The Ultimate Beatles Boxset

Now that I have your attention

Let's say in a "brainstorming" session at EMI it was decided that they would re-release the whole Beatles catalog.

A call is made to Steve (who takes about one nanosecond to make his mind) and there he is with all the glorious mono and stereo master tapes ready to work his magic.

They are released simultaneously as mono and stereo CD, hybrid SACD and vinyl boxsets and sonically they all match and are just fabulous.

However, EMI has decided that this is a limited release of 10,000 copies only released to get whining people like us off Mr. Mew's back so he can concentrate on finishing up the "official" releases.

BUT, you could only buy ONE of the sets. Which one would you choose and why?

 

Hybrid SACD - the best of both worlds!!

 

I'd get it on DVD-A.

 

This is the sort of thing us Beatles fans can only dream of happening

Right now I'd go for the vinyl, as long as the LP sets include both mono and stereo original mixes and the LP's are replicas of the originals, with the Parlophones having black and yellow labels, White Album is numbered with top-opening sleeves, etc. If it came down to one or the other I'd probably go for the stereos, but then again...difficult to say for sure!

I'd go for the vinyl now because that's my favourite format!

Ask me again at some point in the future and I might say something different...probably the hybrid SACD's (again, assuming both mono and stereo mixes were included). I would really want the SACD hardware (which I currently don't have) to get the most out of the discs.


Kipper

 

SACD all the way baby.

 

I'd like SACDs of each LP to contain both mono and stereo, up through Sgt. Pepper. The Beatles can be separate SACDs for each. Material after The Beatles need only to be in stereo, except for a special Magical Mystery Tour SACD which replicates the original UK double EP Set. It should have both mono and stereo versions of the songs and include the booklet.

I'd like the vinyl to be pressed at 45 rpm. Each LP should be issued as a "box set" of mono and stereo. Up through Sgt. Pepper the box sets can 4 records; The Beatles will have to be 8 records. The Magical Mystery Tour box set can be 2 records; one with mono and one with stereo. A full size version of the MMT booklet should be included in the box.

Obviously, only the UK tapes should be used, not the tapes sent to Capitol for the US albums.

As for pricing; I'd be willing to spend up to $100 for each LP box set (The Beatles are worth at least twice what CCR is to me). The SACDs can go along with Analogue Productions $24.99 MSRP (although I'd rather they be less).

 

Ditto.

 

A DVD-A, SACD, HDCD, Vinyl mono stereo multichannel disc. 8 track compatible, of course.

mud-

 

Well, you know what....if EMI were SMART, they would release The Beatles catalog, completely remastered on ALL Formats. Keep in mind, they USED to do that. Releases used to availible on Vinyl, Reel to reel, cassette and 8 track.

 

I don't think regular CD's would be necessary - the hybrid discs would cover redbook.

If I could only buy one, I'd pick the vinyl set. I still feel that each format at its best, vinyl still wins overall. Plus, asthecially Beatles on vinyl just seems *right*. I have to say though that in my limited exposure to SACD in demos, etc. I'm pretty impressed with the format, so it would probably be a close call.

I would really prefer that the Steve mastered versions be the standard issue discs out there, instead of a limited issue.

 

That is a VERY good point, Mikey. Those were the days, eh?

Thom

 

What he said.

 

Good point Mikey!

That's one really forgotten fact.

 

Hybrid SACD thank you.

 

Hybrid would be fine with me.

 

Ditto...vinyl please!