Post by Zammo December 4, 2014 (31 of 87)
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Have many original SHM-SACD's, most of which sound excellent. Only one re-issue - The Who Quadrophenia. Standard jewel case rather than the premium packaging. Looks like the same SHM material as the original issues. Sounds great to me, though I don't have the original to compare to.
Would be very surprised if Universal had gone out of their way to remaster these cheaper re-issues when they had already done all the necessary work with the original issues. Doesn't make sense, and I'm afraid I don't believe a word of it.
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Post by Rickko December 4, 2014 (32 of 87)
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Zammo said:
Have many original SHM-SACD's, most of which sound excellent. Only one re-issue - The Who Quadrophenia. Standard jewel case rather than the premium packaging. Looks like the same SHM material as the original issues. Sounds great to me, though I don't have the original to compare to.
Would be very surprised if Universal had gone out of their way to remaster these cheaper re-issues when they had already done all the necessary work with the original issues. Doesn't make sense, and I'm afraid I don't believe a word of it.
I read with surprise the review on Goat's Head Soup and the suggestion Universal Japan had tinkered with DSD transfers with treble (boost) and compression evident. After the initial reaction of surprise, my first thought was a question about tinkering. Why would Universal alter the transfers for a second pressing? It did not make any sense.
Today I received 2 SHM SACDs (second pressing): The Rolling Stones "Some Girls" and "Dirty Work". I just finished listening to Dirty Work.
I also have a SHM RBCD of Dirty Work with the same remastering (2009). Well doing a comparison was very difficult due to a +5-6db louder volume on the RBCD (and subsequent adjustments) but I have some comments on sound. The RBCD is noticeably brighter with a digital edge but it actually has a very good sound with excellent detail.
And now my initial observations on the SACD. I found the audio to be excellent with a warm analogue sound. I had no sense of compression. It would appear, on my first listen to this album, my opinion appears to be the very opposite (at least on Dirty Work).
Until other reviewers or posters come forward to support this theory of an alteration to the sound on these (100) second pressings, I personally see little to no value in the reviews of Goats Head Soup and Cafe Bleu (or any other reviews using the same premise).
A suggestion for anybody who has purchased any of these 100 SHM SACD second pressings: listen and trust your ears.
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Post by Claude December 5, 2014 (33 of 87)
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Now Analogue claims in his latest review (Style Council) that the SHM-SACD repressing sounds worse than the original SHM-SACD release, although he doesn't own the original one ...
/showreviews/6843#10897
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Post by Marpow December 5, 2014 (34 of 87)
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I'll just say it again, what the heck, I got 11 of them and they all sound good to me.
I feel my system is really good, probably better in stereo than in MCH as I have ceiling rears.
As I have baby audiophile ears I tend to listen to, well first the music of course and I love the music of the 11 I purchased.
But then I listen for cymbals, do they resonate, my volume knob, am I turning it down because of shrill vocals, stereo spacious stage, which is more of original mastering, and is the ROCK music coming across calm and warm, not irritating.
I have listened to all of my 11, some twice, and I am certainly not stressed, I just enjoy them because they sound great.
All this said I just purchased some 1990 RBCD's all rock music and they sound great also.
The good news is I have purchased some discs that do not sound good so I do have that experience. I hate it when the vocals sound shrill and bright.
Just listened to Steven Wilson's 5.1 Jethro Tull Warchild DVD last night. God, that guy knows what he is doing. Oh, and I guess so does Jethro Tull.
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Post by analogue December 5, 2014 (35 of 87)
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Hey guys.
Discussion is good even when there is no consensus. I seem to be in the minority here and am more than happy to occupy that position. I am neither a troll or trying to create calamity. I am simply stating what I hear. Either I'm am on some sore of hallucinogen's ( I am not), something is wrong with my hearing ( Nope). my stereo system is possessed (unlikely)............or maybe just maybe Universal Japan cheaped out and did not directly transfer the original dsd content over the proper way. Actually the glass master should have already been pressed long ago. So what gives???? This was a situation where one simply had to press a button and the work would have been done.
Surely I cannot be the only other human being on the planet that feels the way I do. Although it does seem like I am. At least at this moment in time.
I did not emphatically state that all 100 new reissues have the same problem although I am wondering if this is the case. I was lucky enough to purchase most of those titles during the first go and the majority of them are awesome. I simply cannot understand why those five I did buy sound the way they do. I never mentioned the new beach boys, John Lennon or the band releases as some have mentioned. I only stated that five of the reissues are terrible.
In January 2015 I will be receiving Avalon. I expect it to sound as good as all the recent new releases. I am concerned that the cheaper price in not indicative to the cheaper packaging. But we'll see. Rest assured I will be reviewing that disc. As I said I EXPECT IT TO SOUND GREAT.
So here's hoping that more information comes through. Ohhh...and with regards to contacting Universal Japan they are exceedingly secretive and I have had a problem receiving any information in any general questions I ask. So good luck.....maybe some of you can pull a James Bond and slink your way to a person that will actually give us the real info. I have received more good info from Cd Japan that I ever have from Universal Japan.
Cheers,
Analogue
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Post by Lunna December 5, 2014 (36 of 87)
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Analogue, exactly which five of the SHM-SACD reissues did you purchase?
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Post by Marpow December 5, 2014 (37 of 87)
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analogue said:
Surely I cannot be the only other human being on the planet that feels the way I do. Although it does seem like I am. At least at this moment in time.
Actually, Analogue I respect your opinion very much. I think others very much respect your opinion also.
You certainly have spent time and money on a quality system and you put great thought into your reviews.
When I listen to you it's as I want to have the same opinion as you because of your experience.
But, that said, I am happy I am not having your experience.
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Post by analogue December 6, 2014 (38 of 87)
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Thank you for the understanding
.
Reviewing can be a dangerous hobby and it seems that certain people get miffed when they don't hear the same things. What makes reviews worthwhile is the difference of opinion. Then we can ask why this is.
cheers,
analogue
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Post by Mongo December 6, 2014 (39 of 87)
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Received the Blind Faith re-issue.
Jewel case yes, fluffy inner sleeve no, great sounding yes!
I can't speak to what analogue is hearing but as far as a different disc material? Let's think about it.
It would cost more for Universal to develop another disc material they don't currently use.
If they are using a current material the same say for the SHM-CD or Platinum-CDs how much would it cost for them to mimic the exact look of this SACD material?
It just would not be worth it from a cost perspective.
Personally I don't care about pillow inner sleeves and boxes and the packaging from the first run of SACDs while uber Japanese quality etc., are a royal PITA to deal with.
Any that I didn't rip to HD got replaced with lift-lok jewel cases with the fancy stuff stowed away.
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Post by Marpow December 6, 2014 (40 of 87)
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Mongo said:
Received the Blind Faith re-issue.
Jewel case yes, fluffy inner sleeve no, great sounding yes!
Personally I don't care about pillow inner sleeves and boxes and the packaging from the first run of SACDs while uber Japanese quality etc., are a royal PITA to deal with.
Any that I didn't rip to HD got replaced with lift-lok jewel cases with the fancy stuff stowed away.
I have the Blind Faith cardboard gatefold SHM SACD release and am happy to say sounds better than Cream's Disreali Gears and Goodbye.
Mongo, I am a freak for the little Japanese boxes. Wish everything came that way.
In fact I cherry picked(3)some of the new releases of Beatles in SHM CD just for the box and having zero expectations that they will sound better than my stereo box set.
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