Audiophile Quality CD's - what's the story here??

Posted by: JackRabbitSlims on 19 September 2011

Hello.

 

Since owning Naim kit and recently upgrading to a quality set of IEM's and portable Amp - I have really noticed the difference in the recording quality of my music. Some of it is outstanding, to my ears, and some is complete rubbish! I am also hearing new material in some of my music that I have not heard before - very enjoyable

 

In the past I have never looked at the production / recording / mastering details on any of my music - CD and vinyl. I usually just buy what is available at the right price.

 

So, I've been digging around a bit on the interweb and discovered: - 

I have also noticed many older CD's are being reissued with the title "Remastered" or "Reengineered" from Original tapes etc. Is this marketing BS or the real deal.

 

I also notice that the price of some of these "Gold" cd's is up in the hundreds of dollars.....some in the thousands!

 

What are you actually paying for here?

 

The reason I ask is that I wouldn't mind paying a bit more to get copies of my favourite albums on CD if they are top quality, Audiophile recordings. Is the return on investment worthwhile?? I know, completely subjective, but I am interested in your opinion.

 

My other questions is how can you determine their quality (ie DCC / 24 K Gold / SHM CD) which is better and why??

Lastly - is there a good online source to buy these CD's that you could share with me please?

 

Thanks for any help or suggestions offered.

 

Cheers.

 

Posted on: 19 September 2011 by Reality

Hi, I am no authority on the subject at all, but I can off a couple of minor comments whilst waiting for some of the veterans to chip in

 

The inflated prices of some of these releases, in my experience, is more to do with an assumed rarity value than a real, or original, market value. For example, the likes of certain auction sites place quite imaginary prices on some MFSL gold CD's....

 

Also, regarding Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL) releases.

I have purchased a few "favourites" on this label, such as a half-speed cut vinyl of Dark SIde of the Moon, 24k CD's of DSOTM and a few other of Pink Floyd, etc, such as Meddle.

I didn't pay exhorbitant prices for any and have been pleased with them.

On the other hand, I have seen comments on this forum regarding some MFSL releases as "not worth bothering with"

So, YMMV

 

I cannot comment on other so called Audiophile labels.

 

The idea of half-speed cut vinyl is obviously an attempt at finer detail.

The idea of 25k gold plate is, afaik, an attempt at better reflectivity for the laser.

I have never been "Wowed" by any of these, but then what do I know!?

 

Many later so-called "remasters" sound worse to my ears than their original releases, whilst a few are improved.

I would search for opinions on a per record basis, if I were you.

Posted on: 19 September 2011 by JackRabbitSlims

Ok - thanks for your reply Reality.

 

Cheers.

Posted on: 20 September 2011 by tonym

With one or two noble exceptions you'll find that the original releases, if you can find them, sound better than the remasters.

 

MFSLs can be particularly disappointing, in both vinyl and CD versions. To my ears they've got a somewhat "Soft" sound and have been deprived of some life and dynamic. The Steve Hoffmans can be good, but I do question whether they're worth the considerable extra expense.

 

As 'Reality' has posted, it's best to tread cautiously and evaluate on a per-disc basis.

Posted on: 20 September 2011 by Gale 401

What Tony said +1.

8 X times of 10 the original CD pressings are the best and can be picked up cheap these days.

Same can be said of vinyl.

Every time i play my almost RIZLA thin copy of Yello's Baby it makes me think.

Why cant all recordings be as good as this?

Its not that hard to get it right.

It takes more work to mess up a recording imo.

Stu 

Posted on: 20 September 2011 by GraemeH
+2 Hoffman remastered some plain old original cd transfers back in the day.  The MCLD Steely Dan originals are superb and he mastered the Aja which beats any later remaster hands down. The Vertigo Dire Straits west german pressings beat the remasters as do the original Genesis transfers ......I Could go on and these differences are not subtle.

If you google 'best mastering of (album name) it will usually lead you to Hoffman's forum where eq geeks have a field day ruminating on this very subject!

Enjoy!  G


Originally Posted by Gale 401:

       

         class="quotedText">
       

What Tony said +1.

8 X times of 10 the original CD pressings are the best and can be picked up cheap these days.

Same can be said of vinyl.

Every time i play my almost RIZLA thin copy of Yello's Baby it makes me think.

Why cant all recordings be as good as this?

Its not that hard to get it right.

It takes more work to mess up a recording imo.

Stu 

Posted on: 20 September 2011 by JackRabbitSlims

Gentlemen, thanks for the great replies!

 

Yes, I have stumbled upon Hoffman's site and is all a bit confusing, hence why I came back to the Naim Forum to post my questions - I always seem to get very good info from here

 

Another question for you: - you say the "original releases" are more times than not, the best in terms of SQ......when purchasing CD's / Vinyl, how do you know you are buying the "Original Release"?? are there codes or serial numbers that distinguish this??. I know CD's / Vinyl have codes on them, but how are these interpreted??

 

Thanks once again - you've all been a big help!

Cheers.

Posted on: 20 September 2011 by GraemeH
Yes Discogs and other sites you can Google will give the chronology of most releases.
Posted on: 20 September 2011 by Guido Fawkes

I like the SHMs I have - Eldorado by ELO is wonderful and he's done Arthur by the Kinks without distortion ... I also like the few MFSL discs I have.  Most remasters boast of being such, whereas why Christy Moore re-released his debut Paddy On The Road he wrote that no attempt had been made to improve its SQ and it was simply made from an old vinyl copy (true you can hear the surface noise) - would I like a remastered copy: not 'arf. 


Like everything in life some re-masters are good and some are dreadful and Grateful Dead HDCDs are superb and CCR SACDs are even better. 





Posted on: 20 September 2011 by GraemeH
'Mars Hotel' HDCD should arrive today......




Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

       

         class="quotedText">
       

I like the SHMs I have - Eldorado by ELO is wonderful and he's done Arthur by the Kinks without distortion ... I also like the few MFSL discs I have.  Most remasters boast of being such, whereas why Christy Moore re-released his debut Paddy On The Road he wrote that no attempt had been made to improve its SQ and it was simply made from an old vinyl copy (true you can hear the surface noise) - would I like a remastered copy: not 'arf. 


Like everything in life some re-masters are good and some are dreadful and Grateful Dead HDCDs are superb and CCR SACDs are even better.