I have all (I think) of the Polydor CD's. A few are record club issues. I will run some through XLD on my Mac and post some numbers later today if I can. Pat
Empty Sky (UK DJM CD13) 98.6 / 79.7 / 83.6 / 75.8 / 82.4 / 100 / 65.4 / 79.0 / 83.3 Empty Sky (Japan DJM PHCR-6021) 91.5 / 79.1 / 84.8 / 76.6 / 97.3 / 86.8 / 76.7 / 77.8 / 92.4 Elton John S/T (USA MCAD-31105) 95.8 / 90.6 / 96.4 / 96.4 / 96.2 / 76.6 / 93.3 / 79.7 / 86.4 / 85.3 Elton John S/T (Japan DJM 23PD-106) 68.4 / 73.5 / 76.4 / 74.5 / 56.9 / 80.9 / 81.3 / 70.9 / 85.9 / 82.4 Tumbleweed Connection (Japan DJM PPD-3059) 91.2 / 59.5 / 91.2 / 91.2 /91.2 /91.2 / 56.4 / 91.2 / 63.6 / 91.2 (Same as WG) Madman Across The Water (Japan DJM PHCR-6025) 97.9 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 85.9 / 100 / 90.8 / 55.7 Madman Across The Water (USA MCA ) 97.9 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 85.9 / 100 / 90.8 / 55.7
Updating the information provided so far - Empty Sky (WG DJM 832 017-2): 91.7 / 79.7 / 83.6 / 79.4 / 92.4 / 87.4 / 77.0 / 79.0 / 92.5 Empty Sky (UK DJM CD13): 98.6 / 79.7 / 83.6 / 75.8 / 82.4 / 100 / 65.4 / 79.0 / 83.3 Empty Sky (Japan DJM PHCR-6021): 91.5 / 79.1 / 84.8 / 76.6 / 97.3 / 86.8 / 76.7 / 77.8 / 92.4 Elton John S/T WG DJM 827 689-2: 68.4 / 73.5 / 76.4 / 74.5 / 56.9 / 80.9 / 81.3 / 70.9 / 85.9 / 82.4 Elton John S/T (Japan DJM 23PD-106): 68.4 / 73.5 / 76.4 / 74.5 / 56.9 / 80.9 / 81.3 / 70.9 / 85.9 / 82.4 Elton John S/T US Polydor 827 689-2: 84.7 / 82.0 / 100 / 100 / 75.2 / 71.1 / 97.7 / 69.1 / 97.7 / 97.1 Elton John S/T (USA MCAD-31105): 95.8 / 90.6 / 96.4 / 96.4 / 96.2 / 76.6 / 93.3 / 79.7 / 86.4 / 85.3 11-17-70 US MCA MCAD-619: (silver data surface) 46.5 / 48.6 / 46.0 / 51.4 / 82.2 / 97.6 17-11-70 German DJM 512 854-2: 86.0 / 98.7 / 91.5 / 94.3 / 93.1 / 95.5 Tumbleweed Connection (WG DJM 829 248-2): 91.2 / 59.5 / 91.2 / 91.2 / 91.2 / 91.2 / 56.4 / 91.2 / 63.6 / 91.2 Tumbleweed Connection (Japan DJM PPD-3059): 91.2 / 59.5 / 91.2 / 91.2 /91.2 /91.2 / 56.4 / 91.2 / 63.6 / 91.2 Madman Across The Water (WG DJM 825 487-2, matrix: DJM CD5 2895 428 02): 97.9 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 85.9 / 100.0 / 90.8 / 55.7 Madman Across The Water (Japan DJM PHCR-6025): 97.9 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 85.9 / 100 / 90.8 / 55.7 Madman Across The Water (USA MCA ): 97.9 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 85.9 / 100 / 90.8 / 55.7 Honky Chateau UK DJM CD 11: 100 / 100 / 100 /100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 60.7 / 100 Honky Chateau (WG DJM 829 249-2): 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 60.7 / 100.0 Honky Chateau US MCA MCAD-31104: 99.7 / 97.0 / 96.4 / 96.4 / 96.3 / 98.6 / 96.4 / 96.4 / 85.4 / 96.4 Don't Shoot Me WG DJM 827 690-2: 80.9 / 77.7 / 82.7 / 74.9 / 79.1 / 85.0 / 92.4 / 68.6 / 84.0 / 66.9 Don't Shoot Me US Polydor 827 690-2: 91.5 / 100 / 97.3 / 97.4 / 81.0 / 98.4 / 91.7 / 92.8 / 96.7 / 100 Goodby Yellow Brick Road Disc 1 (WG DJM 821 748-2): 75.1 / 84.7 / 66.6 / 77.7 / 59.7 / 99.5 / 78.3 / 91.7 Goodby Yellow Brick Road Disc 2 (WG DJM 821 749-2): 69.9 / 92.2 / 91.3 / 77.3 / 82.2 / 70.0 / 67.6 / 78.5 / 72.1 Caribou (WG DJM 825 488-2): 100.0 / 84.7 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 99.7 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 85.8 Caribou (US Polydor 825 488-2): 97.6 / 81.6 / 97.6 / 97.6 / 97.5 / 97.6 / 97.2 / 97.6 / 97.6 / 82.7 Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (WG DJM 821 746-2): 95.2 / 97.0 / 77.9 / 87.0 / 94.3 / 78.3 / 74.5 / 86.5 / 81.5 Rock Of The Westies (UK DJM CD9): 100.0 / 88.7 / 100.0 / 91.3 / 69.2 / 95.2 / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1
Yes, it is generally known that DJM masterings from different markets can be different. And it is generally known that The Polydor CDs are DJM clones (but not necessarily which DJM). And the MCA's are a crazy mixed bag (some match DJMs and some don't--even for the same title ). I don't think we have ever attempted to fully document all these masterings, but there are enough Elton fans on this forum with enough different CDs that we ought to be able to sort this out.
Take note of what I bolded. I would suggest that anyone posting EAC peaks for an MCA disc also include the matrix info. I can tell you I have an MCA self-titled that matches the UK DJM, for instance. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to include matrix info for DJMs too.
A great heads-up, Curbach. When posting MCA levels, please provide catalog numbers and matrix information. We have a chance here to finally make sense of the Elton John mastering mess.
Some additional info on Rock Of The Westies can be found in this old thread I started: http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/elton-rock-of-the-westies-cd-comparison.155723/ (Ironically, I did not include matrix information ) Edit: just pulled my Japan for US disc MCAD-31001. Matrix: MCAD-31001 1A1 74 (in the old dot matrix font). Unfortunately, I sold the Polydor.
self-titled MCAD-31105 (Matrix: MFD BY JVC MCAD-31105 1T): 84.7/82.0/100.0/86.1/75.2/72.8/100.0/70.7/100.0/86.1 Years ago, in an old thread I was told this matches the DJM, my recollection is UK DJM, and hopefully that's the case since it doesn't look like it matches the other posted here and no one has posted the UK yet.
Empty Sky Japan for US MCAD-31000 (matrix: MCAD-31000-V1E3) 98.6/79.7/83.6/75.8/82.4/95.5/62.5/75.5/79.5
I can also report from looking at an old EAC log that the MCA Japan for US Don't Shoot Me matches the other two versions posted so far. Another disc, I got rid of so no matrix info.
Don't Shoot Me (UK DJM CD10) 91.5 / 100 / 97.3 / 97.4 / 81.0 / 98.4 / 91.7 / 92.8 / 96.7 / 100 (Same as USA Polydor) Don't Shoot Me (Japan DJM PHCR-6027) 80.9 / 77.7 / 82.7 / 74.9 / 79.1 / 85.0 / 92.4 / 68.6 / 84.0 / 66.9 (Same as WG DJM) Caribou (Japan DJM PHCR-4264) 100 / 84.7 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 99.7 / 100 / 100 / 85.8 (Same as WG DJM) Rock Of The Westies (Japan DJM 23PD-101) 97.9 / 90.8 / 96.2 / 91.3 / 83.2 / 95.2 / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1 ("Side 2" has same peaks as UK DJM, but not "Side 1"?!) Rock Of The Westies (West German DJM 832 018-2) 97.9 / 90.8 / 96.2 / 91.3 / 83.2 / 95.2 / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1 (Same as Japan DJM) Here And There (UK DJM 512 773-2) 41.7 / 75.0 / 95.1 / 100 / 86.9 / 94.5 / 100 / 100 / 99.6 / 100 (N.B. Track 1 is "Introduction") Here And There (Japan DJM PHCR-6090) 75.0 / 95.1 / 100 / 86.9 / 94.5 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 99.6 / 100 (N.B. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding are split into separate tracks 6 & 7) The Superior Sound Of 1970-1975 (West German DJM 810 062-2) 91.4 / 100 / 91.2 / 94.3 / 95.5 / 100 / 100 / 98.8 / 100 / 100 / 100 Lady Samantha (West Germany DJM 832 019-2) 92.3 / 95.0 / 97.1 / 90.0 / 95.3 / 82.0 /88.0 / 89.9 / 88.7 / 82.0 / 93.3 / 83.1 / 85.6 / 98.5 Greatest Hits Vol II (West Germany DJM 825 486-2) 83.5 / 97.9 / 70.3 / 96.8 / 88.7 / 99.3 / 89.4 / 91.3 / 86.5 / 86.2
Updating to include the information provided by Curbach - Empty Sky (WG DJM 832 017-2): 91.7 / 79.7 / 83.6 / 79.4 / 92.4 / 87.4 / 77.0 / 79.0 / 92.5 Empty Sky (UK DJM CD13): 98.6 / 79.7 / 83.6 / 75.8 / 82.4 / 100 / 65.4 / 79.0 / 83.3 Empty Sky (Japan DJM PHCR-6021): 91.5 / 79.1 / 84.8 / 76.6 / 97.3 / 86.8 / 76.7 / 77.8 / 92.4 Empty Sky Japan for US MCAD-31000 (matrix: MCAD-31000-V1E3) 98.6/79.7/83.6/75.8/82.4/95.5/62.5/75.5/79.5 Elton John S/T WG DJM 827 689-2: 68.4 / 73.5 / 76.4 / 74.5 / 56.9 / 80.9 / 81.3 / 70.9 / 85.9 / 82.4 Elton John S/T (Japan DJM 23PD-106): 68.4 / 73.5 / 76.4 / 74.5 / 56.9 / 80.9 / 81.3 / 70.9 / 85.9 / 82.4 Elton John S/T MCAD-31105 (Matrix: MFD BY JVC MCAD-31105 1T): 84.7/82.0/100.0/86.1/75.2/72.8/100.0/70.7/100.0/86.1 Elton John S/T US Polydor 827 689-2: 84.7 / 82.0 / 100 / 100 / 75.2 / 71.1 / 97.7 / 69.1 / 97.7 / 97.1 Elton John S/T (USA MCAD-31105): 84.7 /82.0 /100.0 /86.1 /75.2 /72.8 / 100.0 /70.7 / 100.0/ 86.1 11-17-70 US MCA MCAD-619: (silver data surface) 46.5 / 48.6 / 46.0 / 51.4 / 82.2 / 97.6 17-11-70 German DJM 512 854-2: 86.0 / 98.7 / 91.5 / 94.3 / 93.1 / 95.5 Tumbleweed Connection (WG DJM 829 248-2): 91.2 / 59.5 / 91.2 / 91.2 / 91.2 / 91.2 / 56.4 / 91.2 / 63.6 / 91.2 Tumbleweed Connection (Japan DJM PPD-3059): 91.2 / 59.5 / 91.2 / 91.2 /91.2 /91.2 / 56.4 / 91.2 / 63.6 / 91.2 Madman Across The Water (WG DJM 825 487-2, matrix: DJM CD5 2895 428 02): 97.9 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 85.9 / 100.0 / 90.8 / 55.7 Madman Across The Water (Japan DJM PHCR-6025): 97.9 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 85.9 / 100 / 90.8 / 55.7 Madman Across The Water (USA MCA ): 97.9 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 85.9 / 100 / 90.8 / 55.7 Honky Chateau UK DJM CD 11: 100 / 100 / 100 /100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 60.7 / 100 Honky Chateau (WG DJM 829 249-2): 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 60.7 / 100.0 Honky Chateau US MCA MCAD-31104: 99.7 / 97.0 / 96.4 / 96.4 / 96.3 / 98.6 / 96.4 / 96.4 / 85.4 / 96.4 Don't Shoot Me WG DJM 827 690-2: 80.9 / 77.7 / 82.7 / 74.9 / 79.1 / 85.0 / 92.4 / 68.6 / 84.0 / 66.9 Don't Shoot Me US Polydor 827 690-2: 91.5 / 100 / 97.3 / 97.4 / 81.0 / 98.4 / 91.7 / 92.8 / 96.7 / 100 Goodby Yellow Brick Road Disc 1 (WG DJM 821 748-2): 75.1 / 84.7 / 66.6 / 77.7 / 59.7 / 99.5 / 78.3 / 91.7 Goodby Yellow Brick Road Disc 2 (WG DJM 821 749-2): 69.9 / 92.2 / 91.3 / 77.3 / 82.2 / 70.0 / 67.6 / 78.5 / 72.1 Caribou (WG DJM 825 488-2): 100.0 / 84.7 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 99.7 / 100.0 / 100.0 / 85.8 Caribou (US Polydor 825 488-2): 97.6 / 81.6 / 97.6 / 97.6 / 97.5 / 97.6 / 97.2 / 97.6 / 97.6 / 82.7 Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (WG DJM 821 746-2): 95.2 / 97.0 / 77.9 / 87.0 / 94.3 / 78.3 / 74.5 / 86.5 / 81.5 Rock Of The Westies (UK DJM CD9): 100.0 / 88.7 / 100.0 / 91.3 / 69.2 / 95.2 / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1 Rock Of The Westies (MCAD-31001. Matrix: MCAD-31001 1A1 74) 100 / 88.7 / 100 / 91.3 / 69.2 / 95.2 / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1 Rock Of The Westies (Polydor unknown) 97.9 / 90.8 / 96.2 / 91.3 / 83.2 / 95.2. / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1
Tumbleweed Connection MCA MCAD-31003 (matrix: MFD BY JVC MCAD-31003 2S): 25.0/16.3/25.0/25.0/25.0/25.0/15.4/25.0/17.8/25.0 These are shockingly low peak levels, but I compared this cd to the US Polydor at one time and clearly preferred this MCA. Obviously, you're going to need sufficient amplification to enjoy it, though When I compare cds I tend to level match by ear and/or crank the cd until it sounds "right". Because my stereo stays clean and effortless into high volumes I tend not to notice when a cd is mastered at an unduly low level.
My US Polydor Capt Fantastic (matrix: 821 746-2 02%) matches the WG DJM that's been posted, although it looks like the last track is missing. Should be 71.5 ?
The US Polydor Here And There matches the UK DJM posted by sonnyrock. Again, a disc I no longer have so no matrix.
It is. In my defense, the art of Copy & Paste is a highly complicated process best left to highly skilled professionals. Sonnyrock - great gobs of info! Thank you very much. I'll wait a bit for the next update - maybe we can gather a few more masterings. Thanks to everyone so far.
Fascinating that my MCA seems to match the UK DJM through 5 tracks then things go askew. Similar to the situation with Rock Of The Westies.
Tumbleweed Connection Polydor (829 248-2 02%): 91.2 / 59.5 / 91.2 / 91.2 /91.2 /91.2 / 56.4 / 91.2 / 63.6 / 91.2. XLD on my Mac reads the numbers a little differently but seems the same as DJM. For example XLD reads track one as 0.911987, etc. Pat
Rock Of The Westies Polydor (Matrix 832 018-2 01%): 97.9 / 90.8 / 96.2 / 91.3 / 83.2 / 95.2. / 91.6 / 97.2 / 78.1
Found this one in my "to sell box". Seems to be different than the others. Elton John S/T - MCA Made in Japan for USA - MCAD-1614 JVC-492 (Matrix MCAD - 1614 - S1C 13): 95.8 / 90.6 / 96.4 / 9.64 / 96.2 / 76.6 / 93.3 / 79.7 / 86.4 / 85.3 Pat
I love the 1995 This Record Co Ltd/Mercury Records "The Clasic Years" reissues remastered from the original mixes by Gus Dudgeon. I also love the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's "Honky Chateau".
