I pulled out my old Columbia CD of Dylan's JOHN WESLEY HARDING just to be sure....

Just got this today. A very pleasing listen. Thanks again for another great recommendation.

 

I stumbled upon this thread by asking a different question, "John Wesley Harding Mono vs. Stereo" and instead I got this thread. It turns out, by sheer luck of the draw, that 2 of my 4 copies are the preferred editions. I own the Stereo 2 eye 360 sound 1A handwritten NW vinyl (I came by it used and the condition is VG+, a bit crackly but no skipping or deterioration in sound). I also own the CK 9604 DIDP 070097 that I scored off of BMG in the 90's. I also own the 2003 Hybrid and the Mono Vinyl Box. That said, the reason I was searching Mono v. Stereo was because I was looking at the 2LP 45 RPM MoFi editions and was wondering if anyone has any opinions on those presses.

 

This CD described in the very first post by Mr. Hoffman can be had dirt cheap. I'm not a big Dylan fan but I just went ahead and ordered it from the big auction site to see what the fuss is about! Great read of a thread!

 

Re the old JWH cd (before the remasters from 2003 on) I have both the USA cd bought in the States when doing some Dylan shows back in the 1990s and the UK cd version bought on release. I think they are identical (well to my wooden ears they are) and yes they do sound great. They are stereo so for mono you need an old vinyl version or the recent reissues by Sony or MFSL. One of my favourite Dylan albums (3rd actually after Blonde and Blood). I was very disappointed in the 2003 sacd/hybrid version in that Dear Landlord just seemed different.
Sundazed did a vinyl mono before Sony and if I recall correctly that was ok as well. First time JWH was in mono again since the 1960s.
Of course now the stereo vinyl is only available new as a 45rpm release from MFSL.

 

Are there any other cases of the original CD issues being better than the SACD releases or just JWH?

 

In my opinion, the stereo MFSL SACD is better than the original CD and the Sony SACD.

I like the original Planet Waves more than the MFSL SACD.

 

For me no would be the answer. It was only the JWH and specifically Dear Landlord that when playing the disc - sacd layer or redbook, I just thought that does not sound how I remember it and it is not as good either. The Sony mono cd is great as are both the MFSL hybrid sacds either mono or stereo.

 

I agree with this. Rob LoVerde mastered the MFSL SACD, did he not? Even though he would never brighten a recording like this, it's still a bit shrill, and yet the original CD also sounds very thin to me, as if the sound was thinned out towards the lower mids and bass frequencies.

It's not a big deal for me though because I prefer Mark Wilder's CD mastering of the mono mix over anything else.

 

Can anyone confirm or deny that it makes any difference? My copy also has DIDP 070097 on the CD face.

 

It's a matter of taste. I snaffled up the SACD set when it came out and in the end was disappointed. If you like clarity and detail at the expense of warmth and natural sound you will like the SACDs.

Tim

 

Mine is the same number as stated in the very first post of this thread.

I've tried to like Bob Dylan in the past, mostly just listening to Blonde on Blonde and HWY 61. JWH is the disc I should have bought in the first place. I hear greatness on this disc that I don't hear in the other two. I might even look into adding some more Bob Dylan in the collection.

Here's what I got, a disc in near perfect shape for real cheap:

 

Those SACDs are bright as hell. It’s part of why I think the format died off in the US. If the mastering is $hit, who cares about the added resolution?
The Elton and Bowie SACDs sounded like crap too.

 

The Dylan album I can’t stop playing is Love And Theft.

 

No difference. The zero preceding just means it'a later manufacture.

 

Yes! Lately though, it's been RTR three record vinyl and mostly, still, Tell Tale Signs vinyl.

 

I've got the mono MoFi 45 rpm of JWH. My cd is not here at the moment, so I can't compare, but I know it's the first press. I know TP would get the vapors, but I think this MoFi is great. Anyone else?

 

I just picked up the original Columbia CD of JWH while on vacation in San Francisco a few weeks ago (oh, Amoeba, how I love you...). It’s a great listen! I still prefer the sound of the MFSL mono SACD the most, but it’s just a matter of personal preference. As my profile indicates, all of my gear is pretty basic for now. Perhaps as I continue to get better and better gear my opinions will change.

(I also picked up a second copy of the amazing DCC gold CD of Highway 61. I now have both a US and Japan pressing of that one. Why? Who knows.)

 

STILL my favorite CD of JWH!

 

High Res just more piercing ear pain!

 

Like a couple others in the thread I prefer the MFSL SACD stereo compared to the original Columbia CD. Sounds like a better transfer and not as thin. I think Rob L. did a great job with the mastering.

 

You mean mono...

 

No, the MFSL stereo SACD vs. the original Columbia stereo CD. I prefer the mono box mastering for the mono mix over the MFSL mono SACD.

 

Thank you for your reply!

 

And very special thanks to Steve Hoffman for a great recommendation.