Various Artists Audiophile Analog Collection Vol.1 CD

Audiophile Sampler on CD!
From the worlds of jazz, blues, percussion ensembles, world music and classical music, this is a special compilation of analog audiophile recordings at their best, with emphasis on great sound.
René Laflamme is one of the most sought-after sound engineers in the industry. In the world of high-end hi-fi, he has earned an excellent reputation with his infallible instinct to combine audio components for the best possible sound. Companies such as Nagra Audio and Kronos Audio hire him as a representative and seek advice from him. Together with André Perry, founder of the famous "Le Studio" in Québec, he runs the label 2xHD and publishes audiophile remasters with the help of sophisticated technology.
For his sampler, Laflamme has selected recordings made with a Nagra IV-S or NagraT.
The 2xHD Fusion Mastering System: In the constant evolution of its proprietary mastering process, 2xHD has progressed to a new phase called 2xHD FUSION, integrating the finest analog, with state-of-the-art digital technology.
The mastering chain consists of a selection of high-end vacuum tube equipment. For the recordings on this album, the original 1/4" 15 ips NAB and CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct dive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, has one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain a better resolution and 3D imaging.
The resulting signal is then transferred into high resolution formats by recording it in DXD using a custom 2xHD Technologies A to D converter. All analog and digital cables that are used are state of the art Siltech. The 2xHD FUSION mastering system is powered by a super capacitor power supply, using a new technology that lowers the digital noise found in the lowest level of the spectrum. A vacuum tube NAGRA HD DAC X is used as a reference digital playback converter in order to A and B with the original analog master tape, permitting the fusion of the warmth of analog with the refinement of digital.

Features:

• CD
• Tracks 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 Were Recorded by Rene Laflamme
• Tracks 1, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12 Were Recorded by Jean De La Durantaye
• Mastering Engineer: Rene Laflamme at the 2xHD Mastering Lab
• 2xHD Executive Producer: Andre Perry

Selections:

1. Pink Panther (Jazz ensemble - Henry Mancini) - Recorded at the Plateau Montreal concert hall with two Schoeps cardio microphones on Nagra IV-S
2. The Story of Sonny Boy Williamson (Sonny Boy Williamson - vocals, harmonica) - Recorded on 2 tracks with two Schoeps cardio (tube) microphones
3. Greek Tycoon Bouzouki Music - Recorded at la Chapelle du Grand Seminaire in Montreal on a Decca Tree with 3 Fidelio 2xHD microphones on Nagra IV-S
4. Leaving (Fred Alarie Trio - Ritchei Beirach) - Recorded at la Chapelle historique du bon Pasteur in Montreal with two Neumann U-67 on Nagra IV-S
5. Musicus Percussion Ensemble (voice, Jambi, timpani, big drum) - Recorded at Salle Claude Champagne with 2 AKG C12, 4 Neumann U67, 2 B&K 1 inch, on Nagra T - Improvisation
6. Musicus Harp Solo - Recorded at La Bibliotheque de Montreal with 2 Schoeps on Nagra IV-S - Improvisation
7. Route 66 (Doreen Smith) - Recorded with a Fidelio stereo microphone on a Nagra IV-S master EQ
8. Katjar Percussion Ensemble - Recorded at L'Eglise St-Francois in Laval, Quebec, with 2 Fidelio 2xHD microphones on Natra T at 30 ips - Improvisation
9. Musicus Percussion 2 - Recorded at La Bibliotheque de Montreal with 2 Schoeps on Nagra IV-S - Improvisation
10. Esperance (Marie Saint Onge - accordion, flute, guitar & double bass) - Recorded at L'Eglise St-Jean Baptiste in Montreal with 2 Fidelio 2xHD microphones on Nagra T at 30 ips - Improvisation
11. Pictures at an Exhibition - Excerpts - Recorded at Place des Arts, Montreal, with two B&K omni microphones on a Nagra IV-S in NAB
12. Toccata and Fugure in D Minor, BWV 565 (Raymond Daveluy - organ) - J.S. Bach - Recorded at the St-Joseph Oratory in Montreal, with 2 Neumann microphones on Nagra IV-S in NAB