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:
   131
 
 
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      (4 of 4 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      (10 of 10 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      (6 of 6 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
Getz/Gilberto: Japan edition or western edition?
July 29, 2008
If Astrud Gilberto's voice is coming from your right channel then you do not have what many consider to be THE source tape. It was mentioned above that this topic has been discussed in the Hoffman forums, and this is correct. As a matter of consolation, there are only a few of the many versions released that did, in fact, use the correct tapes; ... more
The love affair endeth
June 15, 2008
I can't speak for others, but for myself I can say that after devoting several months of work at archiving about 80% of my collection, I am not about to dispose of my SACD and CD players. Those single layer SACDs I defended years ago need my 7+ year-old SA-14, since I could not add them to my library. The other portion of that 20% that I did not ... more
Discussion: Mahler: Symphony No. 2 - Bernstein
January 7, 2008
Thank you both for your comments. ... more
Discussion: Mahler: Symphony No. 2 - Bernstein
January 5, 2008
Three out of three positive recommendations, and one very excellent review, but no mention of the vocalists and choral segments of this masterpiece. Of course, the instrumentation in the symphony is mesmerizing, but it's when the Urlicht begins, that this symphony, no, this epiphany, casts its spell on me; even as I write this, I can hear Christa ... more
Faulty SACD - Joe Satriani - Please Help!
November 27, 2007
No need for angry emails, especially to the ebay seller who provided you with a new disc below the selling prices you say it fetches. I'd suggest that if it disappoints you so much, sell it on Amazon. ... more