Bravo, Telarc!

[emaidel]

I'll try to list the best Telarc recordings I own for those who've asked. Please keep in mind that my recommendations are based not only on sonics, but the interpretation of the music as well. So, in no particular order, here goes:

1. Mahler Symphony #3; Jesus Lopez-Cabos and the Cincinatti Symphony Orchestra, Telarc 80481. Though there's a newer version of this monumental work of Mahler utilizing the DSD system (and, consequently, available as an SACD) I prefer this version in all respects.

2. The Berlioz Requiem; Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Telarc 80627.. Also on SACD, a truly herculean accomplishment all around, besting a previous release of this on Telarc by the same orchestra and chorus, but under the direction of the late Robert Shaw.

3. The Stokowski Sound; Eric Kunzel and the Cincinatti Pops Orchestra; Telarc # 80129. Perfectly performed (and recorded) versions of Stokowski's "transcriptions for orchestra" of several famous classical pieces. Includes my all-time favorite piece of music, "Le Cathedrale Egloutie" by Debussy. I actually prefer the Stokowski transcription to the original, solo piano version, and the manner in which it is played on this disc is sensational.

4. Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky," conducted by Andre Previn with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Telarc 80143. The only Telarc CD in my collection that used the "COLOSSUS by the Numbers" digital console, and a remarkably good sounding (and supremely well interpreted) version of this masterpiece. Far and away the best "Alexander Nefsky" I've ever heard.

5. The Faure and Durufle Requiems, conducted by Robert Shaw with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Telarc # 80135. A beautiful rendition of both of these pieces, and a wonderful demonstration of how good quiet music can sound. The "Sanctus" of each requiem show off dynamic range wonderfully, but it is the softness and serenity of the rest of both works that really shine on this disc.

6. Carmina Burana, conducted by Robert Spano with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Telarc # 80575. One of the newer Telarc discs, also available as an SACD which gives new life and excitement to this workhorse of music.

7. California Project by Papa Doo Run Run, Telarc # 70501. A group that sounds exactly like the Beach Boys, but with recorded sonics that will blow your mind and make you wish all rock music could sound this good.

That's it for now, but I suspect I may have overlooked a slew of other, equally worthy contenders. Nevertheless, anyone interested in how good digital recordings can sound, and how well the music can be interpreted need only check out any of these, and the "California Project" is a stunner in its own right.

 

[Drybasement]

I've never been disappointed with Telarc. Not only do I enjoy the classical recordings offered by Telarc, the jazz recordings shine as well particularly the recordings of Dave Brubeck and McCoy Tyner.

Dave Brubeck - Park Avenue South
Dave Brubeck - London Flat, London Sharp
Dave Brubeck - The Crossing
Dave Brubeck - Young Lions and Old Tigers
Dave Brubeck - Just You, Just Me
Dave Brubeck - Late Night Brubeck: Live At The Blue Note

McCoy Tyner - w/Stanley Clark and Al Foster
McCoy Tyner - Land Of Giants
McCoy Tyner - Illimunations

And I, too, also heard that Telarc was purchased by Concord Music Group who also recently purchased Fantasy Jazz. Get those Telarc's and OJC's while you can. It's rumoured that many of these will go out of print.

 

[emaidel]

And I, too, also heard that Telarc was purchased by Concord Music Group who also recently purchased Fantasy Jazz. .

That's indeed true. I have routinely corresponded with Jack Renner over the last couple of years, and brought this thread to his attention. He responded last night, saying, "Thanks," and also stated that he is now basically unemployed since Telarc's acquisition by Concord. Though he will be doing freelance work, this seems to me to be the typical behavior of many corporate takeovers: forget what, or who, made the company you just purchased what it is, and just blast on ahead with no regard for the personal (or, "personnel") consequences.

Fortunately, Jack said that those who he guided along the way of Telarc's growth are still there, and should continue the label's fine reputation.

I certainly hope so, and wish the very best for Jack.

 

[Infinitoid]

Charivari wrote:
I've a Toshiba SD-4960 (listed by some of the modding companies as their reference player after mods, beating out the Pioneer 963) and I can say that it does SACD and DVD-A very well, be it surround sound or just two channel. In fact, I've my player connected to both of my systems (surround for movies and DVD-A, 2-channel for music) thanks to the multiple analog outs (multi channel and separate 2-channel). It can regularly be found for ~$60 new shipped now. Aside from the horribly done remote...

Not to get too far off topic here, but I also have a 4960. Worst ergonomics of ANY piece of electronic gear I've ever owned. But the modders say it's heaven. Which modders, where?

Greg

 

[stereofisher]

Have to agree...

I have "Time Warp" & "Star Tracks II" also! Wonderful stuff.

Russ

Have several Star Tracks on Telarcs and they are some of the best CDs Ive got. Dont buy many CDs though. Used LPs from Sal Army. Got two in the area LPs rule around here!!!

Eric

 

[Charivari]

I've a Toshiba SD-4960 (listed by some of the modding companies as their reference player after mods, beating out the Pioneer 963) and I can say that it does SACD and DVD-A very well, be it surround sound or just two channel. In fact, I've my player connected to both of my systems (surround for movies and DVD-A, 2-channel for music) thanks to the multiple analog outs (multi channel and separate 2-channel). It can regularly be found for ~$60 new shipped now. Aside from the horribly done remote...

Not to get too far off topic here, but I also have a 4960. Worst ergonomics of ANY piece of electronic gear I've ever owned. But the modders say it's heaven. Which modders, where?

Greg

I hear ya; tiny little buttons on the face plate that only register a press half the time and even then you're afraid to hit them lest the mirrored front is scratched, a tray with such a shallow depression for the disk that it regularly takes a couple of tries to get it aligned properly, a GUI that's very difficult to navigate, and a remote that is horrendous making pausing a 3-10 second task, play difficult, no ability to fast forward without skipping tracks or getting stuck there, and with button placement that makes no sense. Did I mention that I've also yet to get the player to actually go to the DTS audio track on any DVD I've played through it?

If it didn't sound so good, I'd have thrown it across the room by now. When the modders praise this unit, they are most certainly talking about how much room they have inside to change things around and not the remote. In fact, some modders praise this more than just to heaven. Remember, though, that the following is written by someone who sells his services to modify these players at a sizable price, so take what was said with a large grain of salt.

Toshiba SD-4960 and Samsung HD-841 players (Our Impressions)-
Reference Audio Mods performs High Performance modifications to the ever popular Toshiba SD-4960 and Samsung HD-841 units to take them to a completely different level of sound, embarassing many $600-$5000+ costing players!!! Order this unit with the Superclock 3 option and watch this little unit smoke players costing over $4000 no problem!! We beat a Sony SCD-XA9000ES and a Shaning SCD-T200A (both costing $3000) with this unit! Save $1000's+ dollars today! This is a complete no brainer, its now time to get into much higher end sound on a beer budget. I never thought this was possible and the only way to get great sound is too spend thousands of dollars. Not anymore, Once you hear these units, you will think twice about getting into a fancy cd player.... The fully modified unit was equal or as good as the $11,000 Linn Unidisc 1.1!!! Amazing!

Talk about a sleeper! These unitd retail for $129-179. The unit stock sounds as good as any $300-600 I've heard. With these mods, this unit is taken to a very FAR level, embarassing so many other players on the market, it is a complete NO BRAINER and everyone should have one either in their system or as an backup for their main big rig!!! It is comparable to many $1.5-3K costing players or better when modded with the basic mods! Get the fully modded machine with the Superclock 3 option and you will hear more music than out of the $11,000 Linn Unidisc 1.1!!!

This unit plays SACD, DVD-A's, DVD-V's, CD's, CD-R's, CD-RW's, MP3's, JPEG's. The nice thing is the mods have a good affect on video as well as we focus on the power supply of the unit in our mod package. The end result is sound of a much much more costly and also modified unit. Please take a look at the options as well. Now its time to get that expensive sound for a complete fraction of the cost!
I have compared it to NAD C542, NAD S-500, Cary 308, Arcam FMJ 23, rega jupiter, etc.. and has topped all these in overall resolution/dynamics and clean soundstage! Order one with the Superclock 3 and start SMOKING $3000-5000 players all day long. It might even be better than some other $3-5k modified players from other companys. If fact, not even the acclaimed Mark Levinson 390S has such a large and refined soundstage with crystal clear resolution and imaging. Hearing is beleiving!

The Performance of these mods is much greater than the posted modifications on Audio Asylum or Audio Circle by a complete long shot.

- JP

 

[crexrun]

I just got Time Warp and Star Tracks today at the SA, for $2.99 Each, and they only had maybe 50 CDS total, so I think I did pretty good! The Time Warp CD says it has the Most powerful content ever put on a CD, and it sounds like it! It's great, I have it playing right now. Crexrun

 

[stereofisher]

Got Star Tracks I and II..

Probably the best sounding CDs I own. Telarcs are the best. A little bassy or boomie but pretty decent. Eric