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Remasters: which are the good ones?

I have had mixed luck with CD remasters; could others post their experiences with various ones? Some are great, some overly compressed, others just terrible.

Opinions appreciated as I consider which albums to repurchase (some for the 3rd time, starting with vinyl...)

PS: I suggest this thread be (roughly) limited to rock/R&B/soul type stuff.

My experiences:

Good / Worth getting the remasters:
- Bob Marley remasters (excellent!)
- Steely Dan (Gaucho, CD layer off hybrid SACD; Aja CD remaster OK)
- Grateful Dead (HDCD, but I refer to the "regular" CD playback of these. All very nice but Terrapin Station, where I don't appreciate some of the mix changes, though sound quality is good)

OK:
- Fleetwood Mac (Fleetwood Mac)

Poor/bad:
- Baron von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun (terrible)
- Jefferson Airplane remasters
nas
wireless200
415 posts
 
The Led Zep and Van Halen remasters aren't too good IME. Boosted highs.
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
Shadorne

I was a roadie out of college for the Clash in 1982 and 1983. Really nice people to be with and work for. I have all the original vinyl of every single and album. I love the single version of "Magnificent Seven."
ludimagis
128 posts
 
Have to 2nd what Wireless 200 said, Zep and Van Halen are for the most part, disappointing. Who's Next is outstanding. Rush and Boston are pretty good.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
The cynical part of me says it just a money making exercise from the record companies.
Michael Jackson has brought out a 25th anniversary of the album 'Thriller'. Is he short of cash?
nas OP
4 posts
 
Many thanks all for the good suggestions!

Reubent and Bongofury-

Are you referring to the Who's "deluxe editions" (2001 MCA) versions of Live at Leeds & Who's Next, or to earlier ones? Amazon reviews leave it unclear which are the good ones... my 1996 Quadrophenia CD(s) are sonically a bummer, so I'm hoping you mean the more recent releases. Are both LAL and Who's Next equally good (in sound quality)?

As a separate note, someone (maybe not this thread) recommended the RCA Living Stereo classical stuff... I second that for at least the Heifetz- the SACD Hybrids are cheap and amazingly good sound quality.
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