Departing from conventional wisdom, I'll go off on a limb by stating that it most likely is the amplifier that is causing this shallow, somewhat shrill, lifeless, and perceived lack of proper weighting of these older recordings.
I do not own any of the above mentioned recording on SACD (I do own some SACD's), but I do own Bob Dylan's Greatest hits on redbook. I also own numerous other older recordings on redbook cd, such as Chicago's Greatest Hits, Grover Washington, Bob James, William Ackerman, Alan Parson's Project, Al Stewart, Herb Alpert, Isley Brothers, Art Garfunkel, cheap greatest hits of the 80's, etc., etc..
On all of my previous amps, these were all pretty flat and lifeless. Some even much worse than that. But now, these and more are rich, full, deep, 3-dementional, articulate, and much more properly weighted.
So much so, that I spend most of my time these days listening only to these older recordings. The cymbals, drum kits, and bass can be outstanding. Still not quite reference level when compared to the best recordings, but the distinction is almost negligible.
Then again, my best recorded cd's (SACD, etc.) don't sound like they used to either.
-IMO
I do not own any of the above mentioned recording on SACD (I do own some SACD's), but I do own Bob Dylan's Greatest hits on redbook. I also own numerous other older recordings on redbook cd, such as Chicago's Greatest Hits, Grover Washington, Bob James, William Ackerman, Alan Parson's Project, Al Stewart, Herb Alpert, Isley Brothers, Art Garfunkel, cheap greatest hits of the 80's, etc., etc..
On all of my previous amps, these were all pretty flat and lifeless. Some even much worse than that. But now, these and more are rich, full, deep, 3-dementional, articulate, and much more properly weighted.
So much so, that I spend most of my time these days listening only to these older recordings. The cymbals, drum kits, and bass can be outstanding. Still not quite reference level when compared to the best recordings, but the distinction is almost negligible.
Then again, my best recorded cd's (SACD, etc.) don't sound like they used to either.
-IMO