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Queen quandry

Over the past couple of months I've turned over my entire system, one piece at a time. With each switch I'm liking my Queen CDs less and less. The problem seems to be in the discs themselves...poor recordings or poor transfers. A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (1991 re-release, Hollywood 61065-2) sounds really crappy on the first few tracks. The remixed versions of "I'm in Love With My Car" and "You're My Best Friend" are much better, but the rest of the disc is thin, and digital artifacts creep into the soundstream. A KIND OF MAGIC is a little better, but I'm still not happy with it. Any suggestions for better recordings out there? What about SACD -- is Queen in or out on that one? (No jokes, please.)

Jeff
jverona
jverona OP
8 posts
 
Thanks for the info. Imin2u, where can I find the Japanese releases?
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
I really wonder sometimes on these forums whether people actually read anything that's posted before them.
Thanks to Imin2u for at least putting things into the original questioners context.
I would imagine the Japanese 25th anniversary discs are tricky to pick up now as I believe they were limited edition-I have them all from Queen to Jazz.
jverona OP
8 posts
 
Well, I lucked into the 25th anniversary Queen boxed set at the Virgin megastore in Chicago. Thanks to all who pointed me in the rigth direction.
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Glad you found that Jverona-make a difference?
jverona OP
8 posts
 
I've only listened to "A Night at the Opera" -- but yes, there is a difference, and not a subtle one. Freddie Mercury's vocals are spine-tingling. The soundstage seems a bit deeper and darker. The biggest improvement is in the timbre of the instruments. Decay sounds more natural, and all the bright and glary edges have been polished off. FWIW, the liner notes indicate that all the albums were remastered in 24-bit, then mixed down to 16-bit via "Prism SNS Noise Shaping", whatever that is.
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