4 of 6 recommend this SA-CD
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Discussion: Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, Vocalise - Johanos

Posts: 7
Post by JohnProffitt May 19, 2012 (1 of 7)
Another example of today's high-end producers choosing to ignore the original 4-channel master tape of this classic performance in favor of the 2-channel mix-down. Why could we not have had both, since the hybrid SACD was developed just to give producers and consumers that CHOICE!?
Post by classicrecordings May 19, 2012 (2 of 7)
Yet another title I would have bought if it had been released in its original four channel recording.
Post by diw May 19, 2012 (3 of 7)
Me too. You would think that APO would know better.
Post by rammiepie May 19, 2012 (4 of 7)
Which is why I'll content myself with Classic Recording's fantastic DVD~A in two channel at half the price.
Post by junchoon May 20, 2012 (5 of 7)
two possibilities:

1) original 4-ch master tape has gone down the drain
2) wish to earn more money by doing another remaster for MCH SACD/Blu-ray Audio, this time from the pristine condition 4-ch master tape.

either way the buyer is the one who suffer.

wps
Post by gonzostick May 20, 2012 (6 of 7)
This recording was NEVER in four channel. It was recorded on a two-channel tape machine...

This is one of the oldest Turnabout/Vox LP releases.
Post by Arnaldo May 21, 2012 (7 of 7)
This recording was originally released in 1967, but according to Wikipedia, it was only later "... In the early 1970s, [that] Vox and its subsidiaries issued a number of compatible quadraphonic/stereophonic recordings." Also, as per the original liner notes, "... The four special ribbon microphones, designed by Charles P. Fisher of Cambridge, Massachusetts, were so disposed as to preserve the integrity of the STEREOPHONIC relationship..."

While it's conceivable that Quad versions, if there were any, might have been extracted from the 4 microphone feeds, there's no indication anywhere that they were recorded on separate tracks. OTOH, this SACD has a photo of the original master tape used for the transfer, and finally, even the 1999 DVD-A version is apparently stereo only.

Regardless, this is a very vivid, wide and precise - albeit a bit dryish - stereo recording, masterfully preserved in pristine DSD sound by the Analogue Productions team.

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