The Beatles - White Album 50th Anniversary

Audiophilehi

Audiophilehi

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I have the Hirez version and for the most part the vocals and drums are pushed forward. The bass is a bit muddy and the soundstage is narrowed.

This is one of my favorite albums and have countless copies on vinyl including original stereo and mono. I guess I’ll stick to listening to the original LPs and I prefer the original CD as well. Overall I don’t like it but do love the additional bonus material. YMMV.
 
I actually really enjoy the new version. I like it a ton better than the CD version I have. On my system it sounds much more alive and open, like a breath of fresh air.

I guess I am wondering where you listened to it. Did you listen on Tidal or did you purchase and download it? I downloaded the 96kHz version and do really enjoy it.
 
Randy Myers said:
I actually really enjoy the new version. I like it a ton better than the CD version I have. On my system it sounds much more alive and open, like a breath of fresh air.

I guess I am wondering where you listened to it. Did you listen on Tidal or did you purchase and download it? I downloaded the 96kHz version and do really enjoy it.
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You don't have a vinyl setup right?
 
No I do not have a turntable, I play all of my music through my music server. I upsample everything to DSD512/48. However I definitely notice and appreciate high quality recordings and high resolution sources. I guess the old theory of the better in the better out applies.
 
Randy Myers said:
No I do not have a turntable, I play all of my music through my music server. I upsample everything to DSD512/48. However I definitely notice and appreciate high quality recordings and high resolution sources. I guess the old theory of the better in the better out applies.
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I guess my point is that your reference to the White Album is hearing it played back on some form of digital and you don't have EMI pressings on vinyl to compare to.
 
CPP said:
Hi Paul you're outcome was the same as mine. I'll just stick to my original copies.
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Randy Myers said:
I actually really enjoy the new version. I like it a ton better than the CD version I have. On my system it sounds much more alive and open, like a breath of fresh air.

I guess I am wondering where you listened to it. Did you listen on Tidal or did you purchase and download it? I downloaded the 96kHz version and do really enjoy it.
Click to expand...

I gave the remastered tracks a 2nd and 3rd listen in its entirety and after getting over the initial shock of how different it is from listening to this album for the last 50 years it’s not a bad listen. I just prefer the original mastering.

I’m not totally trashing the remasters as there are some nice merits from the original. There’s more detail to the new mix. Guitars and drums are more pronounced but with a narrowed soundstage. Vocals are more forward than before so if you like the “Sounds like they are in the room” sound. This is for you.




As always YMMV.
 
I have sampled the new mastering of the White Album on Tidal-MQA 24-96 with the MSB Select II. sounds quite good. I need to drag out my other digital versions, a few of my vinyl versions, and my great sounding 4 reel 15ips 1/4" master dub (of unknown provenance) to sort out what is what. I view the tape as my reference.

so far agree on the 'more detail' 'more forward' comments compared to prior digital masterings. it does seem to be missing some degree of the scale, bottom authority, and punch compared to my recollections.
 
A bit less bass indeed.
But all the rest seems to be clearer sounding, more detail, more in the room.
Am at the Esher Demo sessions (recorded in George's house on his professional tape recorder).
Added value for sure! :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for this concession. My vinyl copy arrived by UPS today and it sure lit up my listening with "in the room" holographics. And I hear tons of detail I haven't heard before. I'm thrilled.

Incidentally, as a kid I listened to and thoroughly wore out my mother's vinyl originals on a cheap table with a cartridge lousy even for those days (late seventies). She let me do it before I knew better (when she should have), so I am at least not consumed with guilt over what is by any measure a travesty.

Audiophilehi said:
I gave the remastered tracks a 2nd and 3rd listen in its entirety and after getting over the initial shock of how different it is from listening to this album for the last 50 years it’s not a bad listen. I just prefer the original mastering.

I’m not totally trashing the remasters as there are some nice merits from the original. There’s more detail to the new mix. Guitars and drums are more pronounced but with a narrowed soundstage. Vocals are more forward than before so if you like the “Sounds like they are in the room” sound. This is for you.




As always YMMV.
Click to expand...
 
Ok so I have some bad news for the folks who purchased either the CD’s or download. I just listened to the Blu-Ray disc. (BTW it’s not mine) The Blu-Ray version absolutely crushes the CD’s and the HIREZ download.

The bass is back in full glory. Detail and separation is amazing. Vocals not way up front. This is by far the version to own. I haven’t listened to the vinyl so I can’t comment on that.

Now the terrible news.......I HAVE TO BUY THIS AGAIN. Not sure why the CD’s and download are so different.

One very important thing I omitted was that I listened to the 5.1 surround sound mix on the Blu-Ray disc.
 
Fremer review

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/beatles-re-mixed-giles-martin-any-good

As for the Esher Demos, they are truly wondrous. John brought 15 songs, Paul 7 and George 5. You are in the Kinfauns Bungalow as they strum, bang and shake and you’ll love every minute of it—on vinyl. When I played the CD version (on a dCS Rossini, which is among the best CD players you’ll hear) all of that magic disappeared. I was hearing a plastic-sounding recording. Was it different EQ? Was it the downrez from 96/24 to 16/44.1? I don’t know and I don’t care. Am I prejudiced against CDs? Damn straight I am! Based on what I hear and nothing else.
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I’m sorry, but these are all just money grabs at this point.

Ill stick to my mono LP set, but I didn’t waste money on Sgt Peppers nor this
 
KeithR said:
I’m sorry, but these are all just money grabs at this point.

Ill stick to my mono LP set, but I didn’t waste money on Sgt Peppers nor this
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Not so true in this case, for several reasons. The bonus material is pretty worthwhile, for one thing, and I do think the new stereo mix presents a different picture than either the original stereo or the mono, and unlike the Sgt Pepper's digital release is not compressed (in fact, the BD may be less compressed than any previous release of this album).

The booklet is very cool, and one little tidbit indicates the loudness wars were around even back in 1968. Apparently Capitol cut a bunch of lacquers after adding some compression and EQ to their copies of the master tapes. George Martin found out just before release and had them all destroyed, but a few records had already been pressed and were released, supposedly becoming collector's items.

For those considering the LP's, note that they are cut from the hi-res digital files.
 
KeithR said:
I’m sorry, but these are all just money grabs at this point.

Ill stick to my mono LP set, but I didn’t waste money on Sgt Peppers nor this
Click to expand...

I bought the Sgt Peppers on vinyl and it is amazing - as is the disc of demo's.
 
The 24/96 stream is wonderful (on Qobuz).
I can't see the logic in transferring it to vinyl.
 
rbbert said:
Not so true in this case, for several reasons. The bonus material is pretty worthwhile, for one thing, and I do think the new stereo mix presents a different picture than either the original stereo or the mono, and unlike the Sgt Pepper's digital release is not compressed (in fact, the BD may be less compressed than any previous release of this album).

The booklet is very cool, and one little tidbit indicates the loudness wars were around even back in 1968. Apparently Capitol cut a bunch of lacquers after adding some compression and EQ to their copies of the master tapes. George Martin found out just before release and had them all destroyed, but a few records had already been pressed and were released, supposedly becoming collector's items.

For those considering the LP's, note that they are cut from the hi-res digital files.
Click to expand...

There is a reason I have zero Capitol Beatles LPs in my collection. Stick with the EMI/Parlaphone releases for the best sound.
 
KeithR said:
I’m sorry, but these are all just money grabs at this point.

Ill stick to my mono LP set, but I didn’t waste money on Sgt Peppers nor this
Click to expand...

I have the mono box set too, but my 'go to' collection is BC-13.
 
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