Pink Floyd The Wall - CD from Harvest/EMI - Could be best ever.

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 09:14 AM

I've owned "most every common issue" of Pink Floyd's The Wall, including the Sony MD set.

This has got to be the best sounding CD version ever, better than the CBS/Sony/Columbia issues, even the Capitol and the MFSL.

The issue is the normal UK/Holland "two-line" face with "Harvest" logo at 12-o-clock and the discs look like they're done by EMI Swindon. Plenty of dynamic snap, awesome stereo image, solid bottom end without being flabby and no "pop" on "Comfortably Numb". Sounds like it was recorded yesterday. All the Ezrin elements come through in amazing clarity.

I'll post scans later. Sounds near-perfect.

Wow.

Blue Moon · 03-10-2006, 09:22 AM

Sckott, would you be able to provide us with a scan of the disc and the cover? Thank you.

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 09:26 AM

Yep.

It's basically the UK issue that was available in the UK between 1989-1993? Around that time? The index points on the songs are in wild places, sometimes before or after you'd expect them to be at....

More to come....

Kevin Bresnahan · 03-10-2006, 09:26 AM

If it's the same mastering as my original Japanese Harvest CDs, then I agree that the mastering is very good. I sold my MFSL CDs because they couldn't touch the Harvest. The signal level is very low which never bothers me but it might others.

BTW, I have a scan of my disc in this thread.

Kevin

pig whisperer · 03-10-2006, 09:31 AM

Have you compared it with the Canadain (and/or other countries) C2K-36183 first release version from the eighties? (My brother has it, but I can't remember is it is Columbia or Capital, etc.)

KeithH · 03-10-2006, 09:35 AM

Sckott, interesting observations. Many folks here have expressed a preference for the original CBS/Sony (Columbia) versions. I have Japanese and West German pressings on Harvest that I have not listened to in awhile As I recall, they sound identical, but I should give them a spin again. I've listened to the old Columbia set a good bit lately and have been impressed with it.

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 09:38 AM

Kevin's disc is most likely just like the one I have. His is back, mine is "white", if you will. Same catalog numbers, markings, etc. Kevin is correct; the signal is down lower than most CDs, slightly lower than most its age.

Kevin's disc is most likely just like the one I have. His is back, mine is "white", if you will. Same catalog numbers, markings, etc.

His is made in JPN, mine in Holland/UK. Has to be etched from the same image.

I listen to this disc, and I don't wanna move. It's that good.

The Columbias from the 80's all sound basically the same to me. (Sony got a remaster done before Capitol took the catalog). Good, but slightly flabby.

22dRow · 03-10-2006, 09:42 AM

Sckott, you are correct about the original UK nonremastered Harvest Wall CD being the best, even superior to the nonremastered Columbia CD which I have a/b'd it to. On mine the index point of Comfortably Numb starts with the knocking on the door "time to go..." and does not have the pop. It retains all the dynamics of the Columbia CD with even more presence and warmth.

**Gary** · 03-10-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sckott

I listen to this disc, and I don't wanna move. It's that good.

I listened to a friend's UK vinyl and it had the same effect on me.

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22dRow

Sckott, you are correct about the original UK nonremastered Harvest Wall CD being the best, even superior to the nonremastered Columbia CD which I have a/b'd it to. On mine the index point of Comfortably Numb starts with the knocking on the door "time to go..." and does not have the pop. It retains all the dynamics of the Columbia CD with even more presence and warmth.

Again, same as Kevin, totally agree.

musicalbeds · 03-10-2006, 09:52 AM

I just picked one up last week from a second hand shop. I had told the owner to watch for copies of The Wall plain and simple...I didn't get technical with him, and to call me if one came in. I was expecting a remaster at worst, CDN non-remaster pressing at best.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the Harvest label on the spine and opened it to find the black faced disc.

The sound is so good I decided to sell my copy of the MFSL right away...it's that noticeable.

I'm glad you mentioned the track listing because I noticed that as well. Isn't One Of My Turns split into two tracks? I think that leaves Young Lust and Empty Spaces on the same track.

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 09:54 AM

Yep, screwed up track positions. Young Lust shows up as 2:03 and is really the "dramatic" part of "One Of My Turns".

musicalbeds · 03-10-2006, 09:58 AM

Yep, they have two songs thrown together on one track, then one song split into two.

Possible reason for alternate unremastered pressings which might differ in sound, not by design, to fix that?

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 10:11 AM

What I think happened:

In the US, CBS took the tape copies they had and sent the 1630 tapes to Japan to have them etched to glass masters along with the track positions intact, how the engineer at Columbia had things written down.

EMI took the master tape and had the transfer done with THEIR own guessable track positions. Guy who took on the job said, "Umm, I wonder what goes where?"

It's highly evident who had the better tape source though.

Phil Elliott · 03-10-2006, 11:05 AM

When I first borrowed a copy of this, it was the UK/Dutch varient. It was as Sckott describes it, black type on silver; great dynamics with really nice EQ; the exploding TV sets in particular were almost frightening.

When I got my own copy, this was the W.German "Sonopress" varient. Now, while disc 2 sounds very good, disc 1 came out somewhat lacklustre, like an ok-ish cassette dub. It also runs a little fast.

Is it possible we can get a sample of the Dutch one at all, particularly disc 1?

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 04:37 PM

Here's a couple of visuals.

Wmacky · 03-10-2006, 04:57 PM

You guy's are going to make Dave's head explode!

StyxCollector · 03-10-2006, 05:07 PM

Sounds is subjective. One man's trash is another man's treasure. I have the Mofi and it's good enough for me for how often I listen to it. I upgraded from the old Columbia and prefer it to that (bought the Mofi when it was new). There are no absolutes here.

Sckott · 03-10-2006, 05:14 PM

Right. Knock yourself out.

FWIW, I think Dave was close, but hearing this, IMHO, this one's it.

Your local air pressure, Juju and brain cells might say something else.

dbz · 03-13-2006, 07:20 AM

I have this UK Harvest version-and have loved it for years. A True Audiophile experience

03-10-2006, 09:14 AM	#1
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	Pink Floyd The Wall - CD from Harvest/EMI - Could be best ever. I've owned "most every common issue" of Pink Floyd's The Wall, including the Sony MD set. This has got to be the best sounding CD version ever, better than the CBS/Sony/Columbia issues, even the Capitol and the MFSL. The issue is the normal UK/Holland "two-line" face with "Harvest" logo at 12-o-clock and the discs look like they're done by EMI Swindon. Plenty of dynamic snap, awesome stereo image, solid bottom end without being flabby and no "pop" on "Comfortably Numb". Sounds like it was recorded yesterday. All the Ezrin elements come through in amazing clarity. I'll post scans later. Sounds near-perfect. Wow.

03-10-2006, 09:22 AM	#2
Blue Moon Formerly GammaSpace Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,378	Sckott, would you be able to provide us with a scan of the disc and the cover? Thank you. __________________ "You are what you think." -- Me

03-10-2006, 09:35 AM	#6
KeithH CD collector, and so much more Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: It varies. Posts: 24,279	Sckott, interesting observations. Many folks here have expressed a preference for the original CBS/Sony (Columbia) versions. I have Japanese and West German pressings on Harvest that I have not listened to in awhile As I recall, they sound identical, but I should give them a spin again. I've listened to the old Columbia set a good bit lately and have been impressed with it. __________________ www.keithhirsch.com

03-10-2006, 09:52 AM	#11
musicalbeds Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,153	I just picked one up last week from a second hand shop. I had told the owner to watch for copies of The Wall plain and simple...I didn't get technical with him, and to call me if one came in. I was expecting a remaster at worst, CDN non-remaster pressing at best. Imagine my surprise when I saw the Harvest label on the spine and opened it to find the black faced disc. The sound is so good I decided to sell my copy of the MFSL right away...it's that noticeable. I'm glad you mentioned the track listing because I noticed that as well. Isn't One Of My Turns split into two tracks? I think that leaves Young Lust and Empty Spaces on the same track. __________________ This is the internet, where men are men, women are men and children are police officers. David F

03-10-2006, 09:58 AM	#13
musicalbeds Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,153	Yep, they have two songs thrown together on one track, then one song split into two. Possible reason for alternate unremastered pressings which might differ in sound, not by design, to fix that? __________________ This is the internet, where men are men, women are men and children are police officers. David F

03-10-2006, 09:26 AM	#3
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	Yep. It's basically the UK issue that was available in the UK between 1989-1993? Around that time? The index points on the songs are in wild places, sometimes before or after you'd expect them to be at.... More to come....

03-10-2006, 09:26 AM	#4
Kevin Bresnahan Forum Icon Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Granite State Posts: 2,163	If it's the same mastering as my original Japanese Harvest CDs, then I agree that the mastering is very good. I sold my MFSL CDs because they couldn't touch the Harvest. The signal level is very low which never bothers me but it might others. BTW, I have a scan of my disc in this thread. Kevin

03-10-2006, 09:31 AM	#5
pig whisperer Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 9,612	Have you compared it with the Canadain (and/or other countries) C2K-36183 first release version from the eighties? (My brother has it, but I can't remember is it is Columbia or Capital, etc.)

03-10-2006, 09:38 AM	#7
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	Kevin's disc is most likely just like the one I have. His is back, mine is "white", if you will. Same catalog numbers, markings, etc. Kevin is correct; the signal is down lower than most CDs, slightly lower than most its age. Kevin's disc is most likely just like the one I have. His is back, mine is "white", if you will. Same catalog numbers, markings, etc. His is made in JPN, mine in Holland/UK. Has to be etched from the same image. I listen to this disc, and I don't wanna move. It's that good. The Columbias from the 80's all sound basically the same to me. (Sony got a remaster done before Capitol took the catalog). Good, but slightly flabby.

03-10-2006, 09:42 AM	#8
22dRow Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,412	Sckott, you are correct about the original UK nonremastered Harvest Wall CD being the best, even superior to the nonremastered Columbia CD which I have a/b'd it to. On mine the index point of Comfortably Numb starts with the knocking on the door "time to go..." and does not have the pop. It retains all the dynamics of the Columbia CD with even more presence and warmth.

03-10-2006, 09:54 AM	#12
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	Yep, screwed up track positions. Young Lust shows up as 2:03 and is really the "dramatic" part of "One Of My Turns".

03-10-2006, 10:11 AM	#14
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	What I think happened: In the US, CBS took the tape copies they had and sent the 1630 tapes to Japan to have them etched to glass masters along with the track positions intact, how the engineer at Columbia had things written down. EMI took the master tape and had the transfer done with THEIR own guessable track positions. Guy who took on the job said, "Umm, I wonder what goes where?" It's highly evident who had the better tape source though.

03-10-2006, 11:05 AM	#15
Phil Elliott Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Was York, England. Moved to Aberystwyth, Wales :-) Posts: 1,726	When I first borrowed a copy of this, it was the UK/Dutch varient. It was as Sckott describes it, black type on silver; great dynamics with really nice EQ; the exploding TV sets in particular were almost frightening. When I got my own copy, this was the W.German "Sonopress" varient. Now, while disc 2 sounds very good, disc 1 came out somewhat lacklustre, like an ok-ish cassette dub. It also runs a little fast. Is it possible we can get a sample of the Dutch one at all, particularly disc 1? __________________ Read this: http://lukpac.org/stereostones/stones-cd-faq.txt

03-10-2006, 04:57 PM	#17
Wmacky Forum Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Skynyrd city USA Posts: 1,031	You guy's are going to make Dave's head explode!

03-10-2006, 05:07 PM	#18
StyxCollector Man of Miracles Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Grove of Eglantine Posts: 5,388	Sounds is subjective. One man's trash is another man's treasure. I have the Mofi and it's good enough for me for how often I listen to it. I upgraded from the old Columbia and prefer it to that (bought the Mofi when it was new). There are no absolutes here.

03-10-2006, 05:14 PM	#19
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	Right. Knock yourself out. FWIW, I think Dave was close, but hearing this, IMHO, this one's it. Your local air pressure, Juju and brain cells might say something else.

03-13-2006, 07:20 AM	#20
dbz Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Live At Leeds-Yorkshire UK Posts: 4,291	I have this UK Harvest version-and have loved it for years. A True Audiophile experience __________________ "There was no guitar player that demonstrated such control, rock virtuosity and sheer visceral passion. Here was an unequivocal guitar God". Steve Vai on Tommy Bolin (2007)

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