A

audiofox

Full Audioholic
Alex, if you are a classical fan, keep your eyes peeled for the old RCA Living Stereo "dog" label recordings from the 50s-many of these are considered to be the best classical recordings ever made, and the list of conductors and performers is among the best as well (Reiner/Chicago Symphony recordings are my favorites). Many of them have been reissued by Classic Records on 180 gram or 200 gram vinyl as well as 3 channel SACDs for the vinyl challenged. :)
 
Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
Alex, if you are a classical fan, keep your eyes peeled for the old RCA Living Stereo "dog" label recordings from the 50s-many of these are considered to be the best classical recordings ever made, and the list of conductors and performers is among the best as well (Reiner/Chicago Symphony recordings are my favorites). Many of them have been reissued by Classic Records on 180 gram or 200 gram vinyl as well as 3 channel SACDs for the vinyl challenged. :)
How about the 'Red Seal' ones like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Arturo-Toscanini-Nine-Beethoven-Symphonies-RCA-Victor_W0QQitemZ260452727676QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090725?IMSfp=TL090725136003r37495


I have a stack of them that I use to try and familiarize myself with works that are beyond my normal range of music.

Oh, here's what a quick search came up with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCA_Red_Seal_Records
 
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A

audiofox

Full Audioholic
I believe that the stereo pressings (The so-called "Living Stereo" pressings) are in more demand and more valuable, although the monaurals I have heard sound great to me as well. Both the mono and the stereo pressings for that era used much better quality and thicker vinyl than the later RCAs (like the infamous Dynagroove pressings, which would bend in a mild breeze). The dyed-in-the-wool shaded dog fanatics seek out pressings from specific stampers, which allegedly sound better than the other pressings of the same title. I have a couple myself, but I have more of the Classic Records reissues, which also sound very good.

Here is something I found online that may be of interest:

What is an RCA "Shaded Dog" record? Why are they so valuable?

RCA's "Shaded Dogs" are their LSC-series (Living Stereo Classical) LPs
from the late 1950s and early 1960s -- the term "shaded dog" refers to
the painting of Little Nipper on the label of these records, which has
a shaded background on a red label. This series was very exactingly
recorded and is in demand primarily among audiophiles who actually
want to listen to these excellent-sounding performances. The mere
presence of a "shaded dog" on the label doesn't automatically make it
valuable; since these are sought out for listening purposes, condition
is extremely important and some pressings (identified by the matrix
number in the runout groove) are in higher demand than others.

This is definitely a specialist's market. If you're interested in
dipping your toes, a book by Jonathan Valin called The Living Stereo
Bible describes the series in more detail.
 
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Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
That thing sold for $67! I was at the record store yesterday looking around. The owner is completely unaware of these things because he is not a fan of classical music. I'm not either really. I'm more fascinated by what it takes for an entire orchestra to be able to come together and play. Anyway, there were 6 milk crates full of albums that I did not go through and now I must go back to see if one or more of these gems are in there. I spoke to 3 different vinyl collectors regarding these things and not one was aware of this 'LSC' business but the $67 selling price on that makes it's own statement.

Let's keep this our secret. :) The b!tch of it is that the store doesn't open until noon. :mad:
 
A

audiofox

Full Audioholic
That thing sold for $67! I was at the record store yesterday looking around. The owner is completely unaware of these things because he is not a fan of classical music. I'm not either really. I'm more fascinated by what it takes for an entire orchestra to be able to come together and play. Anyway, there were 6 milk crates full of albums that I did not go through and now I must go back to see if one or more of these gems are in there. I spoke to 3 different vinyl collectors regarding these things and not one was aware of this 'LSC' business but the $67 selling price on that makes it's own statement.

Let's keep this our secret. :) The b!tch of it is that the store doesn't open until noon. :mad:
Happy hunting-be sure to post your finds.

BTW, I spent the evening listening to the Ninth Symphony from my Columbia George Szell/Cleveland Symphony Beethoven Nine Symphonies box set-I cut my teeth on Beethoven on this set back in the early 70s, and it sounds even better now that I can afford better playback equipment. The CD set sells for $170+, but it is still possible to find the original vinyl set for under $50-a great classical vinyl LP bargain if there ever was one. Szell transformed the Cleveland SO from a so-so orchestra to one of the preeminent orchestras in the USA in the middle part of the last century-IMHO, he has a reserved seat in the classical firmament along with Fritz Reiner and Arturo Toscanini as one of the world's great conductors.
 
Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
Happy hunting-be sure to post your finds.
Finding 'LSC' was pretty tough but finding it in conjunction with the shaded dog was impossible. :)

I had previously bought this for $3:



which I just saw on eBay for $25 but that is an asking price.

I feel that I should let it be known that after listening to side #1 I put the Bee Gees on. :D
... anything but jazz. ;)
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Yes, I liked this part
He's right. Digital recordings are far less accurate than vinyl.


not:eek:
Who cares man? :rolleyes: Its all about the enjoyment of the sound and involvement with the music, the cover art, etc.
 
Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
Who cares man? :rolleyes: Its all about the enjoyment of the sound and involvement with the music, the cover art, etc.
Let's not forget budget. Used records are cheap. With $10 I can easily buy between 3-7 used LP's. So the sound may not be the 'best'. Neither is the 2 channel rig I listen to it on but I still like it. Only a few more LP's to go and I'll have everything Tom Jones ever recorded.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Let's not forget budget. Used records are cheap. With $10 I can easily buy between 3-7 used LP's. So the sound may not be the 'best'. Neither is the 2 channel rig I listen to it on but I still like it. Only a few more LP's to go and I'll have everything Tom Jones ever recorded.
Not that I'm a Tom Jones fan but that is very cool. :) Does his earlier work dwelve into the blues?
 
Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
Not that I'm a Tom Jones fan but that is very cool. :) Does his earlier work dwelve into the blues?
I'm not sure what he "dwelves" into but I was only kidding. I don't know how to make my laptop use smilies with Firefox so sarcasm is easily mistaken for bad taste. I have a few of his recordings that came with the lump purchase of 100+ albums and the guys like to tease me about being a big fan but ... I'm really not.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I'm not sure what he "dwelves" into but I was only kidding. I don't know how to make my laptop use smilies with Firefox so sarcasm is easily mistaken for bad taste. I have a few of his recordings that came with the lump purchase of 100+ albums and the guys like to tease me about being a big fan but ... I'm really not.
That is halarious!! Thanks for coming clean.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I guess if Costco can, Best Buy can, too, although the vinyl collection at the local Costco was small and short-lived.
Costco never carries anythig long term except for food items. I fail to see the analogy of Costco to Best Buy
 
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