I got my Fair Warning and Diver Down WB original US CDs in the mail today. Woo! Some nice bass for sure on Fair Warning. Burned them to the phone for the car (and for jogging). Got the 2015 Hi Res too now, all of the Dave era. Had all the DLR vinyl reissues already, so I'm set for awhile.
What's with the tom sound in 1984? It's more pronounced in some versions, but it's like it's on top of everything. It sticks out in any mix. Any time Alex hits them, like on House of Pain, 'Doonnn Doonnn Doonnn'! Maybe it's me.
It’s not just my opinion (which in and of itself means no more or less than yours)....it’s the consensus view. Do you disagree that the consensus here is the 2015 CDs are awful? Or do you just always throw a hissyfit whenever someone notes that your view is not the commonly held one? And by the way, if you want to comment on sound quality, you could start by filling out your eqpt profile - as per forum rules - to provide a reference point for the community.
It’s your perogative to love the hell out of the 2015 CDs, but in no way do they sound similar to the original WB vinyl.
Just got original German versions of Diver Down and Women and Children, for comparison sake of course!! I've only spot tested but these sound pretty fantastic. You absolutely can't go wrong with the reissues though. One of my favorite reissue series in the last 5-6 years. I did notice the colors on the covers of the German originals are a bit more vibrant, better ink in the old days.
Yeah, I hear that too. Alex's entire drumset on 1984, except the snare, was Simmons electronic pads, due to necessity - they were recording in Eddie's new 5150 studio that wasn't even finished, and it was cramped. Donn Landee engineered it so I assume is responsible for all the drum sounds and mix.
no - it's not just you! - in an interview from the Van Halen News Desk it turns out Don Landee was not always satisfied with everything the band committed tape - “For instance, I didn’t like it when Alex began using electronic drums around the time of the 1984 album,” admits Landee. “He started with the kick, and later added toms. And there was no talking him out of it. In fact one of the things I still don’t like about ‘Jump’ is the sound of the kick: It’s very intermittent, the threshold just wasn’t set right, it always bugged me. I just could never get used to that sound, ever. I have to hear acoustic drums - and nothing else!”
God damn 80's and electronic drum kits! LOL I still love 1984 and think it sounds fantastic and perfect, just as is. Spinning it again multiple times recently made me realize how much I love it. I consider every single VH album released with Roth to be a five star masterpiece.
Go back and read through this and other threads on the topic. If you don’t think the solid majority don’t care for them, you’re simply in denial. It doesn’t mean you can’t love them.
The reissue series is a blast! I'm loving them. I'm hoping to see Rhino reissue the Sammy albums and even the one with Gary. Not holding my breath though.
Oh yeah, I wouldn't change a thing either. It's fine the way it is, what we are used to. Fantastic. The 2015 Hi Res and even the vinyl definitely have detail though, to where things jump out. I noticed some bass licks I didn't before as well.
In SERIOUS need to reissue at least 5150 and ou812. They should reissue For Unlawful on Double vinyl as the original euro pressing sounds thin imo. I have an original U.S. pressing of Balance and it sounds amazing. I don’t care about 3. I am a HUGE Gary/Extreme fan but that album didn’t click with me....even if it wasn’t under the VH moniker I still think it’s underwhelming.
Slightly off topic - the 2000 Remasters. I always thought they were awful...until I heard the HDCD decoded version on the Oppo I recently bought. Holy moly! Night and day doesn`t even begin to describe my amazement at the difference in SQ. The Oppo decoding HDCD trounces the Wadia playing back just the CD. No need for an upgrade for me as I think the 2000`s sound amazing now - but only when decoded obviously.
If, according to Sammy Hagar, those Van Hagar albums sold so well, "five-six million every time", then why don't they get the remastering treatment ? Surely, there has to be some profit ?
It`s night and day to my ears. As always, ymmv but, for me it was a revelation - and the Wadia is no slouch!
IMO, in broad strokes, the original CDs are bested (by not by a huge margin) by the 2015 24/192 downloads. The original CDs are more similar to the 2013 downloads - which are still quite good as well. The 2015 24/96 downloads and CDs are several steps down from the original CDs and are to be avoided. If you do a search, you’ll find lots of other opinions and more detail than you could want.
