Listening to Now In DSD 256 & DSD 512 Downloads

[bmoura]

Now playing in Quad DSD 256fs (Quad Rate DSD, 4x the SACD bit rate) - 8 Ensembles in 1 Bit. It's been getting some early rave reviews from the audio community (Bruce Brown, David Robinson, Lukasz Fikas) and it does sound good here.

A mix of musical styles among the 12 tracks: Acoustic, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Vocal and Classical. Not available in formats other than DSD Downloads. Costs $19.10 for both Stereo and Multichannel DSD in your choice of Single (DSD 64), Double (DSD 128) and Quad (DSD 256) DSD using the COMBI button. Thumbs up!



8 Ensembles in 1 Bit (Just Listen, Stereo + Multichannel DSD 256 "Combi Deal" JL-002)
https://justlisten.nativedsd.com/albums/jl0028-ensembles-in-1-bit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHvA8AVga10

 

[marpow]

Listening now to my very first stereo DSD 256 purchase (Purchased at lower rates previously) from NativeDSD.
Now with the exaSound I can purchase the higher rates, because I can play them.
Girl From Bossa Nova, quite impressive. Will listen to the surround version later.

 

[bmoura]

Listening now to my very first stereo DSD 256 purchase (Purchased at lower rates previously) from NativeDSD.
Now with the exaSound I can purchase the higher rates, because I can play them.
Girl From Bossa Nova, quite impressive. Will listen to the surround version later.
View attachment 39504

The Groove Note DSD 256 downloads are very impressive, even the Stereo ones.
But in Surround, the Jacintha Bossa Nova album and some of her tracks like Willow Weep for Me and Light My Fire are really excellent.

 

[bmoura]

Here's an excellent new Stereo DSD 256 Jazz release from 2xHD.
It's a 15 track collection from 10 of their best selling Analog to DSD 256 Jazz remasters. (DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD).

A great way to sample these albums and pick up some fine Jazz at the same time.
Highly recommended.

Sax Sax Sax, is a brilliant collection of 15 performances and over 75 minutes of music by legendary Jazz Saxophone players from 10 albums from the 2xHD Analog Master Tape to DSD 256 remaster series. This sampler is a great way to enjoy some of the finest moments from these albums. All 10 albums (shown below) are also available in DSD at NativeDSD Music.

The great Jazz Saxophone players and their ensembles on this collection include the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, Sydney Bechet, Stan Getz, Johnny Hodges featuring Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges & Charlie Shavers, Lee Konitz Quintet, Zoot Sims Quartet, Buddy Tate & Harry Edison, and Ben Webster. It's a true Saxophone and Classic Jazz extravaganza.

Sax Sax Sax is available today at the Native DSD Music store in Stereo DSD 256, DSD 128, and DSD 64. It is a DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD release.

https://2xhd.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDFT1150-sax-sax-sax

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2xHDRE1050-moments-in-time

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDST1074-ballads

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDFT1102-gentle-ben

2XHDST1097 Johnny Hodges Featuring Ben Webster | Albums | 2xHD - Storyville | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

2xhdstoryville.nativedsd.com

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDSW1096-cannonball-adderley-quintet

2XHDST1107 Really The Blues | Albums | 2xHD - Storyville | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

2xhdstoryville.nativedsd.com

https://2xhd.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDJA1144-i-cried-for-you

2XHDST1119 Half Half | Albums | 2xHD - Storyville | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

2xhdstoryville.nativedsd.com

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDJA1133-zoot-sims-quartet

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDJA1134-konitz-figure-and-spirit

 

[marpow]

I purchased from NativeDSD yesterday these 5 stereo DSD256 recordings. First, great music, I really enjoyed them all and was greatly surprised by the Sonic Raid and Vanessa Fernandez releases. Of course they sound fantastic.

 

[bmoura]

I purchased from NativeDSD yesterday these 5 stereo DSD256 recordings. First, great music, I really enjoyed them all and was greatly surprised by the Sonic Raid and Vanessa Fernandez releases. Of course they sound fantastic.
View attachment 39619 View attachment 39620 View attachment 39621 View attachment 39622 View attachment 39623

Some fine choices there. You'll definitely want to check out more of the Groove Note albums in DSD 256 this month while the 15% Off Label of the Month sale is on (savings code: GROOVE).
With Sonic Rade and Vanessa Fernandez, be sure to check out their prior albums in DSD 256 Stereo.

And speaking of Sonic Rade, here's a "DSD Fun Fact" column I did on their lead singer - Ricardo Ryan.
Most recently known as a technical consultant on the new Yuko Mabuchi Plays Miles Davis album.

http://blog.nativedsd.com/dsd-fun-facts-1-did-you-know/

 

[bmoura]

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Jazz Saxophone player Charlie Mariano and Bass player Dieter Ilg from Sommelier du Son (Sommelier of Sound) in Stereo DSD 256.
An excellent Jazz recording. For this DSD 256 Download, transferred from the Analog Master Tape by the original producer/engineer - Dirk Sommer - on a Playback Designs Pinot Analog to DSD Converter.
Recommended! (And on sale this week at 20% Off w/code AOTW)

20% Off Album of the Week

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by famed Jazz Saxophone player Charlie Mariano and Bass player Dieter Ilg from Sommelier du Son (Sommelier of Sound) is the NativeDSD Album of the Week.

This is a fine Jazz album that was originally released as a Vinyl LP from an Analog recording. Now it has been transferred from the Analog Master Tape to Stereo DSD 256 by Dirk Sommer at sommelier du son using the Playback Designs Pinot Analog to DSD 256 Converter.

Hans-Jürgen Schaal tells us "Almost too private to reach any outside ears. Too intensive to simply check it off and file it away as just an ordinary musical experience. Charlie Mariano and Dieter Ilg were brotherly partners for almost a decade, on and off the stage, until just very recently when Mariano passed away. “Later, this duo will be called legendary”, a music magazine wrote five years ago. “Later” is today."

Save 20% off this fine album at the Native DSD Music store with offer code AOTW until May 17, 2019. This is a DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD release.

Sds0014 Goodbye Pork Pie Hat | Albums | sommelier du son | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

sommelierduson.nativedsd.com

 

[bmoura]

Another recommendation for the Sax, Sax, Sax sampler.
This one from Rene Laflamme at 2xHD and Nagra Audio.

The Bill Evans DSD releases he mentions are also worth grabbing.
All of these albums are Analog Tape to DSD 256 transfers. Not available on SACD.

https://2xhd.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDFT1150-sax-sax-sax

 

[bmoura]

Born To Be Blue by the REF Trio in DSD 256 Stereo from Sound Liaison.
(DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD release).

Some classic tunes by Duke Ellington, Mel Torme and others played by a trio that features Vibes, Piano and Double Bass.
Nice.

Born To Be Blue is the latest release from Sound Liaison. It features the REF Trio - Rob van Kreeveld (piano), Edwin Corzilius (double bass), and Frits Landesbergen (vibraphone). (The name REF Trio comes from the first letter of each member's name).

The album was recorded live at MCO Studios in The Netherlands in front of a live audience. It includes performances of A Child Is Born (written by Thad Jones), Emily (written by Johnny Mandel), The Girl Next Door (written by Hugh Martin), Born To Be Blue (co-written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells) and a Medley of Duke Ellington favorites (Sophisticated Lady, Prelude To A Kiss and In A Sentimental Mood) which highlight the sound of the vibraphone.

"When creating the sound stage, Frans spent a great deal of time getting the balance of the REF Trio as optimal as possible using the ambient microphone stereo pair placed in the 'sweet spot' in Studio 2, before adding the spot microphones. We wanted to create a sound field that was intimate but also had enough depth to reflect a visual representation of the instruments. We wanted the melodic part of each instrument to stand out without overshadowing the whole.

Thus the piano and the vibes have been given a position in the sound field, instead of the more common, radio friendly approach, with the instruments piled on top of each other with no placement. The benefit of this approach is that you can actually see the trio in front of you between the speakers.

In a sense we are old fashioned, maybe we listened to too many old jazz recordings, but on the other hand.......this is what we believe a high-resolution recording should be about."

-- Peter Bjørnild and Frans de Rond, Producer and Recording Engineer at Sound Liaison

SL1033A Born To Be Blue | Albums | Sound Liaison | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

soundliaison.nativedsd.com

 

[bmoura]

Ballade Pour La Nuit (Ballad for the Night) by Reinier Voet & Pigalle44 in Stereo DSD 512 & DSD 256
The latest One Microphone Recording from Sound Liaison. Some say it's the best one in the series.
Features Swing, Jazz and Django style selections. Recommended!

In the fourth One Microphone Recording from Sound Liaison, Reinier Voet & Pigalle44 bring us the album Ballade pour la nuit (Ballad for the Night). This is a live to Stereo DXD recording that features Jazz, Swing and elements of Django. Some listeners say it is the best of the One Microphone Recordings from Sound Liaison. The album is also available from NativeDSD Music in Stereo DSD 512, using the new modulators from Signalyst.

"I would say I have been as much influenced by Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery as Django Reinhardt but I started out listening to Django, he was my first love, he was the reason I picked up the guitar.

My dad had some Django and other jazz records as well as some records with traditional Eastern European gypsy music. Somehow that music spoke more to me than the pop music of the day that my friends were listening to. I taught myself at first but eventually did end up studying Jazz at the Royal Conservatory of the Netherlands. Later I also accompanied gypsy jazz guitar masters like Fapy Lafertin and Jimmy Rosenberg.

I learned a lot from these guys, but also from listening to more modern guitar players in that style, like Birèli Lagrene and Boulou Ferré. Maybe the most important lesson from these masters has been that, as Kenny Werner says "Innovation is the Tradition", they encouraged me to find my own voice and not to be afraid of incorporating my other influences in my version of 'Jazz Manouche'. After all Django listened to Charlie Christian and Charlie Christian listened to Django!

The roles in this quartet are clearly defined, maybe you could say that the solid rhythm guitarist Jan Brouwer and steady bassist Jet Stevens represents the tradition, they know how to hold a groove, they have a deep pocket, the beat is completely secure in their hands.

Karin van Kooten’s playing is refreshing. She has her own voice. So often in our field of music violin players tend to copy a bunch of Stephane Grappelli licks and then think they are set to go. Not so with Karin, she respects the tradition but dares to incorporate outside influences from classical to modern jazz music. So, getting back to Kenny Werner, she represents the innovation.

I loved this whole process of recording with only one mic, it seems so well suited to this music, it’s back to basics, but what a sound! Nothing basic about that."

Reinier Voet

SL1035A Ballade Pour La Nuit | Albums | Sound Liaison | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

soundliaison.nativedsd.com

 

[bmoura]

When The Levee Breaks (Music of Led Zeppelin) by Vanessa Fernandez on Groove Note.
Now available in a Stereo DSD 512 download. Recommended!

GRV1088 When The Leveee Breaks | Albums | Groove Note Records | NativeDSD Music

Native DSD: downloadable Stereo and Multichannel music in the highest possible resolution audio - Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to music lovers worldwide.

groovenote.nativedsd.com

 

[bmoura]

The Duke Book: The Music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in Stereo DSD 512
A new tribute to the music of these two Jazz legends - played by a duo with Flugelhorn and Drums only.
Recommended.

Angelo Verploegen dazzled NativeDSD listeners last year with his Jazz trio and their Just Listen release The Sweetest Sound.

With The Duke Book from Just Listen, he teams with drummer Jasper van Hulten to perform standards from the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn catalogs. Rather than the familiar full ensemble or full orchestra performance of these tracks, this is simply the horn player and the drummer.

It is a memorable journey and these two fine Jazz musicians put their own stamp on some very familiar and popular compositions.

Available today at the Native DSD Music store in the recorded DSD 256 Stereo & DSD 256 Multichannel bit rate as well as Stereo DSD 512 and Stereo and Multichannel DSD 128, DSD 64 & DXD.
This is a DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD release.

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/JL019-the-duke-book
https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/JL009-the-sweetest-sound
https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/JL020-dances

 

[bmoura]

Jazz at the Pawnshop in Stereo DSD 512.
A very nice holiday surprise. Highly recommended.

Jazz At The Pawnshop - Now In Stereo DSD 512!
#1 DSD Best Seller

NativeDSD Music is proud to announce that it has released a new Stereo DSD 512 edition of the legendary Jazz recording Jazz At The Pawnshop in cooperation with 2xHD Mastering.

The DSD 512 edition of Jazz At The Pawnshop joins the earlier Stereo DSD 256, DSD 128, DSD 64, and DXD editions from 2xHD at the NativeDSD Music store.
Jazz At The Pawnshop, recorded at the Jazzpuben Stampen (Pawnshop) Jazz Club in Stockholm, Sweden on December 14-15, 1976, has been regarded as "The Best Jazz Recording of the Century!" The two recording nights at the Pawnshop jazz club were exceptional, indeed. The crowd lifted the musicians to the peak of their abilities.

Engineer Gert Palmcrantz and Producer Jacob Boethius sat together with two Nagra Audio recorders and in the small bar kitchen and listened to the result of a microphone set up of a lifetime, surrounded by five musicians playing in some kind of trance. Total sales of the recording now exceed 500,000 copies, a tremendously good sales figure for classic jazz. And the records still sell at the rate of 3,000 – 4,000 copies per year today, some 40+ years after release.

The recording’s musical artistry and sonic excellence have few peers. With the blessing of the latest DSD mastering technology, this recording has come out in its unprecedented musical glory!

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/jazz-at-the-pawnshop

 

[bmoura]

Time for some Dixieland Jazz. Including the William Tell Overture, dixieland style.
Stereo DSD 512 edition of The Salt City Six Plays The Classics in Dixieland.

https://www.nativedsd.com/albums/2XHDJA1163-the-salt-city-six-plays-the-classics-in-dixieland

 

[bmoura]

Next up, some Gershwin in Stereo DSD 512. Simply.... George! from VDM Records in Italy.
DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD.

Simply... George! features a new, powerful and original version of George Gershwin's Rhapsody for Piano and Wind Orchestra plus a new version of Concert in F transcribed by Alessandro Celardi, the conductor of the Ferentino Wind Orchestra.

Performed by pianist Monaldo Braconi with the Ferentino Wind Orchestra conducted by Alessandro Celardi. This is a Stereo DXD recording using the Horus and Hapi Analog to Digital converters from Merging Technologies.

Simply... George! is available in Stereo DXD plus Stereo DSD 512, DSD 256, DSD 128, and DSD 64 editions created by NativeDSD Mastering Engineer Tom Caulfield using the Merging Technologies MICO modulators (DSD 256, 128, 64) and the Signalyst EC modulators (DSD 512). This is a new album you will want to add to your collection. Available today at the NativeDSD Music Store. It's a DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD release.

Simply... George!

Simply… George! features a new, powerful, and original version of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody for Piano and Wind Orchestra plus a new version of Concert in […]

www.nativedsd.com

 

[bmoura]

Gypsy Jazz Trio in Stereo DSD 256 & DSD 512.
Features Django-style Jazz plus some interesting choices played in this style. Recommended.

Gypsy Jazz Trio marks the return of guitarist Augusto Creni and double bass player Renato Gattone to NativeDSD. In this follow-up to their album Les Chats Noir, they offer an album of music done in the style of guitarist Django Reinhardt. And to really put the icing on the cake, Creni and Gattone are joined by Moreno Viglione, who reviewers have called "dazzling", "amazing", and "a guitar god". He's often cited as one of the best guitarists in the music world today.

Many of the selections on the album were written by Django Reinhardt. But the trio also ventures outside music written by Django to include some original music of their own along with gypsy jazz takes on the theme from the TV series "I Dream of Jeannie" by Hugo Montenegro, "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown and Bach's "Badinerie".

This is a live, direct to Stereo DSD 256 recording. Moreno Viglione is featured on the left channel and Augusto Creni is featured on the right channel of this Stereo recording.

Forward Music Italy notes that the project (originally called The Manuche Project and highlighted in our "In The DSD Studio" series on the NativeDSD Blog) stems from the idea of making a tribute album to gypsy jazz, but it represents also a way to offer our own interpretation of the sounds and atmospheres so typical of this peculiar genre. For this reason, they chose to record all the songs as a live to DSD 256 session. Just one single session without corrections, editing or overdubs.

During the recording phase, starting with the setup of the studio and the placement of instruments and microphones, they created a real "immersive" moment, such that the listeners will have the perception of attending an actual live concert.

Gypsy Jazz Trio (Pure DSD)

Gypsy Jazz Trio marks the return of guitarist Augusto Creni and double bass player Renato Gattone to NativeDSD. In this follow-up to their album Les […]

www.nativedsd.com

Les Chats Noirs (The Black Cats) (Pure DSD)

Les Chats Noir (The Black Cats) is the self-titled debut album by this unique group from France. It’s on the Forward Music Italy label and […]

www.nativedsd.com

 

[marpow]

Gypsy Jazz Trio in Stereo DSD 256 & DSD 512.
Features Django-style Jazz plus some interesting choices played in this style. Recommended.

View attachment 45581

Gypsy Jazz Trio (Pure DSD)

Gypsy Jazz Trio marks the return of guitarist Augusto Creni and double bass player Renato Gattone to NativeDSD. In this follow-up to their album Les […]

www.nativedsd.com

Les Chats Noirs (The Black Cats) (Pure DSD)

Les Chats Noir (The Black Cats) is the self-titled debut album by this unique group from France. It’s on the Forward Music Italy label and […]

www.nativedsd.com

Thanks Brian, I just purchased both, they look highly interesting. Downloading now, they take awhile.
I can only get the 256 as my Exasound does not go to 512. I wonder if there could ever be a firmware update for 512 or would have to be a new DAC?

 

[bmoura]

Thanks Brian, I just purchased both, they look highly interesting. Downloading now, they take awhile.
I can only get the 256 as my Exasound does not go to 512. I wonder if there could ever be a firmware update for 512 or would have to be a new DAC?

That's a good question for George Klissarov at exaSound. I haven't heard whether exaSound is pursuing DSD 512 Stereo support.
But you can pick up DSD 512 playback with the iFi Audio iDSD Micro BL for $599. I have that one in my home office and it is very good, especially for the price.

On Gypsy Jazz Trio, two of the musicians also appeared on another DSD 256 recording - Les Chats Noir - which is also quite good.
I never thought of a Django style trio playing I Dream of Jeannie, Bach or James Brown before. But it is entertaining, along with the more expected selections!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

That's a good question for George Klissarov at exaSound. I haven't heard whether exaSound is pursuing DSD 512 Stereo support.
But you can pick up DSD 512 playback with the iFi Audio iDSD Micro BL for $599. I have that one in my home office and it is very good, especially for the price.

On Gypsy Jazz Trio, two of the musicians also appeared on another DSD 256 recording - Les Chats Noir - which is also quite good.
I never thought of a Django style trio playing I Dream of Jeannie, Bach or James Brown before. But it is entertaining, along with the more expected selections!

So Brian, concerning the specs on the "iFi Audio iDSD Micro BL", if connected to a receiver (AVR-direct) is the DSD 512 full resolution only available with analog RCA cables & what looks like output via SPDIF Coax topping out at 192khz?

 

[marpow]

That's a good question for George Klissarov at exaSound. I haven't heard whether exaSound is pursuing DSD 512 Stereo support.
But you can pick up DSD 512 playback with the iFi Audio iDSD Micro BL for $599. I have that one in my home office and it is very good, especially for the price.

On Gypsy Jazz Trio, two of the musicians also appeared on another DSD 256 recording - Les Chats Noir - which is also quite good.
I never thought of a Django style trio playing I Dream of Jeannie, Bach or James Brown before. But it is entertaining, along with the more expected selections!

I looked up the iFi Audio iDSD Micro BL and how would it set up for me? JRiver on PC and then USB to exaSound. Do I put in between the PC and exaSound?