Posted on Wednesday, 2nd February 2011 by Auw Jimmy

This album is one of the my precious collectible album. Not just because this CD is quite rare (the original one, not remastered with XRCD bla-bla-bla), but this CD also has an outstanding quality. The Vinyl version is even better (but the price is getting not reasonable to purchase one at mint condition). I also have the Vinyl version, but rated at VG or VG+ only.

What makes this CD so special? This CD was made directly from two-track “live” analog master tape, recorded simultaneously, and no additional editing or polishing possible. According to Sheffield Lab, this kind of technique combined with their custom electronics and microphone will increase the transparency and phase linearity. Also the production of this CD is limited to specific quantity. No more additional copy will be made, unless we are talking the new version (like XRCD).

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Tags: amanda, CD Audio, sheffield lab
Posted in CD/DVD Review, Collectible Stuff | Comments (1)

Posted on Monday, 13th September 2010 by Auw Jimmy

Some of the readers mailed to me and asked, why do I digitalize my collections? The reason is as below.

I found at least one of my CD has a serious unrecoverable error. The outer circle has black stain on the inside layer. The track from #8 to end, definitely not readable, even with my laptop and Exact Audio Copy. The CD was “Carmen Meets Kharma”, STS SACD – The Essence of Music series (STS 611126). Was one of my really favorite collection

The surprising this was, this CD was not cheap. I’ve seen such phenomena on cheap-pirated-not so well manufactured CD. But rarely on fabricated one and with such rare usage (this CD condition was very good, almost no scratch and played less than 50 times in the 3 years period after I bought it).

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Tags: CD Audio
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (14)

Posted on Sunday, 12th September 2010 by Auw Jimmy

After a disappointing thing happens this morning (later I will discuss), I decide to make a digital backup of almost all (at least my favorites) Audio CD collection.

The best tool for this job is Exact Audio Copy (EAC). I will need around 7-10 minutes for each CD, and at least 50-100 of my favorites urgently need to be backed-up. This gonna be a long day… Well, we have to start it somehow.

Tags: Backup, CD Audio, EAC
Posted in Personal | Comments (5)

Posted on Monday, 12th October 2009 by Auw Jimmy

Some singers have their own unique “tone”, which reflects their “style” when singing. This uniqueness will  make us remember his/her specialty.

This old vintage CD Audio, produced around 2001, shows the wonderful soprano named Cui Yan Guang. She comes from Dalian, China and getting famous on the USA, HK, and Japan for Opera and Orchestra singer. You will understand when you hear her voice on this album.

She sang “vintage” (or I should say, “oldies”) songs. Perhaps at the age of Teresa Teng (邓丽君). But it’s a little bit different sensation to hear Teresa’s songs sung in an “Orchestral” way.

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Tags: CD Audio, chinese, female, soprano
Posted in CD/DVD Review, Collectible Stuff | Comments (6)

Posted on Tuesday, 5th August 2008 by Auw Jimmy

Artist: Waldjinah
Album: Sings Gesang
Publisher: Rice Record OSR-702
Recording Technology: -

About this album:
After this album, I think this album also worth to be considered as an audiophile-grade Kroncong. This time, Waldjinah solo album with title “Sings Gesang”. This album called “Sings Gesang” because Waldjinah sings Gesang’s songs on this album.

Waldjinah is well known as famous female Kroncong singer in Indonesia. With strong and angelic voice, Waldjinah really spread her magic on Krocong world. This album is quite unique since Waldjinah sings Gesang’s songs. She doesn’t sing her own song like the famous Walang Kekek. You can find her popular song, “Walang Kekek” on other album here.

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Tags: audiophile, bengawan solo, CD Audio, gesang, waldjinah
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Posted on Friday, 1st August 2008 by Auw Jimmy

Artist: Gesang, Nuning, Waldjinah
Album: Bengawan Solo
Publisher: JVC Record
Recording Technology: -

About this album:
According to Wikipedia, Kroncong is the name of a ukulele-type instrument and an Indonesian musical style that typically makes use of the Kroncong, a flute, and a female singer. And this album is an audiophile-grade Kroncong!

All the singers (Gesang, Nuning, and Waldjinah) are famous Kroncong singer in Indonesia. Gesang, though quite old, still has enough breathe to give emotional touch on this album. I think this is his last “best” Kroncong album recorded. Nuning (and especially) Waldjinah are well known as two famous female Kroncong singer. We could find a lot of their albums in local, but none in audiophile-grade like this album.

This album was recorded on JVC Victor Studio, Tokyo on April 1994 and remastered on April 2000, also on the same place. Again, I would like to highlight (again!) the quality of this album. This is one of the rarely superb recorded Kroncong album.

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Tags: audiophile, bengawan solo, CD Audio, gesang, kroncong, nuning, waldjinah
Posted in CD/DVD Review | Comments (12)

Posted on Thursday, 15th March 2007 by Auw Jimmy

Artist: Ingram Washington
Album: What A Difference A Day Makes
Publisher: STS Digital
Recording Technology: -

About this album:
This is one of the most recommended album. Superb recording and superb male baritone vocal. Most of the songs came from the classic song, like “Unforgettable”, “Smile”, “What a Wonderful World”, etc. When he was young, Ingram enjoyed music from Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Al Hibbler, Arthur Prysock, and Billy Eckstine. No surprise if his style was similar with them.

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Tags: audiophile, CD Audio, ingram washington
Posted in CD/DVD Review | Comments (15)