Dark Side Of The Moon - Holy Grail

Just get the SACD and save your sanity If you don't like it, well...come back and ask the forum. Really though, I don't think there's any truly horrible version of Dark Side. It's never been maximized to death with treble up to 11 like other albums have.

 

If Dave's disc is #1 then I already know TTR is not on there. My guess is that it will only appear on #4, but that's just a guess. You'd hear the muzak after the "There's no dark side in the moon" line, pretty much right up to the end, I forget which channel. Also, what do you notice in terms of volume level among the discs? Is there one that is notably much louder?

Posting some samples might be useful also, but I know that's pushing it, so that's the reason for the questions.

 

It's hard to know - you don't have a system listed. Dave does.

 

No, only 2.

 

I have the Japanese Black Face Harvest matrix CP35-3017 31A3 CDP 7 46001 2 How does this compare?

I also have a Japanese Black Face Harvest Wish You Were Here matrix CDP 7 46035 2 5B3. Anyone know anything about this one?

 

Yes I agree, but I was referring to this post.

 

For what it's worth, the Japan 'Black Triangle' is my preferred CD of the bunch you listed. Actually, it's my preferred CD of 'Dark Side' period.

 

I have it. It's killer, my favorite version. Blows away even the MFSL IMO.


Evan

 

A little side note FWIW:

Anyone who is reading this thread and might be convinced that they should start scoping out "disc #1" because the rest are supposedly inferior JPN pressings should give this article a read before making that leap:

The Numerically Identical CD Mystery

I didn't even know about it until Lukpac and Phil Elliott pointed this out. My guess is that 3 digitally identical discs are sounding different on Dave's system, so basically this is an example of what is being explained in the article. Read it, form a new opinion, or keep the old one...at least you'll know why.

 

I didn't realise there were 3 different black triangles. I knew of the TO and Non TO but didn't know about the non TO with CDP 7. I had to run up and look at mine, it is the "holy grail" version (no TO no CDP 7 ) I also have version 2 (black face non TO) I guess I got lucky

 

I've compared the 30th Ann. CD layer to the MFSL Gold CD and prefer the 30th Ann.

This may be off topic but I then compared both to 3 vinyl versions; a 2nd UK pressing with A-3/B-3 matrices, the 30th Ann. LP and the MFSL LP. I preferred, by a wide margin, the 3 LPs and in the order given above. If you have a turntable, I would get your hands on a vinyl copy as well. The 30th Ann. is readily available on Ebay for between $20 and $30 sealed. You also get the cool posters and stickers.

 

Actually both Darcy's and mine (holy grail) with similar matrix numbers sound exactly the same. For volume level the BT TO matrix is loudest. #'s 1&2 are exactly the same volume with #3 slightly less.

 

Actually 3 from what I could tell Andreas. #'s 2&3 sound really close with just the volume difference. The holy grail and the BT TO matrix are completely different animals even though the holy grail, the non-TO BT/UK catalog# and the black-face non-TO could very well be from the same source. After all, we're not talking about the sources only the masterings so there are at least 4 different ones.

 

You did get lucky!

You forgot the UK catalog number TO pressing.

 

Just a guess mind you, but I'd bet it sounds like our #3 on Darcy's list.

 

They don't sound the same on my system either, but the difference isn't as big because I don't have the best system in the world.

"Money" between #1 and #2 are almost identical with the first bell having more of a real ring and the double crash cymbal being a bit more "lively" (in a good way) with a bit more clarity, but the bass is the lead, so there isn't much difference. The difference is greater with "Us and Them" and, especially, "Any Color You Like" where the cymbals have the same sounds as in "Money", but the bass is just so laid back it sooths and is warm while the other instruments are more up front. With #2 the bass is more up front with the other instruments - you can't mistake it. (But if you only compare "Money" you will walk away thinking there isn't much difference)

It has been pointed out many times in this thread that there isn't a really bad sounding version of "DSOTM". There are only different sounding versions: one for every taste, system, and budget.

Dave and I have compared a lot of music together in the time we have known each other and we always don't agree on the preferred versions - usually comes down to personal taste between two good sounding versions - but we agree on this one without hesitation.

 

And why would it not sound like:

2. Japan black face - with CDP 7
matrix CP35-3017 28A6 CDP 7 46001 2

 

I listened to these three and I don't notice "A Hard Day's Night" (edit: or is "Ticket to Ride?) at the end. I only hear tape hiss. How noticable is it? Do I have to crank it up to really hear it?

1. Japan black triangle - Non TO - no CDP 7. The "Holy Grail"
matrix CP35-3017 51A2 +++++.
I don't know the matrix on Dave's disc. Both of our discs are identical

2. Japan black face - with CDP 7
matrix CP35-3017 28A6 CDP 7 46001 2

4. Japan black triangle - TO version
matrix CP35-3017-U 1A2 TO

 

This may be asking a lot, but can anyone post a scan showing the inner ring with the UK matrix code? At least 3 members here have one, so hopefully the scans will show the difference between #1 and #2. I'm just really curious.

 

I'm a bit surprised by all the ink this DSOTM CD pressing issue gets...for me the Super Audio CD is much better than anything before it except for the better vinyl copies.

So many of the CDs being discussed here were originated by n-generation master tapes. James Guthrie said the SACD has been the first release to use best master tape for the transfer.

 

P.S. The SACD was an analog tape to DSD transfer. Hard to beat that. Just think of all the extra musical content the SACD by nature has over all these redbooks at 44.1 being discussed. To my ears, the SACD is incredibly open sounding. Just cue up Time and sit back. The clocks just jump out of the speakers in an incredibly lifelike fashion. Breathtaking!

 

Further reading: http://www.pinkfloydz.com/darksidesandv.htm

 

Please! (before the request gets buried)

 

That describes the CD as well.