Audiophile Analog Collection Vol. 2

The Best Selling Reel To Reel Tape Album: From the worlds of jazz, blues, percussion ensembles, world music and classical music, this is a special compilation of analogue audiophile recordings at their best, with emphasis on great sound.

"This album is stunning, to say the least. A reference level stuff! Do not miss this release when it's up for grabs. It really shows what a high-end system is capable or lacks of! For the recording on this tape, the original 1/4" 15ips CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, and wired with OCC silver cables from the playback head directly to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, is one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fibre head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD Fusion to obtain more transparency and better 3D imaging.

Nothing sounds better than music on reel-to-reel tape, and René Laflamme is again preparing something special. In the high-end audio world, audiophile sound engineer René Laflamme has carved out a reputation for the definition of excellence. Your copy will be recorded on a Nagra IV-S 1/4" at 15 ips and the most musical high-fidelity analogue sound. 

Manufacturers of audiophile equipment such as Nagra Audio, and high-end turntable manufacturers, Kronos Audio seek his expertise in representation and assistance in design. Audiophile quality microphone designer and 8 times winner of "Best sound in the show" at high-end audio equipment conventions, Laflamme uses his knowledge and unfailing instinct to match various audio components to create the best all-encompassing sound experience. The exclusive 2xHD system is the fruit of Laflamme's total experience and imagination.

Album: Various - Audiophile Analog Collection Vol. 2
Label: 2xHD - 2XHDFT-T1167
Format: Reel-To-Reel, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Limited Edition
Country: Canada
Released: 2020
Genre: Jazz, Blues
Style: Easy Listening

Tracklist:

1: LIGHTS OF BARCELONA
Accompanied by bass player David Hughes, and percussionist Christian Paré, virtuoso guitarist Marc Vallée picks his way through a set of original compositions that blend a variety of musical styles with dazzling improvisations. This album was awarded the ‘Best High-Resolution Recording’ by Soundstage! in 2003.

2: LIBERTANGO
Cello, accordion and double bass, TRIO DE CURDA is a new 2xHD recording of Tango music to be released on Reel-to-reel tape in 2020. Pure Blumlein recording with Neumann SM 69 tube microphones on a Nagra IV-S

3: SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST – Introduction
This recording is indicated as being the best version of SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST. The Casavant organ used in this recording is the 4th most powerful organ in the world, with a reach of below 20 Hz.
(A note of caution: Be very careful with the playback level on the first listen. The dynamics are wide, and there is a 16Hz organ tone that can cause distress to your speakers if you’re not careful.)

4: THE SKY IS CRYING
One of the top blues players /singers of all time, Sonny Boy’s harmonica spoke the language of his time, with its tortured, wailing, crying and strangely beautiful tone. This track was captured with two Scheops tube microphones to provide a realistic presence ‘to die for.’

5: DOREEN SMITH, ROUTE 66
From the album that was awarded the ‘Best Recording of the Year’ by Soundstage in 2001: “Ms. Smith has a way with these songs and a vocal style that will grab you right from the get-go.”

6: This beautiful recording of Scarlatti’s LE VIOLETTE with Tenor and Harpsichord was recorded in M/S mic technique which gives it a truly realistic presence and imaging.

7: ÉCHANGES SYNAPTIQUES INTERDITS
Composed by Frederic Alarie for the 11.5 ft high Octobass and Double Bass, this unique experience was performed at Montreal’s La Maison Symphonique. In this analogue recording, you can hear the hall’s beautiful acoustics and the very deep bass tone (below 20Hz).

8: MUSICUS PERCUSSION #3
To obtain the powerful and refined sound of this recording, a selection of the best microphones was used: 2 AKG C12, 4 Neumann U67, 2 B&K 1 inch, on a Nagra T recorder.

9: CHURCH BELL
The Church of St. Madelaine’s bell was recorded on a Nagra IV-S, using two schoeps omnidirectional microphones.

10: TOCCATA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR, BWV 565
This version is a reference for many music lovers. It was recorded at Montreal’s St-Joseph Oratory with 2 Neumann microphones on Nagra IV-S.

11: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, EXCERPTS
Recorded at Montreal’s Place des Arts using two B&K omnidirectional microphones on a NAGARA IV-S, this is a great example of 3D imaging obtained with the two-microphone technique used to record a full orchestra.

The 2xHD Fusion Mastering System: In the constant evolution of its proprietary mastering process, 2xHD has progressed to a new phase called 2xHD FUSION, integrating the finest analogue, with state-of-the-art recording technology.

The mastering chain consists of a selection of high-end vacuum tube equipment. For the recordings on this album, the original 1⁄4” 15 ips NagraMaster curve, NAB and CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier.

The Nagra T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, has one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fibre head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain a better resolution and 3D imaging.

The resulting signal is then transferred into high-resolution formats by recording it in DXD using a custom 2xHD Technologies A to D converter. All analogue and digital cables that are used are state-of-the-art Siltech.

The 2xHD FUSION mastering system is powered by a supercapacitor power supply, using a new technology that lowers the digital noise found in the lowest level of the spectrum. A vacuum tube NAGRA HD DAC X is used as a reference digital playback converter in order to A and B with the original analogue master tape, permitting the fusion of the warmth of analogue with the refinement of digital.

"Many of my recordings with the strongest organ done to 16Hz, Octobass, and many track awards for best recording by the Soundstage magazine. I never remastered before because many tracks were recorded in Nagra master curve EQ and my tube playback did not have it. But now I have Nagra master and it is spectacular!" - By Rene

The tape is tailed out. Before playback please rewind the tape first. Make sure that you clean open reel-to-reel tape recorder heads regularly for optimal frequency response.

Compatible Tape Recorders to play master tape copy today: Below is a partial list of compatible tape recorders. Other tape recorders may be used as long as they have 15ips, 2 track playback capability, CCIR or NAB curve and 10" inch diameter reel capacity:

3M, Akai, Ampex 350, 351, 354, 440, MR70, ATR 100, 102, Ballfinger M063H1, M063H3, M063H5, M063H1IX, Crown, Denon, Fostex, Lyrec, Magnecord, Marantz, MCI, Mitsubishi, Nagra T, Nagra IV-S/QGB, Otari, Philips PRO35, PRO36, Pioneer RT707, Scully280, Shure, Sony, Stellavox, Studer B67, C37, A80, 810, A820, ReVox A77, C260, G36, PR99, Tandberg, Teac X2000, Tascam, Technics RS1500, Telefunken M5, M10, M12, M15, Thorens TM1600, United home audio and more.

Before You Play The Tape: Please Note The Tape Is Tailed Out. Before playback please rewind the tape first. Make sure that you clean open reel-to-reel tape recorder heads regularly for optimal frequency response.

No Compromise Music Reissues by Audionautes Recordings - Analog Sound, Audiophile Music, Quality Service, Expert Packaging, Fast Shipping.

Thousands of other critical listeners are hooked on open-reel audio tapes, look no further order one for yourself. Be ready to be blown away when you experience playback of true high-fidelity recording on audiotape – your new album on reel-to-reel audiotape.

Above Tape In Format: Reel-To-Reel Tape, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Album, CCIR (IEC) Or NAB Eq.

Master Quality Reel-To-Reel Album Tape: Made-To-Order: Reel Audio Tapes are available, please allow 3 weeks for delivery. Analog Audio Reel Tape are made to order, one at a time, transferred and assembled by hand. Each package includes 15 IPS 1/4” tapes in individual boxes and a certificate of authenticity.

COMPATIBLE REEL TAPE RECORDERS

Below is a partial list of compatible reel-to-reel tape recorders. Other open reel tape recorders may be used as long as they can play 15ips, 2-track tape capability, CCIR or NAB curve and 10” diameter reel spool capacity.

3M • Akai • Ampex 350, 351, 354, 440, MR70 • ATR 100, 102 • Ballfinger M063H1, M063H3, M063H5, M063H1IX • Crown • Denon • Fostex • Lyrec • Magnecord • Marantz • MCI • Mitsubishi • Nagra T, Nagra IV-S/QGB • Otari • Philips PRO35, PRO36 • Pioneer RT707• Scully 280 • Shure • Sony • Stellavox • Studer B67, C37, A80, 810, A820, ReVox A77, C260, G36, PR99 • Tandberg • Teac X2000 • Tascam • Technics RS-1500 • Technics RS-1506 • Technics RS-1520 • Technics RS-10A02 • Technics RS-1800 •  Telefunken M5, M10, M12, M15, Thorens TM1600 •  Analog Audio Design • United Home Audio • Metaxas & Sins • Sonorus ATR10 and MANY OTHERS. 

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