Jethro Tull Aqualung 40th Anniversary Edition Box Set.

Hi Steve

IA agreed with your view in his interview; the main comment was that fans moaned about it being a pain to get off their backsides to change the record every 10 minutes; such fans would hate my Atomic Rooster box set with its seven inch singles. However, the hope was that the new elpees were at least as satisfying to listen to as the Classic Records. I'm delighted with mine, but I don't have both sets to compare. I think if you have the Classic Records then getting the new set as well would be over the top (for completists only). I think ithe 40th anniversary release was aimed at people like me who owned the disappointing 25th anniversary CDs and hoped for better (which in fairness is what we got).  

All the best, Guy

Would you recommend I give those a miss then and continue to put up with original pressings?

Guy

I think the comments here are about the Led Zep Mothership and Song Remains, and earlier Remasters project, all of which were a huge disappointment to my ears.

Recently I splashed out on the Classic Records 200g 33rpm versions of III, IV, Graffiti and Song Remains, since the above sets (all of which I had bought on LP) were awful, and it is nigh on impossible to get 1st press copies without taking out a mortgage. Even 2nd press early 70's copies of those records seemed wanting to me.

Anyway, the Classic Records 200g versions are really very good - so be confident of those if you need copies. But if you have proper originals, surely they are fine??

I must say, I do resent having had to pay so much and hunt so much for acceptable versions of Zep stuff, but I'm there now. 

Hope that helps.

Regards

David

David ,

I hope you have a RCM ?

Stu

You know your original vinyl is still the best.

Stu.

Royal College of Midwives, Stu?

Already got 4 kids so won't need that (I hope).

Might need me ears cleaning though!!

I believe that the Classic Record issues were analogue pressings from the original master tapes and not tinkered with, sorry, digitally remastered. I also have the Led Zep 200g issues. Not quite as good as the 1st pressings but bloody close and a fraction of the price when I bought them. The SQ of the 45rpm LPs is really excellent and IMHO the Aqualung version is better than the original pressing.

Unfortunately Classic Records are no more and their pressings, particularly Led Zep, are now collectors items going for nearly the same amount as the originals. 

I feel that most of our disappointment with reissued LPs is that they are mastered for the digital market and not for vinyl listeners. I would much prefer an audiophile version unadulterated from the master tape, half speed mastered or direct metal mastered.

Steve

Finally got round to getting the 40th anniversary set - it must be the 5th or 6th variant I've bought. It's such a wonderful album and always takes me straight back to my teenage years like a Tardis.

This version is outstanding - Wilson has done an amazing job - goosebumps from the first chord. And the quality of vinyl is what all audiophile vinyl should be - flat, quiet, heavy (I can't say the same for the WYWH re-issue).

I thought the Classic 45rpm version was the best until now - tough choice.

Hells expensive, but worth it? Absolutely!

Cheers

John

I am so tempted but have been trying hard to resist! I have the CD version and it is fabulous. I can feel temptation getting the better of me. I wonder if they will Steve loose on the rest of their output.

Go on go on go on. Go on go on go on

Just played the Blu-Ray for the first time, love it. The CD is really amazing but the sound of the DVD-A and Blu-Ray are just stunning.

Insert subjectivity disclaimer here.

I've ripped the 24/96 stereo mix off the DVD and I think it sounds even better. What a score.

The 24/96 Stereo mix does seem to sound rather good