for the new ones that are coming. In addition, for those I really like, I have also started to hunt for the better recording (e.g. classic record gold CDs, the first edition recording or the Japanese recording, XRCD etc..)...

海丁克（Haitink）指揮倫敦愛樂樂團（London Philharmonic Orchestra）演奏的肖斯塔科維奇（Shostakovich）《第7『列寧格勒』交響曲》（Symphony No.7 Leningrad）直截了當，在慢樂章中有很強的情感張力，而他與阿姆斯特丹皇家音樂會堂樂團（Amsterdam Concertgebouw）合作的《第12交響曲》（Symphony No.12 In D Minor Op.112 "1917 "）以卓越的音質和極好的反應能力打動了許多聽眾，Decca的錄音相當輝煌！ CD 碟印有Made in West Germany 西德压片，大銀圈（銀圈到边至孔心）。Haitink 海丁克 - 指挥, London Philharmonic Orchestra 伦敦爱乐乐团, Amsterdam Concertgebouw 阿姆斯特丹会堂乐团

海丁克（Haitink）指揮倫敦愛樂樂團（London Philharmonic Orchestra）演奏的肖斯塔科維奇（Shostakovich）《第2『十月革命』交響曲》（Symphony No.2）的演繹極好，錄音的均衡感出色，音質真切有形，《第3交響曲》（Symphony No.3）雖不屬於肖斯塔科維奇交響曲中最完美的作品，但海丁克的演奏首屈一指，值得收藏，《企鵝唱片指南》評為三星！ CD 碟印有Made in West Germany 西德压片，大銀圈（銀圈到边至孔心）。 Haitink 海丁克 - 指挥, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir 伦敦爱乐乐团及合唱团

海丁克（Haitink）指揮倫敦愛樂樂團（London Philharmonic Orchestra）演奏的肖斯塔科維奇（Shostakovich）《第1交響曲》（Symphony No.1 In F Minor）的演繹是強有力的，演奏很好，有一種凝聚力，而《第9交響曲》（Symphony No.9 In E Flat aMajor, Op.70 ）的演奏同樣優秀，不事誇張的海丁克使它具有一種嚴肅性，Decca的錄音無可挑剔，《企鵝唱片指南》推薦為三星！ CD 碟印有Made in West Germany 西德压片，大銀圈（銀圈到边至孔心）。 Haitink 海丁克 - 指挥, London Philharmonic Orchestra 伦敦爱乐乐团

CD 碟印有Made in West Germany 西德压片，大銀圈（銀圈到边至孔心）。 Haitink 海丁克 - 指挥 Amsterdam Concertgebouw 阿姆斯特丹会堂乐团

My Fishes swimming back to me..

I used to own two type of hifi Fishes: Fishers 400CX and a par of Fishers 50C.

I like both the Fishers. However, my Fisher 400CX has a matching issue with my Leak TL12.1 as the latter has high gain which made it not an indeal match. When using the Fisher 400CX, the volume knob will have to be turned to the minimal which is why my Marantz 7 matches well with my Leak TL12.1.

For my Western Electric 124b, I have matched it well with the Fisher 50C before and I liked the warm sound. I have also tried with the passive premplifiers (which sounded a bit plain) , the replica WE120 ( I liked the sound for vocal but it is not dynamic enough for Orchestra music) amd the Nagra PLL. The PLL sounded the most blance but I have thought of upgrading to the Nagra PLP models. However, with the strenthening of the CHF Swiss ucrrency from 6.5 previously to 7.2 versus the HK$ has prevented me from making the purchase.

With the economic crisis ahead, I have put on hold my plan of upgrading and just continue to listen to the my WE 124b natural sound without the use of any preamplifiers.

This evening, when my friend Sing has decided to streamline his fantastic collection of hifi gears, the two fishes will be swimming back home soon. I am very happy as these make me realised that everything moves in circle...

When the Fishes come home, the Fishes will be happy t reunited with the WEs..and I.

Looking forward to the return of the Fishes!

ColdPlay Viva La Vida

Besides the jazz and classical musics, I like the modern rock and pop music as well. The Viva La Vida will test your speakers system bass as well as the speed of your amplifiers.

Time to get excited!

Mahler 1 & 5

This coming week is going to be a busy week with 2009 budget presentation as well as business travel again.

I deliberately woke up early to listen to my favourite Mahler 1 & Mahler 5 using Coleman's T amp : ) and I must say it has given Mahler much more speed and energy.

I have told myself to stop buying more amplifier but I guess the T amp should be the last (for the year). Of all the amplifiers, my favourites are the WE124b which gives very natural and smooth sound and matches well with my fullrange speakers; and the Leak TL12.1 which is the perfect match for my gold badge LS3/5a. For my vintage Tannoy, I guess the T smp will be the best match?

Recently, I have began to start serfing the Review33 again, not to actively partcipate but to serach for information of T amp.

T amp charlize2

My addiction with the vintage fullrange speakers come from my friend Coleman. My schulz speakers were also from Coleman : )

I have always wanted to try the T amp but has no opportunities. This evening, I have managed to loan one from Coleman.

I went down to his very nicely decorated diamonds shop at New World center to collect the amp.

After dinner, I quickly rushed home to plug in the T amp with my Schulz speakers. After 30 minutes of listening, I know I must get one for my schulz. It changes my mind towards amplifiers... The T amp sound is much faster then my tube amplifier and is very good for pop music and music that reqires speed and excitement! Great sound!

By the way, for those of you who is looking to buy nice diamonds for your girlfriends, wife or mother, please visit: http://www.belgiumdh.com/ Great diamonds!

the 5 browns

For those who has no experience in listening to classical pianos, ou can start with this eay listening cd by the 5 bowns..

The siblings that mane Juilliard history by attending the prestigious institution simultaneously, The 5 Browns; Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan have returned with their most commercial album to date. On Browns In Blue, the many varied and emotional musical shades of the color are on display. From Gershwin's Jazzy Home Blues and Embraceable You, to the classical mood of a Chopin Nocturne and Debussy's Clair de lune, The 5 Browns show why they remain classical music's irresistible new champions.


http://www.the5browns.com/biography

Classic Records CD

The prices of these Classic Records CDs has increased greatly.

Previously, these CDs were "unwanted" and un sold items. However, recently, many audiophiles have found the recording to be extremely good thereby pushed up the prices of these CDs..

While it is importnat for one to pay attention to speakers pacement, matching of amplifiers and interconnect etc, the source of music (i.e CDs) is also an important component that are often neglected by many..Happy listening : )

My hifi journey

Today is a public holiday. This morning, I have use sometime to reflect on my hifi journey. I have trully enjoyed my hifi journey with the encounters of the various well known classic items such as Mcintosh, Marantz, Siemens, Fisher, Leak, and Western Electric. At one time, I have had a thought of collecting and keeping all these nice gears.

However, through out the passage of time, I have came to realize that space contraint and the need for maintaining these vintage items are taking too much space, time and energy. On further thought, I have also came to realize the true essence of hifi is to enjoy music and to trully appreciates the various music composition. Many audiophiles has decorated their home with many interesting gears and some were interested in becoming sifu...

One key moivating factors for not collecting these hifi items was due to my first love, i.e. collecting vintage watches..which is easy to maintain and does not take up much space. Moreover, many watch collectors have better personalities and social skills then the many audiophiles that I have met here, where many have multiples motives as well as commercial interests..ha ha.

Have fun!

http://vintage-watch.blogspot.com/