Regarding Mahler Symphony recommendations, I notice many people suggesting
older recordings. Live performance aside, can a listener really get the
full impact of a Mahler symphony on a recording before 1970? (Well, 1960)
Wouldn't this be like trying to appreciate the visual arts through dirty
glass?

While historical recordings provide education and enlightenment, their
technical limitations just don't make the performance come alive for me.

I also cringe when I see someone trying to win over a new-comer to CM by
playing a composer like Respighi through a cassette deck with two-inch
speakers.  (I am the proud owner of Infinity speakers with 18" woofers.)

John (size does matter) Smyth