Best version of Queen's The Game?

Always been pleased with my US vinyl copy. Cheap and plentiful!

 

Hey, if that's the one you like and sounds best to you, I say stick with it! My current vinyl copy I picked up just a couple of years ago; I really wanted one like my first copy back in the day, which was a first print USA with the foil jacket and that's what I got. If you haven't heard the 2011, give it a listen if you ever get the chance. It's crystal clear with much more detail than I've ever heard.

 

That Hollywood cd should have set off an alarm. It's just dreadful. The noise-reduction employed renders it lifeless. It may also have compression, but I can't recall offhand. I threw it in the garbage.

 

First UK Vinyl, Japanese Vinyl pretty good too.

 

They put noise reduction of The Game?? Anyway, I know I'm in the minority on this forum, but I don't dislike the Hollywood. I definitely like it better than my vinyl.

 

I think the MSFL is the best-sounding CD version, but I also strongly recommend the DVD-A, as the 5.1 mix sounds fantastic and is my favorite version of all.

 

I've never heard the DVD-A. That would be an interesting comparison to the 2011. I do have a Japanese SACD of the album. I haven't done a direct comparison but the 2011 is much more revealing to my ears. I have new gear since I listened to the SACD, so that could be part of it. If I remember correctly, I've not heard the surround version.

 

No, but the Eastern Malasia second pressing drove me to work the other day.

 

how's the hi res PCM stereo version on the dvd-audio?

 

Just picked up the 1st UK CD version. Made by EMI Swindon. Sounds fantastic. Just like my 1st UK LP copy. Plenty of dynamic range. No need to look for anything else. Was cheap too.

 

Too compressed IMO.

 

Queen - The Game

 

I'm glad to hear that.

 

I voted for other, the DVD-A which is all I own and I don't recall hearing anything else but I don't seem to care that I haven't heard any other version of the album.

 

The MFSL sounds bassy/muddy and lacks any kind of high end clarity.

The original EMI CD's (EMI UK CDP 7462132 in my case) has excellent clarity without much brightness or shrillness.

 

I have the mfsl and I like that one but I trust Dave as he mentioned that that he likes the Japanese discs more

 

My take exactly. Not much brightness but it's still there on the CDP 7 CD. IIRC it also sounds kind of smeared a bit too.

 

The Target may well hit the sweet spot between the two. I wish it had a hair more clarity and thump though.

 

I'm uncertain of the level of playback you are using but after acquiring the 32XD I knew my search was over. The Target CD sounds closer to the CP32 release so don't expect a miracle

 

I like my mid-80’s EMI CD version. Reminds me of my early 80’s Elektra vinyl and it just sounds right. Not an audiophile dream but rich, warm and dynamic. The low end on Dragon Attack is rich, has good foundation and the timbre of Freddie’s voice and Brian’s guitar sound right.

 

I have to add my cheap 2 cents and just offer up the Japanese SHM-SACD's....those are my "go to" since trying to find original UK vinyl is near impossible in my part of the world.

 

I don't' agree when you say that the mfsl lacks any kind of high end clarity.
I recognize the bassy sound.

 

What are the peak/DRM numbers on that 32XD?

 

Okay, I'll bite. Let's get to the meat of the matter. Here are the values from my copy of the UK CDP 7 46213 2:

84.6 / 88.2 / 91.3 / 100 / 92.7 / 90.5 / 100 / 79.6 / 84.9 / 86.6
Anyone care to share the numbers from the magical Target and/or Japanese releases?

 

I agree and what's funny is that years ago I called MFSL and spoke with someone there and I asked how does there version sound and he said it's very bright sounding. I find it muddy and muffled. However the folks at MFSL back then thought it was super bright.