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Reviews: Beethoven: Overtures - Sir Colin Davis

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Reviews: 2

Site review by Castor October 2, 2008
Performance:   Sonics:
The text for this review has been moved to the new site. You can read it here:

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Review by CA 94542 Native April 22, 2010 (8 of 9 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I was pretty excited about this series, what with the mostly positive reviews and all. I’ve listened to Esoteric equipment and was impressed at what the wealthy can afford, and I have a healthy respect for the Japanese and their pursuit of audio excellence. The Beethoven overtures are missing from my collection, so I thought this album would be a good one with which to begin building my Esoteric collection.

But this disc is a disappointment. Not the performance – I can’t imagine these pieces being performed any better – but the sonic quality of the disc does not measure up to the $67 US that I paid to Music Direct. In fact, were I able to audition prior to purchase, I don’t believe I’d buy this at any price. The disc has the extended frequency response characteristic of SACD, but the sparkle that we experience when we spin a quality hi-resolution album just isn’t there. The highs have a muffled quality, and the low frequencies lack the punch that we have come to expect from the format. There is an overall lack of distinction between the orchestra members (sonically speaking, of course).

I have listened through three times now, on different days and times (to avoid any power line-induced voodoo) yet come away with the same impression. Think I’ll stay away from the rest of the series, until I get the chance to listen prior to purchase.

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