Topic: Schoeps CCM2S > V3 > MT vs. MR-1

[SClassical]

You need very sensitive ears to do this test You might have to listen to it a few times. But the result is quite impressive.

I won't tell anyone the results until I have enough feedback (6-10?).

You don't need to tell us what you think it is because it's not really needed.

A:

http://www.mytempdir.com/1323668


B:

http://www.mytempdir.com/1323675

Edit: You need to wait a long time depending on internet speed - ignore the pop ups (sorry!) because it's a free up load site. The last page has the audio link to download.

It is solo piano from a live recital (2nd movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata).

Below is the mic setup pictures from before the event so you know how the mics were placed.

Setting on the V3 = 24bit 96kHz (gain 35, trim 5)

MT 24/96 converted to 16/44.1 (digital coax from V3) conversation made using SF8
MR-1 DSDIFF 1-bit/2.8 MHz to 16/44.1 (anal from V3) zero gain.
Piano Steinway concert grand model D

Thanks 
Simon

PS I'll put another poll up...comparing Schoeps CCM2S omnis vs. DPA 4052 omnis next.

 

[taug]

Thanks for posting this Simon.  By any chance, do you have any similar comparisons done with string instruments? I'm wondering if the overtone complexity would make the differences more striking.

You're right about listening to this several times. My preference grew stronger with each listening.

[SClassical]

Hmm, I could have done this Quartet

http://concerts.newenglandconservatory.edu/index.php?Date_Year=2007&Date_Month=05&Date_Day=09

tonight. Now it's too late. In the future I'll do it.

I've also used my MR-1 with the MixPre....That combo sounds amazing, too. Specially the wide dynamic range and the silence (pauses/rest in the music performance). I'm sure you could even hear a pin drop clearly. Even this simple small track will impress a lot of members here and will have difficulties deciding which one they prefer.

[mmedley.]

Very nice test! Thanks for taking the time. I listened 5-6 times each and voted B...then coming to reply I listened a few more times and now without a doubt I prefer A. 

[gratefulphish]

MT 24/96 converted to 16/44.1 (digital coax from V3) conversation made using SF8
MR-1 DSDIFF 1-bit/2.8 MHz to 16/44.1 (anal from V3) zero gain.
Piano Steinway concert grand model D

Thanks 
Simon
 

I didn't know that V3s went both ways.  I am going to have to keep it in a separate compartment in the gear bag from now on. 

[SClassical]

Thanks for the FIRST feedback  !!!

[divamum]

It's late so I could only listen a couple of times.  My first impression was definitely to prefer B ("Test 2") - I find it cleaner and "sparklier" and I think it handles the pedalling overtones with more clarity.

My biggest problem in listening to this stuff when I wasn't in the house live and thus have THAT mental comparison is that I start to listen to the performance instead of the recording!

I think I want to listen again before I vote, but for the moment, I'm either "B", or "I can tell the difference but like them both".

[taug]

Hmm, I could have done this Quartet

http://concerts.newenglandconservatory.edu/index.php?Date_Year=2007&Date_Month=05&Date_Day=09

tonight. Now it's too late. In the future I'll do it.

I've also used my MR-1 with the MixPre....That combo sounds amazing, too. Specially the wide dynamic range and the silence (pauses/rest in the music performance). I'm sure you could even hear a pin drop clearly. Even this simple small track will impress a lot of members here and will have difficulties deciding which one they prefer.

That quartet has been recording their own concerts for years:
http://www.borromeoquartet.org/recordings/laindex.html

I don't know what stuff they use but I bet you could get them excited about your MR-1...

[Nick's Picks]

I just finished listening a few times through my system, which I think is pretty revieling....., and B sounded far more realistic to me.  A seemed muted, much less "resolved" sounding.  not nearly as pronounced in the attack of the keys when the pianist starts to get on it.  the tone sounded too soft.  On target, but the presentation seemed like it was missing something.

I'll shit if A is the Korg.

[WiFiJeff]

I picked B as well.  It seems crisper and less muddy to me.

Sometimes I find if I listen the next day, my preferences change.  This is not a good thing for decisive choosing, but it's the way my ears work, unfortunately.

Jeff

[Filharmoniker]

For me it was difficult to here any difference. I liked them both, but with a slight preference for A.

[SClassical]

Hmm, I could have done this Quartet

http://concerts.newenglandconservatory.edu/index.php?Date_Year=2007&Date_Month=05&Date_Day=09

tonight. Now it's too late. In the future I'll do it.

I've also used my MR-1 with the MixPre....That combo sounds amazing, too. Specially the wide dynamic range and the silence (pauses/rest in the music performance). I'm sure you could even hear a pin drop clearly. Even this simple small track will impress a lot of members here and will have difficulties deciding which one they prefer.

That quartet has been recording their own concerts for years:
http://www.borromeoquartet.org/recordings/laindex.html

I don't know what stuff they use but I bet you could get them excited about your MR-1...

I actually know the violinist (Nick Kitchen)...he uses his own gear = Schoeps MK4 directly into the stock Tascam HD-P2. But when they play at Jordan Hall, the Hall records for them using DPA 4006 (don't know what preamp/A/D converter).

[Brian Skalinder]

Interesting listening.  Thanks for posting!  I've not made up my mind yet - need to listen more to familiarize myself with the content as my ears/brain are not accustomed to lisetning critically to recordings of acoustic instruments.

FYI, your V3's digital outputs are inverted relative to your analog outputs (or vice versa).  This is a known issue and Grace will fix under warranty.

[noam]

I'll shit if A is the Korg.

Why? Every digital signal starts its life as DSD and ends up as whatever you convert it to. Unless you can burn SACD's from these files, what we get is the converted files - so the comparison is (mostly) between the V3 A/D converter and the Korg A/D converter. Which one would you expect to sound better?

Noam

[BC]

do you use an attenuator between the V3 and Korg?