The end of 2019 approaches but there is still time to fill-in your Xmas list so that Santa can stuff one of the best releases of the year into your stocking. LP's will be tricky, though.
So. What were the best releases of the last year, anyway?
And what should we avoid at all costs?
Upstairs: VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2 Downstairs: VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
For me the best release of 2119 is Whitesnake, Flesh & Blood. Would love to see them next year with Foreigner and Europe on the bill, but it clashes with our free Fijords cruise which is part of the compensation for the mishap cruise this year. Could not be worse timing.
Currently playing the new Who album, Who, for the first time. I am liking it and Daltry still has the voice which is high in the mix. Will be seeing them in March.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Black
That Who album is getting a lot of attention. Must try to get a listen to it.
I am still deeply impressed by 'I Am Easy To Find' by The National.
Upstairs: VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2 Downstairs: VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
Reissue of the year must be 'In Search of Hades' from Tangerine Dream.
Massive box set of remasters and live concert material from TD's Virgin years from 'Phaedra' up until the arrival of Johannes Schmoelling.
Upstairs: VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d NVA: Cube2 + LS6+ Sabaj A10a (2) + Little Bear MC2 Downstairs: VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC NVA: P50 (phono)Aiyima A07 MAX (2) + Arcam One HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
Need to admit that the new The Who "Who" album is rather good
not sure what is Deluxe about Tidal version but all 14 tracks are good or very good - without your recommendation I would not even look in that direction as not a massive fan of them in the past - so thanx CN ;]
will try Whitesnake, Flesh & Blood next
Already had a go at 'I Am Easy To Find' by The National still not sure if I like it or not I almost gave up cause that strange intro on first track as I mostly listen on HPs i though that that my cable is broken ( listen that one on my bedroom set up ;])
Nothing to see here...
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi https://nvahifi.co.uk/
Fontaines DC- Dogrel.
Sturgill Simpson-Sound amd Fury.
Aldous Harding- Designer
Sundara Karma-Ulfilas' Alphabet
The Claypool Lennon Delirium- South of Reality
Can recommend the following which I think are all 2019 releases:
Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains
Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising
Yola - Walk Through Fire
Bill Callaghan - Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest
Treetop Flyers - Treetop Flyers
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen
Thanks for the lists, some I need to have a listen too as I've not been that impressed with 2019. Some decent stuff but I've bought a number of 'Classics' which I missed first time around or was just a bit too young at the time.
Possible idea for a new thread - Essential Albums anyone ?