Roxy Music - Siren

I compared my 2 CD editions today:

1. EG made in W. Germany by PolyGram, catalog number 823 020-2, matrix 823 020-2 01
2. Virgin EG made in Holland, catalog number EGCD 20, matrix 786960 2 @ 1


I was quite surprised when I discovered they are the same. I also have both versions of Stranded and they are different. IMO the later Virgin EG is better.

I wonder if there is a unique pre remaster Virgin EG mastering or if all Virgin EG versions contain the same old PolyGram mastering?


This is the EAC numbers for both my versions.

Track 1 Peak level 85.6 %
Track 2 Peak level 57.5 %
Track 3 Peak level 80.7 %
Track 4 Peak level 80.5 %
Track 5 Peak level 80.5 %
Track 6 Peak level 65.5 %
Track 7 Peak level 71.3 %
Track 8 Peak level 69.1 %
Track 9 Peak level 76.9 %

 

The only early Roxy disc I have is the W. German Polygram pressing of the debut. Let me know if you would like to see EAC peak levels for that one. . .

 

Thanks, but I think I have the complete set of Roxy Music W. Germany PolyGram CDs. Maybe someone can post EAC levels from their Virgin EG versions? I can compare these numbers to the versions I have. Maybe more of them are the same.

 

I have the Rob Ludwig's mastered Avalon EG/WEA (CD 23686). Cinram (that would be the Canadian copy). If you still want the peak levels, I can post them.

Has anyone compared this Avalon to the DSD mastered one (redbook layer)?

 

I have a Virgin/EG Australia (older) CD of Country Life, if you need the EAC on that one.

 

Yes, if you guys have EAC numbers from the Virgin EG versions I’m still interested. Thanks.

 

I've seen CDs on the Reprise label. Is this the same as Virgin?

 

Rob Ludwig's mastered Avalon EG/WEA (CD 23686). Cinram (Canada)

80.6 / 97.7 / 89.8 / 87.4 / 80.8 /
97.7 / 84.1 / 74.0 / 75.6 / 37.7

On the redbook layer of the SACD, all tracks are at 99.8, except Tara (58.9). Done also by Mr Ludwig.

 

I think that Rob Ludwig credit on yours is from the original LP version. I just checked some peaks on the remastered version of Avalon, and they were all 100%. This may be an original Virgin/EG CD mastering you have.

The Japan Target of Avalon gives me the following numbers for the first few tracks in Peak Pro, which maybe be slightly off from EAC:

1. 82%
2. 100%
3. 91 %

This may be the same as the Polydor/EG. Gonna have to check.

 

Here's what I have:

S/T - EG/Reprise Made in USA

Stranded - EG/Polygram Made in West Germany

Country Life - EG/Virgin Made in England

Siren - EG/Virgin Made in England

If you want EAC values let me know.

 

I have S/T on EG/Reprise FWIW

I didn't realize there were this many different labels and country of origin etc.

 

Listening to While My heart Is Still beating in both versions now (DSD vs EG/WEA Canada)... level-matched (Replaygain)...

The bass is much more present in the DSD version. The sound is fuller. Maybe there is a razor edge to the voice that is a bit more "fatiguing" as well.

Must sound very good on SACD.

 

This is the peak levels from my WG Red Face Polydor.

Track 1 Peak level 82.5 %
Track 2 Peak level 100.0 %
Track 3 Peak level 91.9 %
Track 4 Peak level 89.4 %
Track 5 Peak level 82.6 %
Track 6 Peak level 100.0 %
Track 7 Peak level 86.1 %
Track 8 Peak level 75.7 %
Track 9 Peak level 77.4 %
Track 10 Peak level 38.6 %

 

Yes, please post EAC report from Country Life and also Siren if it’s different from the one posted in post 1.

 

Again, we see a Canadian release having 2% less (+-0.2%) peak levels than another release, on almost every tracks.
Why is that?

 

I think it's safe to say they're the same mastering. I checked my 2 other Avalon's(WG EG silver-face, and WG Red-Faced Polydor) which match for the first few tracks.

 

Country Life - EG/Virgin Made in England


Track 1 Peak level 79.4 %
Track 2 Peak level 81.8 %
Track 3 Peak level 75.7 %
Track 4 Peak level 85.7 %
Track 5 Peak level 83.6 %
Track 6 Peak level 82.5 %
Track 7 Peak level 68.7 %
Track 8 Peak level 89.1 %
Track 9 Peak level 77.3 %
Track 10 Peak level 88.3 %

 

Siren - EG/Virgin Made in England

Same as post #1.

 

Now that I think about it, it may just be the s/t that I've seen on Reprise.

 

I wonder why just that one. Seems odd.

 

I thought for all titles, prior to the HDCD's, there were:

West Germany EG
UK/Holland EG (some of which are the same mastering as the WG's)
US Reprise

I had Country Life on Reprise briefly (which is inferior to the UK EGCD btw), and I also have Heart Still Beating on Reprise.

I don't know how many titles came out on early Japanese pressings - I do have the Flesh + Blood black triangle.

 

This is the same peak levels as the W. Germany PolyGram CD.

 

I also had the Reprise version of Country Life. It is a little darker in tone than the European version. I may even prefer this to the EG version. I think the EG sounds a little shrill in the top end when compared to the Reprise version.

 

That's interesting - I thought the Reprise sounded flatter and more muddy as if it were from a higher gen tape. I ripped it before I sold it because I thought it might prove valuable for a comparison like this, so I will listen again.