Stones SACDs - the verdict on the mastering quality?

I was just wondering what the forum consensus is on the ABKCO Stones SACDs in terms of overall mastering quality. I know Bob Ludwig's later work sometimes gets bad marks here with regard to no-noise and compression.

 

I don't think there is a consensus, but I like them.

 

I also like them!

 

Me three.

 

I think they sound very good. Especially considering how old the master tapes were...

 

The only one I own is Let it Bleed. I think it sounds awesome.

 

Consensus, I dunno. But I think they're stellar!!

 

Sounds like some kind of consensus. They make me want an SACD player.

 

I think they are very well done. As are the Dylans.

 

I think they're excellent, and they sound incredible on my SACD player.

 

Agreed, and I can only listen to the CD layer.

 

Agree!

 

You don't like them? What's wrong?

 

I'm in the same boat. I can only listen to the CD layer, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. CCR, Dylan, and the Stones are three catalogs that I'll never have to worry about buying again.

 

For Stones, I like the original WG-pressed London CDs a lot...

For Dylan, I like the original JPN-pressed CDs, except for Highway 61 of course...

That said, I do own two of the Stones SACD titles, as well as two of the Dylans. Why; I have no idea?! I guess I'll stash them away until they are many years OOP and fetching big dollars on eBay.

 

Now that our host has spoken, the wind may turn...

 

The only RS SACDs (CD layer) I like: Let it Bleed and Beggars Banquet: great music/sound.

 

They are not that old. There are jazz and classical recordings from the 1950's which sound much better than the Stones albums.

 

All Steve posted was "Yikes." Who knows what he meant by that other than him?

I know that it's pretty rude to say "Use the search engine," but this really is one of those cases where there were numerous, extremely detailed posts comparing the various digital issues of these Stones albums. I think it would be worthwhile to read at least some of those posts. From what I recall, there is no simple answer to your question. Some of the Stones SACDs got higher marks than others; in some cases there was a clear, strong preference on the part of at least some forum members for the original West German cds.

 

They are great the only one that I like better than the SACD version is the WG Aftermath otherwise

 

I believe Steve pitched the Aftermath SACD out a window, so obviously he was impressed.

I have a few of them, here's my take:

England's Newest Hitmakers: OK, nothing great. I have the original London (W.German) and it's better.
12X5: Outstanding and a must-own.
Now!: Very good
Out of Our Heads (US): Very good.
December's Children: A mixed bag, but it always was.
Aftermath: BLEAH! Get the London W. German!
Between The Buttons(UK) : Ditto!
Satanic Majesties: Very good
Beggars Banquet: Outstanding
Let It Bleed: Outstanding
Singles Collection: Very good. (Except for the Ruby Tuesday underdub, but it doesn't bother me that much, seeing as I have the correct version on several other LP's and CDs')

Of the few that I have, I like 12X5 the best. As a whole, I think it was a very good reissue campaign, but I can't understand why they futzed with Aftermath and BTB so much.

 

That's quite a general statement there.

I do agree on December's Children. I suspect the mastertape is not in good shape. Ironically this was the one SACD a high end magazine recently recommended as a Record 2 Die For. I was baffled by the choice.

 

I have about 10 of them and they all sound fab to me!

Oh crap! I forgot to check with Steve before I made up my own mind. My bad.