Different Led Zeppelin versions to hear....

Posted by: Luxen on 18 June 2009

Yesterday and today, I severely tested some versions of Led Zeppelin´s music available on CD.

The candidates/versions consisted of:

* Barry Diament´s original mastering
* Japanese SHM-CD-Box
* Vinyl-rip-CDs done by Dr. Ebbett

I chose:

1) Good times, bad times (I)
2) Since I´ve been loving you (III)

So, I intensely listened to each song in the above mentioned three versions.

This is my conclusion, rock solid to me personally:

1. Dr Ebbetts Vinyl-rips on CD:

- excellent dynamics
- wonderful warmth
- excellent depth/punch/stage
- excellent vocal representation
- excellent guitar representaion
- wonderful, tight, clean and still warm bass

Fantastic sound!!!

2. Barry Diament´s original mastering of both CDs

- (nearly) all of the above, except for less dynamics, less punch, less separation. But really not far behind.

3. SHM-CDs

Compared to the both above, they really suck big time.
Way too loud, way too much treble. Sure, the separation is better, but on a high price: loss of dynamics. Very fatigueing on high volume levels, borderline "annoying".

PS:
I didnt take the re-mastered crap in consideration, since it would have been a huge waste. Even the SHM-CDs of the same mastering beat the hell out of the re-mastered stuff by Page/Marino.

You are VERY close to an outright ban.

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by 555

quote:
Different Led Zeppelin versions to hear....

Doesn't the song remain the same?

quote:
You are VERY close to an outright ban.
Adam Meredith

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by BigH47

555 how long have you been waiting to use that?

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by 555

quote:
... Use ...

You make me sound like some kind of picture pimp!

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by ewemon

To me the only thing you did wrong was use a vinyl rip of the Dr Ebbetts.

If you used EAC then of course the dynamics will be the best. After all, analogue is generally better sounding.

Now if you had a Dr Ebbetts cd version then you could do a proper comparison.

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by MilesSmiles

I fully agree with your SHM verdict.

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by MilesSmiles

quote:
Originally posted by 555:
quote:
... Use ...

You make me sound like some kind of picture pimp!

quote:
Originally posted by 555:
quote:
Different Led Zeppelin versions to hear....

Doesn't the song remain the same?

Great pic and great punchline.

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by Luxen

All 4 CDs from Dr Ebbett are actually needledrops.

This is what he says:

THE FOLLOWING FOUR TITLES ARE SOURCED FROM FIRST ISSUE AMERICAN PRESSINGS – NOT FROM THE CLASSIC 200 GRAM LP SERIES. MY ORIGINAL INTENT WAS TO RELEASE THE ZEPPELIN CLASSIC LP SERIES AFTER THE ENTIRE COLLECTION WAS OFFERED TO ME BY A LONG TIME MEMBER OF THE MAILING LIST. INDEED, I DID NEEDLE DROPS OF THE ENTIRE CLASSIC RECORD SERIES (WHICH I WILL EVENTUALLY RELEASE), BUT WHILE DOING THEM, I BECAME VERY INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT GORGEOUS FIRST ISSUE PRESSINGS OF THE SAME MATERIAL SOUNDED LIKE. TWO MEMBERS FROM MY MAILING LIST – BOTH IN TEXAS (AND WHO GOES BACK TO THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS BLASTED PROJECT) – SUPPLIED ME WITH NEAR MINT COPIES OF THE "1841 BROADWAY" ISSUES.
"IT’S ABOUT TIME YOU GOT OFF YOU’RE A** AND DID SOME ZEPPELIN!"
VERY SHY FRIENDS I HAVE.
AFTER COMPARING THE ORIGINAL ISSUES TO THE CLASSIC SERIES, I DECIDED TO GO WITH THE ORIGINALS. THE CLASSIC LPS SOUNDED WONDERFUL, BUT TO ME (AS ALWAYS) THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ORIGINALS THAT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD.
THE PRESSING OF LED ZEPPELIN II IS NOT A ROBERT LUDWIG DISC.

Posted on: 18 June 2009 by BigH47

Zeppelin on Broadway in 1841, I didn't realise they were that old!!

Posted on: 19 June 2009 by ewemon

quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
Zeppelin on Broadway in 1841, I didn't realise they were that old!!

Could be as they ripped off so many old blues artists at one time.

Posted on: 19 June 2009 by MilesSmiles

You guys are hilarious.

1841 Broadway is the address of Atlantic Records which you will find on the LZ LP sleeves.

Posted on: 20 June 2009 by fatcat

quote:
Originally posted by Luxen:
Yesterday and today, I severely tested some versions of Led Zeppelin´s music available on CD.

Perhaps you should sell ALL your Led Zep Cd’s and buy some decent music.

If you’re listening to the sound an opposed to the music, it’s not a good sign.

Posted on: 20 June 2009 by mjamrob

quote:
Perhaps you should sell ALL your Led Zep Cd’s and buy some decent music.

If you’re listening to the sound an opposed to the music, it’s not a good sign.

Isn't the motivation behind owning Naim gear the same as seeking the best sounding CD or vinyl?

As an aside I find my Led Zeppelin 3 disk vinyl set from 1990, mastered by Marino/Page to sound fantastic, especially at high volume. I haven't bothered directly comparing it to my 1970's copies, but it would be interesting to compare, considering the stick that these remasters get.

regards,

mat

Posted on: 22 June 2009 by Luxen

I am deeply sorry for behaving very stupidly.

Please forgive me my ignorance. I just overlooked one of the strictest forum rules.

It will never happen again.

Posted on: 22 June 2009 by John M

I am not sure what all the fuss is about but thank you, luxen, for your good taste in music and taking the time to do a little critical listening. I also have the Dr. Ebbetts stuff and I think it is a superlative analog to digital transfer. I have all the US first pressings on vinyl and cd and I must say that, for the most part, I prefer the vinyl. Have you heard the various Dr. Ebbetts Beatles remasters?

Posted on: 23 June 2009 by Luxen

Dear John,

thank you back...

Yep, the Beatles from Mr Ebbetts are simply fantastic too.

I just love the "vinyl-result" on the blank CD-R...so much so that I am very tempted to go vinyl...but money money money....