Asia Alpha and Styx Pieces of Eight Audio Fidelity SACDs

I've got 3 different early cd editions of Asia s/t (UK, Japan and US) and the AF version isn't different than any of those 3. It surely isn't any better.
So, i expect the same will apply to the forthcoming AF Alpha.
There are many good editions of Alpha already out there: the early UK, Japan, US and the recent Japan SHM-SACD which also adds the 2 b-sides.
Look for an early UK cd edition with Daylight tacked at the end unlisted! ==> Asia (2) - Alpha

 

I can't believe they are really doing Alpha.

I hope it's good!!!

The SHM-SACD is thin and lacks any bass. The original Target CD sounds way better.

 

Funny thing is Astra sounds better than Alpha.

 

Weird ain't it Ralph
I'm giving this title one more chance!

 

Astra is very good too.

Alpha is the best of the first 3, but that's just my opinion.

Astra had great song writing too. JW writing chops were at an all time high on the first 3 albums.

 

I've just preordered Alpha SACD at Wowhd, 23.28 delivered to Spain, that is, shipping included, not a bad price.

 

I am going too preorder Alpha. I missed the first Asia album from AF. I would not have been aware of this release without this thread so thanks! I hope they do Astra as well because that was the first Asia album I listened to a lot of.

 

Right and Astra is a full digital recording. I remember when Astra came out Wetton was on MTV talking about it and how great it sounds being an all digital recording.

 

Daylight not listed on the label. Oh, well.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91oVQu58-XL._SL1500_.jpg

 

That's what's so funny about it. It sounds pretty decent for DDD.

I played my Alpha vinyl recently, I was very surprised the Japan Target beat it.

I asked AF quite a while back to do Alpha and they said they were working on it. So glad they are actually doing it!

 

I disagree strongly that the AF self titled gold disc doesn't sound any different than the standard Geffen release. On my system it clearly sounds more full-bodied and detailed with less harshness in the treble. It is easily better to my ears but everyone hears things differently I suppose.

 

I have the Alpha target CD. I don't remember it sounding any different than the original USA release.
And yes, Astra does sound better than Alpha.

Pat

 

I also have the Japan Target and it sounds very good but it could be a bit louder. I hope the AF does sound better as I love this album.

 

I agree and think the AF is a nice improvement compared to the original 80's CD. However the AF of Styx' Grand Illusion was not very good so I'm hoping Kevin uses a different approach with Pieces of Eight then what he did with Grand Illusion.

 

I have the Alpha Target made in Japan for the US. I seem to remember when the made in the US disc came out right away it was in the goldline series and sold for around $7.99. I also have a cassette from the 90's that says 'Daylight' is on it and it's not!! It was on my original 1983 cassette though.

 

Absolutely. Especially "less harshness in the treble."

 

I never got the hate for this album. I was actually quite surprised it fell off so soon back in the day.

The lyrics are excellent. It is one of my top 5 island discs.

 

I bought this on cassette back in 83 and me and a friend were going away to the beach for a few days and it was a 4 hour ride each way. The only tape we had in the car was Alpha and we played it over and over non stop. No other music the whole weekend and after a few spins I fell in love with this album. The songs are amazing and I don't get the hate either. I guess since there was no Heat of the Moment type of song it wasn't as popular as the S/T. Still this album would sound amazing if Steven Wilson remixed it. That would be something.

 

I have never owned or heard Alpha so am really looking forward to getting this SACD. I just recently fell in love with their debut, it took a while to grow on me.

 

I think I had a regular USA CD not the Goldline version. Can't find that, except for the files in iTunes, but I do have the non-paint faced Japan for USA Target CD.
I worked at a record store and remember seeing the cassette for Alpha that had Daylight tacked on but I never bought it. I think it sounds decent on the CD's it was released on. I know we won't get it on the AF release. If this was back in the day with Steve mastering it for DCC I could see it added.

Pat

 

It might have been out for a few years before it became a Goldline CD. I agree that Daylight sounds fine on the different comps it's on. Actually it's on every comp that Universal (US) released. Yes if this were a DCC release we might have seen it on the disc.

 

That's why I wonder if more reverb was added to the final master tape which blurred some of the definition in the mix. I certainly do agree more than likely the only way Alpha can be really saved is with a full remix. But since allegedly Downes shot down "Drama" getting remixed by Steven Wilson I doubt "Alpha" will be getting remixed any time soon.

 

Awesome! Great cruising music.

I never reach for the S/T when I want to listen to Asia. I always grab Alpha.

 

Well, the "Anthologia" double CD, released many years ago, has a nice EQing, but it is too loud. I hope they adapt the EQ to a more dynamical mastering...that would be the perfect solution for these ears

 

I am looking forward to getting Alpha on SACD. I only had it on vinyl up to now.