Cheap upgrade: buy remastered cd's

[gerardhn]

Hello,

We (80x owners) likely have the age where we bought our albums on vinyl, or made copies from friends on compact cassette. Later I bought the cd' s.
As you aware a lot of the good albums albums are now rereleased as remastered version + bonus track+ sometimes dvd.
I strongly advice to try/buy some of your classic album in the remastered format. It is so much better.
In fact it is the biggest upgrade you can do. Believe me. Bigger than 803s-->d or whatever amplifier brand comparision.
Please believe me!
For me the sport is to find them at reasonable prize (max 9 euro). So where are speaking about?? If would buy 50 cd's again as remastered version...maximum 500 euro, minus resell value of your old cd's. Peanuts!

Tip: remastereds Talking Heads.: from 77 to Remain in Light (4 albums), if you like them.

Gerard

[Edwin]

Yes, you probably would hear an improvement from vinyl to well mastered CDs but be careful buying newer versions of old CDs that are supposed to be "new, improved, remastered"; in my experience "remastered" these days means much louder average volumes and less dynamic range which may sound great on an iPod but it usually sounds underwhelming on a decent stereo system.

[Briz vegas]

This thread is gonna be moved for sure - probably to Audio Hideout.

I agree with Edwin.

Gerardhn, do you have the old and the new versions and what volume level do you set you system to with each. I find with older CDs I can be at 30 plus on my preamp and with the remasters its down to 20 or lower for a similar volume - a sure sign that the remaster is "hot". A volume matched listen will quickly confirm that the "hot" version does not sound as good because of the distortion and lack of dynamic range (can be as little as 3db).

This is not all remasters, but the volume level comparison is the give away.

[Audiophiliac]

It is completely dependent on the original recording and the goals and talents of the person(s) involved and in charge of doing the remastering work. Some remasters can really sound much better than the original. Some are much worse. There is unfortunately no way of knowing besides listening.

[gerardhn]

Audiophilac
I agree with you.
I suggest: buy some cd's and listen. I like them better than the old ones. Much more "live" and details.

[karnaaj]

Yes, you probably would hear an improvement from vinyl to well mastered CDs but be careful buying newer versions of old CDs that are supposed to be "new, improved, remastered"; in my experience "remastered" these days means much louder average volumes and less dynamic range which may sound great on an iPod but it usually sounds underwhelming on a decent stereo system.

I agree. I purchased a remastered copy of a Rush album and it was horrible! Listened to it once and never again. Same thing with a remastered Led Zepplin CD.

[RNKC]

Remastered CDs make a big difference, but an even bigger difference is new CDs entirely. While you won't get the same performances by the same artists, it's a basic trueism that newer recordings just sound better than older ones. Even old CDs from the early digital years sound weak compared to today's higher-bit recordings.

[wgriel]

Remastered CDs make a big difference, but an even bigger difference is new CDs entirely. While you won't get the same performances by the same artists, it's a basic trueism that newer recordings just sound better than older ones. Even old CDs from the early digital years sound weak compared to today's higher-bit recordings.

My concern is that some new CDs are horribly mastered (primarily compressed dynamic range). That's not the case for everything of course. I have plenty of new jazz CDs that are beautifully mastered and sound amazing, but a considerable amount of new rock and pop is in horrendous shape, probably optimized for iPods & lousy car stereos.

Bill

[Gremal]

The remasters do often boost the low and high frequencies which leaves the midrange sounding sucked out. It's annoying, but probably sounds better in a car system. There are a lot of exceptions, though.

SACDs are really the way to go when possible.

[autio]

I think what gremal was alluding to is what is called the loudness war by some. This little video shows exactly what is happening to some music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ&eurl=

[Briz vegas]

Good find autio - that was exactly what I was referring to.

[gerardhn]

yes, i read your comments. But they seem quite theoretical. I have now some remastered old David Bowie and again they sound better. (remastered at Abbey Road..... Beatles B&w .. Classe).
No one seems quite enthusiastic..

[dyazdani]

I do the same thing, but one step further - try to find masterings such as XRCD, MoFi, or even DVD-A/SACD when possible. Some remastered CDs are better, others aren't, but I have always had improvements when going to a "specialized" format.

[Gremal]

Even cheaper upgrade: optimize your system by adjusting speaker placement, making sure connections are clean and tight, troubleshooting to remove ground loops and hums, and keeping all unnecessary equipment out of the room.

[hifiguymi]

Even cheaper upgrade: optimize your system by adjusting speaker placement, making sure connections are clean and tight, troubleshooting to remove ground loops and hums, and keeping all unnecessary equipment out of the room.

On a similar note, tighten up drivers. As speakers break in and the gaskets compress over time, the screws on midrage drivers (but not FST drivers) and woofers need to be tightened. BE CAREFUL not to overtighten them. Most of them will need a half turn or so the snug them up.

Eric

[Briz vegas]

2 glasses of wine works a treat (gives time for your gear to warm up you understand).

I'm just off to get that second glass. Cheers!

[dknightd]

It is a shame that some remasters are better, and some are worse. Does anybody know of a online database that compares releases? If we already own one release do you think it is legal to download an alternate release of the same thing? (after all we've paid for the license to listen to the music, do we have to keep paying everytime it is released in a different format, or remastered?)