Grabbed a Diament Physical Graffiti today and wanted to say thanks to those who recommended. Sounds excellent!! Haven't heard this copy (used to have it) in almost 25 years. Really great sound IMO. Would recommend as well.
This thread was initiated in 2010 before the more recent remasters. So yes they are better than the 90s editions. I wouldn't say the 80s cds are better than the recent remasters, just a little different.
I gravitate to the Diament ones for my listening room and the recent Davis remasters for my car, those are punchier. Also the Davis remasters have some extra content which shouldnt be discounted. Personal preference though for all these similar questions, as for some cds I’ve read some prefer Page/Marino from the 90s. Any LZ is good in my book.
I'm going to be a heretic and say that the Diament Led Zeppelin II sounds like what I originally imagined an RL vinyl copy would sound like. I can't get enough of the Diament II. For I, II, III, and Houses, I've heard all three digital versions, but only own the Diaments. Those are some nice sounding discs. I originally dismissed Sidore's IV because it seems to have more treble than the Marino, but I think I'm gonna re-evaluate that. If only I wasn't so burned out on Zep.
Whenever I used to play my old vinyl they all sounded great. CDs brought in this whole mastering fiasco and it absolutely sucks.
I have this one EUROPE 50014 but not seeing it, or not picking up on it from Discogs. Sounds pretty nice, but still like the Diament better.
Are you sure this isn't Barry's mastering? From what I recall the original CD mastering, which this is, was done by Barry.
Why a heretic? It's been demonstrated that the Diament II has the closest EQ to the RL vinyl of all the digital reissues.
I really don't know and perhaps you're right. It certainly sounds good and close, but maybe I am just thinking it's different.
I still prefer the Diament's to the others I have heard that came later. However, having said that, for those that purchased the Davis or Marino remasters shouldn't feel bad about those choices. It's all a matter of preference and everyone is different. Most people probably couldn't tell them apart. When it comes to LZ, I prefer the Diament's to the George Marino's. However, when it comes to AC/DC remasters, it's George Marino all the way. Those are killer! Also, your stereo system may also have an impact on what sounds the best to your ears.
Would the Led Zeppelin catalogue ever be remixed? I wonder if the multitracks are all still available?
This is one of those questions that will run and run. For my money none of the CDs sound like the original vinyl but as is usually the case, the original digital masters have the least pitfalls. Light on bass they may be but ultimately they sound the best to these ears.
Why should they be remixed? The mixes are fantastic as they are! It's the masterings that cause debate.
Then my mind was merely expecting something different than my US copy which is a Diament also. Overthinking got me here lol, thanks for the clarification!
Not saying that Barry Diament is the "Last Word" in Led Zep CD's but they are the best we have. I'm not holding my breath for better, either.
Exactly! This is the Diament master (99% sure). Double blind listening tests would destroy many of the claims made on this thread, just as the mental suggestion planted by the "target" CD label did to this person.
Can anybody report how accurate the PBTHAL rip of the Rober Ludwig Zep II LP compares to the real thing? Because if it's a perfect representation of that pressing, I can't imagine it sounding much better than the Diament CD.
Also, the Doctor Ebbetts versions of Zep III and IV are definitive in my book. The acoustic stuff shimmers on that release. I love all the Diament CDs but the Diament Led Zeppelin III disc sounds awful. The acoustic tracks sound muffled as hell.
I don't think the Diamant III sound more muffled then what I remember my 70's vinyl did, but it does sound a bit bright in the high end.
