It could be because the second greatest hits album has long sides and in that instance the low end usually has to be dialed down.
you’re not discussing though, are you? You’re saying “I’m right and you’re wrong”. Which since you called me egotistical makes you something of a hypocrite. So what you’re really saying is that you’re only willing to discuss things with people who agree with you. None of us have the same equipment, taste or ears. You trust your ears, I trust mine. And I’m not relying on an image on a screen to hear what I hear. I also trust information provided in interviews and press-releases from when both the 1997 and 20001 remasters were released.
Yes, this must be the reason. Otherwise I can’t explain the difference. It sounds more like the 1997/2001 Remasters, weird
You simply ignore facts for some rumours written on some websites. If two releases share exactly the same mastering, they will sound exactly the same. Maybe you hear some things which are not on the CDs ? That would be another (and more serious) issue...
The “facts” you speak of don’t prove anything. The 2 releases don’t share the same master. Infact that 1997 series, the 1999 Gold & More Gold and the 2001 remasters are all different, although the difference between 97 and 99 is more subtle. This is clearly documented in multiple places. Not just “a few websites”. The original press release for the 2001 remaster, as just one example, where Marko Söderström (the Strategic Marketing Manager at Universal Music Sweden after Seagram bought out PolyGram) confirmed it was a new master and as is evident in that the 1997 remasters were credited to Jon Astley and Michael Tretow whereas the 2001 remasters were credited to Jon Astley alone. There’s several other sources too. But of course the best one? The ears. But it’s fine. You’re free to believe and hear what you like. Happy listening.
In this specific case, you know what the issue is... That's why he's been ignored and I don't see his answers anymore! You can write pages full of proof that THEY SHARE the same remasters & sound, but only because someone wrote somewhere that Astley changed the EQ on the 2001 remasters, this someone must be right. There has NEVER been an official Press release that the 2001 remasters sound different. NEVER!! It's been written from guys like you and me and him on fan-websites. He made some changes here & there, by adding more noice reduction and increasing the sound. That's THE ONLY THING he did! The EQ remains the same. He can't even tell apart the WAV file I've uploaded, he can't even trust his own eyes with the waveforms I've uploaded (which are 100% identical)... NO, the remasters are different!!! Don't waste your time...
Bing bong bing, Bing bong bing! Time for a SportsCenter update. Greatest Hits (Atlantic Target CD "MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY POLYGRAM") Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (US Atlantic CD " MADE IN USA BY PDO") Super Trouper [Polydor CD "Made in France by PMDC" with a new bar code sticker (042280) on the back] The Visitors (Polydor CD "Made in France by PDMC") Live (1997 US Polydor/Polar CD "MADE IN U.S.A. BY UML") ABBA Gold (2010 US Polar CD) More ABBA Gold (2008 Polar CD "MADE IN GERMANT BY EDC") Thank You for the Music - ABBA (US Polydor CDs "MADE IN USA BY PMDC" "Mfd. for BMG Direct Marketing under license") Greatest Hits (Atlantic Target CD "MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY POLYGRAM") The Visitors (Polydor CD "Made in France by PDMC") Live (1997 US Polydor/Polar CD "MADE IN U.S.A. BY UML") ABBA Gold (2010 US Polar CD) More ABBA Gold (2008 Polar CD "MADE IN GERMANT BY EDC") Thank You for the Music - ABBA (US Polydor CDs "MADE IN USA BY PMDC" "Mfd. for BMG Direct Marketing under license") Voyage (US Capitol CD pressed at Technicolor Mexico)*
There are better choices for at least GOLD, MORE GOLD, LIVE, SUPER TROUPER (the old POLYDOR CD has a dropout in the title track)...but enjoy the music
I’m enjoying the Pickwick box. It sounds really nice! The dynamics are great too. Thanks for the recommendation.
Is there one more release I should get that has good versions of the other songs? I only listen to ABBA compilations. Thanks.
Yes, for me it belongs to the 3CD PickWick box as an additional one !!! This is the best way to get "Should I Laugh Or Cry" non-remastered.
My humble collection Arrival - Polydor 1984 Album - Polydor 1984 Voulez Vous - Polydor 1984 Super Trouper - Polydor 1984 Arrival - Jon Astley 1997 Album - Jon Astley 1997 Voulez Vous - Jon Astley 1997 Super Trouper - Jon Astley 1997 Gold - 1992 and 1999 - Neither are great but I prefer 1992 More Gold - 1992 and 1999 - same as above. I offloaded the Epic LPs about 25 yrs ago and wished I hadn't! Back then, I though vinyl was finished.. I'm also wondering whether to get his new box set, if I already have the above? The 1984 Polydors don't blow me away but I CAN listen to them without being distracted by excessive treble, puny bass or claustrophic DR. I'm not sure what distortion I am supposed to hear on The Album, but the 1984 CD sounds 'mushy' more or less from start to finish. Funnily enough, I thought that about the original Epic LP, when comparing it to Arrival. The 1997 remaster sounds so much clearer but sadly, as others have said, the EQ is all wrong. There isn't much bass, the mids are a bit anaemic and the treble is far too sweet. I don't like the 1997 Super Trouper either, it has the same crap EQ, too sweet and too thin. I may be one of the few who doesn't care that much about momentary dropouts. The 2.07 glitch on Dancing Queen is a 'blink and you miss it' type of error for me. I'm also sick of that track anyway!
I agree that More Abba Gold 1993 sounds worse than Abba Gold 1992. I don't know if this is what you mean but both seem to have the midrange sucked out, which I guess makes for a 'cold' sound The 1999s sound better for midrange but with the obligatory loudness treatment and the bass, whilst plentiful, has no body or oomph to it. Hollow? You can hear but not 'feel' it.
Well, if it helps I have this on file for my ABBA Gold CDs; "+3 @ 125, +2 @ 250, -4 @ 2K and -6 @ 8K"
I think on the last refrain on the left channel. It's half a second long I think...or was it the second refrain...please wait, will check it now... .... ...(listening)... .... The dropout is around the 3'43.mark (on "somewhere") and on all POLYDOR CDs (Germany, France etc.). The only CD without that dropout is the USA POLYDOR 1995 CD. The dropout is also on the german POLYDOR vinyl. All other editions (Holland, Austria etc.) don't have it.
Sure...I was talking about all POLYDOR CDs only. The ATLANTIC CD was sourced and remastered from a different tape.
Today I listened again to "The Album" from the latest CD box set. It still sounds very nice. If you adjust the volume level of the first two tracks, it flows fine: - Eagle must be 1,5 dB louder in level - Take A Chance On Me must be 1 dB lower in level
Thanks for that expert advice! How do you feel about "Eagle" after having lived with it for a while? I remember your comment about there being a lossy step in the mastering history of this majestic track, but I thought it sounded great. I am very interested in your comments, as I respect your opinions (almost) as much as my own...
