Norah Jones - Come Away With Me now in hi-res 24Bit/192kHz

[Cheezewhiz]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Just finished listening to the hi-res (24/192) download of Norah Jones - Come Away With Me, and doing a direct A/B comparison of it with the redbook CD version. The hi-res version has more body to Norah's voice, and presents her piano in a slightly more forward position. I started both recordings at exactly the same moment, so when I switched between the CD in the MCD1100 and the hi-res from the Olive 04HD through the MCD1100 DAC's there was no delay or advance of the music. Each time I switched to the CD the recording sounded slightly thinner and a shallower sound stage. The hi-res recording has a deeper texture to voices and instruments. What surprises me is the hi-res improvement is not revolutionary. I think I was expecting even greater clarity and dynamics. The recording is a joy to hear, but I think the hi-res version shines a bright light on an album that wasn't as well engineered or mastered as it could/should have been, particularly the microphone techniques used to capture Norah's piano. The album won a slew of awards for Norah and her band, so the emphasis was more on the quality of Norah's songs and voice than the overall recording quality. None the less, the hi-res version is a pleasant improvement over the CD.

I also own the SACD version of Norah Jones - Come Away With Me, and rarely play it because it was such a disappointment. When I purchased it I had high hope for something closer to hi-res than the redbook CD, but it was not to be. In fact, the SACD sounded vailed when compared directly to the CD. I felt ripped off. The general consensus is the SACD was simply recorded in DSD from the 16/44.1 digital master, so there was nothing to be gained. The original SACD of this album was/is a total let down, in my opinion, a down and dirty record company money grab while the recording was on top.

I had some apprehension about buying the hi-res version from HDTracks, wondering if it was just a rehash of the SACD. Fortunately it doesn't seem so. I was hoping for a greater improvement over the CD version, but I am pleased to have the evolutionary improvement none the less. I do think I could have saved the extra $5.00, and downloaded the 24/96 version with no loss in quality. Hey, live and learn. It is a good recording.

Thanks much for the review. This is one of my favorite disc's. I agree with your over engineered comment. I always thought it was recorded a little hot. Seemed to me that the noise floor was always more elevated compared to other CDs I own. Did you notice any lower noise floor in your high res version?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Cheezewhiz

Thanks much for the review. This is one of my favorite disc's. I agree with your over engineered comment. I always thought it was recorded a little hot. Seemed to me that the noise floor was always more elevated compared to other CDs I own. Did you notice any lower noise floor in your high res version?

David.......I am listening to Norah Jones - Come Away With Me again right now. It does sound as though the noise floor has been lowered, but it is not dramatic. The improvements that I am hearing in the 24Bit/192kHz recording are subtle, primarily with a nicer warmth to Norah's voice, and a slight softening of the "hot" nature of the piano mic techniques used in the recording. Like you, I agree that the original redbook CD version seemed to have an edge that has been eased in the hi-res version.

Last night, while listening to the hi-res version and the redbook version at the same time, bouncing back and forth comparing the sound, I wasn't quite as focused on the hi-res version as I am right now. I am just listening and enjoying the hi-res version right now, and it is very nice indeed.

[Cheezewhiz]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......I am listening to Norah Jones - Come Away With Me again right now. It does sound as though the noise floor has been lowered, but it is not dramatic. The improvements that I am hearing in the 24Bit/192kHz recording are subtle, primarily with a nicer warmth to Norah's voice, and a slight softening of the "hot" nature of the piano mic techniques used in the recording. Like you, I agree that the original redbook CD version seemed to have an edge that has been eased in the hi-res version.

Last night, while listening to the hi-res version and the redbook version at the same time, bouncing back and forth comparing the sound, I wasn't quite as focused on the hi-res version as I am right now. I am just listening and enjoying the hi-res version right now, and it is very nice indeed.

Sold! Thanks much Dan.

[Rtan]

I agree with Dan regarding the SACD recording, it was a rip off. It was good listening but not the best. Thanks for the update of NJ new release HD track. I'll skip it.

[Whart]

Al Schmidt engineered these records, if memory serves. No wonder they sound so good. There's a cut on a later album of hers, the one where she is shown wearing the black and white dress, i think it's called 'thinking about you' or something like that. it has this nice loping gait, and i dig it, not so much b/c of her voice (she's got a good voice, but i find her lacking in passion), but because the band and the song are so good.
Sure beats auto tune and Riahanna, though.

[Puma Cat]

Downloading my copy as I write this...will post impressions this evening when I get home from work.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Downloading my copy as I write this...will post impressions this evening when I get home from work.

Stephen.......Looking forward to your comments.

[Puma Cat]

Thanks, Dan.

Looking forward to listening to it tonight...will compare with the Redbook CD.

[djwhog]

There is a total new sacd later this month direct from tapes, should be much better than the previous sacd, and it is a 5.1 too as well as a hybrid..

again I really enjoy my 192 thanks Dan for the heads up and your very good review too

[jdandy]

Dave.......Good to know you are enjoying the Norah Jones - Come Away With Me hi-res download. Now that I have three copies of this album (CD. SACD, Hi-Res), unless the new Hybrid SACD is a killer, I'll probably hang tight.

Yeah, I know, I've said that before.