The Beach Boys-24 bit HDCD-best yet? (*63-69)

[Dr. Winston]

Now that they've been out several months whats the overall opinion--I have a few of the first Capitol two fers (should I upgrade???) and I also have DCC versions of Pet Sounds and Endless Summer which I will always have on hand--but I keep seeing comments that these new ones are considerably better sounding vs the first two fers-opinions?

[Dob]

I have four of the new HDCD twofers and I am not at all happy with the sound - way too bright.

I don't have the original non-HDCD twofers for comparison, but I would suggest that you compare what you have with the corresponding tracks on your DCC versions. If you are unhappy with the sound and are looking to upgrade, get the individual albums (no twofers available) on the Japan "Pastmasters" or "Cool Price" series. With a bit of EQ tweaking you can get them to sound VERY close to the DCC versions.

If you don't mind used, you can find these Japan CDs on Ebay for less than $10 (with a bit of luck), and new sealed copies for around $15.

[PsychFan]

I must give a dissenting opinion ... I used to own all the original two-fers, and I like the newer ones better. They're not perfect (not in the DCC league, either), but they don't seem to have been "noise reduction"-ed to death like the older ones.

Different strokes ...

[btomarra]

Jeff,

Isn't the proof of the No-Noise process on the original two-fers evident on The Little Girl I Once Knew bonus track to Today/Summer Days? The new two-fer reveals the scratch in the master in the pause before the chorus. The 1990 one masked it.

I like the new two-fers better. Unfortunately, I let go my DCC Endless Summer disc! I'm not doing that again! :(

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Brian O'Marra:
Isn't the proof of the No-Noise process on the original two-fers evident on The Little Girl I Once Knew bonus track to Today/Summer Days? The new two-fer reveals the scratch in the master in the pause before the chorus. The 1990 one masked it.(


You are correct sir. Still doesn't sound as good as it does on the DCC "Spirit of America," but ... it's better than the '90 version.

[btomarra]

I bought the Razor & Tie Beach Boys Greatest from Collector's Choice a couple of weeks ago. Love the CD, but it has the stereo Fun Fun Fun not the superior mono single mix. Oh, well.... :confused:

[btomarra]

Qouth Jeff


You are correct sir. Still doesn't sound as good as it does on the DCC "Spirit of America," but ... it's better than the '90 version.


Yeah, couldn't agree more on that! The aluminum 1990 copy listed Drive In as Dirve In if memory serves. Gotta love it!! :D

[Matt]

If you want the stereo and mono versions to their hits, you may want to consider getting the 5CD box set, "Good Vibrations." It's available for cheap through BMG, and doesn't have any NoNoise (it was released in '93 with different mastering). The monos won't sound like the stereo cuts on the DCC discs, but these songs have to be heard in mono (and they do use the mono 45 version on the box for "Fun, Fun, Fun").

Don't know how it compares to the HDCD, though.

[btomarra]

Thanks Camarillo. Actually....Got that one, too! Ya' know...almost prepared to pick up both Endless Summer & Spirit of America on DCC. Still list it in their catalog. Aw...maybe even Pet Sounds! Can't go wrong with Steve's magic touch! :cool:

[Sergio Ruz]

Originally posted by Brian O'Marra:
Qouth Jeff

Yeah, couldn't agree more on that! The aluminum 1990 copy listed Drive In as Dirve In if memory serves. Gotta love it!! :D

I have that 1990 twofer, and I can hear two scratches (or pops) just before the chorus of TLGIOK(and right after a strange edit, at least to my ears). The version of the same song on the Good vibrations box set sounds certainly quieter, and has no pops. It was my understanding that the 60's songs on the box set used the same versions as the 1990 twofers, but I wouldn't be so sure now...

[btomarra]

Quotes Sergio:
I have that 1990 twofer, and I can hear two scratches (or pops) just before the chorus of TLGIOK(and right after a strange edit, at least to my ears).


Huh, maybe it's the box i'm think of. Not sure now. I'll go home from work in a bit and check it out. Thanks Sergio! ;)