Audiophile Sampler on CD!
From the worlds of jazz, blues, percussion ensembles, world music and classical music, this is a special compilation of analog audiophile recordings at their best, with emphasis on great sound.
The 2xHD Fusion Mastering System: In the constant evolution of its proprietary mastering process, 2xHD has progressed to a new phase called 2xHD FUSION, integrating the finest analog, with state-of-the-art digital technology.
The mastering chain consists of a selection of high-end vacuum tube equipment. For the recordings on this album, the original 1/4" 15 ips NAB and CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct dive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, has one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain a better resolution and 3D imaging.
The resulting signal is then transferred into high resolution formats by recording it in DXD using a custom 2xHD Technologies A to D converter. All analog and digital cables that are used are state of the art Siltech. The 2xHD FUSION mastering system is powered by a super capacitor power supply, using a new technology that lowers the digital noise found in the lowest level of the spectrum. A vacuum tube NAGRA HD DAC X is used as a reference digital playback converter in order to A and B with the original analog master tape, permitting the fusion of the warmth of analog with the refinement of digital.
Features
- CD
- Tracks 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 Were Recorded by Rene Laflamme
- Tracks 1, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12 Were Recorded by Jean De La Durantaye
- Mastering Engineer: Rene Laflamme at the 2xHD Mastering Lab
- 2xHD Executive Producer: Andre Perry
Selections
- Pink Panther (Jazz ensemble - Henry Mancini) - Recorded at the Plateau Montreal concert hall with two Schoeps cardio microphones on Nagra IV-S
- The Story of Sonny Boy Williamson (Sonny Boy Williamson - vocals, harmonica) - Recorded on 2 tracks with two Schoeps cardio (tube) microphones
- Greek Tycoon Bouzouki Music - Recorded at la Chapelle du Grand Seminaire in Montreal on a Decca Tree with 3 Fidelio 2xHD microphones on Nagra IV-S
- Leaving (Fred Alarie Trio - Ritchei Beirach) - Recorded at la Chapelle historique du bon Pasteur in Montreal with two Neumann U-67 on Nagra IV-S
- Musicus Percussion Ensemble (voice, Jambi, timpani, big drum) - Recorded at Salle Claude Champagne with 2 AKG C12, 4 Neumann U67, 2 B&K 1 inch, on Nagra T - IMPROVISATION
- Musicus Harp Solo - Recorded at La Bibliotheque de Montreal with 2 Schoeps on Nagra IV-S - IMPROVISATION
- Route 66 (Doreen Smith) - Recorded with a Fidelio stereo microphone on a Nagra IV-S master EQ
- Katjar Percussion Ensemble - Recorded at L'Eglise St-Francois in Laval, Quebec, with 2 Fidelio 2xHD microphones on Natra T at 30 ips - IMPROVISATION
- Musicus Percussion 2 - Recorded at La Bibliotheque de Montreal with 2 Schoeps on Nagra IV-S - IMPROVISATION
- Esperance (Marie Saint Onge - accordion, flute, guitar & double bass) - Recorded at L'Eglise St-Jean Baptiste in Montreal with 2 Fidelio 2xHD microphones on Nagra T at 30 ips - IMPROVISATION
- Pictures at an Exhibition - Excerpts - Recorded at Place des Arts, Montreal, with two B&K omni microphones on a Nagra IV-S in NAB
- Toccata and Fugure in D Minor, BWV 565 (Raymond Daveluy - organ) - J.S. Bach - Recorded at the St-Joseph Oratory in Montreal, with 2 Neumann microphones on Nagra IV-S in NAB
