Best versions of Rush - Moving Pictures and 2112?

Exactly. I've never heard a nasty sounding Moving Pictures. 2112 however I'd go with the japanese 25.8P pressing or the later japanese pressing that shares that mastering.

 

I'm one of them. Personally, I think it's because MFSL tends to master things with a lot of high end 'detail', which is nice for some albums, but with Rush it tends to make things overly bright. 2112 and Permanent Waves are bright albums to begin with, adding any more top makes them unbearable.

Also there seems to be some kind of compression-like effect on PeW in the midrange, which caught my ear right away. It just doesn't sound right.

All in all, the SHM-CD is much more of an audiophile release than the MFSL.

 

I am not really a fan of the SHMs, maybe I should check out an original US PW.

 

I think the MFSL is decent, but the Atomic soundly thrashes it. As usual for me with discs featuring the same mastering, I discerned zero difference between the 25 8P and the Atomic. But the 25 8P does have "Dewey Defeat Truman", so it's the one I keep on my shelf.

So once again the cheap disc is the responsible way to go or IMHO anyhow...

Yes, "Go Atomic!"



P.S. For me the 25 8P mastering that was the strongest over all others is Hemispheres. The Atomic is very nice as well, but this was the only case in which I felt satisfied about the extra money I forked over.

 

Wow. That is cool to know, ricks. Thanks for the help.

 

I found this in a search. It looks like the JPN Rush Moving Pictures 25 8P hits 100% on every track. Does this too have the 1/2 second issue on Tom Sawyer?

 

Yeah. It's funny, because the CDs that hit 100% are usually not the ones recommended.

 

Any chance you could describe the differences you heard with Hemispheres? It's the one Rush album that seems to be virtually identical between all the pressings I've heard. None are great, none are bad either. If the 25 8P actually is an improvement, I'd be very interested in hearing it.

 

There is no correllation between peak levels and what is recommended on this forum. It just so happens that cds with 100% peak levels are uncommon among early cd masterings, and early cd masterings are usually recommended.

 

Does the JPN issue of Moving Pictures (25 8P) have the problem with the intro to Tom Sawyer?

 

I checked out all the shm discs. All but three were relatively unmolested, and appeared to be the same or similar masters as the original releases. Three of the cds though, looked exactly like the remasters in a waveform editor. I can't remember what three they were, I'll have to look again.

To add more fuel to the MP fire, the MP shm disc was more compressed than the original I have, but less than the remaster, so I guess it's a new master.

 

I have a W Germany Atomic of MP. No pre gap issue on Tom Sawyer. It has a box to the left of the bar code with PG 900, bar code is 042280004828 Mktd by Phonogram. Tom Sawyer is intact. Mastered where you can crank it.

 

I found the post that confirms I have the good MP Atomic cd (from our agentalbert):

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showpost.php?p=2797137&postcount=74

 

I'll chime in here to defend the MOFI of Permanent Waves. They've added a little bass and notched out a bit of the upper mid-range. Geddy's voice sounds great.

There is some peak limiting on it, but although I can see it in the waveforms, I don't believe I can hear it.

One note: Natural Science did not need a cut in the upper mid-range IMO, and it comes off a little smiley faced sounding. I prefer the original US for Natural Science.

I guess I need to check out the SHM. What's the price on them?

 

Just found the SHMs on Amazon. I ordered A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, and Permanent Waves.

Have these been discussed here on the forum?

I don't remember seeing anything. I'll search...

 

My Canadian Anthem LP of Moving Pictures is an RL cut !

It's the best sounding version I've ever heard

 

So well said my friend

 

Name one first pressing with 100% levels that is recomended. Huh? Can ya?

 

Sure, Dire Straits Making Movies WG Blue Swirl

 

Damn. Foiled again.

 

I'm glad you didn't ask for more than one

 

I will tell you one (no one cares about it) but the original Loverboy Japanese for USA pressed version of "Keep It Up". About 7 of the 9 tracks peak at 100% and it is a stunner! One of the best sounding discs of that genre I have ever heard. The subsequent USA version which had lower peak levels is a muddy mess. As a rule, I prefer lower peak levels (ones that are quieter) but the Loverboy disc is an exception.

 

A 100% peak level is not a bad thing. All that means is that one peak hits the 100% level. It does not mean that it exceeds it and is clipped. It also does not mean that the track is compressed. Remember, we are talking about one sample here hitting 100%, not an average peak level. To me, a 100% peak level means that all of the dynamic range of the track is being used effectively, giving the music the greatest resolution and the lowest noise floor.

 

I don't pick CDs based on levels, but I have bought some based on advice from this forum, and noticed most of them have varying levels throughout the songs.

 

Holy Diver, I like the W. Germany Atomic pressings of both albums. The Japan 1sts are ok, but do have a little boost around 10K. It's a personal preference thing. I sure would like to hear that green arrow Moving Pictures one day though.