dsj@alice.UUCP (David S. Johnson) (01/03/85)
This is a revised version of an earlier transmission
that seems to have gotten lost:
I am interested in replacing some of my old, worn-out LP's
with CD's of the same performance, but have heard that the
quality of CD remastering is quite variable. I'm not looking
for vast sonic improvement, but would hope for, at a minimum
(A) a hiss level noticeably lower than the sum of hiss +
surface noise on the LP, (B) no degradations of the
frequency balance from the original (thinner sound, overloaded
treble, etc. - the kind of thing that has in the past been
common on LP reissues), and (C) no degradation of stereo image
(also a problem with reissue LP's). I've heard that certain
early CD remasterings (AQUALUNG for one) are disasters, but need
more detailed consumer advice.
To get a discussion going, here are my comments on some of
CD reissues I've had a chance to compare so far.
LISZT PIANO CONCERTOS - Richter/Kondrashin: The CD puts
the LP (early 60's) to shame; less distortion, noise, much more
realistic tonal balance and dynamics. Great performance.
THE DOORS - The Doors: Hiss level low, sound less bright than
original LP but a treble boost fixes that. Better stereo image
than LP, although still mostly two mono channels. This is an album
where lower noise level makes a big difference, so I consider
this a worthwile replacement for the LP.
HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED - Bob Dylan: Hiss, tonal balance OK,
stereo separation improved (but then, my original was in mono).
Not a sonic masterpiece, but neither was the original. One of
Dylan's best though.
RUMOURS - Fleetwood Mac: Passes on all counts, although perhaps
a bit less bright than the original. Great CD.
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - Pink Floyd: Less hiss than original,
tonal balance slightly off, but not unacceptably (bells and cash
registers just not quite right). Still a great sound effects record.
RICKIE LEE JONES - Rickie Lee Jones: Unnoticeable hiss, no
degradation of sound quality, perhaps a bit more transient response.
The LP had great sonics, but here again is a record that profits
significantly from elimination of ticks and pops. Great CD.
SYCHRONICITY - Police: Same judgment as the previous one.
SECURITY - Peter Gabriel: Ditto.
TIME OUT - Dave Brubeck Quartet: Hiss, tonal balance OK. Some
strange effects in the stereo image though (which may be in the
LP - again my LP is mono): An unnaturally loud room echo from
the left channel to the right (artificial reverb?) and the high
frequency transient noise from the bass seems to be disembodied
from the low frequency sounds, and to be a bit distorted.
SKETCHES IN SPAIN - Miles Davis: Noticeable hiss, but slightly
less than on LP (itself a recent reissue). Both get too bright
on the horns in the Aranjuez section, which is also too obviously
dual-mono. The remaining pieces have a more 3-dimensional image.
Sound of loud trumpet is much purer on CD.
GETZ-GILBERTO - Stan Getz/J.&A. Gilberto: Only a slight hiss,
and significantly quieter than LP. One of my favorite records,
even if playing time is short.
Those are my comments. I'd like to hear comments on
KIND OF BLUE, WHO'S NEXT, BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, and other old
rock and jazz classics that have found their way onto CD
David Johnson, AT&T Bell Laboratories