These audiophile recordings will make your system sound better than ever

[@joergbrathauer2302]

I love the fact that you are actually more excited talking about music than talking about gear.

[@franktucciarone321]

Yeah, but he's only talking about 'this' music because he thinks it sounds better on high-end gear. Is this music he really cares about, or is it ultimately about 'the recording'.

[@realleescoggins]

This is excellent Steve. I feel so lucky to have worked with you, David, Bob, and Jeremy on many of these. It was a tremendous learning experience that propelled me further down the audio rabbit hole.

[@thegrimyeaper]

I can imagine Steve buying books every day and standing in the middle of the room when he comes home: "I'll just put them down here."

[@chrisvinicombe9947]

Hahahaha

[@carlitomelon4610]

Nonsense! They're arranged acoustically (by ear;-)

[@amitraam1270]

Amazon sorts books by their frequency of absorption. Little known secret. He buys books strategically by measuring his room response!

[@festushaggen2563]

This week on Hoarders.

[@gizzy2403]

@Stimpy&Ren u know it! I wonder how often she fantasizes bout killling him & having a very large auction!😅🍻

[@jwbrook]

I love this so much. Thank you for turning us on to such great music and such wonderful recordings. Your enthusiasm for music really drives your interest in good sound, which is exactly where I come from. Love the channel!

[@marks.2909]

Steve I have most of the Chesky catalog and still today enjoy them . As my digital front end components improved exponentially I realized more so how good my favourite Chesky recording’s sound which adds much more to the overall thrill and enjoyment.

[@DavidWalker1]

Steve, this is terrific. I’m listening to a lot of these. Like others, I love your storytelling.

[@ThePgkessler]

Capturing the reality of what 'went down'. The artists that Chesky label recorded are worthy of this ideal. Thanks for your passion and enthusiasm in sharing this Steve!

[@jonathanscull7712]

The Amber Rubarth also has HUGE air, space and a very natural acoustic... love it. And Dave's True Story is a great recording, I recall I was there in fact, and it IS amazing as you say. And the Persuasions, yeah man, classic.

[@CliffCollipriest2013]

I have both and they are outstanding!

[@DonHamlin]

Thank you Steve! This was one of your best. Real music that sounds great.

[@Aswaguespack]

Henderson was often under appreciated and never fully reached a level of recognition he deserved but that being said Henderson was extremely gifted and a most special artist deserving of more attention.

[@brianmorman6055]

New York Reunion just kills me. It’s one of my all time favorite albums of any genre. The playing is sublime, and the sound is awesome.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Thanks Steve, I love some of your videos. There is an intimacy that others lack. It feels like we’re sitting in your apartment talking audio, as opposed to being talked at. Great!

[@ronaldlongendyke3313]

Hello Steve, nice video. Listening to the McCoy Tyner Quartet - New York Reunion right now. Thanks for the advice, one of the few McCoy Tyner albums that I don't have. Now I remember why I like Joe Henderson's tenor so much.

[@scottz5057]

Thanks for the recommendations. Always looking for new, quality sounds.

[@davidh.7305]

Thanks Steve, for all you do!

[@ronaldjanmaat6191]

Thank you for sharing this on your great channel.

[@golfhead54]

I prefer these music reviews to hardware reviews. I don't buy new speakers or electronics very often but I still buy lots of music.

Thank-you sir for sharing the music.

[@Simplyflyit]

That was very , very cool.. Thank you Steve.

[@mosespray4510]

It's a testament to Steve's influence that if you look up any of these recordings on Amazon it will direct you to all of the others.

[@pabloosvaldopenizzotto1098]

Thank you for all this recommendations! I have set all of them in Spotify. I have listened a sample of each one and liked almos all recommendations! This tells me that it seems that quality of original recording is most important than audio file format. Regards from Buenos Aires!

[@CT2GCU]

Awesome! I love your passion

[@MangoZen]

Thanks for this. More favorite music and anecdotes please. You’re a great story teller and have much to share

[@heathbar74]

John McEuen, Made in Brooklyn is fantastic. Listening for the first time. Gorgeous.

[@yourmaninlondoncollecting5749]

Thanks for all the tips on albums to check out. Never heard about most of these. It will be a treat 😁👌

[@jazzandcocktails7]

This was one of your best sessions. Thank you so much and Happy New Year.

[@multicyclist]

Steve, my sediments exactly. Couldn't have said it better. Thanks for your music suggestions.

[@BestAnimeFights32]

Ambert Rubarth album it is magnificently recorded , thanks for the recommendation Steve!

[@tomhohum4275]

Steve!! Being an old guy in my 70’s I am impressed by the denim shirt. Like the retro look😆

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

He is from the Hippie era 😄

[@_Chev_Chelios]

It’s typically called a “jean jacket” in the US.

[@grapeshot23]

I love your channel, thanks for posting this

[@JEG6919]

This was good. Nice work.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

So cool to learn you got to meet Kenny Rankin...one of my all time favorite artists. He was very very special. The Kenny Rankin Album (not on Chesky) with Don Costa & Strings is also totally out of this world, as are most of his records. We lost him way too soon.

[@carolduncan2170]

I listened to part of it today and really enjoyed it.

[@rayhutfles3997]

I want to thank you for going over each in turn. I had listened to Amber Rubarth on speakers and was not that impressed. On your suggestion, I put on the HD6xx headphones and was wowed by the expansive sound stage and clarity of each instrument.

[@hiresaudiocosta873]

Cool Video! Thanks.

[@caseycjc1890]

Made in Brooklyn is very well recorded and New York Reunion is a very nice record.

[@maxpower78-15]

Once again, great channel.

[@spencehayashi2772]

I own a copy of the Kenny Rankin - Because of You cd. It is brilliant and Kenny is one of my all time favorite singers. Awesome performance

[@ujean56]

Thanks again Steve. I too grew up listening to Larry Coryell. My favorite album is Basics. Alas I lost that lp in a move a few years back. Wonderful video. Will be looking for these titles for sure.

[@robfrancis8690]

Cool vintage Levis jean jacket, Steve. Agreed, Chesky, is an outstanding recording company!

[@ianmedium]

Rob Francis I bet he bought it new, Steve looks like the sort of person who buys clothes and wears them for years, I’m like that also.

[@ryanchenoweth5673]

Yes yes yes!!! Thank you 🙏

[@thomasedward2231]

You’re my fav channel on KZbin

[@DavidWalker1]

For sheer consistent quality of insight, Steve is becoming the one to beat.

[@franciscoherrerahenriquez3383]

Great recomendations! thank u!

[@jmarcguy]

I checked that Jon Faddis cd out at the library and absolutely loved it!!! Have to get a copy.

[@bbfoto7248]

@jmarcguy Jon Faddis is an amazingly talented artist that is unfortunately too little known. I first saw him live in '85 with Dizzy Gillespie at the Catalina Club. Been following him & enjoying his music ever since.

[@jmarcguy]

jmarcguy I wish he recorded more albums. I really enjoyed “Remembrances”. Brilliant musician! I think the first time I saw his name listed was on a 70’s James Brown album of all things.

[@davidcastillo1340]

Steve I just got my TIN HIFI T4 in the mail and I am absolutely amazed how good they sound. You were right; $79 headphones have no business sounding this good. The shipping took longer than a month, but goddamn. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@martytoo]

I thought the Drop price was $10 more. Did you buy them on Drop? When were they that low?

[@Scoharr]

Still waiting for mine to arrive . . .

[@davidcastillo1340]

@@martytoo It was an early bird special on Indiegogo in November

[@nvrumi]

@@davidcastillo1340 That's how I got my set too. Some days I like the T2s better and some days the T4s. But they are really, really good... surprisingly so for the price.

[@AdrianIII]

Cool! I have some of these... will look for more!

[@michaelriner1181]

Have owned Dave`s True Story cd for a number of years .It is such an enjoyable, interesting recording. I store it in the Jazz section.

[@Nephilim-81]

Nice collection too!! I find the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs on the Gain 2 system are recordings that really dig out the best for most competent systems. :)

[@Labor_Jones]

I stumbled in, but I'm glad I did - m.

[@zaoria123]

The classical recordings by Earl Wild for the Chesky label are superb, not just I'm sound but in performance as well.

[@carlsitler9071]

All music is audiophile music according to the listener's opinion. I enjoy the sound of my studio monitor headphones and speakers. Yes - Close to the Edge is one of my favorites.

[@pabloosvaldopenizzotto1098]

Like and shared with my audiophile friends!

[@SylvainThuret]

The new folk sound of Terry Callier is among my test records. Chris Isaac Baja Sessions and Forever Blue as well. And of course, On every street.

[@themastroiannis]

mmm...buying that mccoy tyner album NOW... great recommendations! thanks

[@charlesnr]

A great recording of jazz instrumental band Oregon in that church. And prob. out of license, but Dr. Reiner's recording of Brahms 4th symphony which he proclaimed his most beautiful from the Readers Digest recordings-put out also as a special Gold Chesky CD as recorded by Wilkerson in England.

[@carlosbauza1139]

The Chesky reissues of RCA "classical" Living Stereo LPs are ineffably good!

[@timcorrigan]

And the Babatunde Olatunji record he holds up, but does not list below the video, is the *original* “Drums of Passion,” which seems to have been *both* rereleased *and* borrowed in naming at least one, if not more, future record; I came across something like “Drums of Passion Beats,” which appears to have an entirely different track listing from the original-the one Steve says he fell in love with as a kid when it hit the Top 40 charts on AM radio!

[@GenWivern2]

Thank you Steve, I very much enjoyed your enthusiasm. You didn't mention my favourite Chesky release - David Johansen and the Harry Smiths. :-)

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

GenWivern2 No that was a fun session! David was so into it

[@Barnekkid]

This guy knows exactly where everything is in his house.

[@carolduncan2170]

Hi Steve. Thanks for introducing my ears to Kenny Rankin. I am listening to him on Pandora and I like his style.

[@pauld7069]

You've peaked my curiosity Steve... Have to check out some of the Chesky recordings.

[@les5309]

piqued

[@basspig]

I make pure audiophile recordings. I think outside the box and even Peter Aczel at The Audio Critic was impressed with the sample of the Bridgeport Symphony that I'd sent him. Type of mic pattern and placement is essential.

[@bbfoto7248]

@basspig Nice. Where can we purchase and download your recordings?

[@basspig]

@@bbfoto7248 They're mostly 'archival only' and for the soloists' portfolio. But here's a KZbin quality sample: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2G7d3-heNmVgbs

[@ELcinegatto87]

Steve, a couple of my personal favorites from a pure sound quality standpoint are the RCA and Columbia 3 Channel Stereo SACDs. Particularly the Jazz albums and some of the classical. I'm not a classical guy at all, but have grown to appreciate it once in awhile. I listened to the 3 Channel Stereo SACD of the Nutcracker last night and that was simply stunning over my system and perfect for this time of year. However for me a system has to be able to make ones favorite music sound its very best, because if it doesn't people tend to not be honest with themselves and start to gravitate towards more of that Gearophile demo music stuff if it makes their system sounds good. Much of it while technically impressive isn't particularly great music IMHO.

[@Merlin-wo1kj]

The best recordings (space, instrument etc.) I've come across have been Mapleshade Audio.

[@bbfoto7248]

@Merlin Agreed. I play drums/percussion & saxophone, and I prefer Mappleshade's "live sound" over most of the Chesky recordings. In a lot of the Chesky recordings, I feel that there is a bit too much of "the room". But there definitely are some gems in the Cheeky discography.

[@nostro1001]

Hey Steve, whilst I appreciate the sentiment here, I believe you've missed the brief to a point. Choosing anything 'Chesky' should be something of a no brainer for people into this type of music as the label (as you well know) was all about 'audiophile' quality recordings. It may have been more valuable to suggest music from non audiophile labels that sound really good. There must be some that you love & sound great...not everything sounds highly compressed and lacking in dynamics. I get that you like to support your friends & were involved in some of these recordings. So, perhaps a part 2 of this, suggesting some music more left of the norm that you consider to be well recorded. Whilst this type of music isn't really my thing, that said I like jazz and in this list particularly McCoy Tyner. Also the African music sounds interesting, so I'll have to rewind this to get the name again. Thank you. Cheers! *** I get the concept of these audiophile recordings having a sense of reality, in terms of minimal mixing etc, so the instruments and vocals sound to the end user as they did at the recording sessions. However, that still doesn't mean other non audiophile recordings can and do sound really good. Edit = I'm specifically thinking lessor known albums here, as if you were to ask many people they'd likely gravitate to their fav Pink Floyd album or artist/band equally well known. So, I think slightly left of centre is important as that may shine a light on some lessor known music & provide some valuable music choices for music lovers. 😎

[@roig8578]

I agree totally. But mentioning good sounding recordings from popular artist will not hurt; there must be younger people here with open minds that would appreciate artists of the 1970's and 80's. I know of recordings by Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, Sarah Mclachlan, Jean-Luc Ponty; Chick Corea Electric Band, Allan Parsons Project, Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, The Beatles, Elton John......that are great sounding and emotionally engaging.

[@nvrumi]

Anytime Steve recommends a recording, I'm off to find samples so I can give it a listen. The material doesn't always work for me (and that's OK), but I am finding artists to add to my collection that I actually will listen to. The Laura Nyro recording springs to mind as well as a couple of his Sinatra recommendations. This current effort at listing some of his favorite Chesky recordings is much appreciated. I'm already listening to several of them and will add several more. I would also appreciate Steve's recommendation of other recordings that manage to circumvent the heavy processing stage and that are good music. I know there is variety in taste, but I'm listening to new stuff because of Steve and I really appreciate that.

[@miguelbarrio]

I thought Steve was clear that THIS episode is about Chesky... That's a valid topic no? He talks about great recordings in just about every episode!

[@velvetknight780]

I have cheap knockoff HiFi man Planar Headphones, yes the Amber Rubarth is awesome for headphones, down to the sniffs in the audio!

[@bbfoto7248]

@Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac Steve, thanks for (partially) fullfilling my request from my comment in one of your previous videos. I guess that I should have worded it a bit more carefully. While I have many Chesky recordings and enjoy most of them, there is A LOT MORE MUSIC out in the world! As a side note, I actually prefer the Mappleshade recordings overall...but again, it is a VERY Limited catalog. And even though most of your viewers would probably consider themselves "audiophiles", I doubt that they *only listen to ''audiophile'' recordings* on a daily basis. The oceans of music are Vast & Deep. I'd like to see you expand your horizons with other suggestions for "well-recorded" and emotionally involving music. Thanks for getting the "ball rolling".

[@kohnfutner9637]

I wrote down your picks. I'll try them later on my Klipsch 600m / Yamaha rx-a880.

[@RealHIFIHelp]

Cool. Also try Budgie they are really good on vinyl.

[@pianomad100]

I don’t consider myself an audiophile, and I don’t consider anything in my music collection “audiophile” (even though I have a few Chesky recordings). Some of my favorites, recordings from Columbia 30th St Studio, are the ones I return to time and time again to bring out the best experience in my audio system.

[@miguelbarrio]

Thx Steve, that was great. I had no idea Chesky was streaming on Spotify! Since they don't stream on TIDAL or Qobuz, I have outright purchased some of the titles based on recommendations (some yours!). I will be buying more titles now that I can listen to them (albeit in lower resolution, which I think is a good choice as David needs to make some money after all). In particular, The Persuasions - I had no idea they had so many albums, or David's own recordings. Thank you David and Steve!

[@keithkrieger7075]

What are the differences sonically between LPs that are recorded direct to disk and those that are recorded and pressed later? Sheffield labs used to do this.

[@rammisframmis8588]

Thinks for this list; I've created a playlist on Amazon HD with as many of them as are available. My initial impression; especially on "Space and Time", the imaging goes well left of the left speaker, and well right of the right speaker. However, on all these recordings, there doesn't exist the depth (behind the speakers) I routinely get with many other recordings, especially with some classical recordings where instruments seem to be coming from far beyond my front wall (my speakers are 7 feet from my front wall). With those classical recordings, the images are locked to the left and right boundaries of the speakers however. To date, one of the few recordings which "does it all" is Diamond Mine by King Creosote and John Hopkins, and Raindamage by Nordic Affect.

[@guywhite1004]

Rammis Frammis s

[@timcorrigan]

The Kenny Rankin album he lists [and forgets to mention the name of ;) ] is named “Because of You;” I just clicked through to the download page, and they have even got the album cover he holds up to the camera-otherwise it was a matter of taking my best guess from a list of his album names, based on the blurry, three-word title, written in calligraphy. Enjoy!

[@Nephilim-81]

Yeah it’s true. I have Meiko plays Favourites. That is a good one. Nice Way to hear vocals.

[@cadmiral3d146]

Great video!! I'm buying a few of those. I don't know if it's the mic cable or the mic rubbing on the jacket, but there is lots of clicking with movement. Keep the awesome reviews coming.

[@edthefirst2859]

Brandon M his dentures are clicking?

[@michaelschafer6379]

In another video you recommend Bruce Springstreen and the E-Street Band "Hammersmith Odeon London 75" ... I am really not a fan of the Boss, but I really enjoy listening to that specific one, just sounds great!

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Harry Belafonte at Carnegie Hall freaks me out

[@tombarclay7108]

The problem with Chesky Records is that their CDs are difficult to find. Amazon copies are perpetually out of stock. Their other outlet (HDtracks) is strictly digital downloads. Frankly, if I'm paying almost $30 (or more) for a CD, I want a hard copy... Not something which could pick up errors during the download process, then again while burning the downloaded files onto a blank CD.

[@ronchambers3713]

Love the choice of Macy Gray, like to know if you have heard the Frank Black and the Catholics records (not Pixies) done in live stereo, I think he refers to them as his country records

[@kentmeridian1]

Not finding these on Tidal 🙁

[@garysmith8455]

Very, very good Steve! You and I think very much alike. I JUST made a recording of a 50 piece orchestra with choir and PIPEorgan. Nothing more then a single point MidSide mic, direct into a Zoom H4n with XLR's and 48 volts of phantom for the mic. TWO CHANNELS, no mixers involved. Mike was set about 30' back from the orchestra, and only 12' high to get the layers of the orchestral instruments.. Sounds grand! If it is MORE then two channels, than it is NOT TRUE STEREO!!! We only have two ears! Steve, you did not mention if those other recordings from David were Binaural PLUS recordings... Could you clarify this for us viewers ? Thanks....

[@bbfoto7248]

@Gary Smith Please let us know if you ever make your recordings available for purchase and download. Would love to hear more well-recorded, minimally-mic'd orchestral recordings! I'm experimenting with a pair of Samar Audio Designs VL-37a ribbon mics in Blumlein to record my saxophones & drums/percussion.

[@garysmith8455]

@@bbfoto7248 Thanks for that sir! Not sure how we could hook up , most likely the recordings I do are mainly for my own reference and use. However, DID get some requests from that latest concert. Mainly from the Maestro and another from one of the volunteers that setup the reception (O: Great on your trying the Blumlein scheme! I have used the ORTF with great results, but then one of the AT mics I was using developed some kind of HISSS, sent back for repairs. That worked for a while, then the white noise returned. After that, the Mid Side scheme has been the latest use for recording here....

[@somsci]

I’m intrigued by the prototype Magnepan/ what’s going on there?

[@mikem4214]

Go to Audio Excellence Canada's KZbin posts of the very recent interview with Wendell of Magnepan re: the prototype Mini 30.7

[@somsci]

Thanks!

[@rcpdox11]

Steve, what is your take on Jazz Side of the Moon? It is from Chesky Records. It is one of my favourites.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

You're right, it's stellar!

[@shoo7130]

Do you have a similar list for recordings which highlight the benefits of a subwoofer or deep bass fronts? I mean in terms of how a sub can reveal the size of the venue in a way you can never quite hear on modest front speakers - not just adding more thump to techno.

[@georgmclaughlin9661]

Is this the "New Steve", or is it shirt laundry day at the Guttenberg household?

[@EARLandPEARL-c3i]

so much to listen too...so little time

[@Logic227Productions]

Can someone explain to me what is audiophile grade music besides the bitrate? I don’t consider myself an audiophile because I don’t know much about dynamic range and other things that come with being an audiophile, but I do appreciate (lossless files) high quality distortion free music. I do like a lot of hip hop music and unfortunately, majority of the genre releases a lot of content with distortion which I despise so much, but it’s nice when you come across tracks that have no distortion.

[@getore100]

Enjoying your videos. I'm somewhat new to all of this but love music. Question: I recently got several HI Res 24 bit recording of Sinatra songs that were probably recorded in the 50's. Is this largely a waste of money? It would seem to me that this would be akin to trying to straighten a tree that has been crooked for decades. While it may sound better than the standard FLAC file, you can't improve on the technology that was present at the time. Also, when did recordings really start getting really good? 70's, 80's???

[@AdrianIII]

Do the new prototype Magnepans have dynamic range? (Like Klipsch or Tekton? Or nearly?)

[@aartvermeire9094]

Love that Qobuz-button!

[@this-is-not-a-channel-]

(1) One year late, From MTV gen here, 10,000 Maniacs Unplugged. Portishead Roseland

[@finscreenname]

Put on Rush 2112 or Moving Pictures. If that don't sound good throw your system away. Boston's first album also will work.

[@stephensmith3111]

So, is "Explorations in Space and Time" "Dafos": the Next Generation? Does't matter, I'm intrigued. Problem, Barnes & Noble, my physical media source for music (well, there is also this nice vintage vinyl shop) as well as books and magazines that I don't subscribe to (plus a Totoro plush toy for baby granddaughter's first Christmas) can't get it. Hey, Chesky! You need to expand your distribution network beyond Amazon. It wasn't always thus, I purchased "New York Reunion" on CD from them back in the the day. Support your local brick-and-mortar retailers, even if they are part of a mega-chain.

[@korayyuce]

It's a pity that none of them is in Tidal

[@dominicvalois]

I just wish I could find them on Tidal...

[@heathbar74]

Found them on Amazon's service.

[@Dave30867]

Jazz music may sound great but it just makes me sad and depressed reminds me of old people but that is just me .

[@tonydeniro284]

Would you recommend any of these titles (CD's) on LP? Would they sound just as good? Some of these are hard to locate in the cd format and if found, prices are way too high...thanks.

[@andrey.vasilyev]

Steve do you think it makes sense to listen these on Spotify (lossy)? I mean is there a difference on Spotify between best audiophile recordings and good quality rum-of-the-mill ordinary crowd

[@mikrophonie5633]

No Merzbow?

[@youtuber5305]

Doesn't Chesky also produce classical music recordings? Do you have any favorites?

[@charleskatz2606]

Hey what does Bob have in his office system other than that Spectral pre?