NEW forthcoming - pre-order is open for these great recordings: Khachaturian – Masquerade / Kabalevsky – The Comedians    - Kiril Kondrashin – RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra

The classic classical album features conductor Kiril Kondrashin leading the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra in iconic orchestral suites.

MUST HAVE - One of the best-sounding recordings in the Living Stereo music recordings catalogue features Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite and Kabalevsky's The Comedians, Op. 26. For this release, Kiril Kondrashin conducts the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra.

Genre: Classical
Style: Romantic, Orchestral

Composers & Works:

• Aram Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite (Waltz, Nocturne, Mazurka, Romance, Galop)
• Dmitry Kabalevsky: The Comedians, Op. 26 (Prologue, Comedians' Gallop, March, Waltz, Pantomime, Intermezzo, Little Lyrical Scene, Gavotte, Scherzo, Epilogue)

• Conductor: Kiril Kondrashin
• Orchestra: RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
• Recording Date: October 30, 1958 (Manhattan Center, New York City)

Composer: 
Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)
Dmitri Kabalevsky (1904-1987)

* Please note: The correct album cover will be updated and produced.

It is with great enthusiasm, honour, and a sense of responsibility that AudioNautes Recordings share this exciting news: starting in the summer of 2027 (though working to begin earlier) and continuing through 2028, AudioNautes Recordings will release a series of 10 RCA Living Stereo titles on SM900 RTM Audio Sound Tape.

Having gained access to the entire RCA Living Stereo catalogue, AudioNautes Recordings selected these 11 titles based on sound quality, performance, and their popularity among enthusiasts. Many of these have already seen various releases on analogue reel tape; however, none have been produced using the 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track, Stereo Direct Master Reel Tape Copy and the meticulous care AudioNautes Recordings put into our editions is becoming well-known among audiophiles.

Label: AudioNautes Recordings
Format: 2 x Reel-To-Reel, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track, Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Album, Limited Edition, CCIR OR NAB Eq
Country: Italy
Released: 2027/2028 - TBC

MASTER REEL TAPE - AAA

• Each title presented on two RTM SM900 tape reels.
• Produced using AudioNautes’ one-to-one duplication process.

Discover the music. Explore its history. Enjoy the album.

Above Tape In Format: 2xSM900, Reel-To-Reel Tape, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track, Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Album, CCIR (IEC) Or NAB Eq.

Made-To-Order: Reel Audio Tapes are available; please allow 3 weeks for delivery. Analogue Audio Reel Tapes are made to order, one at a time, transferred and assembled by hand. Each package includes 15 IPS 1/4” tapes in individual boxes and a certificate of authenticity.

YOU DON'T KNOW ANALOG TAPE SOUND UNTIL YOU'VE EXPERIENCED ONE

AudioNautes Recordings started with the purpose of offering the very best version of some favourite (sometimes almost unknown or forgotten) recordings. At AudioNautes, each copy is transferred in real-time, using studio-level reel-to-reel tape recorders on freshly-made RTM audiotape. Production of audiotapes is a time-consuming process so each album is released in limited batches.

MASTER REEL TAPE COPY - COMPATIBLE REEL TAPE RECORDERS PLAYBACK 

Below is a partial list of compatible reel-to-reel tape recorders to play master reel tape copy. Other open reel tape recorders may be used as long as they can play 15ips, 2-track reel tape capability, CCIR or NAB Eq. curve and 10.5" diameter reel spool capacity.

3M • Akai • Ampex 350, 351, 354, 440, MR70 • ATR 100, 102 • Ballfinger M063H1 • Ballfinger M063H3 • Ballfinger M063H5 • Ballfinger M063H1IX • Crown • Denon • Fostex • Lyrec • Magnecord • Marantz • MCI • Mitsubishi • Nagra T, Nagra IV-S/QGB • Otari • Philips PRO35, PRO36 • Pioneer RT707• Scully 280 • Shure • Sony • Stellavox • Studer B67, C37, A80, 810, 812, A820, ReVox A77, C260, G36, PR99 • Tandberg • Teac X2000 • Tascam • Technics RS-1500 • Technics RS-1506 • Technics RS-1520 • Technics RS-10A02 • Technics RS-1800 • Telefunken M5 • Telefunken M10 • Telefunken M12 • Telefunken M15 • Thorens TM1600 • Analog Audio Design • United Home Audio • Metaxas & Sins • Sonorus ATR10 and MANY OTHERS.

AudioNautes Recordings Works

At AudioNautes Recordings, every release begins with careful listening and a clear purpose: to preserve the musical character of the original recording and bring the listener closer to the performance.

The label’s approach combines source selection, sensitive mastering, carefully chosen equipment and close collaboration with specialist production partners. Decisions are guided by listening, comparison and practical experience.

The Recording Comes First

The quality of the source establishes the foundation for every release. Mastering can reveal detail, address imbalances and refine the presentation, but it cannot faithfully recover musical information that was never captured.

AudioNautes therefore pays particular attention to the available source material, its condition and its production history. Understanding those elements helps determine the most appropriate approach to each recording.

Careful, Purposeful Remastering

AudioNautes follows a philosophy of minimal, purposeful intervention. The aim is to reveal the recording’s strengths while preserving its dynamics, atmosphere and musical identity.

Every proposed adjustment raises three questions: Is it necessary? Does it offer an audible improvement? What compromises might it introduce?

Answering those questions requires repeated listening and comparison. Tonal balance, level variations and other issues are addressed where necessary, with each decision assessed in the context of the performance as a whole.

When working from analogue masters, AudioNautes keeps the remastering process in the analogue domain. Digital sources are also generally processed through an analogue mastering chain, with conversion where required. For CD releases, the final playback level is established through testing rather than subsequent digital level adjustment.

From Master Tape to Vinyl Groove

For vinyl production, lacquer cutting is a critical creative and technical stage. Translating recorded sound into a physical groove requires precision, experience and musical judgement.

A direct cut from an original master tape can produce excellent results, but the source alone does not guarantee the outcome. The recording’s characteristics, the tape’s condition and the mechanical demands of vinyl must all be considered.

AudioNautes selects its cutting engineers carefully and works closely with them throughout the process. Test cuts, detailed listening and further adjustments help establish how much of the source can be preserved within the capabilities of the format.

This work can require additional studio time and multiple test lacquers. The label regards that investment as part of producing a release that meets its expectations.

Care Throughout Production

The quality achieved during mastering and cutting must be protected through every subsequent stage.

Lacquers require careful handling and transport. Electroplating must preserve the groove information when creating the metal parts used for pressing. Vinyl formulation, pressing consistency and the condition of the finished records also contribute to the listening experience.

AudioNautes treats these stages as connected responsibilities. Careful preparation only achieves its purpose when the finished release preserves the results.

Experience Shapes the Process

The label’s working methods have developed through direct comparison, testing and experience.

A purist intention is valuable, but each recording presents different needs. Session tapes may require editing, sequencing or adjustments to achieve a coherent programme. Original masters may also contain issues that deserve careful attention.

AudioNautes approaches these decisions individually, working with engineers who share its musical objectives and welcome close collaboration. The priority is to preserve the recording’s character while making the most of the available source.

The Three Ms: Money, Mastering and Machines

AudioNautes describes the foundations of its approach through three essentials.

Money: High standards require investment in source preparation, specialist expertise, studio time, test cuts and evaluation.

Mastering: Knowledge, experience and sensitive listening guide the decisions. The label values the different skills and perspectives that each member of the team contributes.

Machines: Equipment is selected for its performance within the mastering chain. Specifications and reputation help inform those choices, while listening determines whether the equipment serves the recording.

Together, these elements support the care and consistency the label seeks across its releases.

Sharing the Work Through Demonstrations

AudioNautes demonstrations offer an insight into this process. Through listening comparisons, explanations and stories from production, the label helps audiences understand how individual decisions influence the finished sound.

These sessions reflect the same curiosity and attention that shape its releases: listening closely, recognising meaningful differences and understanding what brings a performance to life.

A Commitment You Can Hear

AudioNautes Recordings invests time and resources in preparation, testing and refinement because each worthwhile improvement matters to the finished release.

Its purpose is to convey the presence, emotion and atmosphere preserved in the recording—and to give listeners a lasting connection with the music.

Excellence is our standard. Enjoy the music.

The Sound of Tape - All image and audio content is used by permission of the copyright holders or their agents, and/or according to fair dealing as per the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Music For Life | Audiophile Quality | www.thesoundoftape.com