I don’t want to offend the feeling of the fans but IMO I would seldom see the advantage over the much cheaper BMG SACDs from the RCA masters and I feel their Decca titles almost failed to keep the signature sounds heard on the vinyl.
Personally, I think the original masterings for all of my classical CD sound great so I have never sought out audiophile masterings for my classical CDs
I have never heard any original vinyl so don't know how they sound. However, when it comes to the original RCA BMG SACDs I also own many of those and we will have to agree to disagree. To my ears the AP SACDs are a substantial improvement, sounding much more detailed yet with warmth and no harshness.
I agree about most original masterings sounding good, especially for London/Decca. I usually seek out original 80s discs and never buy classical remasters unless it's from a trusted audiophile label like Analogue Productions.
Exactly. For Decca materials the West Germany CDs and the Japan King CDs from the 80s are sublime. For instance, I DO prefer the King 2CD set of Mehta’s Mahler 2nd to any others including the SACDs.
Gil Evans & 10 looks promising since it is the stereo reincarnation which has been available only once on the deleted SACD.
Some Eric Dolphy titles such like The Five Spot are the first CDs with audiophile treatment, though I have no idea how I will like them.
AP did a good job with Jimi Hendrix's Machine Gun SACD. It's a live recording from the 1960s, so the fidelity isn't quite there with a studio album, but it rocks for lack of a better term.
I listened to this AP Hendrix SACD for the first time this afternoon, and I was happy with the sound quality. The fidelity and the quality of the performances drew me in and kept me engaged in the disc throughout. Craig.
My favorite of the Blue Notes: Coltrane: BLUE TRAIN Grant Green: IDLE MOMENTS Kenny Burrell: MIDNIGHT BLUE Herbie Hancock: MAIDEN VOYAGE Joe Henderson: PAGE ONE Other AP favorites: DUSTY IN MEMPHIS Duke Ellington: MASTERPIECES Oliver Nelson: BLUES AND THE ABSTRACT TRUTH Cannonball Adderley: SOMETHIN’ ELSE
How is the redbook layer on this? My original CD is starting to skip. (Took it to college with me and lent it out.)
I spent years building my classical collection and feel it is well beyond what I want/need. Plus, I rarely listen to a classical CD and feel unhappy with the sound. On the other hand, those non-classical titles I posted are, in most cases, the first time I have had the albums.
Understandable. I am the opposite in that I just got heavy into classical a few years ago but have been collecting rock CDs for a long time and am pretty satisfied with that part of my collection!
Hi George. Two that come to mind are: Junior Wells with Buddy Guy-Hoodoo Man Blues Jeff Beck-Blow By Blow Of course the Creedence ones are fantastic as others here have stated. I had the Cat Stevens Tea For The Tillerman but found it too bright, sold it and now go to my Island version.
I don't own as many as others here, but I can enthusiastically echo many of the above recommendations: Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon - Despite the love for the early Japan CDs of these, I think these two are best of breed, period Muddy Waters Folk Singer - Equals the hallowed Classic Records HDAD for clarity, while edging it for smoothness and refinement (though I'm holding on to my HDAD too!) Dusty Springfield Dusty in Memphis - the best this album ever has sounded (and probably ever will sound), beats the 45rpm vinyl too In addition, I haven't heard Sam Cooke Night Beat, but I have heard the same base mastering via the AP 45rpm 2LP, and it is indeed excellent. I can't imagine the SACD would disappoint.
Yep I’ve settled on this one as well. Lovely, but then most of them are darn great; just shy of this though.
The redbook layer is a definite improvement on my original CD. My ears hear a more "central" placement of the vocal and more defined bass. The overall sound is less harsh or raw than the original. I think I could listen to the SACD at a much higher volume. Having said that, I am not an "audio guy" - just a listener - and I generally don't post on sound quality (forum rules) because I have not listed my (very old equipment) and won't until I finish putting my new system together. I seem to have an abundance of this album - new LP and I recently picked up the Deluxe 2CD with bonus tracks and a live disc (which is why I bought it again). Its not a remaster so I must check it out sound wise soon.
If you enjoy Dean Martin, AP's Dream With Dean SACD is buttery smooth and sounds perfect. It offers a more refined approach than the CD that shows a substantial improvement.
Scary good is right. So good it does not sound like an SACD (which often sound bright to me). Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray.
Yes I spent time with the mfsl gold and Steve’s CD along with the AP; all fantastic and any one will be great, I think the AP just had edge because of Kevin Grey’s transfer chain plus honest remastering, it just felt a little more accurate, a more modern gear tape transfer, less early digital. The difference edge was quite small but that is what I liked about it.
