To me, it sounds like a new remaster. IIRC, on the Deluxe Edition, the left channel was slightly dull...It's not the case on the new master, but I have to check again for further details.
There are more non-album-songs missing (I Am The City, Ah Vilka Tider, full length version of Summer Night City, different language versions of several songs etc.).
I listened to two songs and could hear some hiss and little tape issues, so I expect it to be the same analogue master copy as a source
For the most stuff, yes. Except "The Visitors" album and the issues I mentioned before (missing transition on the last two Super Trouper tracks / lossy source for Eagle), the rest seems to be fine.
In other words, the boxset probably mirrors the iTunes Remasters, which means: Some tracks have too much bass & they lack at top end resolution! But even if that’s not the case, too many tracks are missing. I guess they did that, because all albums are celebrating their 50th Anniversary starting with Ring Ring Ring in 2023! Maybe plans for new editions already exist, in which they will add the missing Bonus Tracks. Anyway… I still don’t know if I want to buy the Boxset. The missing Bonus Tracks (especially Cassandra) are keeping me away from it
As I have always hoped these seem to be the 2014 Itunes remasters, maybe slightly tweaked here and there. I'll fetch my box set from the post office now.
While it is not the most vital element of the set, I noticed that the bonus disc has a different track list to the bonus disc on the little black box. Quelle surprise! Amazon appears to be just about the best price for the UK. One independent that I use quite a lot has it five quid more expensive and also describes it as "limited" which I hope is not the case if we are waiting for a price drop!
No... they have been remastered that way. Example: If you listen to S.O.S. from an original LP or from the 1st CD edition of the Self-Titled Album (not a remastered one) and compare it with the Deluxe Edition CD or the iTunes Edition, you will directly hear the differences on the refrain, especially on the guitars. They sound... I don't know how to describe it... hidden in the background? Muffled? To me they sound as if someone has put a blanket in front of the speakers! But they definitely don't sound like the original LP or CD editions. Nina Pretty Ballerina, Happy Hawaii and The day before you came have the same issues. It's not something I can't live with! But the fact that many Bonus Tracks are missing... well, that's a thing. At least for me!
Can you please check out 2 things? 1. Is Head over Heels included in its Original Version or did they use again the Alternate Mix, included in the Deluxe Edition? 2. Does "Slipping through my fingers" crossfade to " Like an angel passing through my room" or does the first track has a cold-ending, as included on the iTunes Edition? Thank you in advance!
Unfortunately I have many downloads with a 15k cut, but don't know about the ABBA ones...Surely any lossy download lack a bit of clarity and detail due to compression in comparison to lossless.
Decided not to go for this. Who needs another ABBA product with issues? The definitive ABBA CD reissues are still to come. If they ever do.
That’s just it. The ultimate reissues will probably never come. They’ve had enough chances to get them right.
Cool that there’s a new ABBA box set. Going by the comments so far, I’m not feeling the “I got to have it” vibe. I’ve bought these albums so many, many, many times before I just can’t do it again unless this is truly, truly, truly amazing. It doesn’t sound like it. The original Germany releases that I bought decades ago when they first came out have been my go to despite the many re-releases. They could get this right but they don’t. Just the fact the non album tracks are left off is enough for me to ignore it. I’ll certainly be interested in reading the comments as they pour in. All the same, unless they release absolutely stellar remasters, surround sound remixes or 3D holograms of the band dancing in my front room, I’ll settle with the 50,000 other copies I already have of their albums.
We know it’s unfortunately become a mastering trend for the CD editions to often be bastardised to sound better in cars stereos, on the move etc. So I’m wondering if the vinyl versions might be more faithful to the originals. Are there high-res versions of this set out yet, or been mentioned?
I have a solution to this and other related issues. It’s so genius. Buy the box and simply replace the actual CDs with your versions of choice!
It's not that easy, because there is no perfect version for "The Album" available...neither on vinyl, nor on CD.
