Which version of Sgt. Pepper's? (for reasonable money)

I'm not sure that I agree that the original CD sounds horrible. It has a glassy tone but this is because they had to "bounce down" multiple tracks as they were using a four track machine.

The stereo remaster is better, but the bass has been boosted to make it sound more modern :-(

The mono version is interesting if you are used to the stereo as there are a number of quite noticable differences. You also avoid the hard-panned stereo and hear the mix the Beatles spent more time on.

Keith

"You also avoid the hard-panned stereo and hear the mix the Beatles spent more time on."

For all his considerable genius, George Martin didn't figure out the stereo thing while he was with the Beatles; it's the singularly worst thing about their recordings.  I was hoping the stereo remasters were going to somehow obviate that, but the few I tried still have it.

So is the mono box set version better?

Any comments on mono box vs. the high-ish res USB?

Until the so-called White Album, the mono masters are definitive ... the stereo mixes were done after the Beatles had left the studio, to serve the burgeoning American stereo market. Compared to the mono mixes they were thrown together fairly quickly.

The White Album was mixed both in mono and stereo by The Beatles themselves (with engineers, of course) ... their first album to be taken seriously in stereo. Before that, if you want to hear what the artists intended, go with mono.

Fred,

perfect answer, thanks.

M.

They are both very good as is the stereo box set.

The mono gets the most play here.

Let it be naked  gets more play than any of the others.

Stu.

I have to agree with Stu and others here - the 2009 mono CD is the best version I've ever heard. The mono box set sounds fabulous and is a beautiful artefact, well worth investing in.

Mono is best, but the 24 bit USB is very good. My only complaint is that they boosted the bass on the stereo mixes which did not do Abbey Road any favours as it already had plenty of bass. You don't get Abbey Road or Let it be in the mono box set as they were never released in that format.

Let it be naked  is absolutely wonderful .. I think they took some sad production and made it better. Mr Spector like many producers at the time seemed to add no value just unnecessary strings (there is a great Pretty Things album almost ruined by unnecessary strings).

However I agree totally with Stu ... mono box is great, but love the stereo box too 

Get either or both ... you can't go wrong. 

The Yellow Submarine Songtrack is amazing too, as is 1 ... these are inexpensive on vinyl and sound quite wonderful. 

It was 45 years ago today, Sgt Pepper taught the band to play (well not exactly, but it still sounds extraordinary). 

Abbey Road gets the most plays of any Beatles album I have. 

"Abbey Road gets the most plays of any Beatles album I have."

That's because it's the best one Guy!  The boys knew how to end everything with their best effort.

Thanks - seems like its a clear plurality for the mono box set! (Who said PR doesn't produced definite results?)

Also, I'd forgotten about Let It Be Naked, just picked up a used copy for $1.99. Thank you.

Let it Be Naked sounds excellent and works well for what it does (though I still have a fond nostalgia for the 1970 release).

However, two gripes: whatever its authenticity, it's very irritating not to get the 'full' version of Get Back; and the release very much ties in with Macca's irritating rewriting of history (which also saw him wishing to re-credit the songs as 'McCartney/Lennon' rather than 'Lennon/McCartney'...)

Must check out the mono box as recommended.

BTW I have my original 1967 mono Sgt Pepper complete with uncut moustaches etc, still sounding great after decades of hammering on ancient record players!

Now you need a vinyl copy.

Still lots about new.

Stu.

Beware when buying the Beatles Mono box set.

There are lots of copies on the internet.

Even some sold new from amazon were not the real thing.

A google will give one lots of info on this.

Stu.

Well, I have both the USB Stereo Box and the Mono Box. It depends really on the album what version is better. As we all know 24 Bit can not compensate for a god or bad master. 16 Bit well mastered album can sound better a 24 Bit version not well mastered. Now as it goes for Sgt. Pepper, the USB Version is good but the Mono version (and the original is mastered as Mono) is something special. For the particular question: To me the Mono remaster from 2009 is the one you should go for.

And I wonder what happened to vinyl remasters?

I have given up hope after waiting for the last couple of years.

Richard