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Siamese Dream - Sound Quality?

I always liked several of the Smashing Pumpkins popular early songs. Cherub Rock was always my favorite.  But I never really listened to their albums or bought any music (back when that's what you did).

I've been giving them a listen lately and have enjoyed Siamese Dream.

However, on both of my systems the Qobuz version sounds a bit muddy. I know it is bass heavy and driving but it just doesn't sound right to me. The Qobuz version is a 2011 remaster.

I consider many contemporary remasters to be overcompressed disasters but I can't say that what I'm hearing is all due to compression.

So I'm curious. For those with an earlier CD or other version, how is the sound quality? I think I like the album enough to get a CD for my collection but probably wouldn't bother if it is also muddy.

n80

Showing 4 responses by n80

n80 OP
2,133 posts
 

Thanks.

I suspect what I'm hearing is because of the remastered version.  Dynamic range probably compressed all to heck. I'm not into vinyl but I will look up the dynamic range of available CDs and see what I can find.

However, several versions of U2's Achtung Baby sound similar too me. Muddy might not even be the right word; just overuse of bass in the production....and I like bass. That album has nothing in common with Siamese Dream but is from the same time period.

n80 OP
2,133 posts
 

Thanks guys.

@yyzsantabarbara I've listened to Aghori Mhori Mei. It sounded okay to me but I haven't given it a sit down serious listen yet.

My renewed interest in Smashing Pumpkins started with Rick Beato's interview of Billy Corgan, Chamberlin the drummer and Vig the producer.

Corgan is an interesting person. I know he rubs some people the wrong way and I know he has been openly critical of other bands much of which was not deserved. However, he is thoughtful, candid, seems very genuine and is clearly very smart. All that in addition to being extremely talented musically.

Here is a short sad story: When I was in the Air Force, around 1992, Billy Corgan's cousin was in my medical unit. I didn't know him well but Smashing Pumpkins were performing nearby and he got tickets for a number of the guys and they wanted to know if I wanted to go. I was not real into the Pumpkins then, I had a young family and was exhausted from working 80-100 hours a week and didn't go. Sure wish I had.

n80 OP
2,133 posts
 

I looked the album up on the dynamic range database. The DR on the 1993 CD is okay but not great. The DR on the 1993 vinyl is very good.

The DR on the 2011 remaster is slightly worse than the 1993 CD.

It looks like all the tested streaming versions are from the 2011 remaster.

n80 OP
2,133 posts
 

I just got a used 1993 CD. Listening to it now. There is definitely more clarity. Bass is a little more defined. I'd say a little less ear fatigue as well. Overall not a huge difference but still definitely worth the $6.00 for the CD. I'll rip it for my music server.

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