User Details - sgb

library | recommendations

Name:
   Steve Baird
Details:
   Retired. Began the audiophile search in 1972.
Location:
   Baton Rouge, LA USA
HiFi:
   Rosinanté Evolution Signature speakers with Bybee filter modifications
Velodyne ULD-12 subwoofers (pair) with integral 150W amplifiers
Marantz SA-14 CD/SACD player
Belden 8451 with Eichmann RCA plugs are the interconnects used between all components
SOTA Star Sapphire Turntable with JH Formula 4 Tonearm & Shure V15VXMR cartridge
Ming Da MC3R preamp with Response Audio Signature modifications, also using vintage Sylvania NOS 5751 Gold Label
Jolida JD9 Phono preamp
Shadow Limited Edition crossover extensively modified
Quicksilver MS-190 tube amplifier with DC, Pentode or Triode inputs
Email:
   stevegbaird@cox.net
Web:
  
Posts:
   142
 
 
Reviews
Found: 45 show all
Jacintha goes to Hollywood    (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
  August 4, 2007

This marks Jacintha's sixth release for Groove Note, and I'm reminded of the adage, practice makes perfect. Although perfection is a quality most difficult to achieve, Jacintha here shows us that she keeps up her earnest attempts at honing her craft. This latest release features nine well-known ... more
Lauren White: At Last    (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
  May 18, 2007

I'm very impressed with the sound quality of this recording. Generally, I find this to be true of most, if not all, of the releases from Ying Tan's Groove Note label, but this one is somewhat better in that regard. What's really impressive is the spatial accuracy of the the instruments and vocals ... more
Beethoven, Bruch: Violin Concertos - Grumiaux      (11 of 11 found this review helpful)
  August 30, 2006

I counted four performances of the Beethoven Violin Concerto available in the SA-CD format from which one could choose; five for the Bruch, which was something of a surprise to me, given the reputation of these works. As for the venerable Beethoven, I can think of only one other that I might look ... more
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas - Rubinstein      (7 of 7 found this review helpful)
  July 21, 2006

I recall seeing an hour-long program on PBS entitled "Rubinstein At 80" that was re-broadcast shortly after his death. It was a fascinating admixture of biographical notes from the producers and comments from the artist about music in general spiced with some self-criticism about his own playing. ... more
  May 8, 2006

For those readers here who are not familiar with this recording, what follows is the essence of an email sent to some close audiophile friends. Most of them have owned the Maazel Telarc recordings in both vinyl and CD issues previously, and they share my high regard for the quality of the ... more
 
 
Latest Posts
Discussion Gergiev Marinsky 1812 Overture
November 27, 2009
Agreed. I would add that the performance itself is rather pedestrian. ... more
Discussion: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev
November 27, 2009
Saw this one in a local shop last weekend. Abominable sound, mediocre performance. ... more
Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures At An Exhibition, Leibowitz, Royal Philharmonic
October 5, 2009
+1 ... more
Discussion: The Power of the Orchestra - Leibowitz
October 5, 2009
In my experience, the older recordings sound far more natural. ... more
Discussion: Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 - Kertesz
March 16, 2009
Agreed... although I might be skeptical of this surpassing my vinyl. Have you tried any of the other titles, and did you have to call the telephone number found at the beginning of this thread? ... more