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Remastered CDs, HDCDs, SACDs

CD is my only source. My album collection is somewhere around 800 discs. I have found significant differences in SQ (sound quality) comparing original releases to remastered releases. To my ear, Bob Ludwig was the best engineer for that. 

I was speaking with a local recording engineer and mentioned how much I liked Bob's work. He replied Bob boosted 2 dB at 150 Hz.

In order of SQ (worst to best) my rankings are original CD, original HDCD, remastered CD, remastered HDCD, original SACD, remastered SACD.

Those rankings are usually the case, though occasionally they may vary.

Happy listening to all. Enjoy the music!

tomcarr
mitchagain
485 posts
 

Agreed that the Steven Wilson remixes are a mixed bag. I thought he did a much better job on "Fragile" (YES) than "Close To the Edge." I feel the same way about "Aqualung" (JETHRO TULL) versus "Benefit."

The biggest surprise (most pleasant) was the job that he did on Chicago's 2nd album, which does not get mentioned very often. 

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old_ears's avatar
old_ears
61 posts
 

   I know MoFi has some checkered history but their I Robot and Los Lobos KIKO Original Master SACDs are worthy upgrades over CD quality.  Absolutely agree Red Book CD can sound as good or better than SACD versions on many titles.  Those master tapes are key.

dtgunn365
2 posts
 

FWIW I just purchased my first remastered CD; J. Baez GH. Found it crushingly disappointing with little consistency in the tracks! Tested on my $.5k auto system and two others; including my serious home system. Several tracks seemed just short of fingernails on the blackboard.

Looking to get my Nakamichi cassette deck fixed as I remember that album was pretty good,

dtgunn365
2 posts
 

FWIW I just purchased my first remastered CD; J. Baez GH. Found it crushingly disappointing with little consistency in the tracks! Tested on my $.5k auto system and two others; including my serious home system. Several tracks seemed just short of fingernails on the blackboard.

Looking to get my Nakamichi cassette deck fixed as I remember that album was pretty good,

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