Audio Fidelity new 24 Kt Gold CD of "Crosby, Stills & Nash" Review: Veil Removed!!!

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by audiomixer, Dec 3, 2011.

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  1. Digital-G

    Digital-G Senior Member

    Location:
    Dayton, OH
    This album sounds great! The sound is very balanced and the bass isn't shy. Love it.

    Helplessly Hoping is one of my favorites. The harmonies on that are incredible and simply soar. There's a 'bumping' noise throughout the song - I assume this is Stills bumping the guitar or moving around? Does anyone know if this cut was performed "live in the studio"? Was the guitar played/recorded on the same take as the vocals?
     
  2. audiofool

    audiofool Senior Member

    Location:
    The Castle Arrrggh

    By way of an update, my replacement arrived today. The disc was loose in the jewel case and the disc had more than a few scuffs and scrapes as a result

    Just as before, the disc has problems loading in my CD player, taking long periods to get ready to play, if it loads at all, and gaps in pretty much the same spots in Suite: Judy.... as the first disc. A careful cleaing with an eyeglass cloth did nothing to fix this, unlike the success in removing the play gaps on the first disc. So far only the first track has this problem, and the other 3 tracks I've had time to play were ok.

    Now out of all the AF discs I own and other redbook releases, this is the only disc that consistently has this problem and the machine still grinds and groans a bit when trying to 'sync' up.

    The odd thing is that the disc plays fine in my Elite BD-33F player, but has nowhere near the sonic quality.

    I've emailed CDUniverse this evening, waiting for their next direction.

    I really want to have a playable copy of this title, but gee..... grrrrrrr.
     
  3. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    Haven't played CSN yet but I've had 3 or 4 AF CDs that caused my Denon 3930 to grind and groan.
     
  4. audiofool

    audiofool Senior Member

    Location:
    The Castle Arrrggh

    I did go back to retry some of my AF discs. Fulfillingness'.... has a big of a grind and groan to it, but none of my silver discs exhibit this problem.

    And again, my Bluray player has no problems with it. I recleaned the CSN with an eyeglass cloth and it seemed to fix the spot that had the drop-out/pause, but it appeared in a new spot, but when I scanned back and took a 2nd pass at the same time place, it played without interruption, only to have the symptom pop up at another spot. Suite:Judy cannot play thru without having some problem (that is, if I can get the disc to load and play at all).

    I was in speaking to my LINN dealer yesterday and he said to bring the player and the disc around to the shop for a looky-lu. My other concern is if this grinding/groaning phenomena would cause any long term issues with the player.

    It sounds amazing when it plays, but I'd really like to get past this annoyance. :shake:
     
  5. ericscho

    ericscho Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Got my copy of this gem in the mail today, had to get it after reading all the rave reviews here ;). And it sure does not disappoint !

    Amazing sound ! The harmonies really come together and the bass is nice and deep without being overpowering. Also heard all kind of things that I never noticed before, like congas and stuff like that. Highly recommended !
     
  6. Urban Spaceman

    Urban Spaceman Forum Eulipion

    Got my copy last week - # 2092! No problems whatsoever - just great sounding music from the git-go. I hadn't listened to this album in a long time, but I sure could appreciate all the extra care and attention given to this remaster. It was one of those deals where I popped the CD in the player and I was locked in for the duration of the ride! Compelling, involving and all-around fabulous sound - best I'd ever heard from this title. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
    ---------- Chris
     
  7. puffyrock2

    puffyrock2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Louisiana
    Proud to say that this my first ever Audio Fidelity CD. Spotted it in Best Buy today and picked up because I do not own this album in any format already. What can I say. Great album and it sounds perfect. Warm, crisp, detailed.....everything I wanted it to be.
     
  8. joelee

    joelee Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Houston
    Steve did go above and beyond for this one. Hoping for more classic titles, especially ones that have never had an audiophile release.
     
  9. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    Is anybody not madly in love with this release (although who would admit it given this thread :D)?
     
  10. audiomixer

    audiomixer As Bald As The Beatles Thread Starter

    They're crazy, that's all.
     
  11. The CD/DVD/SACD transport that Denon uses is extraordinarily sensitive to even small irregularities in the disc's inner spindle hole and overall weight balance. These were not problems in the past as most CDs were manufactured more precisely.
     
  12. randy9700

    randy9700 Indian MC Rider!

    Don't look now but this is no longer available through Amazon other than marketplace sellers. I suggest any folks that have not picked this up to do so soon or prepare to pay fleabay prices in the near future...
     
  13. audiofool

    audiofool Senior Member

    Location:
    The Castle Arrrggh
    It looks like 3rd times' the charm!

    I received the 2nd replacement disc today in pristine condition. It still took longer to load and made a few noises but played faultlessly.

    Pure heaven!
     
  14. John Buchanan

    John Buchanan I'm just a headphone kind of fellow. Stax Sigma

    Loving the CD! The sound is excellent. For a master tape that really doesn't sound in good shape, the magic midrange is happening and the bass (particularly of Long Time Gone) has been brought under control nicely. Although the Rhino sounded very good to me, the AF sounds even better. It appears that SH didn't wipe out the worst of the tape faults, whereas Rhino, if they used the same tape, did (one at the start of Long Time Gone comes to mind - not present in the Rhino, very obvious in the AF).
    I'm also very impressed with the booklet presentation - the rather nice matt finish looks more in line with what I can remember of original Atlantic USA pressings compared with the glossy Rhino finish.
    My CD had no problems with "playability" and the case arrived in perfect condition. Another job superbly done. Could I add my voice to requesting more "tales of mastering tape sessions"? They are great to read.
     
  15. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    Not surprised to hear this. Though I love the machine it does have its issues, as the many posts on other forums will attest to.

    For the most part the discs play OK in my Arcam but there have been a couple of exceptions (can't recall which titles) and AF replaced them.
     
  16. noname74

    noname74 Allegedly Canadian

    Location:
    .
    Just finished listening to this...great work...another Winner from Steve.

    One question about Guin(n)evere. Why does Crosbys voice jump on the word 'circle' at around 3:37 (the seagulls part). I assume it's on the master as it's always been there...did he want that word to jump out or just an error on the recording?
     
  17. Six Bachelors

    Six Bachelors Troublemaking enthusiast

    Good and bad news

    Firstly, this is a splendid remastering job. A great meeting of talents - CSN with the music and SH with the mastering. A wonderful, rich sound.

    Sadly though, Suite: JBE doesn't play the whole way through on my OPPO BD-93. It makes it to about 5:50 then goes silent, skips to 6:07, stays silent while slowly ticking over to about 6:15, then continues the song. No other problems. Seems like it's the first track that is causing the problems for most people. Plays fine on my Panasonic Blu-Ray player but should play fine on everything.

    I suppose I'll have to contact AF about a replacement.

    It really does sound wonderful though.
     
  18. PH416156

    PH416156 Alea Iacta Est

    Location:
    Europe
    Six Bachelors, sorry to hear about that.

    Did you try playing your copy on another machine?

    My copy (#1400) sounds just fine
     
  19. Blair G.

    Blair G. Senior Member

    Location:
    Delta, BC, Canada
    A classic case of unrealistic expectations on my part for this one.

    Legendary album, great reviews on the sound.

    Other than the hits (Suite, Marrakesh, Wooden Ships & Long Time) I hadn't heard the other album tracks until last night. While those 4 songs are great didn't hear anything else that really grabbed me.

    The sound was fine but I wasn't wowed by it. I have no doubt it's the original recording, not Steve's work, that is the reason for this. And my expectations.

    Still a good album with good sound, but maybe I'd appreciate it more if I'd heard previous CD versions first.
     
  20. voigtskins

    voigtskins Member

    Location:
    Atkinson ,NH USA
    Great sounding disc.They seem to be all in my room with the great harmonizing on this disc.Hope the redo DEJVU to gold.Please!!
     
  21. Nice sounding CD although I think I prefer for the most part the alternate versions of these songs that appear on the CSN Boxset. Just out of curiosity, who is the dude peering through the glass in the door on the flip side of the cover?
     
  22. J.A.W.

    J.A.W. Music Addict

    Ordered this one from ImportCDs on January 29, but it's been on back order ever since. Checked quite a few other sites (including Audio Fidelity themselves), but they all say it's on back order. I'm guessing it's OOP already... Bummer.
     
  23. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    Come on over Blair. I have the original of this one. :)
     
  24. As I recall it's Dallas Taylor.
     
  25. Six Bachelors

    Six Bachelors Troublemaking enthusiast

    Yep - plays through by Panasonic blu-ray player just fine so whatever is wrong with the disc, it's only detected by my Oppo. A pity since my Oppo sounds better but I'll live with it.

    I agree with the comments about the limitations of the master - some of the mixing is a bit...fraught? I don't know. It's as if not everything is in balance. Regardless, the mastering brings out great details and makes the sound so natural to my ears.

    As others have pointed out, the guitar playing on Helplessly Hoping is shockingly real.
     
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