Recommended Hi-Rez Audio

[Yoder]

I just received a portable hi-rez audio player (details in Digital thread) and picked up several "new" releases from HDTracks. Since the player outputs 192/24, then that is the resolution I purchased. My favorite so far is Muddy Waters "Folk Singer" with Willie Dixion and Buddy Guy. It is all acoustic and I have read in several places now that the actual studio recording was so well done that it made the remastering release one of the "best audiophile recordings of the 20th Century." A bold claim indeed, but it has phenomenal clarity and is one of the best recordings I have heard in awhile. The album was released in 1964.

Also, picked up Van Morrison "Astral Weeks" and "Van Morrison and His Band and Street Choir." I got the latter since I saw him and this band at the Lions Share in San Anselmo in 1972. Both are well done in terms of remastering. I am not sure if it is considered a good thing or not, but if you listen closely you can hear the tape "hiss" in between songs. I don't own either in vinyl or CD format so figured that now would be a good time to buy. Good early Van Morrison.

The last 192/24 recording I got was a Stan Getz and Bill Evans recording of Bossa Nova pieces. Haven't listened to it in great detail, but I like what I have heard.

I would highly recommend the Muddy Waters "Folk Singer" to anyone. Some great audio, music, lyrics, etc.

[Lar]

I second Muddy Waters Folk Singer, also have it in hi-rez, played threw Emotiva dac - Crack - HD 600, just fantastic! 

[Yoder]

Just finished listening to the Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz "Jazz Samba" album. (Note the name correction.) Like the Muddy Waters album, I would highly recommend this album as well. The original recording was very well done, as was the remastering. As expected there is some great sax and Flamenco guitar playing. It is one of those genres of music that very few people, if any, would find offensive. Add to that the high-resolution playback and it is a winner.

Hi-rez audio definitely brings out some of the limitations of using a Macmini as an audio server. Using TOSLINK or USB ports, will only allow a maximum of 96/24 playback. I have been using the HDMI port of the mini, and not having any component yet that has HDMI in means that I cannot listen to it on my main audio system. Still, the B&W CM1's and the Denon AVR-3312CI that we use for movies and TV did a good enough job to justify my decision of buying hi-rez audio.

Does anyone out there have any hi-rez audio suggestions of their own?

Dan: just noticed the "Music" thread. Maybe this posting should be moved there? Thanks.

[STURMJ]

I see one of my favorite blues albums on HD-tracks, "In session" Stevie Ray Vaughn and Albert King.  It's from a Canadian TV show and sounds great.  (SRVs playing style is similar to  AKs, and it is interesting to hear them play together)