the 45rpm LZ box set is my most prized and cherished thing in my music collection. if you are a fan then it will sweep you away compared to other versions. lower noise, more dynamic, more detail, the music leaps from the grooves. a force of nature.
Hearing this 45 at Mike's place ranks among the finest audio reproductions these ears have ever experienced. |
The Music Matters 33's are excellent, and many feel are close, if not on par, with their 45rpm counterparts. So, still great info given by Mike. One thing's for sure... If they re-press that box, many of us will reach for our wallets fast. Are you getting all this, Chad! Off to spin some Zep. |
Oops - this is a very old thread. FWIW the Deluxe set released starting in 2014 is the best remaster I have heard and is significantly better than earlier stuff.
That 45 rpm sounds better than 33 - well DUH big face palm!
Of of course it does.
33 is LP or long play and it has ALWAYS been compromised and compressed.
When Vinyl was the only option I bought Japanese only and as many 12” 45 rpm (used by DJ in dance clubs) as I could lay my hands on.
Always the 45 rpm on a 12 inch format sounded better - it breathed and had more energy (dynamics). This was true of all artists. I believe the target market was dance club sound systems which were a step well above a normal home audio speaker setup in dynamic range....and that is why they sounded so much better than a 33 LP.
|
i own the Classic Records 45rpm box set. I also own most of the Classic Records LZ 33rpm versions. i don’t own any true original pressings but have heard a few. and i own 3 15ips 1/4" low gen master dubs of LZI, LZII, and LZIV too. the 45rpm LZ box set is my most prized and cherished thing in my music collection. if you are a fan then it will sweep you away compared to other versions. lower noise, more dynamic, more detail, the music leaps from the grooves. a force of nature. of course, the tapes are even better. the 45rpm LZ box set is crazy money, but in this case, worth every penny if you are a significant LZ fan and have a good vinyl front end to enjoy it’s magic.
|
The Deluxe Led Zeppelin remastered set released a few years ago (starting in 2014) is the best I have heard for sound quality. Drums are much clearer. |
I have only heard Stairway to Heaven @ 45rpm, as it was the bonus disc with my Classic 33 rpm box set of Zep 1 through IV. It’s damn good, but of course many of us missed the boat on the 45RPM box. I just can’t pay the current asking prices. Honestly at this point, I think it’s an album by album thing. It seems the CAN Red label is highly regarded for Zep I and III... For II the RL. I’ve never heard the RL II, but many swear by it, assuming one can find a quiet pressing. I’m quite fond of my newer Houses RL... The Classis HOTH is more exacting, and is quieter. BUT, the RL has some analog magic in those grooves. Beyond that, there is the obvious, which is the early UK PLUM labels. Sadly, I don’t think this thread will get a huge response. Pity, really! Oh what the hell... When I was a kid maybe 25 years ago, I walked in to the Joule/Merlin room @ CES. Michael Fremer pulled out a 45 RPM Stairway, so I first heard it there. It was one of those moments... Just awesome. Thanks Michael. |
AND, as another point of reference...I agree with the poster who state the Japanese pressing are overrated...I will say one thing, they are skillful in the use of compressors, I have never heard a classic rock Japanese pressing that wasn't compressed. None that compete with a UK or US promo. MoFi?...again overrated, if you compare a UK pressing to a MoFi, it's not close. About a week ago we compared a UK DSOTM A7/B8 (so later early pressing) to the MoFi UHQR, the UK pressing easily bested the MoFi in every possible way. The only "third party" pressings I find to be worth it are the Nautilus. |
...Very late to this party. I have been trying to find reviews on the 45 rpm LZ's because I have just heard one disc of the LZ IV album (battle forever more & stairway to heaven) I have NEVER heard it sound so good, and it does sound great, weather your comparing it to modern recordings or older ones. As a point of reference, I have many UK 1st/early pressings and US WLPromos, all in Near Mint condition, I use a older Forsell linear tracking table with a $3,000 sumiko cartridge, Technical Brain solid state electronics, and highly modified Silverline Grandeur speakers. Compared to my two minty UK red & plum label pressings of IV...the 45 rpm is noticeably better from top to bottom. |
the masters were ok for the time, but i believe the mastering process (even for cd's) has improved dramatically over the last decade. this is truly putting the same old thing in a new wrapper. most customers who buy 45 rpm album sets also have previously purchased the 33's. you have to keep in mind, most new lp's only sell 1500 to 2500 copies GLOBALLY. although the zeps and floyds will do more, companies like classic cannot afford to spend a fortune on a license and then invest 10's of thousands of dollars upgrading recorded masters. they just get a digital clone of what exists, and print that vinyl in any conceivable fashion to sell it.....even if the clone was egineered decades ago. |
Good point Opalchip, I believe your spot on.
Just one point of contention, Bonham's drums are so compressed on every recording I have ever heard or owned and that is a real shame. Rock recordings in general at the pinnacle of the genre are plagued by bad recording/mastering of drums and cymbals, Zeppelin is far from alone. Don't get me wrong, I grew up with this music and have a great passion for it, Zep is huge in the Rock pantheon for me and many, needless to say but Kublakhan why spend a small fortune on something that will never sound excellent. Grab the 33 1/3 pressings if you need them and spend the rest on other vinyl. I truly believe you will be reasonably happy this way. I wish Classic no harm, its just a bad investment IMHO.
Just a comment on the digital recordings in the Led Zep Complete Studio Recordings Box Set [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] that was originally issued in 1993, for CD they are very nice. The sound quality is very resolved with great detail. You can even hear Bonzo's bass drum pedal (I say) or possibly (some say) his seat squeaking on Willie Dixons I Cant Quit You Babe, or was it You Shook Me? from the first album. Anyway, not bad!
Happy Listening! |
If you are looking for an audiophile experience, I'd say yes - you are nuts. These were not "audiophile" recordings in the first place. The 45 rpm would have a slight effect on low level detail - but there ISN'T ANY on most of the Zep! There is very little that can be done in remastering to recover information that simply isn't on the master tapes. I have compared a number of 70's rock remasters and originals - and the reality is that the remasters are usually disappointing. I'd much rather have a beautiful original pressing. (Brit or German preferred - the Japanese are wildly overrated IMO). Even MFSL's - really all they could really do with most of this stuff was pump up the lows and upper mids - and people are paying megabucks for them now. Audiofools and their money are easily parted.
The reason RFSayles notes that the Mingus and Junkies and classical remasters are potentially wortwhile is that the original recording gives the engineer something to work with. |
Jaybo, what is your opinion then on the digital masters you're talking about?
R F Sayles, I wish you wrote about the CSN 45 set sooner. I JUST ordered a copy!
I cancelled my order! I think I'll wait to see what people say about this set since it's $700 and I don't have a tt anymore. What was I thinking? There you have it: an ugly glimpse into the mind of an audiophile. I hope no children were reading. |
Its a craps shoot. Caution might be in order considering the expense and Classics somewhat inconsistent reputation. The 45's of Crosby, Stills, Nash S/T Lp truly suck for one example. Yet, the Mingus -Ah Um and the Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions is a killer as many of the classical selections are, and markedly more dynamic than their 33 1/3 predecessors. I dont find the 33 1/3 Classic Led Zeps anything special as compared to the domestic or UK Atlantic originals or the Japanese vinyls of the day, all sounding a little different and realizing that many of you were not even around to purchase any of these. Now Classic has left you with a tough choice and I have little respect for their marketing, all be it shrewd. Its curious that no one in the business has been advanced samples of these for a preliminary review and comment. Pure speculation. Hmmmmmmm?!
Happy Listening (I hope)! |
classic records used the same 'digital' masters that where originally done years ago for the cd re-issues. |
I've been thinking about buying it as an investment [keeping it sealed]. I've heard that some of the 200g vinyl [not sure if it's the Classic label or the Simply Vinyl label] is hit or miss. |
I can barely wait for my set. Acoustic Sounds thinks they'll ship in about a month. I doubt we'll ever see them on SACD, as much as I like it, the format is dead in the water. |
You all can buy these. I'm waiting for SACD version. |
in the music business, this practice is called 'milking the assets'.......they are expensive, a pain in the ass, and the masters (which were originally approved by page) are now beyond dated........when you can't aquire new licenses, you milk the old ones.....i'll wait for the 78rpm versions. |
These are re-mastered, just not re-mastered again after they did the 33's. The ad says they were cut at the same time as the 33 series using those re-masters. |
$16 a slab or about $32 for a 45RPM album of Led Zeppelin, on par with a lot of other 45 titles. Not too bad, you just have to buy them all...at the same time.... Still cheaper then upgrading my power cord though... |
No argument here, every 45 set I've bought has easily surpassed the 33 version. However, as much as I want it that is a lot of money. I guess I can sell my 33 sets to offset the cost. |
Herman, no I haven't compared them. I don't know how it would be possible without purchasing them. It seems that every classic series 45 set either has held its retail value or gone up so it probably wouldn't be difficult to buy, compare to the 33s and then sell if you wanted. I do think that the 45 series sound better (all things being equal) than the same recording at 33. I think the best thing to do would be to compare the red book zeppelin cds to the remastered and if the remastered sounds better then probably this collection would be a waste. I would try this but my current system wouldn't let me hear the difference anyway and if I wait too long I have a feeling this 45 series will be sold out.
If you're a Led Zeppelin fan I think you can still get the BBC sessions on 45 from classic records dealers for the original price of $60. |
Thanks for the heads up. I have the 33 versions. Have you actually compared them to the 45s? While I agree that 45s have the potential to sound better that is a lot of money to buy on faith. |
To answer your question~ if you don't own a turntable, yes. If you do, no.
ps. many "remastered" albums ruin the initial intent/appeal of their og recordings...
pps. go get an analogue setup! |
Don't ask us if you're nuts because we're all nuts too!
I'm not familiar with this set but I will certainly check it out being a big Zeppelin fan. I'll pass on the Barry Manilow for now.
I would consider it a plus if it is not remastered. I've never been a big fan of things remastered. I get used to the original sound mix. If remastering alters this, it sounds like a different album. It can be so different that it's like listening to a cover of the original, rather than the original, albeit a pretty good cover.
If you do decide to purchase, I'll await your review. Thanks in advance. |
