RUSH - Signals on CD: Blind Listening Test Poll

If you start a new thread with fewer samples, people would reference the missing versions in discussions anyway. Sooner or later someone would post a sample of something not listed.
We just can't help it!

 

^ The only other thing I can think of doing is to extend the poll time. Would I need to contact a Gort to do this?

 

Between H and D for me. I voted for H but it seems like splitting hairs. I do like the low-end and the clear vocals on these two.

 

In my first listening round I noticed:
- A & H are well balanced, similar to each other and seem to have been derived from the same source
- B has some dynamic limitations and sounds bright
- C is well balanced and warmer than A & H -> it gets my vote
- D sounds duller in the highs
- E & F are similar to each other and sound a bit anemic when compared to the other samples

 

Yes you would

 

Sure. I'd love to take a stab at this.

 

Really buried at work but will try to give it a go in the next day or two.

 

Try to see if you can download the files from Sendspace: sendspace | Folder View

 

I forgot about G, I discarded it but can't remember why

 

Nice list, it's very similar to mine. It's interesting that you thought C the warmest since G sounded a bit warmer to me. Maybe I'll compare those 2 again.

 

The voting time has been extended to April 6th, however, I'm not seeing an ending date. Is this normal?

 

No it is not. Now the poll is never ending...

 

I will listen again...

 

First time trying these types of tests. Quite cool once i got the downloads figured out.
I chose "E",
"F" seemed very close to "E", from there I took "B" and then "C", discarding the rest.

 

I've been told that it's temporary. The ending date should appear sometime today or tomorrow.

 

I listened to D and G again. I'm starting to think the volume on D can be cranked a bit more, but G is a bit more vinyl-like to me. Both of these versions sound quite nice.

 

I hate to be pedantic but I doubt it.

 

I went back through them all again.
I came back with "G" overall, having a good mix compared to the others.
From there it went, "C", "D", "E", "B", "A", "F", 'H".
Very curious to see where these all land in the end.

 

This poll will close on Apr 6, 2017 at 6:36 AM

 

haven't listened to the samples, just curious as to which song was chosen for the test

 

I chose 4 songs; Subdivisions, Digital Man, The Weapon, and Countdown.

 

Anyone else want to give this a try? I'm also trying to prepare some samples for Moving Pictures and Grace Under Pressure, but I won't start those tests until this one ends.

 

Wow, 8 samples is a bit much! But I enjoyed doing it - These tests are always fun.

I picked E - it sounded the most natural to me (as natural as this album can sound, anyway) and most like I remember the vinyl sounding. I have 2 digital copies of this - the MFSL and the DVDA, but it's honestly something I don't listen to that often (and haven't in quite a while), so I went into it semi-blind.

I listened to all samples one time in random order, so this is my first impression. Maybe I'll revisit later with a fresh set of ears.

Here are my notes:

A

Smiley EQ? Good depth and detail on synths [2], cymbals still sound swishy and distorted. Probably a good transfer but a little too processed

B

Treble boosted, in your face

C

Better than H - good dynamics, but bad EQ - not enough bass (low end), too much high mid/low highs in 1,3. Drums sound really good in 2,3. Good kick drum, toms, cymbals

D

Good detail, not harsh, but too much treble and not enough low end. Not as good as C. Good dynamics but unbalanced EQ

E

Good EQ - Subdivisions sounds better, good air, good bass, kick drum, toms, synths have nice air, cymbals sound realistic. Dynamic. Crankable.

F

Not bad but a little harsh and sibilant. Good bass. Good transfer with nice depth, just a little bloated on bottom and top.

G

Very nice EQ, but a little too compressed? Pretty crankable due to the tasteful EQ but a little too “forward” sounding.

H

Compressed, lifeless, artificial sounding, congested, muffled, drums have no impact, cymbals are all sizzle, no decay, no air. Weird EQ - Geddy’s vocals don’t sound right on any of these tracks.

 

Okay, I did another listen today. While H is still my pick, I think E is better than I initially thought. The midrange really lets the guitars and vocals stand out nicely. Right now, I'd put E over B, C, F, and maybe G and H too.

 

Based on my first listen, I'd probably rank them E - G - C - F - D - A - B - H.

I did listen to a few samples with headphones today. There was less of a difference between samples with the phones, I thought, and H sounded better to me with the headphones. It still sounds a little hollow to me, almost like it is out of phase.