"Velvet Underground & Nico"

Posted by: Rubio on 26 October 2005

Which is the best version of the above classic sound-wise? Is there a big difference between orignal CD version and the deluxe version (or what about the difference between original CD version and the original version remastered from 1996)? I don't have a record player at the moment, so I wonder if I should exchange my old CD from the eighties.
Posted on: 26 October 2005 by Guido Fawkes
I have an early vinyl version with a silly peelable banana on it. It still sounds OK. It never struct me as an elpee that anybody took a great deal of trouble over in the recording process - I think that is part of its charm.

I did get a deluxe remastered version of Loaded, but that is good because there are two versions of the album - one as it should have always sounded and one as per the original elpee. However, I don't think the remastering improved it.

So I'd be inclined to hang on to what you've got.
Posted on: 26 October 2005 by graham55
Rubio

Your post alerted me to the fact, which I hadn't known previously, that there IS a deluxe edition. If what I've seen is what you meant, the deluxe edition is a 24-bit remastering, with the stereo mix on CD1 and the original mono mix on CD2. According to what I've just read, the mono mix is significantly better, with greatly reduced tape hiss.

Anyway, I've just ordered it from amazon.com (ie the US site) for a ridiculously low price - I'll get it, inclusive of postage, for not much more than £10!!!

Graham
Posted on: 26 October 2005 by willem
I've known this album from the tender age of thirteen. I'm 48 now and only a month or 3 ago I found out that there was also a mono mix of it. Well, bought it and fell aback! The amount of whack you get from the mono is life changing.

I'll be selling my stereo copy, which was a cheapo reissue from 1980 or so anyway.

My advice would be to get the mono.

Have fun!

Willem
Posted on: 26 October 2005 by Rubio
I guess I will also order the deluxe edition from amazon.com Smile. I have just exchanged my eight original Bob Dylan CD's with hybrid/SACD that sound so much better (even if I don't use a SACD player). All these remastered editions can make it a bit expensive for me, but I think it not always takes a very big difference from the original recording before the record company calls it remastered (and it's not even always for the better). Anyhow, the Deluxe edition series is known for high quality!
Posted on: 26 October 2005 by Guido Fawkes
Just noticed it has some bonus tracks on it that I hadn't got; listened to some samples and thought they sound really good. So looks like I'm going to be making this purchase too.