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Home Entertainment Center => Music => Topic started by: Chiprocks1 on January 26, 2015, 05:41:14 pm


Title: CD and Vinyl Remasters and Special Editions
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 26, 2015, 05:41:14 pm
Since I'm currently upgrading a lot of stuff in my collection, I will be needing your input on specific albums. So, I'm currently looking at upgrading Fleetwood Mac's Rumors. There is a 3 Disc Remaster version. Anyone own this are at least heard any negative or positive things about the sound quality. Remember, just because something has been Remastered, it doesn't always mean that it's better. I've read a few reviews and some say that the original pressing is better. Looking to hear from you guys.......

Title: Re: CD and Vinyl Remasters and Special Editions
Post by: Mac on January 27, 2015, 07:30:43 am
Quote
Since I'm currently upgrading a lot of stuff in my collection, I will be needing your input on specific albums. So, I'm currently looking at upgrading Fleetwood Mac's Rumors. There is a 3 Disc Remaster version. Anyone own this are at least heard any negative or positive things about the sound quality. Remember, just because something has been Remastered, it doesn't always mean that it's better. I've read a few reviews and some say that the original pressing is better. Looking to hear from you guys.......

You’re kinda asking a wide open question. Because it’s all about you, what your expectations are and how you listen to your music. Do you have a really good stereo system? Do you listen through headphones? Good Headphones? Do you sit there just to listen to the music or is it primarily something on while you do other things. Do you primarily listen in the car?

All trying to figure out the quality level you expect. I would think if your typical listening environment is NOT sitting there listening to every golden note, getting into Remaster’s might be overkill. 

Researching the newly remastered Rumors, all of them talked about the iconic album, it’s history and nothing about the sonic quality. I think that because it’s hard to improve on a near perfect album. The original was mastered correctly and I’ve never found an issue with it. I would not be interested in the additional discs. The live disc might be fun to listen to once. I’ve always hated outtakes (3rd disc). They are outtakes for a reason and I’m not interested how the song evolved. But if that’s something of interest to you, this release will be only place you can get it.

That being said, the rest is just my opinion on Remastered albums. I just don’t see the value in them. If I didn’t own the album before and was considering buying, I’d probably pick the remastered, only if it was a reasonable price. Because of my long life with music, I’ve double dipped, triple dipped way to many times. I will never re-buy something I already have. In the early CD years, there were some albums mastered badly, and it’s those few that perpetuate bad CD’s myth.  IMO, 99% of albums on CD’s sound more than fine.

I’ve always had a pretty good stereo system. In my younger days, I would just sit and listen to every track. I no longer do that. The only time I listen to songs is while playing to them on my drum kit. Sometimes I get to listen to a CD in my car, but that’s rare of late. Seeking better sound recordings of something I have would not benefit me. I probably listen to most music on my computer or out in the garage. Neither too sonically elevating.

And I’m not even going to talk at length about Vinyl. My listening experience has been mostly negative. While it was the only thing I could listen to music with and they were good years, I would never go back.

You just have to ask yourself about this upgrading journey. Is it worth it?
Title: Re: CD and Vinyl Remasters and Special Editions
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 27, 2015, 08:07:34 am
All valid points. Some of the disc that I have in my collection just outright suck because I also have the vinyl to compare them to. So upgrading in those cases is a no-brainer for me. The others that I own are decent. Not something I'd throw out, but I am interested in knowing if there is a huge improvement in a Remaster version, mainly for separation of tracks that bring forth instruments that were buried in the original mix. I do have a kick ass surround set up that will definitely benefit if the Remaster was done right. Some of the older first press CDs that I got are a bit bright and I'm looking to see if they have tweeked the bass, which would add to the enjoyment of my listening experience. This would also play into using Headphones when I work late into the night and don't want to disturb the neighbors.

A good example of Before and After is my most recent upgrade for Ace Frehley's '78 Solo Remaster which really is night and day compared to the First Pressing. Same goes for Creatures of the Night. I've done a lot of reading on other sites to get a feel for what most people think regarding specific albums and artist. One thing I notice is that most people have said they don't like any of the AC/DC Remasters which I found surprising. I was only looking to upgrade Highway to Hell and Back in Black. Everyone said to stick with the Original First Press. Below is my list of CD's that I'm interested in upgrading. Whether I do remains to be seen based on reviews or access to Used copies at my Secondhand Record Store that allows me to check them out before buying.

The Beatles - White Album, Abbey Road, Rubber Soul
AC/DC - Highway to Hell, Back in Black
Led Zeppelin - I-IV, Physical Graffiti
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Michael Jackson - Thriller, Bad, Dangerous
KISS - Self-Titled, Hotter Than Hell, Dressed to Kill, Alive, Alive II, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, Love Gun, The Elder

I want to say P!nk is on the list. But her stuff is still "recent" enough to suggest that there aren't any Remasters. If she does have newly Remastered stuff, I'd definitely be interested to hear what they sound like compared to the current disc.
Title: Re: CD and Vinyl Remasters and Special Editions
Post by: Mac on January 27, 2015, 03:29:08 pm
I don't know. High caliber artists like Zeppelin and AC/DC I'm pretty sure nailed it best they had available at the time. I'm just not sure you'll hear a significantly better production.

I didn't with the first 4 Zep CDs they recently put out.

I heard a clean recording. Not sure if that is better than their previous releases on CD.
Title: Re: CD and Vinyl Remasters and Special Editions
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 27, 2015, 03:34:04 pm
I'm hearing mixed reviews about the new Zep stuff. Some love it, some hate it and most have said the exact same thing you said. I checked with my Library to see if any of the stuff I want to check out personally is in the system. So far, nothing available. If they had it on hand, it would be a big help for me to check out and do my own comparison at home.
Title: Re: CD and Vinyl Remasters and Special Editions
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 09, 2015, 11:25:49 pm
The Ultimate AC/DC Discography (http://www.acdc-discography.com/listusa.html)


Found a great link that has all the different CD pressings for all of AC/DC's albums. This will be a great source to verify what the CD's actually look like. The most recent Remasters for their catalog is universally despised and that the ones to get are the Atco or Atlantic Pressings.