I’m looking to re-obtain Dirty Deeds, Highway To Hell and Fly On The Wall from Amazon. It seems most cd’s are remasters, but I’m unsure which ones sound the best. I’ve also seen an import remaster from Epic Europe, but again I’m unsure as to the sound quality. Can anyone provide some assistance, or provide some good links? I don’t want to make the wrong purchase here. Thanks!
Avoid the 2003 Epic cd's...brickwalled, big time. The 1994 Atco cd's are OK, but a tad loud. Your best bet is to go after the 1980's Atlantic discs and/or the 1980's Albert A.U. discs
Highway to Hell Fly on the Wall I can't find a listing for Dirty Deeds. The only 2003 remasters I have are Powerage and Fly on the Wall. They have good EQ, but are marred by excessive compression. Most of my other AC/DC CDs are the original Atlantics, though I have the 90s remasters of Dirty Deeds and Highway to Hell. Neither of them are bad.
I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the '03 remasters. I find they have a lot more punch then the original 80's discs. They are brickwalled yes, but I will take the extra kick over the originals.
I'm coming to the conclusion that every time I hear the phrase "more punch" I know that that remaster is going to sound awful. The Sony remasters are awful. Too compressed and bright.
Have and love the 94 remastered, had all the original pressings before and dumped them. Never heard the Sonys nor do I care, I'm happy with what I have.
@Music_dude it will help to list your equipment in your profile to receive appropriate sonics advice.
It's a bit of a trade off. I've warmed to the '03 Epic remasters and I don't write them off. I have the original USA Atlantic and Australian Albert cd's from the 80's, as well. I never liked the 90's Atco's. I'd actually like to hear one, again, since it's been at least 20 years since I heard one. It's a bit of a trade off with what you get in the different versions. My opinion isn't an across the board recommendation for any particular version and is a broad generalization of my opinion about them. The '03 versions have denser tonality, across the board in guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, that sounds pretty good, to me. I really don't find them overly bright. I mean, it's AC/DC and the overdriven guitar has those elements in it. So, tonally, I like the 03's but they are obviously compressed. The 80's versions (Atlantic and Albert's are different) sound more natural without the compression but can sound a bit thin by comparison to the 03 remasters. Although, when listening to them you might not notice because they sound really good, too. Essentially, I'd get the 80's Atlantics or the 03 Epic's. If you see them for sale, brand new, you are almost guaranteed for them to be the 03 Epic's. I'd assume that's the cheapest solution.
The 2003 remasters are to be avoided at all costs! Clipping, brickwalled distortion is all you'll get from them. (And an ugly headache too!) The 1994 ATCO remasters are ok! But are still pretty loud. I tried listening to one of them (Highway to Hell, I think.) And the sound just wasn't really to my liking. Again though, these are nowhere near as bad as the 2003 remasters. Those are sonic garbage! The original 1980's Atlantic CDs will give you the best sound overall. And what's better? Some (or most) of them were mastered by Barry Diament! (An Audio-God.) Crank them up! And enjoy!
The Epic 2003 reissues sound amazing to my ears. Each cd is in a cardboard gatefold sleeve with a pretty decent booklet.
The only 1994 Atco I would recommend is Let There Be Rock. It has a bit more bottom end to it and cuts out some of the shrillness of the 80's CD. If you can find the Australian version of it, even better for the different track listing. Otherwise, the 80's CDs are the way to go. The US discs are popping up more in the used shops. If you have a rich aunt/uncle/parent/grandparent, get the Japan for Australian CDs.
For the original Australian Albert Productions albums get the original 1987 Made In Japan or the 1989 or 1993 Australian pressed editions (with either silver or black Alberts discs). Don't bother with the 1994 Alberts reissues of Dirty Deeds and T.N.T. as they feature the international edits taken from the ATCO CDs. High Voltage CDP 746667 2 (Alberts/EMI - 1986 - Made In Japan) 465250 2 (1989 - Alberts/CBS - Made In Australia) 465250 2 (1993 - Alberts/Sony Music - Made In Australia) T.N.T. CDP 746272 2 (Alberts/EMI - 1986 - Made In Japan) 465262 2 (1989 - Alberts/CBS - Made In Australia) 465262 2 (1993 - Alberts/Sony Music - Made In Australia) Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap CDP 746273 2 (Alberts/EMI - 1986 - Made In Japan) 465258 2 (1989 - Alberts/CBS - Made In Australia) 465258 2 (1993 - Alberts/Sony Music - Made In Australia) Let There Be Rock CDP 746666 2 (Alberts/EMI - 1987 - Made In Japan) 465256 2 (1989 - Alberts/CBS - Made In Australia) 465256 2 (1993 - Alberts/Sony Music - Made In Australia) Just be aware that any older Australian AC/DC CDs have a RIDICULOUS premium on eBay. Especially considering how many were originally pressed.
Unless AC/DC is your favorite band and you don't mind paying big bucks for the early Australian pressings, we're kind of stuck with the 2003 remasters for a reasonable price.
I have them all and default to the 94s. However I did recently make a comp from the black Alberts (Aus press) and I found myself really enjoying the sound. Hate 2003... nice top but no bottom. Give me the 2003 top and the 94 low end and I'm good.
I have all 3 US CD sets, and all have their strengths and weaknesses. I do like that combined with the Backtracks box set, everything up to that point sounds the same with the 2003 remasters.
I just bought 2003 Epic version of Highway To Hell and I think it sounds fantastic. Clearly sounds like it's from master source with great clarity and a lot of kick. Perhaps it's mastered a bit loud but it's certainly not overbearing, some here say to avoid it and it sounds like crap, I'm not hearing that, I like it well enough that I'm getting the rest of the Bon Scott years on Epic.
The 2003 George Marino Epic/Columbia remasters are my preferred AC/DC discs as well. I generally dislike overcompression, but to my ears it works here. I have a Diament-mastered Who Made Who and a '95 Jensen Back in Black and they both sound weak and wimpy to my ears. The '03 series, while super-compressed, sounds very powerful. Not sure how George Marino did it, because I've heard stuff with less compression that sounds much worse. The 2003 remasters are the ones up on Spotify and the like, you can check those out and determine if they're too compressed for you or not.
"Highway to Hell" Barry mastered is not from the original tapes. Still a very nice listen. However, the 90s remaster is from the original tapes... IIRC, Ted Jensen mastered. I keep both for this one. But for all other titles I only have Barry D original CDs. Barry's "Back in Black" is from master tapes, and can truly serve as a demo disc.
Wow, I'm shocked at how many in this thread prefer the '03's! This certainly wasn't the case in years past on this forum.
