2. music
  3. 151360-136583

Abbey Road 50th Anniversary

I’ve been listening to the 50th Anniversary of “Abbey Road” by The Beatles all morning....what fun!  The new mix is well done.  It’s warm and spacious.


I understand The Beatles albums are sacred for some.  I’ve enjoyed most of the remastered and reissued albums over the years.  This new “Abbey Road” release definitely sounds different, and after a few plays I put on the original pressing and the 2009 remastered version for comparison.  I prefer the cleaner, sweeter sonics of the newer versions.


I like the extra instrumentations, orchestrations and outtakes.  The new packaging and materials are wonderful.  The books, photos and sleeves are tastefully laid out with a high quality presentation.


What do you think of this iconic masterpiece?  What is your favorite pressing/version of “Abbey Road”?


“....and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make....”

128x128allane
67 responses Add your response
jrosemd
152 posts
 
I bought the 3 CD, 1 Blu-Ray set.  The outtakes, which comprise two CDs. are amazing.  They show the songs in early stages of development - 28 tracks. A must for any Beatles fan.  
I have the 2009 remastered LP and I prefer this new CD version.  Contrary to some of the reviews above, it has excellent dynamics and the greatest amount of detail of any previous incarnation of Abbey Road. 
My system is Magnepan 3.7i's, Sonographe SA 400 amp, and 
Apt-Holman pre-amp.  
emtrey
37 posts
 
Just listened to album off Qobuz. Very  large soundstage. in this version of the album. Excellent voice reproduction and you can hear the guitar strings being plucked.  Nice job by the remix crew.
allane's avatar
allane OP
64 posts
 
@big_greg

I listened to the different vinyl pressings yesterday and today I’ve been comparing the different digital versions as I test out some DACs, streamers and USB interfaces. The 2009 Remaster and 50th Anniversary sound wonderful and in my opinion, showcase how good digital can be. No matter if it’s vinyl or digital, both are tastefully remastered and well done.  I agree with you about Giles Martin’s work on previous reissues.
allane's avatar
allane OP
64 posts
 
@mayoradamwest

Please let us know what you think of the MoFi pressing compared to the Acoustic Sounds pressing.  Thanks!
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
I listened to the album proper last night on Qobuz, it sounded fantastic.  Listening again this morning, hopefully I'll have time to listen to all the bonus material.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Ironically the vinyl is much more dynamic than any of the CD releases. 
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,604 posts
 

Instant purchase for me.


Happy Listening!

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I’ll take the tube distortion and noise, but thanks anyway. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mayoradamwest
430 posts
 
Are we talking about the 1979 mofi? I have a pretty clean copy of it and am looking forward to comparing to the new one when it arrives from acoustic sounds. 
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,588 posts
 
After listening to the outtakes disc, the guys seem to be getting along much better and are much more enthused about making an album than they were during what I've heard from the "Let It Be" sessions.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
By no means does this tell the whole story regarding sound quality, but here are some published metrics on dynamics of teh various Beatles releases that might be of interest.

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=beatles&album=


big_greg
6,623 posts
 
I haven't had a chance to hear it yet, but am looking forward to it.  I love what Giles Martin did with Sgt. Pepper and the White Album.  
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
Don't know the kickdrum answer. 

I will have to do some revisiting of various versions.    No clue which is best.   I also enjoyed the 50th anniversary White Album, have only heard it via Spotify, but the differences from all my prior releases were quite apparent.     
allane's avatar
allane OP
64 posts
 
@mapman

Thanks for your reply and trivia! I did not know that “Abbey Road” was the first solid-state Beatles album.

Twenty-five years ago, someone told me that to get the kick drum sound for “Abbey Road”, a large speaker driver was used as the pickup instead of a standard microphone. Do you know if this is true?

How does the MoFi version compare to the 2009 Remaster?

Let me know what you think of the 50th Anniversary after you have a listen.
allane's avatar
allane OP
64 posts
 
@elizabeth 

Thanks for replying!

I just watched Mr. Guttenberg’s video on the new “Abbey Road” release and I agree with his review, especially in regards to the “spaciousness” of the mix.

While different, I think both the 2009 Remaster and the new 50th Anniversary sound wonderful and are an improvement on the original pressing.  I have not listened to the MoFi pressing, which some consider the best version.

I enjoyed last year’s 50th Anniversary of the “White Album”, so I jumped on the new “Abbey Road” without hesitation and have been thrilled with the experience.

If you listen to the new “Abbey Road”, let me know what you think.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
Beatles audiophile trivia: Abbey Road was the first Beatles album mastered using solid state equipment at Abbey Road Studios.

A friend bought the new vinyl and we will be having a listening session at my house sometime soon.

Also I don't think I've ever heard a bad sounding release of Abbey Road.   I have several on CD and vinyl including the Mobile Fidelity original release on Vinyl.
Post removed 
Log in to respond
More to discover