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Japanese remastered CDs - Steely Dan in particular

Hello,
I've acquired several Japanese reissued CDs – all Steely Dan stuff – I decided to get the “mini LP” types because they’re kind of cool. The one I’ve had the most time to compare to other versions is Gaucho. It’s so obviously better in resolution & dynamics than the MoFi that I couldn’t believe it. The Japanese version is also way better than the original CD issue, which sounds dead and grungy by comparison. I suspect its most formidable competitor may be the version I haven’t compared it to: the most recent “standard” commercial reissue. Have any of you heard both? I will shortly, and if anyone actually reads and responds to this I’ll give my impressions.

Have any of you made any other Steely Dan Japanese reissue comparisons? I read some posts from several months ago concerning Japanese reissues in general, but am curious if any new opinions have been developed in the mean time.

Happy listening.
cousindupree
frmont
16 posts
 
Cous, being a big Dan fan myself I would be Interested to hear your opinons on the Japanese reissues. I have the Mofi version of AJA which IMHO sounds great! The rest of my collection is the standard Reissues by the major labels. Most of them sound dead and grungy. I would also like to know where you found the Japanese versions.. Frank
bjack70jr
65 posts
 
I recently purchased some Pink Floyd Japanese import CDs in the mini-LP format. They were the same remastered versions done by Doug Sax seven years ago. The sound was almost identical to the EMI remaster. However, I do like the mini-LP format.
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
The whole Steely Dan catalogue was remastered by MCA the last couple of years,I would suspect that is what the Japenese versions are.
These were released in typical CD format but had extensive hilarious sleeve notes by messers Fagen and Becker
These new remasters are miles better than the original CD's and the Dan box-set.
I might be wrong but I think it's unusual for any remastering to get isolated to a single country although different versions and packaging are commonplace.
In general the whole CD market is a minefield,with older versions sitting next to newer better versions.........
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