Whatever Steve may say, I'll agree with LesPaul666 that the differences between 3, 6 and 7 are most likely the result of bad transfers, not different mastering. Could you please confirm which mastering was claimed by Steve not to be his mastering? I believe that hasn't been confirmed in this thread yet.
Another update: Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Columbia House ?? / Matrix: 088 112 0562R1 01$ Q (Etched on inner ring: MADE IN USA BY EDC / IFPI 0396) SHM-CD: UICY-90764 / Matrix: MVCZ-10077-1 5W V IFPI L244 Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 MCA US DIDX 55 / Matrix: DIDX 000055 3 MCA US DIDX-000055 / Matrix: MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 MCA US MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214 3T21 MFD BY JVC Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 MCA Canada MCABD 37214 Cineram / Matrix: LT40 MCABD37214 #40830V04 11 MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C MFD BY JVC MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1J MFD BY JVC Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A Mastering 6 (nearly identical to mastering 3): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.2/97.5 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: Made in Germany MCD 01745 50169033 01 (same artwork, slightly different disc?) Mastering 7 (confirmed as Steve Hoffman's mastering, nearly identical to 3 & 6): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.1/97.5 MCA US DIDX-000055 / Matrix: MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 MCA UK MCLD 19145 "Mastered by Nimbus" / Matrix: A1388 DMCL 1745 : 1:0 IFPI L123 MCA UK DMCL 1745 / Matrix: "DMCL 1745 1:2 Mastered by Nimbus" Mastering 8: 100.0/89.5/95.8/100.0/100.0/96.5/97.0 MCA Japan 1984, VDP-27 / Matrix: VDP 27 1 1
And that's fine-- you're both certainly entitled to that opinion. The upshot, however, is that there is an audible difference between the discs. Perhaps very subtle to most listeners, but it's there. And you don't have to take my word for it... the guy who did one of them says so. -Kevin
Hi Andreas, What is speculation is an opinion about what someone else hears. Perhaps you hear it differently. Frankly, almost all posts in internet audio forums are "just speculation". Unless one was there, one does not know. Best regards, Barry www.soundkeeperrecordings.com www.barrydiamentaudio.com
Fine. It has never been determined in a reliable way that the three AJA CD masterings 3, 6 and 7 are distinguishable from each other.
Another update. I'd already moved the disc that Andreas mentioned to mastering 3 in a previous update but I hadn't deleted it yet from mastering 7. Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Columbia House ?? / Matrix: 088 112 0562R1 01$ Q (Etched on inner ring: MADE IN USA BY EDC / IFPI 0396) SHM-CD: UICY-90764 / Matrix: MVCZ-10077-1 5W V IFPI L244 Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 MCA US DIDX 55 / Matrix: DIDX 000055 3 MCA US DIDX-000055 / Matrix: MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 MCA US MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214 3T21 MFD BY JVC Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 MCA Canada MCABD 37214 Cineram / Matrix: LT40 MCABD37214 #40830V04 11 MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C MFD BY JVC MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1J MFD BY JVC Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A Mastering 6 (nearly identical to mastering 3): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.2/97.5 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: Made in Germany MCD 01745 50169033 01 (same artwork, slightly different disc?) Mastering 7 (confirmed as Steve Hoffman's mastering, nearly identical to 3 & 6): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.1/97.5 MCA UK MCLD 19145 "Mastered by Nimbus" / Matrix: A1388 DMCL 1745 : 1:0 IFPI L123 MCA UK DMCL 1745 / Matrix: "DMCL 1745 1:2 Mastered by Nimbus" Mastering 8: 100.0/89.5/95.8/100.0/100.0/96.5/97.0 MCA Japan 1984, VDP-27 / Matrix: VDP 27 1 1
Not to my ears. Like I've mentioned before, I've switched between 3 & 7 for about half an hour and was never able to spot a single difference.
I recently purchased yet another copy of AJA (my fourth): MCA Germany 250 449-2 (MCAD 37214) / Matrix: 252704-2 TOOLEX ALPHA 03. Just checked it with EAC; you can add it to the growing list of mastering #3. Sounds great.
Well, when I saw this I just HAD to post. I listened to the SHM CD Japanese disc last night and without getting into any debates about SHM CD, it sounded absolutely FANTASTIC!! wow, I will say much more depth and detail and punch than my previous "normal" version. My jaw was just about on the floor the whole time.
New variation in matrix numbers for Mastering 3!: MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD 37214 M2E14
Another update: Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Columbia House ?? / Matrix: 088 112 0562R1 01$ Q (Etched on inner ring: MADE IN USA BY EDC / IFPI 0396) SHM-CD: UICY-90764 / Matrix: MVCZ-10077-1 5W V IFPI L244 Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 MCA US DIDX 55 / Matrix: DIDX 000055 3 MCA US DIDX-000055 / Matrix: MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 MCA US MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214 3T21 MFD BY JVC MCA Germany 250 449-2 (MCAD 37214) / Matrix: 252704-2 TOOLEX ALPHA 03 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD 37214 M2E14 Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 MCA Canada MCABD 37214 Cineram / Matrix: LT40 MCABD37214 #40830V04 11 MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C MFD BY JVC MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1J MFD BY JVC Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A Mastering 6 (nearly identical to mastering 3): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.2/97.5 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: Made in Germany MCD 01745 50169033 01 (same artwork, slightly different disc?) Mastering 7 (confirmed as Steve Hoffman's mastering, nearly identical to 3 & 6): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.1/97.5 MCA UK MCLD 19145 "Mastered by Nimbus" / Matrix: A1388 DMCL 1745 : 1:0 IFPI L123 MCA UK DMCL 1745 / Matrix: "DMCL 1745 1:2 Mastered by Nimbus" Mastering 8: 100.0/89.5/95.8/100.0/100.0/96.5/97.0 MCA Japan 1984, VDP-27 / Matrix: VDP 27 1 1
I have an Aja CD with a Matrix number not on your list. Peak levels match Mastering 3: MCA US MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214 U7C14 The CD itself says "Manufactured in Japan for MCA Records Inc." and has a Universal City, California, USA address for MCA. EAC report for the CD:
Picked up a copy of this today for $ 8.50. I'm only familiar with the 1999 remaster but on first listen this sounds better. MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: Made in Germany MCD 01745 50169033 01 + Running time is 39:55
Oy, is this thread confusing! Here's the one I got today: MCA Japan for US. Reads "MCAD-37214 DIDX 55" on the spine. No bar code. Matrix MCAD-37214-T6E43". What do I have? I'm thinking it's a Nichols master, but I thought I'd check...
It's almost certainly mastering #3 there -- the controversial mastering that is almost but not quite identical to the one confirmed to be Steve's mastering. It sounds great. I would really like to hear Steve's opinion of this one, whether he thinks it sounds like his work or not. I don't think there's ever been an answer to that particular question. Nobody has ever really identified the Nichols mastering. I'm going to go see Steely Dan play Aja tonight!
Another update: Mastering 1: 93.8/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2 MCA Remaster 1999 (Made in EU) 811 745 LC01056 UN899 / Matrix: 50117 811745-2 03/(Made in Germany by Universal M&L) Columbia House ?? / Matrix: 088 112 0562R1 01$ Q (Etched on inner ring: MADE IN USA BY EDC / IFPI 0396) SHM-CD: UICY-90764 / Matrix: MVCZ-10077-1 5W V IFPI L244 Mastering 2: 81.4/99.6/89.1/97.2/100.0/89.1/95.0 MCA Citizen boxed set MCAD 4-10981 / Matrix: MCAD4109814 Y3C1C MFD BY JVC Mastering 3: 90.8/91.7/90.6/88.7/96.3/86.2/97.6 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-T5E21 MCA US for US MCAD 37214 DIDY 55 (no barcode) / CRC club version (Disc: MCAD-37214 above DIDY 55 above CRC) / Matrix: CI 5650-1 (plus another code that has been scratched out) MCA UK MCA DMCL 1745 (disc: MCA US MCAD-37214) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1T24 MCA US DIDX 55 / Matrix: DIDX 000055 3 MCA US DIDX-000055 / Matrix: MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 MCA US MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214 3T21 MFD BY JVC MCA Germany 250 449-2 (MCAD 37214) / Matrix: 252704-2 TOOLEX ALPHA 03 MCA Japan for USA 1984 MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD 37214 M2E14 MCA US MCAD-37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214 U7C14 Mastering 4: 81.4/100.0/100.0/97.4/99.8/100.0/90.4 MCA US MCAD 37214 DIDX 55 (no barcode) / Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C15 MFD BY JVC MCA Canada MCABD 37214 DIDX 55 ("Price Code I") / Matrix: MFG BY CINRAM #921120H MCA-37214 MCA Canada MCABD 37214 Cineram / Matrix: LT40 MCABD37214 #40830V04 11 MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1C MFD BY JVC MCA US MCAD 37214 (no DIDX anywhere on discs)/Matrix: MCAD-37214-1 1J MFD BY JVC Mastering 5: 66.7/62.4/85.8/72.2/79.1/57.6/85.4 MFSL Ultradisc UDCD 515 / Matrix: MANUFACTURED BY ULTECH UDCD 515 SMF8084-1A Mastering 6 (nearly identical to mastering 3): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.2/97.5 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: SONOPRESS I-5627/MCD01745 A1 MCA Germany MCD 01745 DMCL 1745 / Matrix: Made in Germany MCD 01745 50169033 01 (same artwork, slightly different disc?) Mastering 7 (confirmed as Steve Hoffman's mastering, nearly identical to 3 & 6): 90.7/91.7/90.8/88.9/96.3/86.1/97.5 MCA UK MCLD 19145 "Mastered by Nimbus" / Matrix: A1388 DMCL 1745 : 1:0 IFPI L123 MCA UK DMCL 1745 / Matrix: "DMCL 1745 1:2 Mastered by Nimbus" Mastering 8: 100.0/89.5/95.8/100.0/100.0/96.5/97.0 MCA Japan 1984, VDP-27 / Matrix: VDP 27 1 1
Holy Black Cow! Would you report back after the show - or at least tomorrow? Hope it's a great experience!
Any idea how rare/collectible that one is? I found a second copy in my travels but didn't buy it. Not sure if I should grab it if given another chance...
