AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: WGH on 13 Jun 2017, 02:07 am
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Goodby Keith Don't Go, it was nice to know you. The new TajMo is now the new demo king. How good? It will even make your non-Salk speakers sound like a million bucks, the down side is every room in the upcoming RMAF will be playing this CD.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=163839)
Every song is great, absolutely fantastic music. The CD has excellent stereo separation plus a stable solid center image, tight deep bass along with a wide dynamic range.
On another topic: everyone knows that Van Alstine electronics and Salk speakers have a synergy that is hard to surpass, it can be done but not without a lot of experimenting. What you don't know is that the ZenWave Audio D3 interconnect is the third component in this trilogy. Put a D3 between the pre-amp and amp and the music comes into focus with such perfect imaging and dynamic range that you instantly know these three components were made to go together. I first heard both the D3's and D4's in my system 2 years ago, the D4's were not a good match (good thing too), but the D3's really pulled everything together. I have demoed many different interconnects and none have worked this well with AVA and Salk. You won't know how much music is stuck inside your electronics and can't get out until you give the ZenWave D3's a try.
Wayne
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This sounds like a 'can't miss' combination. Thanks for sharing it.
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Listened to the track samples on HDTracks. Seems like a keeper.
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Great album from start to finish with the typical Keb Mo' production values.
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I'm listening to it on TIDAL now. Nice tunes.... :thumb:
Thank you for mentioning it. They're new to me.....yet another new 'adventure' in music for me!
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Killer!
charles
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Thanks for the heads up. I'm a Keb Mo fan. I put it on my wishlist at HDTracks (24/44.1).
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Just came in the mail. Has to wade through the cleaning process before play.
Doc
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I picked it up a little over a month ago, I've been enjoying it a lot. Great music.
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Another great album by Keb Mo, the cover of Squeeze Box makes me smile. His new live double album is the best live recording I have. He always has top notch recordings, a couple others I highly suggest are Keep it Simple, Suitcase and Slow Down. They are what I call happy blues.
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Thanks for the music tip Wayne! Glad the D3s are working out well in your system.
Don P.
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Just bought the HDTracks download, it's outstanding
Mark
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Excited about this. I'm a big fan of Keb Mo and Taj!
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Thanks for sharing this Wayne. I listened on Tidal and it's excellent!
Those D3's also sound intriguing. Anybody have any idea how the D3 compare to the D2?
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Thanks for sharing this Wayne. I listened on Tidal and it's excellent!
Those D3's also sound intriguing. Anybody have any idea how the D3 compare to the D2?
The ZenWave D3's are a lot more neutral and resolving than the D2's. They were a major step up in my system when I demo'd Dave's cables a couple weeks ago. I found the D2's to over emphasize the upper bass and lower midrange areas. They also did not have the treble or bass extension of the D3's or D4's. Check out Dave's website for the cable comparison, his chart is spot on accurate.
NB
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Those D3's also sound intriguing. Anybody have any idea how the D3 compare to the D2?
Unfortunately I have never heard the D2's, put the question to Dave in his forum: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=178 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=178)
A brand new pair of D3's were above my budget but after waiting for 2 years a used pair finally showed up on AC and I jumped on them, thanks Don.
Since TajMo will be on everyone's playlist at audio shows for years to come we will finally have a universal album we all know to compare speakers and electronics.
Wayne
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The D4's with my HT2-TL's were a little too resolving, the sound lost it's magic and became analytical, everyone at our audiophile group agreed. RAAL tweeters are special: extremely clear, smooth and very extended; a friend with excellent but more laid back speakers preferred the D4's in his system.
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Just listened to the whole album via Tidal. Fun album, but did anyone else feel the vocals were a bit recessed? I felt like both lead locals could have benefited from a few more db or maybe some compression/limiting. Outside of the vocal mix I really enjoyed the album.
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Taj Mo Band is on tour this summer and I was able to catch the concert at Red Butte Gardens in SLC UT a couple of weeks ago. It is a terrific outdoor venue and the performance was awesome as expected. I am a big fan of Keb Mo and the only complaint I would have is they only played their new stuff.
Not surprising since they are promoting their musical collaboration.
Also in the live performance the the lead vocals were a tad recessed as well, I like Keb Mo's voice and it was not as pronounced as I would have liked, nit picking here......
Catch the tour if you can!
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Just came in the mail. Has to wade through the cleaning process before play.
Doc
I guess that means vinyl! Please keep us posted on the sound quality of the LP. Does it come with a download code as well?
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Another great album by Keb Mo, the cover of Squeeze Box makes me smile. His new live double album is the best live recording I have. He always has top notch recordings, a couple others I highly suggest are Keep it Simple, Suitcase and Slow Down. They are what I call happy blues.
Just ordered the Pink Live Album on Amazon for $7.57 total shipped and tax included. (I have prime).
Thanks for the info.
Get well soon. I know allergies are a P I T A.
:thumb:
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I saw this thread a few days ago and decided to add this recording to my favorites list on Tidal. I also checked the member reviews on Amazon, which were also very complimentary and positive, I was looking forward to listening to this CD.
Perhaps it was a case of overly high expectations but this recording is not what I've come to expect from either of these great artists. I can't even rightly call this recording blues but rather highly over-compressed pop. I was very disappointed and as a result I simply cannot recommend it.
Larry
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Having a bad day Larry? Maybe it's Tidal, the CD sounds fine. Dynamic range can always be better, I bet the Bernie Grundman mastered vinyl is lovely.
My latest copy of Stereophile has been sitting unread, this morning I did a quick browse and discovered TajMo is the Recording of the Month.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/recording-july-2017-tajmo (https://www.stereophile.com/content/recording-july-2017-tajmo)
Roberd Baird writing for Stereophile:
Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo': TajMo
Concord CRE00432 (LP). 2017. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', prods.; Zach Allen, John Caldwell, Alex Jarvis, Jesse Nichols, Casey Wasner, engs.; Ross Hogarth, mix; Richard Dodd, mastering; Bernie Grundman, vinyl mastering. AAA? TT: 45:20
Performance ****
Sonics ****
"And speaking of sound, TajMo's impending summer tour may be the catalyst for another recording. The quotes in the press kit confirm that the making of TajMo has been a life-changing experience for both men, a fact that happily is also audible on the final product."
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I take back what I said previously about recessed vocals. Listening again tonight at a proper volume, I felt like the mix was solid. Down low, late night listening, had the vocals falling back a bit.
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I saw this thread a few days ago and decided to add this recording to my favorites list on Tidal. I also checked the member reviews on Amazon, which were also very complimentary and positive, I was looking forward to listening to this CD.
Perhaps it was a case of overly high expectations but this recording is not what I've come to expect from either of these great artists. I can't even rightly call this recording blues but rather highly over-compressed pop. I was very disappointed and as a result I simply cannot recommend it.
Larry
I guess I am having a bad day as well, but I am listening to the LP now, and side 1 ( tracks 1 through 5) sounds just too compressed. Bass and drums are as good as through an iPod :cry:
Acoustic guitars sound ok though, but it is a C+ record, imho. I have a large number of TAS and Salvatore list LPs, and most of them are outstanding records, but this one is just ok.
Art
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Never thought I would read such polarizing opinions about a recording :scratch:
Especially an "audiophile" one. So who was sick when they heard this? WGH, Robert Baird, Larry or Art?
Guess I'll have to listen myself.
Best,
Anand.
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Never thought I would read such polarizing opinions about a recording :scratch:
Especially an "audiophile" one. So who was sick when they heard this? WGH, Robert Baird, Larry or Art?
Guess I'll have to listen myself.
Best,
Anand.
Please do and let us know.
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Please do and let us know.
I sure will. And frankly I might be sick as well!
Best,
Anand.
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=164228)
180g French MPO pressing released in Europe June 16, 2017.
Digital recording
Soundstage is flat and wide with some nice left to right effects.
Sounds artificially - too much overdubbing ?
Imaging is problematic - never get the feelin' there's a guy in
front of you with a guitar playin' the blues.
Loudness seems uniform - I would say too much compression.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=164245)
180g Dutch Music on Vinyl pressing.
Digital recording
Sounds far more pleasant and naturally.
Soundstage has width and depth and there's a guy in the center
playin' guitar and singin' the blues.
Regards Toni
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Hmmm...I'm wondering if I wasted my popcorn money. A TajMo is on the way. Hopefully I won't have to bill Wayne for damages. :lol:
I'll report back, as well.
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Hmmm...I'm wondering if I wasted my popcorn money. A TajMo is on the way. Hopefully I won't have to bill Wayne for damages. :lol:
I'll report back, as well.
I got mine from HD tracks and sounds great.
Then Followed Hydro's recommendation for the Live Pink Album but still waiting on that one. (Amazon CD)
:D
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Hopefully I won't have to bill Wayne for damages. :lol:
Hey guys, don't blame me for deficiencies in your system if you don't like the way TajMo sounds. :peek:
The way this thread is going I'll have to start a Go Fund Me page to cover rebates.
Interesting comment on problematic imaging, one of the first things I noticed was the solid center image, the left-right effects are nice so at least they got that right on the French LP.
Stereophile thinks the US vinyl could be AAA but with a ? at the end.
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Hey guys, don't blame me for deficiencies in your system if you don't like the way TajMo sounds. :peek:
The way this thread is going I'll have to start a Go Fund Me page to cover rebates.
Interesting comment on problematic imaging, one of the first things I noticed was the solid center image, the left-right effects are nice so at least they got that right on the French LP.
Stereophile thinks the US vinyl could be AAA but with a ? at the end.
I'll cut you a break, Wayne. I like the album very much. Fine music. Maybe a bit of compression noted. Stereo separation is sharp, and perhaps that's what lends to the impression of a lack of center imaging.
As for the album making my speakers sound like Salks...well, they already do...Philharmonic 2s. :D And the album sounds pretty fine on my Aerial Acoustics, too.
Worth the investment even if it did cost me a week's worth of popcorn. :|
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I'll cut you a break, Wayne. I like the album very much. Fine music. Maybe a bit of compression noted. Stereo separation is sharp, and perhaps that's what lends to the impression of a lack of center imaging.
As for the album making my speakers sound like Salks...well, they already do...Philharmonic 2s. :D And the album sounds pretty fine on my Aerial Acoustics, too.
Worth the investment even if it did cost me a week's worth of popcorn. :|
BTW, I was listening to the album through Philharmonic 3s, powered by AVA electronics. The ScanSpeak 8" revelator is unlikely to be the source of bass compression :D
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It's been on heavy rotation for about a week here :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:.