Dark Side Of The Moon - Holy Grail

I agree with a lot of posters in this thread. Here's my own order.

Japan black triangle non-TO no UK catalog number in the matrix. A very unique mastering that shows just how much they had CD mastering down to perfection already and proceeded to screw everything up with CD's down the line. I'm only talking the majors here and not small boutique labels.

Japan black triangle non-TO with UK catalog number, all Harvest pressings with the UK catalog number made in Japan. These are the closest to the above first choice with only the breath of life missing and tonally the exact same.

N. American 1st pressings CK index up here in Canada.

Doug Sax 94' remaster

MFSL UD (Japan)

 

Is it TOshiba?

 

Yes. My CD has number TOCP-67914.

 

Hmm...there's an '84 "black triangle" (CP35-3017) online for about $60 - I see nothing about Toshiba mentioned on the CD itself - should I jump?

 

So, are the differences between a TO and a non-TO mostly due to manufacturing? I'm assuming they're digitally identical but were made at different plants. Yes?

 

Toshiba/EMI and a black triangle to boot. There's 3 different masterings that are all bkack triangles.

 

Completely different masterings, not digitally identical. I think everyone who has heard both will agree that the "non-TO" mastering is superior.

 

TO is the Toshiba plant and the other 2 are CBS/Sony. It honestly sounds like the one with the TO matrix has the pre-emphasis turned off by mistake. Bright and boomy is how I would describe it as compared to the other two black triangles Jamie.

 

Honestly, with your equipment you should find the non-TO and non-UK catalog number pressing like mine. Guaranteed it won't be less than $100 though now that the whole world knows my secret.

 

Cool. Thanks.

 

It's very strange: my 'DS' (TOCP-67914) has non-UK catalog number on matrix. Other Japan Toshiba PF CD's - 'Animals' & 'FC' - have UK catalog numbers. 'DS' CD sounds better for my taste.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with pre-emphasis; it is just a completely different and inferior mastering approach.

 

Thanks Dave; it's tough to find this stuff out properly with these online sellers, I think I'll just wait to get lucky at a used CD shop, garage sale or summat...(hey, it happens: I got a DCC Gerry Rafferty City To City for $6 or so recently).

 

Horrid? Isn't this the one mastered by Doug Sax?

 

This is my personal favorite on CD.

 

The matrix in the holy grail spells out something like this. CP35-3017-7 1A1 (these last 3 numbers and single letter may differ). Good luck

 

One thing to be mentioned here is that both non-TO masterings--whether it's a Black Triangle or the Black Face--were discovered to be digitally identical a long time ago on this forum. It is up to the individual that will tend to hear differences.

The TO Black Triangle mastering is very brash (nothing to do with pre-emphasis) and also has a Black Face counterpart.

 

The SACD is better sounding than my "Holy Grail" pressing. There is very little difference between the two stereo mixes, and I certainly do not recommend paying the outrageous sums asked for the Japanese pressing these days. The SACD also gives you the benefit of the cool 5.1 mixes, which is my preferred method of listening to DSOTM now.

Derek

 

What's wrong with it...or what isn't wrong with it?

 

Three versions AFAIK.

I'll have a shoot out soon. I have the Japan black triangle non-TO no UK catalogue number in the matrix. The Japan black triangle non-To with the UK catalogue number 「ＣＰ３５－３０１７　２２Ａ６」「ＣＤＰ　７－４６００１　２」and the made in Japan Harvest coming. And I have the black triangle TO and the 20th Anniversay disc to throw in for good measure.

If I have Dave do this at his place on his system will the results be accepted? There are just too many version being called the "holy grail" (like Wings Greatest) that it confuses me.

 

This is interesting as it is the first time I've heard it suggested here that non-TO black triangles sound different, depending on whether the UK catalog number is in the matrix code or not.

I just did a quick check and realized that I happen to have both of these, along with the TO version, so I will have to do my own mini shoot-out.

 

Listen to see if one has a more three demensional sound while the other is somewhat flat. That is what makes one king. YSMV (your system might vary)

I sold a couple of the non-TO with UK catalogue number discs last week and I had shot them out with Dave using his disc. The conclusion is as he posted earlier.
I didn't have a UK black face to throw into the mix, but next time I will (as well as another non-TO no UK # discs to add to the mix.

I should have all the discs together in one or two weeks.

 

So what is the difference between the Japanese CDP 7 46001 2. and a US with the same catalog number? I have a US made copy printed in Jax which has 87' in the hub. I'm assuming it was made in 1987?

 

I'm sure it will be accepted here, but I'm almost positive it will cause more confusion as well. The Blackface Harvest I have from Japan has the UK catalog number in the matrix, and I already know it is the same as Dave's. It's not the awkward, retarded stepchild of the fabled Black Triangle, it's an identical twin--the same mastering. This was discussed long ago as well.

I'm sure there will be exceptions among these pressings (I read here once that someone got a TO mastering on a non-TO pressing, or vice-versa?), but I'd prefer to see some samples posted here before declaring yet another variant of the CP35-3017 discs.