Date:         Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:16:28 -0700
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         rodbrown <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      off-topic: guilty pleasure in hi-fi demo records
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Hi all,

I'm timidly un-lurking for a moment because I have a question for 
which I'm sure the ARSClist subscribership would have a broad range 
of useful, informed opinions.

I've recently become reacquainted with an LP I really enjoyed as a 
kid: "An Adventure In High Fidelity", subtitled "A 'New Orthophonic' 
High Fidelity Recording." This is an RCA Victor boxed set, LM-1802. I 
find I still enjoy hearing this old record.

It purports to present great-sounding (monaural) classical and 
semi-classical music, but also offers some very entertaining pop 
instrumentals. It's an interesting listen, full of ear-catching, 
exotic sounds, highs and lows, softs and louds. It tries to be all 
things to a broad range of listeners, and doesn't fail too badly, 
seems to me.

I'm sure there must be any number of similar efforts committed to 
vinyl by various companies who sought to interest the public in a 
particular label, or a brand of equipment, or a supposed technical 
breakthrough. Was this record a better-than-average example of a 
genre? Would any of you care to mention any fond recollections on 
this type of recording? Any recommendations?

(I'm presently a little less interested in LPs full of pink noise or 
selected sine waves [the more technically-oriented 'test' records] 
though those can be intriguing too.)

I'd be pleased to hear from you.

Thanks,
Rod