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What Beatles vinyl pressing comes the closest to remastered C.D.?

220.246.78.16
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 04:35:07
Hi-Fi Nut
 Reading all the impressed impressions of the newly remastered Beatles collection and wondering what vinyl pressing comes closest or surpasses?

H.F.N.

RE: What Beatles vinyl pressing comes the closest to remastered C.D.?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:54:40
thejimmyjim
 There is a link, which ill post when I have time, where one of the 7 mastering engineers talks about how it was done. I think they realised that they could make a better CD transfer now than they could when the recordings were originally digitised with all that was available, 16 bit. If you are making cds then its best to sample the master tape at a higher bitrate, then take it down to 16 bit when its ready for CD. So really the new cds are made from better quality material , so to speak. The engineer goes on to talk about how they did a little bit of equalising and compressing' and most interestingly I thought, they smoothed over some of the more obvious edits on songs such as she's so heavy. I think they were thinking, if George Martin had the technology we have now, then there is a good chance he'd make use of it in that manner. So the exercise was to produce a better CD transfer and to a small extent, I think, make the sound a little crisper in modern terms. So compared to the original records, they're just a different thing. Its good to have better cds available I think. Though as far as the EQ'ing is concerned , I think why change Martin's original intentions? I'd like to hear the cds but I'm not bothered if I don't. Sorry if everyone knows all this already by the way!

Have you heard the remastered cds?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 17:26:38
51nocaster
Reviewer

Posts: 409
Joined: December 17, 2003
 Have you heard the remastered cds? If so, and you like them, why not just buy them? As for what vinyl sounds most like the remastered cds, I would expect the upcoming remastered vinyl to sound fairly close. If you are interested in comparisons of various vinyl pressings to the remastered cds, I have done numerous comparisons and posted them on Myvinylreview. The link can be found within my user profile.

Perhaps the upcoming vinyl issues?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 11:53:16
politicsfan
 Based on limited time with the mono CD's - RS, SGT-P, WHITE:

All are worth owning. Martin really did a nice job with these - more impact generally than Blue Box vinyl.

At this point I look forward to getting LP reissues of these monos - and perhaps others.

"more impact generally than Blue Box vinyl", posted on November 1, 2009 at 18:21:58
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 Which Blue box?

There was the US, UK, German, Japanese and later versions, and MFSL etc...

Quite a broad statement when the blue box was from so many pressings...from the origional "tube" masterings through the later "solid state"

The CD remasters are a well done Redbook set...nothing more, nothing less...

The only thing comparable would be if they pressed the vinyl versions, which would be "high resolution" digital, and unless something was done poorly, would obviously sound much better than the 16/44.1 CD's.


Rick


Rick
It's all about the music!
RE: Perhaps the upcoming vinyl issues?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 11:56:41
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 579
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 There are no known plans to reissue the mono on vinyl.

Precious little info out there - maybe you know more?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 12:25:40
politicsfan
 All "rumors" and "insider information".

What do you know? Got any links?

RE: Precious little info out there - maybe you know more?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 13:24:11
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 579
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 There are no rumors, no insider info, and no links. That's because there are no mono vinyl reissues.

RE: What Beatles vinyl pressing comes the closest to remastered C.D.?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 10:04:53
rjd
Manufacturer

Posts: 308
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: June 16, 2002
 I recently bought Rubber Soul Stereo cd, and one evening when Steve Schell was over we listened to the cd, an early lp, and the blue box set lp. The cd is a nice recording, very detailed, highs are very clean and clear , overall some nice work. Next we played an lp from the 60's, much more distorted and dull sounding. Then I played an lp from the blue set, still sounded more distorted than the cd, but in our opinion the best overall sound. We continued listening to recordings from the blue box set, and never looked back. Had a great evening. All of the recordings were stereo, which to me don't compare to the mono, mono just sounds right with the Beatles..

Blue Box (nt), posted on November 1, 2009 at 09:24:12
Mxyzptlk
Audiophile

Posts: 12
Joined: August 29, 2009

RE: Blue Box (nt), posted on November 1, 2009 at 21:46:50
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 Which Blue Box, which series?

There are the UK, German, US, Australian, Swedish and other origional series... there are the MFSL, the Japanese etc.

From each of these series, the stampers/original tapes could have been from the origional "Tube" masters, or the later "Solid State" masters....

Basically, the origional Blue Box's were a gathering of "what was available at the moment" to put into the box, so it could have been anything from a -1 stamper that had the Tube master, or a later -5 or more that came from the later Solid State masters.

Many of the lp's in the Blue Box sets reportedly rivalled the 1st pressings, as some were on better/quieter (German) vinyl and/or were from the same stampers.

I have the 1978 German Blue Box...but I haven't compared...

Rick
It's all about the music!
UK (nt), posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:36:38
Mxyzptlk
Audiophile

Posts: 12
Joined: August 29, 2009

RE: UK (nt), posted on November 2, 2009 at 07:42:26
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 You didn't understand my post...

There is more than 1 UK Blue box set...
also, each Blue box set is different, as when put together, whatever individual lps around at the time were what was used...there was no special pressing for these sets...so any 2 Blue Box sets from the same series could have very different pressings.

It was a matter of luck whether a -1, or a -5 stampered lp was included (the low numbered stampers being the tube mastered tapes).

Have you heard these CD's?


Rick
It's all about the music!
RE: What Beatles vinyl pressing comes the closest to remastered C.D.?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 07:45:37
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 3478
Joined: October 5, 1999
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2002
 ......never mind

"I've also downloaded their entire remastered Mono box set", posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:18:55
Metralla
Audiophile

Posts: 6417
Location: San Jose, California
Joined: January 30, 2001
 That doesn't seem kosher to me.

Regards,
Geoff
RE: "I've also downloaded their entire remastered Mono box set", posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:58:23
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 579
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 Since there are no legal downlaods of the Beatles stuff, it seems to me that is a crime, and pretty foolish to publicly post about it.

Beatles Mono LP's will soon be re-released, posted on November 1, 2009 at 07:13:52
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 2368
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2009
 Want to know how I know?

Because yesterday I caved and ordered the mono CD box set. Now the mono LP's are guaranteed to be released on vinyl.
I bought mono set because I knew if I didn't...., posted on November 1, 2009 at 21:49:16
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 I also bought the mono set...I knew if I didn't, it surely wouldn't be released on vinyl, and I would have neither!!!

he he...

We have the same reasoning...


:^)

Take care!


Rick
It's all about the music!
Exactly!, posted on November 2, 2009 at 10:15:32
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 2368
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2009
 I weighed my options, and figured I'd kick myself less if mono LP's are released than if I missed the opportunity to own the mono CD's. Get it while ya can, and all that.

I've read enough about the mono sound over the years, especially my favorite, Sgt. Pepper, that I didn't want to be pissed for letting the chance pass me by.

RE: Beatles Mono LP's will soon be re-released, posted on November 1, 2009 at 07:57:37
artsybrute
Audiophile

Posts: 717
Joined: March 19, 2002
 Thank goodness! I owe you one.

Please order another set so they release the vinyl as a Holiday special. Mine are wearing out!
Triamp... Take a load off!
None ! The remastered cd stuff sux !, posted on November 1, 2009 at 06:10:19
Interstage Tranny
Audiophile

Posts: 1408
Location: Eastern
Joined: October 4, 2006
 Unless the original recording engineers, producers and/or band members are there for the remastering, cds suck poo...

Buy some old vinyl in good condition and enjoy the way it sounded when it made the charts...

As a rabid vinyl fan ..., posted on November 1, 2009 at 07:08:50
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 2929
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
 ...and owner of Beatles LPs and a few of the new CD remasters as well, I disagree. I prefer the CDs to the garden variety LPs. Of the LPs I've heard, only the British Parlophone LPs sound clearly better than the new CD's ...and I can't afford those, so its a moot point. Perhaps its because I have a very modest rig, but for me, in a system where vinyl trumps CD about 95% of the time, I am a big fan of the Beatle CD remasters.

Of course, everyone's opinion here will be different, but I think saying the "CD stuff sux" is way off base. Heck, even Fremer gave the CDs some praise ...and he's as jaded as they come.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
In fact, most remastered cd stuff sux !, posted on November 1, 2009 at 06:38:57
Interstage Tranny
Audiophile

Posts: 1408
Location: Eastern
Joined: October 4, 2006
 How can a junior engineer have any idea what the original musicians had in mind ?

RE: In fact, most remastered cd stuff sux !, posted on November 2, 2009 at 00:31:29
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 Really, these do sound good...
I bought the mono set because I was worried it wouldn't come out on vinyl..they are that good. The living under a rock statement I deleted, as it was just a figure of speach and I didn't want it to get missunderstood...

Rick




It's all about the music!
RE: In fact, most remastered cd stuff sux !, posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:14:48
Tao
 I don’t know how someone can think Allan Rouse, Guy Massey and Steve Rooke, among others, are “junior engineers”. Also one of the reasons the negotiations between EMI and Apple Corps took so long were the demands of McCartney, Starr and the other two principals of Apple Corps, Yoko and Olivia Harrison, to have input all through the process of doing the new remastered CD’s.

To the OP, the UK yellow and black Parlophones and then Apples are the best sounding. Watch Ebay.UK and buy a VG to VG+ of the one you like the most. If you like what you hear and have the time and money you can then find play graded good ones over time.

VG+ or better......., posted on November 1, 2009 at 15:37:23
j. barleycorn
Audiophile

Posts: 823
Location: The North Country
Joined: February 28, 2005
 Stick with at least VG+ or better, even if it's your first Beatles Y&B Parlo and you just want to test the waters. Ebay sellers can be especially liberal when it comes to grading Beatles vinyl. There was so much of it, and alot of it was trashed back then. Many sellers really try and take advantage by overgrading Beatels vinyl.

"one" VG+ or better 1st issue can cost more than the whole CD boxset!, posted on November 1, 2009 at 18:33:44
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 which I have the mono set, and after hearing it am saving my pennys and getting the stereo boxset too!

There is nothing anywhere official that there will be ANY reissue on vinyl...

I buy for the music, not the format, and these sound great!

Rick
It's all about the music!

It's all about the music!
That's hogwash........., posted on November 2, 2009 at 04:53:30
j. barleycorn
Audiophile

Posts: 823
Location: The North Country
Joined: February 28, 2005
 You can score VG+ Beatles LPs frequently for well under $100/per and certainly alot less than the $240 price being charged by Amazon now for the Mono box.

It will take some patience and communications. He asked about trying one or two out. Why waste $$$ on a VG or less that will have a good chance of sounding like crap.
So, how much for a VG+ or NM UK 1st pressing Mono White album? :^) (nt), posted on November 2, 2009 at 22:10:09
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 Rick
It's all about the music!
just as he said....under $100, posted on November 3, 2009 at 06:48:32
Tao
 Look through the 875 auction listings for the White Album just since last summer on Popsike for Mono 1st UK pressings VG+. Look through the over 1600 White Album listed auctions so far in 2009 for even more under $100/60 GBP.

You could have also spent $1000's on a low numbered Mono NM vinyl with NM jacket, full sized poster, the 4 colored prints and black inners.

I did a search and VG+ started at $110.., posted on November 3, 2009 at 10:28:54
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 if that actually was the grade on that auction.
I don't know what vinyl your talking about, as I did my search without even adding a grade..

beatles+white+uk+mono+1st

Did you actually look at the auctions? I looked through every one until I finally found the 1st VG+, which who knows what the grade really was.

I would be suspect of the sound quality...as with most here, I have much experience with ebay "grading".

I never buy anything graded less that NM, thus, the cost would be quite high...


Rick


It's all about the music!
I saw a few.., posted on November 3, 2009 at 11:39:06
Tao
 In any case as you just found out you now know that indeed you can find one for less than half the price of the new boxsets.

Searching with beatles white album I saw a few UK mono 1st pressings that would be VG+ in the first 18 pages of a descending date search going back to 1 june 09 that were less than $100/60GBP and a few more going back to Jan. There were also quite a few NM vinyl mono's for less than the price of the new boxsets since Jan. If your not a subscriber to Popsike I guess they may not all show up. If you are a subscriber you will see them just as I did.

I bought a mono 1st pressing for 37GBP (including shipping from England) in early 07 that was graded VG and played with no surface noise or ticks or pops during the music. It's jacket is just G and it had none of the inserts. I was only looking for the music then. I've since bought a NM mono 1st pressing with NM jacket but no poster for 130GBP (which is also less than the price of the new boxsets)

A crapshoot at best...., posted on November 3, 2009 at 13:15:32
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 sure you may get "lucky" and be happy with the 1st purchase you make.. or... how many auctions will it take? How much $$ would it cost to get the whole collection included in the CD boxset...including the "bad" ones??????????????????????????

The CD boxset is very well done, and just twice the price of risking the purchase of just a single, VG+ lp...

Yes, there were a couple auctions listing as "VG+" but, as you read down through the "fine wording" the descriptions added noisy background, sequential pops and other noise that would lower the grade to VG.

Again, as another poster put it.... a crapshoot at best..

When I buy the vinyl, I will more than likely be purchasing the new vinyl boxset whenever that is released... I already have the German Bluebox from 1978, so I'm good with stereo versions...


Rick
It's all about the music!
RE: A crapshoot at best...., posted on November 3, 2009 at 14:31:50
Tao
 Until you suggested that a VG+ would cost the same as the boxset this side discussion was about a low priced yellow and black to give the OP an idea of the sound of one. As I and j.barleycorn have pointed out there are a lot of them available, found with a little patience and good communication with the seller, that would do that. If you don't want to believe that it's fine with me.

No one, except you in your last post, has talked about the price difference between getting all the original albums off of ebay and the boxset.

Sorry to hear you've had such bad luck on Ebay. Perhaps you shouldn't conclude from that that everyone has though. I've bought a lot of UK first pressings off of Ebay from a number of sellers that I have come to know and trust. I've only had two records that haven't been just as stated in the ebay listing or in emails with the seller discussing a play grade. Both of those two were cheap ones that I bought in seeing how the particular seller graded. I didn't buy anymore from either seller.

RE: That's hogwash........., posted on November 2, 2009 at 08:52:54
Tao
 With patience you can get NM's of some for way under $240. It's probably because of the economy but I've seen a number of lower priced auctioned UK 1st pressings over the last year.

Good communication I think is the key. Starting with asking for a play grade, if not listed, always gives me an insight to the seller. My example of the recent Sgt Peppers auction is a good one for the difference between what a visual grade and play grade can mean for price and a reasonable introduction to the sound of first pressings.

You're also right about the problems with some who don't grade right. Hopefully it shows up in feedback or through questions asked. I always buy a lower priced record before an expensive one from a new to me seller unless I've had a recommendation or they have lots of great 100% feedback. I guess it's also practical to understand that sometimes things aren't always perfect in these kind of transactions.

In my estimation and speaking on my experience.., posted on November 2, 2009 at 05:25:04
Plinko
Audiophile

Posts: 1359
Location: N East, USA
Joined: July 21, 2005
 VG+ on ebay, particularly for Beatles pressings, is a huge crapshoot. Too many pressings out there and too many opportunists.

Secondly, one can score later (non Y&B pressings) with the right stampers but that requires obsessive ebay monitoring for a very long time. It is like finding a needle in a haystack and when that needle is found, you had better hope some other OCD audiophile hasn't found it also. Only takes one.

Thirdly, it is worth noting, however, that the later pressings seem to often be in good shape.

Fourth, I now see people on the Hoffman forum selling Capitol issues for $50-$60 a pop. Bizarre!
RE: In my estimation and speaking on my experience.., posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:43:54
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 4050
Location: WA State, USA
Joined: March 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: May 28, 2003
 Unless I know the seller, I wouldn't even bother with VG+ vinyl on Ebay...
I bid on NM, which is usually VG+

The past year or so, I have really hated dealing with Ebay... it was very nice to just purchase the mono boxset, all at once.

Rick
It's all about the music!
one thing I do know, posted on November 3, 2009 at 18:36:46
Plinko
Audiophile

Posts: 1359
Location: N East, USA
Joined: July 21, 2005
 is that I will never try another VG+ Y&B UK Beatles lp on ebay. Glad to have the mono cd box. Very glad. Since I have the cds, I really have no interest in a future vinyl issue if it's a digital thing.

RE: VG+ or better......., posted on November 1, 2009 at 17:26:16
Tao
 One UK seller that I’ve bought from just had a UK 1st pressing of Sgt Peppers go for $26. He graded it G because of hairlines and scuffs but play graded it as minor background noise in the run in and between some tracks but clear sound elsewhere. I originally bought a mono Stones from him with that same kind of grading/description and though the record doesn’t look good it plays fine on my system and gave me a good indication of how he graded. I’ve bought a number of UK NM 1st pressings from him since.

That Sgt Peppers would have been a good introduction to what yellow and blacks sound like for $26.

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