Will unpack my late today or tomorrow Outlandos and check, as well as post a fair use sample of the beginning of Roxanne.
Nice packaging on these for those that are interested. Ghost was so glossy decide to put on vinyl some glove first. @Diablo Griffin roxsam
Thank you! Both Roxanne and Shambelle sound much better than the original (and MIAB) CDs, so I think I'll purchase the MQAs. I'm still on the fence about Ghost, but I'm sure it'll hold up very well against the Japan for US and West German masterings.
Direct rip using DBPoweramp ripper . Then trimmed to fair use run length using Audition. Trimming down may remove the MQA data? I never manipulate samples added to my posts other than trimming to fair use run length. All are ripped with EAC or DBPoweramp. I now lean towards the latter as it allows for easier automation (technically scripting) Fair use GITM sample: SITMWsamp
For what it’s worth, I like the Message In A Box set. Loads of headroom. I can’t hear the EQ issues some here have pointed out. It sounds great to me!
Ghost in the Machine is one of my favorite albums. I just put on the MQA CD and my first impression is that it sounds very nice. Tasteful EQ (or lack of it, as the case may be). The first thing I noticed is pronounced bass guitar -- not in a bad way, just more defined and present than I seem to remember. I’ll do a comparison with other masterings at some point.
The Flexible Strategies MQA CD is excellent. Much better than the box set CD or more dynamic download. Best I've heard the B-Sides sound digitally IMO.
After doing a quick listen, the MQA sample is very similar to how I remember the Japan for US / early DADC Ghost sounding. It's a little lighter on bass compared to the West German CD (due to the flat transfer I'm guessing), but the drum transients are a little more dynamic too. I want to do a blind listening poll for this one, plus Zenyatta and Synchronicity at some point.
Thanks Ted. Will be curious what you think of Synchronicity MQA. I currently have a DADC and like it a lot.
George, If the descriptions on websites such as CDJapan are correct; Its the same transfer and mastering as the 2014 SHM-SACD and 2013 SHM-CD. The only differences that may come into play are the sonic signatures of the tech; SACD is DSD and the MQA if decoded correctly is MQA. Those who like the DSD sonic sig may not like the MQA and perhaps vice-versa? The non decoded MQA CD will be same as the SHM-CD assuming neither has residue from either of the HI RES formats it was dithered down from. Assuming the SHM did not have separate lines out during transfer as SH did with his AF efforts in which case no dither or sonic sig's to contend with. I for one am not going to allocate funds on Sync, Regatta, or Zenyatta MQA's when I already have both the 2013 and 2014 SHM-SACD and SHM-CD and I am in the camp that MQA is step down from DSD SQ speaking. Based on Ted's posts my guess is he as well wont be getting the other 3 albums on MQA. For those that do not have the 2013/2014 SHM's and if they are out of print then the MQA's present an excellent chance for those to get the transfer and mastering. They should grab them before they too are out of print... One caveat to above paragraph - Regatta. It's an album that does need some EQ and flat may not be to the liking of most. I do like it myself as it allows me to "play around" EQ-wise with what is as close to the master as just about all of us will ever get.
But I reeeaalllly want SACDs of these three albums (Outlandos, Ghost and Strategies) now! Put the DSD in my veins, straight and uncut.
Great information, thanks, Rick. Knowing they are the same mastering, I would prefer the SHM SACDs to the MQAs, since I have a SACD player. That's if I decide to upgrade, of course. As of now, I have the D33Y for the first three albums and the DADC for Ghost and Synchronicity.
It depends on the year. The SACD you'd want is this one: The Police – Synchronicity (2016, SHM-SACD, SACD)
Here are DR values for the new 2021 MQA-CD Outlandos and Ghost. Flexible Strategies DR have been already posted. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: The Police / Outlandos D'Amour MQA-CD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 -0.76 dB -14.60 dB 2:52 01-Next To You DR11 -0.05 dB -15.90 dB 4:49 02-So Lonely DR12 -0.19 dB -15.99 dB 3:14 03-Roxanne DR13 0.00 dB -15.17 dB 4:49 04-Hole In My Life DR10 -1.76 dB -14.19 dB 3:56 05-Peanuts DR12 -0.29 dB -16.06 dB 2:59 06-Can't Stand Losing You DR12 -0.32 dB -14.87 dB 2:55 07-Truth Hits Everybody DR14 -0.42 dB -16.07 dB 3:41 08-Born In The 50's DR11 -0.66 dB -17.52 dB 3:19 09-Be My Girl - Sally DR13 -1.28 dB -16.28 dB 5:38 10-Masoko Tanga -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 10 Official DR value: DR12 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 946 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: The Police / Ghost In The Machine MQA-CD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR15 -0.01 dB -17.21 dB 3:00 01-Spirits In The Material World DR13 0.00 dB -15.68 dB 4:22 02-Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic DR14 0.00 dB -16.09 dB 3:44 03-Invisible Sun DR14 0.00 dB -15.18 dB 2:53 04-Hungry For You (J'Aurais Toujours Faim De Toi) DR15 0.00 dB -16.27 dB 5:55 05-Demolition Man DR15 -0.43 dB -16.98 dB 3:43 06-Too Much Information DR13 -0.46 dB -14.76 dB 3:11 07-Rehumanize Yourself DR16 -0.71 dB -18.56 dB 4:47 08-One World (Not Three) DR12 -1.50 dB -15.95 dB 2:48 09-Omegaman DR14 -0.71 dB -18.93 dB 3:34 10-Secret Journey DR12 -2.94 dB -18.11 dB 3:13 11-Darkness -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 11 Official DR value: DR14 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 861 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================ By the way, all 3 of them sound incredible.
^Hello, I've not yet compared to previous versions but on their own they are very nice. I agree with tlake6659's accessments at least 80% of the time. So if you are the fence about purchasing that is a good indicator to buy before they go OOP
Probably a wise move. Synchronicity, I'm happy/good with the old Japan For US DIDX1 86.6/62.4 ... Reg/Zen- I'm good with the Plat SHM's Ghost will be fun comparing to the old DADC which I do enjoy 97.7 .... Ghost/Out/Flex ordered.
