I've got Mastering 3 with disc matrix of DIDX-000373 6. Top of disc has MCD 31194, DIDY 000373, and CRC.
Reviving this thread to add some new info..... I recently bought a verified Mastering #3 ( MCA USA MCAD-31194 (Compact Price/Plaid-back) / Matrix: MCAD-37043-A4E ) from forum member agentalbert. The difference between this and the Mastering #4 disc I've had for awhile was easy to hear - a pleasure indeed! Then I remembered a ratty, scratched copy of this disc I bought awhile ago (so funky I didn't think to play it more than once - convinced it was identical to my Mastering #4 disc). Just for laughs I ripped this funky old disc to EAC to check the peak levels and............sonofagun! It matches the Mastering #3 levels. I didn't notice the matrix info on this disc in this thread so here's yet another Mastering #3 disc to look out for: MCA USA MCAD-31194 (Compact Price/Plaid-back) / Matrix: MCAD - 31194 2T 11 The disc total time also matches the MCAD-37043-A4E pressing as above. Happy hunting! ----------- Chris
I just came across a remastered CD that has "Your Gold Teeth II" and "Chain Lightning" reversed in the track order. The matrix info is: MCAD11916 9066713137 MFG BY UNIVERSAL IFPI 2A33 I'll run the disc through EAC tonight for peak levels.
1999 Remaster with "Your Gold Teeth II" and "Chain Lightning" reversed in the track order: MCAD11916 9066713137 MFG BY UNIVERSAL IFPI 2A33 93.9/94.3/94.3/94.2/94.3/94.3/94.3/94.2/94.2/94.2 This is "Mastering #7."
I think I have a mastering 6. No barcode and CRC. Can anyone confirm if this indeed a Hoffman master?
What's the real world difference between mastering 5 and Steve's version? I have a 5 and it is a very nice sounding disc.
Mine has same EAC as mastering #1: 1975/1999 MCA Records USA, I believe manufactured in USA (white label-sticker on top of jewel case), MCAD-11916 barcode: 0 08811 19162 7 DIDX-151225 Two IFPI : IFPI L329 & IFPI 507B The liner notes doesn't say who did the mastering or remastering (says about who did reissue art direction & reissue design). Since the EAC is the same as mastering #1, does it mean that this is also 1999 remaster as mdekoning listed? Who did the remastering, R Nichols? Who's the original mastering engineer? Thank you.
I think I may have found a copy of Steve's mastering. Compact Disc Digital Audio on right side of hub. MCD 31194 DIDY 000373 CRC to the right of Compact Disc Digital Audio. Made in U.S.A MCA Records, Inc. MCAD-31194 bottom left hand side on inner booklet. DIDY-373 bottom right hand side on inner booklet. DIDY-373, MCAD-31194 on bottom of spine. Back cover, MCAD-31194 bottom left. Back cover, DIDX-373 bottom right. Copyrights 1975, 1985 on back. Numbers around hub are hard to read, but I think it says DIDX 373 21A5 (is that the matrix?) EAC log: Track 01: 100.0 %. Track 02: 100.0 %. Track 03: 94.1 %. Track 04: 100.0 %. Track 05: 100.0 %. Track 06: 100.0 %. Track 07: 79.2 %. Track 08: 92.3 %. Track 09: 89.2 %. Track 10: 100.0 %.
Other than SH's mastering # 3, 4, 6, 8, is there any good sounding version worth to buy? Who is the original mastering engineer, R Nichols or SH? If it's R Nichols, the original version is not listed here (mastering # 1- 8), right..? How is the original version's sound compared to mastering #3,4,6,8 ? From this thread, if I understand correctly, it appears that other than mastering #3,4,6,8 there is no other good sounding version because : 1) mastering # 1 = 98/99 remaster : have one myself, I don't like it (thin, flat images especially vocal, rather harsh, fatiguing) 2) mastering # 2 & 5 = 1991 remaster : mdekoning said in this thread "I'd give both Steve's and the 1999 remaster the edge over the Citizen version (mastering #2)." So it might be worse than mastering #1. 3)mastering #7 : also 98/99 remastering. Thank you.
My guess is no one is keeping track of these, but I came across a weird matrix number that I will add here MCA Japan for USA MCAD-37043 DIDX 373 (full artwork) / Matrix: MCAD-37043-SE : 13 (as best as I can make out) Using XLD: 1.000000/.999969/.941650/1.000000/1.000000/.999969/.792725/.923096/ .892700/.999969 It seems closer to Mastering 3 below; I assume the differences are XLD rounding? Mastering 3 (Steve Hoffman's version): 100.0/100.0/94.1/100.0/100.0/100.0/79.2/92.3/89.2/100.0 Mastering 6 (another level adjusted Steve master?): 100/99.9/93.2/100/100/100/78.1/90.9/88.7/99.8
What about the SHM-CDs*? I think there are at least 2 of them around: UICY-93518 & UICY-25038. Any idea which masterings they are? *[I think a (good sounding!) SACD will never be issued] HRO
The UICY-93518 was part of a 7 album SD remaster series released in 2011 that “features the 2010 DSD mastering based on Japanese original analog tape” and I am pretty sure the consensus here is those tapes are based on the 1999 remaster. UICY-25038 seems to be a priced-down reissue of perhaps what was done in 2008. I am not sure but I don’t remember anyone ever changing their opinion that the ‘85 masterings remain the best even after these shm-cds. Who knows what 2014/15 brings as they are rolling out CTE and Pretzel Logic based on a 2014 mastering but are reissuing Aja and Gaucho based on the 2010 DSD mastering.
What does the matrix code on the inner ring of the cd read? Hopefully that should tell you if you don't want to run the EAC numbers.
That 1T matrix number does not seem to show up anywhere; are you sure it is not a C, I have to get a loupe sometimes to read those things. There are some cues about the back being full artwork, compact price or plaid-back etc.; this thread here talks some about running times, but I think you will only know for sure by running the EAC. The bad news is there are a lot of different versions, the good news is there seem to be far more SH clones than vs. Aja. You may have Mastering 5 if it is 1C, which is the early 1990s remaster and not the preferred ’85.
You want mastering 3 (also 4,6,8) from this post linked here. The good news for you is it seems most of the European versions are Steve Hoffman masterings by my calculations. Find an MCD 01800/DMCL 1800 Distributed by BMG Ariola, which should be easier in your neck of the woods, double check the matrix or EAC numbers against that post, and you should be golden. It is worth the effort trust me.
Thanks again! - This is the only one I've got: the swiss made W 250494-2 1124 477 01 *. Obviously it's mastering 4 which I find not at all bad, but would be open for an upgrade if there is any HRO
"Who knows what 2014/15 brings as they are rolling out CTE and Pretzel Logic based on a 2014 mastering but are reissuing Aja and Gaucho based on the 2010 DSD mastering." I just received CTE and Pretzel Logic from CD Japan (they were roughly $35 each with shipping), and was wondering if there had been any updates on SHM-CDs of Katy Lied, Can't Buy a Thrill or The Royal Scam. Thanks.
Mine is the plaidback with ADD sparscode on the disc and jewelcase, US disc. Peak level 100.0 % Peak level 100.0 % Peak level 94.1 % Peak level 100.0 % Peak level 100.0 % Peak level 100.0 % Peak level 79.2 % Peak level 92.3 % Peak level 89.2 % Peak level 100.0 %