The Rush cd mastering thread (part 2)

With only 2 tracks ever-so-slightly different (0.1%), couldn't it be irrelevant?
The other 2 that aren't 100% match... what are the odds?

 

Just confirmed - Power Windows SHM matches the 25.8P:

25.8P
100% / 85.6% / 94.2% / 80.0% / 78.8% / 78.4% / 91.3% / 85.6%

SHM
100% / 85.6% / 94.2% / 80.0% / 78.8% / 78.4% / 91.3% / 85.6%

 

Well, kevin5brown previously tested the Force Ten from the SHM against the other versions I mentioned, and despite having the same peak there were massive differences in on all ends (low, middle, high). So those differences are significant enough .

 

I thought that we knew that the SHM's for HYF and Power Windows were unique? (But I guess EAC values would confirm that.) [added: OK, I don't have the 25-8P for PW, but now maybe I need to get it, because I have noted down that I really liked the SHM. ... HYF?]

I do have noted down that for Signals and GUP, the SHM's are the same as the AMCY's.

 

Heck, HYF is different indeed!
I've just got Signals, GUP, PoW and HYF in SHM.

HYF seems very close to the 32.8P and the 25.8P, however with stronger bass and treble. Seems like an re-equalized version of the 32.8P. SHM's soundstage is definely more narrow though.
Although the differences are somewhat small, the 32.8P wins hands down.

SHM GUP is definately very different from the 35.8P! Different from the Atom too.
More compressed, narrower soundstage too; also more 'V-shaped' than the older japanese version.
Peaks are different too:

SHM
89.9% / 98.3% / 100% / 100% / 96.5% / 89.6% / 100% / 100%

35.8P
100% / 100% / 100% / 100% / 100% / 100% / 100% / 100%

Can't pick one as the preferred yet.

For PoW, I honestly cannot see much of a difference.
I'd risk saying they are the same.

 

You liked both PW and HYF SHMs if I recall correctly. The PW SHM was the only one I had on hand for testing along with the Atomic.

I believe when Kevin tested the 25.8P/35.8P GUP, he noted that it had clipped peaks. I believe the consensus for GUP is the Anthem. The SHM/AMCY GUP gets not much love around here.

This is indeed the case. As previously noted the SHM and the 25.8P and 32.8P is identical.

 

Still have to get the Anthem GUP... can't find them though
It is really hard to find these discs in Brazil, and I havent seen any so far in eBay other than a sealed anthem ESL that I bought a couple of weeks ago.

Received on Monday a #02 matrix Moving Pictures... amazing!! I really prefer it over both the #05 matrix and the 25.8P!
So far, this is my favorite version of MP

 

That version should have a timing error with Tom Sawyer IIRC.

 

yes, it is!
amazing mastering!

 

more than ever convinced that the #02 WG is my favorite MP master so far.
got early this week the AMCY, and since than I've been putting the #02 against the AMCY, the 25.8P, the non #02 - and it has won hands down ALL times!

will be getting the antehm in the next couple of weeks, will let you know

 

I'm going to revisit some of the previous comparisons I've done because now I have all the Sector sets. Figured I hit Fly By Night first. Dynamic Range numbers:

Originals (all the same mastering): 14 14 13 13 13 14 14 14
'97 Remaster: ..................................... 9 11 10 11 11 11 14 11
Sector 1: .............................................. 9 10 9 10 10 10 13 10

Big differences there.

A freq spectra comparison:



Yeah, some people might say the original is a little dull. I could say that it really comes alive when you crank it. And, it does have decidedly more dynamics than the other 2. The '97 remaster adds some low end in comparison and a little bit more highs. The Sector 1 release adds essentially the same low end as the remaster, but the spike around 8kHz adds a lot of energy to the cymbals and snare drum. So the Sector 1 release is the most different from the original CDs.

I still have my original US Mercury lp, but I still haven't needle dropped it. If/when I do, I'll add to the comparison. I plan to do more casual listening next week. Right now, I still like the old CD the best. I could have wished that there was something in between: maybe half the low end difference of the 2 remasters, and half the 8kHz spike of the Sector 1 CD, and all the original drynamics, but, oh well ...

 

What's up, Kevin? I love the FBN album, and my original just rips. It could use something in between, like you said, but I will take what we have. An AF CD would kill, and kill bad!

 

Here's one more: A Farewell to Kings. Dynamic Range numbers:

Early CDs (more on this in a bit): 12 12 14 14 14 10
'97 Remaster: ................................... 9 9 10 11 13 9
Sector 2: ............................................. 8 7 9 9 13 7

Similar as before for FBN.

Freq spectra:



OK, as far as the early CDs go, as far as I can tell, the WG Atomic (and US most likely too), and US silverface, and 25-8P are all the same. The WANK is the "same" too, just level shifted a little louder. (The WG Atomic red line is directly under the yellow line. Can't even see it.)

The Sector 2 CD is very similar to the '97 remaster, the main difference being more low end.

I like the early CDs more. Better dynamics, and I don't feel that they are lacking in low end at all. Very nice sounding actually. Incidentally, I like the '97 remaster more for this one than the Sector 2 CD. That low end sticks out too much to me for the new one.

(I remember when this CD came out. I stayed up late to listen to the whole thing when the local FM station played it at midnight all the way through the 1st day it was released.)

 

My # 02 WG MP has a similar error during the intro of Red Barchetta. The intros of these songs being cut off really bothers me . I also have Sector 2, and I'm sure that version of MP sounds identical to the 2011 deluxe version. If you think that the Sector version isn't good enough, what version should I get? The '97 remaster is what I'm considering for now. I'd get the MFSL, but $35 is way too pricey for me, and the Anthem is extremely rare.

 

^^^ Look for the 03 (or greater) Atomic. That's my favorite at the moment.

 

Which pressing as there are 2 or 3 not remastered?

 

I would, but I usually buy my CDs on Amazon. I looked at the descriptions for all the '1990' pressings (the year Amazon thinks the Atomic came out), and none mentioned #03 or up. Would it help to ask the sellers about the number?

 

^^^

Yup. I have asked things in the past like:

"Sometimes there is little printing in the clear plastic around the CD hole. Can you tell me what it is for your CD? Thank you !!"

Make sure to have them check the label too. "Does the label look like the electrons orbiting an atom?" To make sure it's a US or WG "Atomic".

Or something like that.

 

We agreed [eventually] in part one of this thread we would stick to point and only discuss Rush CD mastering as per the title of the thread. Are you going back on your word?

 

I have seen specific descriptions of either used or new 1990 Amazon Moving Pictures CDs that mentioned 03 matrix. In any case, 1990 would be late enough for the 03 matrix CD.

 

Actually, can you clarify by what you mean by cut off? The original 01 and 02 matrix CDs had a cut-off Moving Pictures that begun too late, but even the 03 matrix cd has a shorter faded in intro to Red Barchetta and Vital Signs. So if it's the latter you are referring to, that isn't an error but a limitation of the source tape.

Speaking of which, have you tested the AMCY Moving Pictures yet Kevin? I can send you samples if need be.

 

I don't know if I ever looked at that one. My notes say that one of the early Japanese discs have all 100's for the EAC numbers. (Usually, but not always, the AMCY is the same as the 25-8P.) What EAC numbers does the AMCY have? (I need to check too: do I have a sample of the 01 or 02 matrix disc? Can't remember ... )

 

The AMCY has peaks of 99.0% for all tracks.

I tested a 1st press WG release, and as we suspected it has shorter intros for Red Barchetta and Vital Signs (and possibly The Camera Eye as well), just like the 03 Matrix. So apparently West Germany only had access to a limited source tape?

So maybe we have to factor in completeness as well for which is the best overall version?

 

Weren't the longer (faded in) intros only on the 1997 remaster? (not sure about Barchetta but Vital Signs definitely had longer fade in) Are you saying that the original LP has longer fade-ins than the early cds?

 

No, the longer faded-in intros for Red Barchetta and Vital Signs were also present for at least the following early CD releases that I've heard:
- The unremastered Mercury U.S. Silverface/Anthem ANC-11030
- The AMCY/SHM
- The MFSL.

The only masterings I've heard with shorter intros were in the West German releases.