Johnny Mathis - Merry Christmas - Pure DSD

Johnny Mathis - Merry Christmas

Johnny Mathis' Merry Christmas is without a doubt my very favorite Christmas album, and this new Pure DSD transfer is the most musically detailed digital version that's ever been done. It's a real treasure!

Clarity and timbral density in spades

I just couldn't wait - I had to play this today even though we're only two days past Thanksgiving. And, wow! What a gift. The immediacy and transparency of this Pure DSD256 is just astonishing. I am surprised to find I have the Columbia CD of this album, so I played it to compare. And the comparison made the CD sound simply dismal. The sound of the HDTT release has hugely greater air around the instruments and voice, the sound is more full and resonant, there is greater timbral density and texture to voice and instruments. Overall, the analog beauty found in the HDTT release is vastly improved and satisfying. The CD simply sounds flat and one-dimensional. Just play track 3, Sleigh Bells, and you will immediately understand what I'm saying. If the original CD is all you have to listen to, this Pure DSD256 release will be a huge step up in sound quality. If you enjoy Johnny Mathis, you'll very much appreciate this addition/replacement to your music library. I'm not that fond of his (in)ability to actually sing some of the classically oriented traditional songs once outside of the secular seasonal songs (that make up the first half of the album and where he is most enjoyable), thus 4-stars rather than 5.

Mathis der Singer

The voice, the old standards, the exemplary sound, a great album. It’s a winter sleigh ride in sound.