Best sounding David Bowie albums on the RCA CDs (only)?

An early version of the RCA Low has a channel completely gone for many minutes. I remember 93curr was talking about it a few years ago. However my copy has no such problem (a Japan for USA copy).

 

It won't be gold?

 

The German HD seems to be at least partially a clone of the Japanese disc, but with fixed versions of the tracks that have dropouts and some slight re-EQing.

 

I know Lodger (Japan?) had dropout somewhere, but it was fixed. I have a fixed one.

 

A couple forum members said that the Japan for USA RCA cd of Aladdin Sane is better than the Japan for Europe cd.

What's the difference between the two? If they were both made in Japan at the same time, why do they have different masterings?

 

I can't answer the question as to why they use different mastering. However, I can say that the Japan for USA, sounds nicer to my ears, than the Japan for Germany. The Japan for Germany sounds a little dull and lifeless, in comparison to the Japan for USA CD. The Japan for USA is more dynamic. Just my humble opinion of course.

 

I did a brief comparison between the JPN and WG today with my favorite track "Lady Grinning Soul" and a couple others. The JPN for WG sounded like it had more bass. Also, on the aforementioned track, the classical guitar bit in the middle sounded more upfront, expecially when it was playing alongside the piano. I kind of liked it, but perhaps the JPN for USA is a little more laid back and would sound better at a loud volume.

 

Not sure this quite addresses your question about whether an early RCA Japan-for-Japan release of Ziggy has the same mastering as the 1984 Japan-for-US release but I can confirm that the 1986 RCA Japan-for-Japan mastering and the 1984 RCA Japan-for-US mastering are different. And neither are the same mastering as the RCA German mastering. Here are the peak levels for each mastering. Myself I prefer the 1986 RCA Japan-for-Japan mastering (R32P-1037) the best of all Ziggy versions. It's a little louder than the other two RCA masters and not at the expense of dynamics.

RCA Ziggy masterings, peak levels:
Japan for US: 84.3 / 88.9 / 94.2 / 89.9 / 87.5 / 74.6 / 89.7 / 82.3 / 74.8 / 87.5 / 82.9
Germany: 80.7 / 92.9 / 94.2 / 86.1 / 86.7 / 77.4 / 88.0 / 89.8 / 84.6 / 98.3 / 80.2
Japan for Japan (my preference): 88.1 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 99.2 / 98.6 / 89.1 / 93.9 / 100.0 / 93.2 / 100.0 / 90.0

Also I'm pretty sure that ONLY the original UK vinyl includes the so-called "loud mix" of Starman, but I guess that's off topic.

 

I beg to differ on Station To Station. The vocals on the WG CD sound very distant and doused in reverb, while the RCA Japan for US has much crisper sounding vocals and a wider stereo image.

There are, however, some small drop-outs on "Word On A Wing," at 1:00 and 4:57.

 

I guess both Japan and WG version must suck then, because I think the Japan RCA sounds pretty crummy. Weird harsh, tinny sound to it.

 

Perhaps your Oppo player just doesn't like that CD. Which version sounds best on your system?

 

The Japan for US RCA's of "Aladdin Sane" and "Young Americans" sound pretty good overall. The former could use a bit more midrange as Bowie's vocals are a bit buried and they weren't on the original LP master.

I think that "Station to Station" is bettered slightly by the Ryko but it sounds infinitely better than the EMI even with the drop outs and the fact that it's bass shy.

I have to wonder whether or not the RCA's are flat transfers of the original masters (which I doubt in most cases) or if they are copies of the U.S. analog copies that RCA already had in the vaults. It seems the latter is more likely.

 

There is no way, they are the tapes used for the records.

 

Which Japan pressing do you own? There are at least 3 and they do sound different is why I ask.

 

Mine is definitely a later pressing--I bought it in '86 as my 2nd ever CD purchase.

Dave, do you have a link to any info about the different CD pressing for STS/RCA Japan?

 

I have the Japan for US PCD1 issue. I haven't heard the WG, but I'm surprised to hear how much you prefer the Japan over the WG. To me, the Japan for US STS sounds kind of like a really trebly record with no bass. Maybe somewhat playback dependent, but also seems to be others' impression as well.

 

I suspect we're talking apples & oranges--there appears to have been two or three different RCA made in Japan masterings of STS, and you have the 1st pressing and mine is a later one.

As things stand now, my preferred version is the Au20, but with EQ tweaks suggested in this thread: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=187691&highlight=bowie

 

I think I've decided on what versions to track down.

Space Oddity - Germany
Man Who Sold The World - Japan
Hunky Dory - Germany
...Ziggy Stardust - Japan
Aladdin Sane - Japan
Pin Ups - Japan
Diamond Dogs - Japan
Young Americans - Germany
Station to Station - Germany
Low - Germany
"Heroes" - Germany
Lodger - Germany
Scary Monsters - Germany

I know its subjective, but I think I've targeted what are generally thought of as best available versions. Not sure about Space Oddity and TMWSTW... Kinda just guessed with those.

 

Space Oddity - Germany
Man Who Sold The World - Japan
Hunky Dory - Germany
...Ziggy Stardust - Japan
Aladdin Sane - Japan
Pin Ups - Japan
Diamond Dogs - Japan
Young Americans - Germany
Station to Station - Germany
Low - Germany
"Heroes" - Germany
Lodger - Germany
Scary Monsters - Germany

I agree with absolutely every one of these choices....except I still hold that the West German MWSTW is the definitive pressing.

 

I think the WG Aladdin Sane and WG Diamond Dogs also sound great. Different, but still great.

 

Is the Japan version considered definitive for MWSTW? Not finding much info regarding that album. If you're standing by it, you'd be the first person I've found recommending either of the two.

Another general question. What is it that make the 1999 remasters so disliked? What has been done to have them spawn threads like this looking for the best version on discs pressed years ago?

 

Two words: Peter Mew.

Whew! (holds nose)

 

I thought the Japan YA was said to be better? I have the WG.

Tim

 

Since I started the thread (way back when) I have had many of these discs. For Young Americans I had the Germany, Japan for U.S. and Japan R32P. The R32P pressing is the one I've kept. I gave the "second best" (IMO) to member Dave. I don't remember which one it is, so he'll have to chime in. There is a RPCD pressing of this one which I have never seen (same for Ziggy).

For "Station To Station" I kept the RRCD-13 Japan pressing.

I have Japan or Germany pressings for Low, Heroes, and Scary Monsters. I've never compared them with another pressing.

My WG Aladdin Sane has the made in Japan sunburst disc. Is there a WG disc?

 

The Young Americans 2007 Special Edition (EMI 09463 51258 2 5) bonus tracks: John I'm Only Dancing (Again)/Who Can I Be Now/It's Gonna Be Me (With Strings). The bonus DVD contains the album remixed in 5.1.

The 2007 Special Edition CD+DVD (see above), which features the album in a 5.1 remix on the DVD, has extensive sleeve notes but again omits the lyrics! The 5.1 mix of 'Across The Universe' lasts about 15 seconds longer than the original version and 'Win' is not faded out. I have this mix in 16/44 flac stereo , to my ears is better than the Japan for U.S.