The mark of a good improvement to the HiFi is the need to rediscover so much stuff. These are the CDs that I've found so far which sound gorgeous on my setup.

The Church - Starfish

Although their earlier albums sounded like The Byrd's sound brought into the 80s, this album sees a move away from the jangle-pop and into more adventurous soundscapes. Lots of strong melodies and lots of interesting stuff going on behind the harmonies and melodies.



Cluster and Eno

Proof if needed that ambient doesn't have to be 20 minute slabs of go-nowhere. One of their better recorded efforts using lots of electric as well as electronic instruments to produce a load of moods captured in 5 minute chunks. Holger Czukay and Asmus Tietchens guest.



Can - Soundtracks

Recorded live to 2-track with very little in the way of overdubs. Quite an open airy sound with some beautiful ballads ("She Brings the Rain") as well as all-out guitar freakoutery and the relentless drumming of Jaki Liebezeit of "Mother Sky". cool

500.2, 518, 568.1, DSP5000 (24/96), Manticore Mantra T/T, Rega RB300 Arm, Sumiko Blue Point Special MC Cartridge, Musical Fidelity X-LP Phono Stage, AKAI GX-95 MK-II Reference Master Cassette Deck & Marantz ST-17 Tuner