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Led Zeppelin digital recordings

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grantv

M

I had a great music session last night. About 2 hours of Zep followed by Aaron Neville and a bit more. It reminded me once again that I really need to try to find noticeably better quality Zeppelin recordings.
I've never downloaded a recording, part of me feels ripped off perhaps for not getting something physical for my money.
But... if I buy a physical disc I will be ripping it to listen anyway, so I'm ready if it's a solid option.
What's best for a reasonable investment, please? I'll start with one (likely one of II, III or HOTH), evaluate the worth, go from there.
Really appreciate any guidance!

Follow Ups:

RE: Led Zeppelin digital recordings - Goober58 19:24:24 04/11/23 (0)
You can follow this up elsewhere where the CDs are included in comparisons with various digital takes of other versions including the 2014 remasters.

I don't have these but many have called them out as being the best available on CDs and for the most easy money.

View YouTube Video
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daoKjsqQZ5c&ab_channel=DamnF (Open in New Window)
Do't get me wrong I enjoy cranking Zep, but - G Squared 21:37:46 03/29/23 (3)
I do not recall ever hearing a Zep album with SQ that would make Hi Rez worthwhile. Just my experience.
Gsquared
- That's the problem... - grantv 22:39:55 03/29/23 (2)
  The SQ (assume by this you mean sound quality, not the music) is questionable on my standard CD's. And recently I have read that the '14 re-issues are noticeably better.
  Zep, being my favorite rock band, makes me want to explore what's the best for a reasonable price.
  - RE: That's the problem... - fantja 21:41:27 04/01/23 (1)
    grantv
    
    Do you own the 1980's CD(s) ? If not, start there. Then, buy the 4-CD box set (remastered recordings) from 1990 for comparison. The LZ catalog has been re-remastered multiple times.
    - Curious; why '90 vs '14? - grantv 08:40:53 04/02/23 (0)
      From what I've read, the '14 version is the latest and greatest. Curious what you think about the 3 versions...
An "RL" first-press "Led Zeppelin II" LP.... - John Marks 07:57:13 03/28/23 (4)
A "RL" first-press "Led Zeppelin II" LP recently broke $4000 on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374420617809

$4,295.55.

That's the Robert Ludwig cutting that was too "Hot" for Ahmet Ertegun's daughter's cheap bedroom stereo... which I guess was one of those "suitcase stereos."

So, Ertegun had a bit of a fit and had all the Hot LPs recalled and destroyed.

He then had his house engineers cut new lacquers from a reference analog cassette tape, with a bass cut, and dynamic compression.

Hence the premium for the RL cut.

The link is to Bob's Oral History, as recorded by the AES project.

As Science Officer Spock would say: "Fascinating."

ciao,

john
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOW3Ep_T_Jw (Open in New Window)
- OK - grantv 14:41:57 03/28/23 (3)
  Looking for a good digital copy for a reasonable price...
  - Just trying to provide context... - John Marks 16:23:40 03/28/23 (2)
    If there is one Classic Rock recording that should rank beside Dark Side of the Moon in terms of its release history, it should be either LZ II or LZ IV.
    
    Which is to imply, BY THIS TIME, they should have gotten it right in terms of a digital download.
    
    You can buy the Qobuz 24/96 at the link. I have found it best never to jump to conclusions about remasterings. With every passing year, the technology supposedly gets better; but there is no question that the master tapes are getting older, and in some cases, moldier.
    
    The Qobuz 24/96 of "Livin' Lovin' Maid" sounds to me INFINITELY better than the 45 rpm Promo Copy I spun as a DJ in our illegally boosted AM radio station that without question sent a signal beyond the confines of my prep school's large campus. Had I stolen it and held on to it, today I could gross $35 on eBay.
    
    And please don't hate me for having been shoved against my will into a legendary New England prep school. I begged not to be sent there.
    
    john
    - https://play.qobuz.com/album/0603497920099 (Open in New Window)
    - Now we're getting somewhere. :) - grantv 21:16:57 03/28/23 (1)
      Do you know if Qobuz DL's are the same quality as HDtracks? Specific recordings to look for?
      Thanks! Definitive Collection for example...?
      - It's hard to tell. - John Marks 06:39:49 03/29/23 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Now we're getting somewhere. :) posted by grantv on March 28, 2023 at 21:16:57
        
        The Qobuz remastered track of Livin' Lovin' appears to have a copyright date of 2012, but the HDTracks track appears to have a copyright date of 2014.
        
        I don't know if that is real, or is a data-entry artifact.
        
        Both tracks are 24/96.
        
        So, I would question why they would make two different 24/96 remasters, two years apart.
        
        {John does some research.}
        
        Well, it seems that the Deluxe Edition with extra tracks was 2014, please see links. So, 2012 is likely an error... OR! they FIRST did a "Straight" 24/96 of the commercially-released LP, and then they assembled the Deluxe Edition Digital "Boxed Set," so to speak.
        
        Now here's puzzlement! The Pro Studio Masters download is available in MQA, but its source appears to be the same 24/96 transfer.
        
        https://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/36310
        
        So, my guess is that that MQA started with the 24/96 MQA PCM, and then whoever did it used "MQA De-Blurring" on it, and then perhaps they used "MQA Origami" on it, to make the file smaller?
        
        Dunno.
        
        Best of luck,
        
        john
        https://discography.ledzeppelin.com/lz2.html (Open in New Window)

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