User Details - krisjan

recommendations

Name:
   Mark
Details:
   I listen to 98% classical music, mainly orchestral and chamber music from classical period through today (no atonal). I want acoustic instruments to sound natural and alive through my stereo system.
Location:
   Chicago suburbs
HiFi:
   Marantz SA-11S2 CD/SACD player
Cary SLP-05 preamp
Cary CAD-211M Anniversary Edition monoblock amps
Monster HTS5100 power conditioner
Vandersteen 3A Signature speakers
Insignia AVR for rear channels only to Insignia 6.5 rear speakers
Cardas Cross balanced interconnect cables
Cardas Golden Cross biwire speaker cables
Harmonic Technology and Granite power cords
Email:
  
Web:
  
Posts:
   76
 
 
Reviews
Found: 40 show all
Julius Röntgen: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 - Storioni Trio      (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
  August 14, 2008

If you are a fan of late romantic chamber music, then this release is a must for your collection. Julius Rontgen's music has been getting increasing exposure on records in recent years and I have been an avid fan of all of these releases. To date, this Piano Trios recording is the first such release ... more
Shostakovich: Complete String Quartets Vol. 3 - Mandelring Quartett      (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
  June 27, 2008

I continue to be amazed by this quartet series from the Mandelrings and Audite. This latest release, Vol. 3, continues their excellence in interpretation and sonic virtues. On the performances, the ensemble of this group is so tight it's as if they are playing as one. In contrast to the Emereson's ... more
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 - Neeme Järvi      (6 of 6 found this review helpful)
  June 24, 2008

This one is a disappointment. I have the other releases in this series which I've generally found to be good performances but the performance of the 4th here seems hapahazard and episodic. Jarvi seems not interested in the music and the orchestral sections don't cohere very well except in the 4th ... more
  May 15, 2008

This one is terrific! Schubert's 15th is one of the gems of the quartet literature. The Prazak performance is wonderful. Take, for example, the scherzo movement. Listen how they dynamically swell the phrases in the first part - I have not heard another quartet execute this in this fashion but it ... more
Shostakovich: Complete String Quartets Vol. 2 - Mandelring Quartett      (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
  October 20, 2007

I am very impressed with this series of the Shosty quartets from the Maderling. With regard to Vol 1, I completely agree with Robstl's cogent review. I too have the original Borodin set (EMI RBCD not the Chando which was recorded later) which is heartfelt and intense but suffers a bit from very ... more
 
 
Latest Posts
Definable indicators of a good system?...
July 11, 2008
The only truly "definable" things are the things you can measure - like frequency response, distortion, etc. Those measurements, however, only tell part of the audio story. For me, the real test is does the system reproduce acoustic instruments properly. For that you need a trained ear (i.e. you have to regularly hear acoustic instruments) to make ... more
RELAUNCH SACD
June 27, 2008
I've resigned myself to the fate that SACD will never be more than a niche market. Their opportunity to make this format the "new" CD is over now that Blu-ray has won the HD video battle. Sony will be putting their marketing dollars there. I will keep buying SACD's as long as they are available which I believe will be a long time for classical ... more
The Great 20th Century Violin Concertos
June 26, 2008
Good topic. In addition to some already mentioned, here are some of my favorites: Barber, Bloch, Bowen, Casella (on SACD), Englund, Karlowicz, Linde, Martinu (1 & 2), Myaskovsky, Nielsen, Peterson-Berger, Rosza, Rubbra, Schoek, Vainberg/Weinberg, Weiner (1 & 2). Yes, I was being selective (I have many more 20th century Vln Ctos in my collection). ... more
Discussion: Julius Röntgen: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 - Storioni Trio
June 3, 2008
I am delighted to know about this upcoming release. I've been collecting CD's of Rontgen's music over the past couple of years and every one has been wonderful. Unfortunately, this label doesn't seem to have US distribution. Perhaps Records International will carry it. I see that Rafells has very positively reviewed a couple of this label's prior ... more
Discussion: Mahler: Symphony No. 6 - Gergiev
April 15, 2008
Thanks for the correction. I apologize for the mis-attribution of the Haitink review to D. Hurwitz. It was indeed another reviewer who posted that review. ... more