[Ferdi]

HI all,

I found an LP copy of one of my favorite piano pieces at Goodwill. Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. Piano: Julius Katchen; conducting Anatole Fistoulari.

I like the sound quality and the performance. A bit different from other versions (Archerich, Kocsis) I know.

What has me a bit puzzled is that the record feels very heavy and stiff. The sleeve indicates this record is published by Decca and is otherwise marked ffrr and LXT 2595 (I assume a title number).

Is this different from normal vinyl records?

I have googled and have found general info on Decca and now understand this is a mono record. Cool!

This is probably the oldest record I have. I guess it was published between 1950 and 1960.

I have justed started with vinyl and wonder if many people find records this old.

Looking for your experiences.

Ferdi

[Russell Dawkins]

The Decca ffrrs were some of the nicest sounding old recordings. I remember one my parents had of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta that really stood out as sounding natural, from the stage action to the massive bass drum.

[SET Man]

Hey!

   I have seen and have some old classical Decca LPs with that "ffrr"

   If I remembered correct it stand for "Full Frequency Range Recording" But even that I doubt that it is a true full 20hz-20khz recording.

    Yes, likely from 50's. The LP will play fine on your modern turntable

   Anyway, different record companies use different name for their recoding. Like RCA Victor use "Orthophonic" and later "Living Stereo" for their early stereo recording.

   These old records are old but that doesn't mean that they won't sound good. Actually many of those old recordings would put most today's modern albums both on CDs and LPs to shame! 

   If you like classical music look for early stereo recording LPs... clean one from Decca, RCA, and Columbia and you will be amazed of how these old stereo recording sound. This will make you scratch your head and wonder whatever happened to the "recording art" 

Take care,
Buddy

   

[goldlizsts]

When a recording company came up with a new twist to improving the LP sound, it was always an event.  I remember the first time I saw "ffrr" was on a Mantovani Sweedish Rahpsody LP.  We all danced to the jolly tune, the accordion sound.  Yes, it was mono too.  It must have been early 60's when I first saw it as a kid.  It was may be Decca/London's turn to boast of their new advance.  As far as I remember, ffrr recordings had more extensions at least at the upper frequencies.  Improving the dynamics over acoustic recording techniques of the 50's I guess.  That's purely my personal conjecture, since I'm no history buff of the recorded art.

[Ferdi]

Hi guys, thanks! I like the music and that is of course most important. I may have a chance to get a few more like this. Maybe I should.

Ferdi

[AliG]

Yes, it was mono too.   

Do monos sound better than Stereo?? I don't know about vinyl, but I really hate mono on CDs. There's just no soundstage to it..everything come right out from one point in the middle between two speakers.

[SET Man]

Yes, it was mono too.   

Do monos sound better than Stereo?? I don't know about vinyl, but I really hate mono on CDs. There's just no soundstage to it..everything come right out from one point in the middle between two speakers.

Hey!

     Yes, everything should come out from the mid point between your speaker with mono recording otherwise there is something wrong with your system or your hearing

     A good stereo recording will give you a better illusion of the sound space than mono. But! With good mono recording you still get some sense of space and some layers of the sound. Well, at least that's what I hear on my system

   Still less spatial feel than what a good stereo recording can do.

Take care,
Buddy