Roxy Music on CD

ROXY MUSIC

Note that discs with 10 tracks have "Virginia Plain" added to the original album, those with 9 have the original tracklisting.

Mastering 1: 92.8/77.3/76.2/(95.4)/60.9/71.4/54.2/83.1/74.0/74.3
UK Virgin/EG 0777 7 86480 2 4 EGCD 6 / Matrix: 786480 2 3 EMI SWINDON
US Reprise 9 26039-2 matrix: SRC=04

Mastering 2: 95.7/95.9/94.6/(95.7)/95.9/95.9/91.3/95.2/95.6/76.0
HDCD Remaster EU?

Mastering 3: 88.2/75.9/88.1/(68.5)/71.9/92.8/45.5/84.8/60.9/71.8
West Germany Polydor/EG 821522-2 / Matrix: 821522-2 01

Mastering 4: 98.1/81.7/81.2/65.0/78.0/59.2/90.2/79.0/76.9
Japan 32VD-1103 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

FOR YOUR PLEASURE

Mastering 1: 76.7/86.8/70.2/74.0/80.8/85.3/86.8/72.5
West Germany EG 823 018-2 / Matrix: 823 018-2 02 # (small Polydor logo near bottom of the disc, not on the artwork)

Mastering 2: 99.8/95.0/84.3/98.5/89.9/99.9/100.0/100.0
UK Virgin/EG 0777 7 86534 2 4 EGCD 8 / Matrix: 786534 1 EMI SWINDON

Mastering 3: 88.9/84.7/75.1/87.8/83.9/91.1/100.0/98.6
US Reprise 9 26040-2 matrix: SRC=03

Mastering 4: 99.9/100.0/99.9//98.7/98.7/98.7/99.7/99.2/98.1
EU Virgin/EG 7243 8 47449 2 2 ROXYCD2 (HDCD remaster) / Matrix: EMI UDEN 8474502 @ 1

Mastering 5: 88.6/84.8/74.7/87.4/83.5/90.5/100.0/98.6 (peak levels always within 0.6% of #3)
Japan 32VD-1104 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

STRANDED

Mastering 1: 100.0/77.4/99.4/89.7/100.0/94.9/100.0/78.3
The Netherlands Virgin/EG 0777 7 86481 2 3 EGCD 10 / Matrix: 786481 2 @ 1-2-5 NL
US Reprise/EG 9 26041-2 / Matrix: 1 26041-2 SRC+03
Japan 32VD-1061 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

Mastering 2: 66.8/42.4/74.1/72.7/76.9/65.5/76.9/62.3
West Germany Polydor/EG 823019-2 / Matrix: 823019-2 01

COUNTRY LIFE

Mastering 1: 99.6/91.1/94.6/98.5/99.8/92.6/61.4/95.9/85.4/100.0
The Netherlands Virgin/EG 0777 7 86482 2 2 EGCD 16 / Matrix: 786482 @ 2 1-2-12-NL

Mastering 2: 79.4/81.8/75.7/85.7/83.6/82.5/68.7/89.1/77.3/88.3
UK Virgin/EG ??? / Matrix: ?
West Germany Polydor/EG 823 147-2 by Polygram / Matrix: 823 147-2 01 # M

Mastering 3: 79.3/71.3/74.6/78.2/79.5/72.7/45.4/75.8/66.1/80.4
Japan 32VD-1062 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?
US Reprise 9 26042-9 matrix: SRC+01

SIREN

Mastering 1: 85.6/57.5/80.7/80.5/80.5/65.5/71.3/69.1/76.9
The Netherlands Virgin/EG 0777 7 86960 2 5 EGCD 20 / Matrix: 786960 2 @ 1 1-1-17-NL
West Germany EG 823 020-2 by Polygram / Matrix: 823 020-2 01

Mastering 2: 100.0/69.2/97.0/96.8/94.5/78.8/85.7/83.0/90.4
Japan 32VD-1105 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

Mastering 3: 99.2/99.1/99.1/99.2/99.8/99.2/99.2/99.2/92.5
EU? Virgin/EG HDCD Remaster / Matrix: ?

Mastering 4: 100.0/86.9/100.0/100.0/100.0/98.0/100.0/100.0/100.0
US Reprise 9 26043-2 matrix: SRC+01

VIVA!

Mastering 1: 98.7/91.0/95.6/50.4/84.6/99.9/89.9/90.2
The Netherlands Virgin/EG 0777 7 86354 2 0 EGCD 25 / Matrix: 786354 2 @ 2 1-1-14-NL
Austria Virgin/EG 5 012985 402521 EGCD 25 / Matrix: EGCD-25 12

Mastering 2: 96.6/92.6/100.0/50.0/84.0/99.8/87.7/90.1
US Reprise/EG 9 26044-2 / Matrix: 1 26044-2 SRC+01

MANIFESTO

Mastering 1: 73.5/77.5/81.2/84.6/70.6/97.9/86.8/82.6/87.5/86.1
West Germany Polydor/EG 800 031-2 / Matrix: 800031 2 02
The Netherlands Virgin/EG 0777 7 86355 2 9 EGCD 38 / Matrix: 786355 2 @ 5 2-1-3-NL
West Germany Polydor/EG 800031-2 Red face / Matrix: 800031-2 02

Mastering 2: 84.5/79.0/85.8/75.1/74.5/94.0/89.1/95.6/89.1/93.8
US Reprise/EG 9 26046-2 / Matrix: 1 26046-2 SRC=01

Mastering 3: 100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0
Japan 32VD-1053 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

FLESH + BLOOD

Mastering 1: 99.9/99.9/99.9/99.9/98.5/98.5/96.7/98.5/98.5/98.5
EU Virgin/EG 7243 8 47459 2 9 ROXYCD8 (HDCD remaster) / Matrix: EMI UDEN 8474392 @ 1

Mastering 2: 87.8/88.7/91.7/90.1/63.6/73.6/86.7/87.2/72.6/70.9
Japan 32VD-1052 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

Mastering 3: 100.0/100.0/95.0/88.6/59.7/72.3/92.7/79.8/63.2/70.9
West Germany Polydor/EG Silverface 800 019-2 / Matrix: 800019 2 02

Mastering 4: 100.0/100.0/100.0/100.0/73.0/84.5/99.5/100.0/83.3/81.5 (apart from first 4 songs a level adjusted copy of #2)
US Reprise/EG 9 26075-2 / Matrix: 1 265075-2 SRC+01

AVALON

Mastering 1: 98.7/100.0/100.0/96.4/99.9/97.6/97.6/99.9/99.9/86.6
EU Virgin/EG 7243 8 47460 2 5 ROXYCD9 (HDCD remaster) / Matrix: EMI UDEN 8474382 @ 1

Mastering 2: 99.8/99.8/99.8/99.8/99.8/99.8/99.8/99.8/99.8/58.9
EU Virgin 7243 5 83871 2 4 (redbook layer of SACD) / Matrix: 50735137/UNIVERSAL 583871-2 01

Mastering 3: 99.4/100.0/99.4/98.1/97.1/86.5/87.6/81.6/85.9/50.7
The Netherlands Virgin/EG 0777 7 86374 2 4 EGCD 50 / Matrix: 786374 @ 3

Mastering 4: 82.5/100.0/91.9/89.4/82.6/100.0/86.1/75.7/77.4/38.6
West Germany Warner/EG Target 9 23686-2 / Matrix: 800 032-2 03
West Germany Polydor Red Face disc / Matrix: ?

Mastering 5: 80.6/97.7/89.8/87.4/80.8/97.7/84.1/74.0/75.6/37.7 (level adjusted copy of mastering 4)
Canada EG/WEA CD 23686 by Cinram / Matrix: ?

Mastering 6: 66.8/67.2/64.4/63.7/64.5/66.3/64.9/67.1/61.7/33.8 (wrong tracklisting)
Mastering 6 with tracklisting corrected: 66.8/67.2/63.7/64.4/64.9/66.3/67.1/61.7/64.5/33.8
Japan 32VD-1051 Black Triangle / Matrix: ?

Mastering 7: 79.8/96.3/89.5/87.5/79.9/98.1/83.2/74.0/75.9/37.6
US Reprise/EG 9 23686-2 / Matrix: 1 23686-2 SRC+05

STREET LIFE: 20 GREAT HITS

Mastering 1: 75.1/97.1/82.3/94.8/75.5/83.8/97.4/66.0/100.0/94.4/91.7/81.2/82.8/86.7/96.8/95.6/81.6/91.3/95.2/100.0
UK Virgin/E'G 0777 7 86356 2 8 EGCTV 1 / Matrix: 786356 2 @ 2 1-3-21 NL / Manufactured in Holland

 

STRANDED

Mastering 2: 66.8/42.4/74.1/72.7/76.9/65.5/76.9/62.3

UK?/EGCD 10/Matrix: 823 019-2 02 */Barcode: 5 012985 301022

 

Probably. Documentation on HDCD processing is way sketchy, but in the foo_dsp_hdcd thread on HydrogenAudio, it was said that it usually involves doing a 6.0 dB gain cut. I can confirm this happens when processing WAVs ripped from the Roxy Music HDCD with foo_dsp_hdcd as well as hdcd.exe. I don't have a hardware decoder.

If I read the thread right, apparently not all HDCDs contain instructions to the decoder to do anything else, like reversing the peak limiting, or doing some kind of filtering. In my experiments with the self-titled HDCD, I found no evidence of anything besides the gain difference. Pushing the volume back up 6 dB and truncating the extra bits gave me the exact same WAVs I started with. So either the decoders didn't do everything they were supposed to, or the disc really is just a loud mastering and the 16th bit is wasted on telling the decoder to turn the volume down. Someone who knows more, feel free to correct me or tell me what I can do to further test.

That said, it's not a bad sounding CD.

 

Yeah, I have all the Roxy HDCD remasters (except Viva Live), and according to HDCD.exe, none of them use peak extend or the filters. So I have no idea what the purpose of HDCD was in this case.

 

Total guess on my part but the Roxy Music remasters may be HDCD because the mastering engineer liked the sound of the Pacific Microsonics A/D converters and filters. Pacific Microsonics was the originator of HDCD. I believe the PM A/D was well liked by recording engineers, the alternative at the time being mainly Sony.
Regards, Trevor.
P.S. For those people, like myself, that are partial to the best tracks (no filler)from the early Roxy Music albums I recommend The Early Years CD compilation on Caroline, a EMI/Virgin/Chrysalis affilate label.

 

How do the Japanese Mini LP"S sound ? I have heard the Toshiba Black Triangle Country Life and I think it sounds real fine, I 'd like to purchase Stranded,For Your Pleasure, ect. Also ,for those that have them can you comment on the packaging of the 2008 Japan CD'S ?

 

I recently picked up copies of Roxy's 1st 2 albums on cd, the picture disc reissues from 1991. Anyone have any thoughts as to these having different masterings than the 1st issues?
Here's some pictures from the "Discogs" site:

 

Amazon samples list them as being the 1999 remaster versions of those tracks. Not sure if this also means that those versions are the ones on the actual cd comp.

 

Greetings from holiday in South Kensington,

I just bought the same two titles, Roxy Music, For Your Pleasure plus Stranded from the same 1991 move to Virgin re-master campaign. I rarely see any Roxy in the bins at home and was hoping to score some UK/EU early issues but no such luck. I've never sen these Stateside. No critical listening yet, our rental house only has a mini/micro shelf system. I found no mention of these outside of this thread.

Cheers, Michael

 

1991 Picture CD re-issues

I bought the first three Roxy titles used in London a few weeks back. The picture CD release date is from Discogs. I have no further attribution at this time. I don't have any copies to compare to at this time but I am waiting on an $8 West German EG/Polydor copy of For Your Pleasure with Mastering #1 to arrive from eBay.

Roxy Music Self Titled 10 track with Virginia Plain Track 4
1991 Picture CD EG Marketed By Virgin
Catalog # 0777 7 086480 2 4 EGCD6
Matrix DADC AUSTRIA EGCD-6 22 A2
Mastering 4 : 98.1/81.7/81.2/75.1/65.0/78.0/59.2/90.2/79.0/76.9
This looks like a Black Triangle with Virginia Plain inserted.

Roxy Music For Your Pleasure
1991 Picture CD EG Marketed By Virgin
Catalog # 0777 7 86534 2 4 EGCD8
Matrix DADC AUSTRIA EGCD-8 14 A3
Mastering 2: 99.8/95.0/84.3/98.5/89.9/99.9/100.0/100.0

Roxy Music Stranded
1991 Picture CD EG Marketed By Virgin
Catalog # 0777 7 86481 2 3 EGCD10
Matrix DADC AUSTRIA EGCD-10 21 A2
Mastering 1: 100.0/77.4/99.4/89.7/100.0/94.9/100.0/78.3

I knew you would be pleased.

I have a few Bryan Ferry titles, should they be posted here with an updated title or in a new thread.

Cheers, Michael

 

Roxy Music Avalon EG/Polydor

Here is another one for the Avalon section mastering No. 4.

Roxy Music Avalon on E'G
Made in W. Germany by PolyGram
A small Polydor logo is at the six o'clock position on the disc. The silver to the center disc also features wide and a narrow blue rings.
Catalog 800 032-2
Matrix 800 032-2 03 #
Mastering 4: 82.5/100.0/91.9/89.4/82.6/100.0/86.1/75.7/77.4/38.6

Happy Listening, Michael

 

Adding Bryan Ferry Solo Albums To The Thread

Martijn, Thanks for starting The Roxy Music on CD thread. Hopefully with your blessing, some of us are going to build on your foundation by including Bryan Ferry's solo albums. Everyone, please let me know about any errors and omissions.

Cheers, Michael

ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE

Mastering 1: 99.8/84.0/99.4/100.0/97.0/95.0/90.2/100.0/86.1/100.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 26083-2 Matrix: 1 26083-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


IN YOUR MIND

Mastering 1: 68.0/74.6/67.3/82.5/76.6/69.3/62.7/78.3
E’G/Polydor 823 146-2 Matrix: 823 146-2 01 # Made In W Germany by PolyGram


THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE

Mastering 1: 94.9/100.0/85.1/65.2/68.2/91.9/81.1/57.1/77.9/51.4
E’G/Virgin EGCD36 Matrix: 821 127-2 01 # MADE IN W GERMANY BY PDO HANOVER


BOYS AND GIRLS

Mastering 1: 91.2/86.8/91.3/47.0/82.1/88.5/84.1/71.6/77.0
US E’G/Warner Brothers 9 25082-2 Target Edition MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY POLYGRAM


BETE NOIRE

Mastering 1: 99.1/92.4/92.4/91.6/60.8/99.9/99.9/99.8
US E’G/Reprise W2-25598 Matrix: 1 25598-2 SRC+09 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing (Record Club edition)


TAXI

Mastering 1: 98.8/98.8/98.8/99.9/98.8/98.8/97.3/98.8/98.8/98.8
US Reprise 9 45246-2 Matrix: 1 45246-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


DYLANESQUE

Mastering 1: 100.0/100.0/98.5/100.0/100.0/100.0/99.1/100.0/97.1/99.8/100.0US Virgin 0946 3 83891 2 5 Matrix: A 7301 094638389125 E70116-05 Manufactured by Virgin Records America

 

Adding To Boys and Girls

Thanks to Vader67 for running his E'G Polydor copy of Boys And Girls through Exact Audio Copy. Anyone who enjoys the album Boys And Girls can now be assured that the American market Target and the European blue ringed Polygram have the same mastering.

I also added my 2005 and 1999 levels of Boys And Girls. I recently sold my 1999 HDCD issue since I listen to the 2005 SA-CD for fun and the Target for critical two channel. I have the levels for the 1999 HDCD issue but no actual disc on hand. Can anyone contribute spine catalog and matrix information for a 1999 HDCD re-master?

I forgot to mention This I'm now cleaned out. It's up to the other fans to contribute now.

Thanks in advance, Michael

ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE

Mastering 1: 99.8/84.0/99.4/100.0/97.0/95.0/90.2/100.0/86.1/100.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 26083-2 Matrix: 1 26083-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


IN YOUR MIND

Mastering 1: 68.0/74.6/67.3/82.5/76.6/69.3/62.7/78.3
E’G/Polydor 823 146-2 Matrix: 823 146-2 01 # Made In W Germany by PolyGram (blue rings)


THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE

Mastering 1: 94.9/100.0/85.1/65.2/68.2/91.9/81.1/57.1/77.9/51.4
E’G/Virgin EGCD36 Matrix: 821 127-2 01 # MADE IN W GERMANY BY PDO HANOVER


BOYS AND GIRLS

Mastering 1: 91.2/86.8/91.3/47.0/82.1/88.5/84.1/71.6/77.0
US E’G/Warner Brothers 9 25082-2 Target Edition MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY POLYGRAM
E'G/Polydor 825 659-2 Matrix # 825 659-2 02 Made In W Germany by PolyGram (blue rings)

Mastering 2: 97.6/97.6/97.2/85.7/97.2/97.6/99.3/90.8/90.8
US E’G/Warner Brothers (need spine/matrix Information) 1999 US HDCD re-master

Mastering 3: 99.7/99.7/99.7/98.0/99.7/99.7/99.1/99.7/99.7
EMI/Virgin 7243 8 6683 2 3 Red Book CD layer of 2005 Hybrid SA-CD

BETE NOIRE

Mastering 1: 99.1/92.4/92.4/91.6/60.8/99.9/99.9/99.8
US E’G/Reprise W2-25598 Matrix: 1 25598-2 SRC+09 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing (Record Club edition)


TAXI

Mastering 1: 98.8/98.8/98.8/99.9/98.8/98.8/97.3/98.8/98.8/98.8
US Reprise 9 45246-2 Matrix: 1 45246-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


DYLANESQUE

Mastering 1: 100.0/100.0/98.5/100.0/100.0/100.0/99.1/100.0/97.1/99.8/100.0
US Virgin 0946 3 83891 2 5 Matrix: A 7301 094638389125 E70116-05 Manufactured by Virgin Records America

 

Hi folks,

I'm new here, so bear with me if I don't quite fit into the forum etiquette and such. No offence is ever meant, and I am happy for those to put me right where I am wrong.

Since we have recently purchased the HDCD remasters of Roxy Music Flesh and Blood, and Bryan Ferry Boys and Girls, I have found the discussion on this site around HDCD remasters of Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry very interesting - also HDCD technology in general. There has also been some forum posts on Hydrogen Audio pertaining to the subject of HDCD.


I can confirm that our Roxy Music Avalon EGCD50 Made in Holland/UK has the same peak levels with those mentioned above - noted from the EAC log file.
I can also confirm the same peak levels for the Roxy Music Flesh and Blood ROXYCD8 HDCD Remaster on Virgin/EG.

Bryan Ferry - Boys and Girls - HDCD Remaster FERRYCD6 - Peak Data:
Track == 01 --- 02 --- 03 --- 04 --- 05 --- 06 --- 07 --- 08 --- 09
% Peak = 97.6 - 97.6 - 97.2 - 85.7 - 97.2 - 97.6 - 99.3 - 90.8 - 90.8


I think that, although peak levels may help determine whether or not one disc is in fact the same as another disc, irrespective of packaging, peak level data alone is not a representation of the quality of the audio on the disc.

Our Avalon EGCD50 has higher peaks than either Flesh and Blood ROXYCD8 or Boys and Girls FERRYCD6, but the overall perceived volume is much less.
The result to us, is a much more pleasing listening experience - not being pinned to the back wall of your sofa!

Both of these HDCD Remasters, Flesh and Blood ROXYCD8 and Boys and Girls FERRYCD6, as well as the HDCD Remaster of Avalon ROXYCD9 (which I downloaded as lossless FLAC for comparison), have this similar problem, percieved louder recording, despite similar or even lower peak levels.

I can only assume that a heavier dynamic range compression has been used on these three mentioned HDCD Remasters, compared with the older EGCD50 Avalon.


Strictly speaking in terms of non-HDCD/HDCD 16bit/24bit non-decoded/decoded - I apologise for this being off track.

Feeling that perhaps these new HDCD remasters were overcompressed, I thought that perhaps they were meant to be uncompressed with the use of an HDCD decoder, standalone (HDCD enabled CD player) or in software (Windows Media Player WMP).

I used the following:

>WMP and a 'Chronatron WAV Output' plugin to capture the 24bit .WAV (wavex) output from the Playing CD. This was converted/retagged using WaveWizrd as a 24bit .WAV

>EAC to rip out 16bit lossless .WAV, which were then decoded using HDCD.exe into 24bit .WAV files

>EAC to rip out 16bit lossless .WAV​

On comparing each of these files in Cubasis, the obvious difference was that the 24bit files were exactly 6dB quieter. Visual inspection of the waveform showed no difference except for the 6dB drop.
On further listening, after adjusting the gain -6dB for the 16bit file as so to match the volume of the 24bit files, I could hear no difference between any of these.

I conclude that there is no HDCD encoding present that WMP or HDCD.exe can decode to make these files any different from the standard 16bit audio that can be played in any non-HDCD decoding player (except for being attenuated by 6dB).

This doesn't mean that there isn't some HDCD encoding present, I am just saying that all of the tools at my disposal cannot decode anything to make the output any different.

HDCD.exe output: No peak extended, or Transient Filter enabled. Minimum and maximum gain 0.0dB


My partial solution to the aparent overly loud HDCD Remaster:

Keeping the 16bit .WAV from EAC and the 24bit .WAV output from HDCD.exe I performed some audible tests.

Utilizing Cubasis mixing controls, I attenuated the 16bit .WAV files from the Remaster HDCD's by 4.1dB (-4.1dB volume)

and increased gain on the decoded 24bit .WAV files by 2.1dB (+2.1dB volume [keep in mind 24bit is 6dB lower]).
I also used VST dyamics to apply a softclip to the two above.

I mixed down each different file and processing, burnt to CD-R and compared on a HiFi.

1> 16bit -4.1dB
2> 16bit -4.1dB Softclip
3> 24bit +2.1dB
4> 24bit +2.1dB Softclip.​

The difference is next to negligible (if there is one) between 1 and 3, but there is a more noticeable difference

between 2 and 4 and those compared with 1/3.
2 has more of its punch removed, less surging bass, and smoother delivery - maybe too smooth
4 has similar characteristics to 2, but has a subtler effect.

I can explain the difference between 2 and 4. Because 4 is a lower gain file (-6dB) it is not pushing the softclip VST dynamics filter/plugin/tool as hard as 2 which is at full volume. Thus not rounding off the peaks as quickly.
See search engine result for soft clip.

After performing those processes and analysing. I hear that either is 'OK'. There is a choice per song as to whether to apply softclip or not, and to which file it is applied 16bit or 24bit.

Despite my attempts at "fixing" these CD's by the above process, I still hear the music as 'not quite right'. It does seem that too much compression may have ruined the music.


I would be interested to see if the EGCD masterings of "Flesh and Blood - (1980?) EGCD46" and "Boys and Girls - (1985?) EGCD62" are the same or similar.

(the date is put in with a '?' because the compact disc was not commercially available until really 1985/6 - so EGCD46 cannot be a 1980 CD - these dates are on the back covers of the discs cases)

If any one knows where I maybe able to obtain these for analysis, please Private Message me - It would be greatly appreciated.
Please also PrivateMessage me if you wish to talk further about any of the above.

Thanks
Leon

 

Greetings from Philadelphia Leon

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your conribution to the thread.

All this HDCD business makes me think that maybe the art department didn't get the email about not using the HDCD encoding.

Cheers, Maichael

 

Here's a few, all US pressings.

LET'S STICK TOGETHER, US Reprise 9 26084-2, matrix: 1 26084-2 SRC-01
97.5/82.1/98.9/100/99.6/96.7/76.6/91.6/82.8/100/94.8

IN YOUR MIND, US Reprise 9 26085-2, matrix: 1 26085-2 SRC+01
99.8/95.6/97.3/100/99.3/90.5/91.6/99.2

THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE, US Reprise 9 26086-2, matrix: 1 26086-2 SRC+02
96.4/100/100/99.9/83.2/100/98.0/53.7/99.9/79.0

BOYS AND GIRLS, US Reprise/EG 9 25082-2, matrix: 1 25082-2 SRC+06
100/73.8/80.4/50.9/77.5/76.9/100/62.7/64.0

BETE NOIRE, US Reprise 9 25598-2, matrix: 1 25598-2 SRC-03
99.1/92.4/92.4/91.6/60.8/99.9/99.9/99.8/71.4

 

The Avalon EGCD we have has the following data on it:

Data on packaging:
Barcode: 0 077778637424
Info Box: 0777 7 86374 2 4
UK: EGCD 50
F: PM 500
D: 257 953
Virgin logo
(P) 1982 EG Records Ltd. London
E'G Marketed by Virgin

The Disc:
On the Face: Stereo , EGCD50, 0777 7 86374 2 4
E'G Manufactured in UK (centre logo right)
Virgin logo (bottom centre)
On the inner edge of the disc: 786374 2:1:18.EMI SWINDON



As for Boys and Girls FERRYCD6

Data on packaging:
Barcode: 7 24384 77222 2
Info Box: 7243 8 47722 2 2
UK: FERRYCD6
F: PM576
LC: 03098
Printed in EU
Virgin logo
HDCD logo
(P) 1985 Virgin Records Ltd. (C) 1985 Virgn Records Ltd.
Copyright jargon
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd.

The Disc:
Resembles a vinyl with red label in the centre (like all new HDCD remasters in this series)
On the Face: HDCD Logo - Virgin logo FERRYCD6 7243 8 47722 2 2
On the inner edge of the disc: IMS www.imsgroup.it 8477212
On inner plastic: IFPI 2536


Hope that helps with anything needed.

FYI: I looked up IMS Group - they have an Italian site, so anyone who can read Italian can probably work it out better what they are saying than google translate can.

It would appear that IMS Group not only manufacture the discs, producing the high quality glass starting point, and the finished X# run of commercial discs, but also perform something called "pre-mastering".
This reads like it is a step that they allows them to apply filters and tools to the audio in which to tweak it sonically. Isn't this actually undoing what the mastering engineer was paid to do?

Anyway, I still don't much care for these HDCD remasters, Flesh and Blood sounds worse than Boys and Girls, but neither sound 'right' to me. Far too shouty - maybe far too compressed?

 

Added US issue E'G/Reprise Bryan Ferry levels

Tim, thank you for your contribution and allerting me to missing the levels on track nine of Bete Noire.

L5730, Thank you for the details on your Boys And Girls CD.

Would a moderator please change the title of the thread to reflect the inclusion of Brayn Ferry titles.

Cheers, Michael


ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE

Mastering 1: 99.8/84.0/99.4/100.0/97.0/95.0/90.2/100.0/86.1/100.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 26083-2 Matrix# 1 26083-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


Let's Stick Together

Mastering 1: 97.5/82.1/98.9/100.0/99.6/96.7/76.6/91.6/82.8/100.0/94.8
US E’G/Reprise 9 26084-2 Matrix# 1 26084-2 SRC-01


IN YOUR MIND

Mastering 1: 68.0/74.6/67.3/82.5/76.6/69.3/62.7/78.3
E’G/Polydor 823 146-2 Matrix# 823 146-2 01 # Made In W Germany by PolyGram (blue rings)

Mastering 2: 99.8/95.6/97.3/100.0/99.3/90.5/91.6/99.2
US E’G/Reprise 9 26085-2 Matrix# 1 26085-2 SRC+01


THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE

Mastering 1: 94.9/100.0/85.1/65.2/68.2/91.9/81.1/57.1/77.9/51.4
E’G/Virgin EGCD36 Matrix# 821 127-2 01 # MADE IN W GERMANY BY PDO HANOVER

Mastering 2: 96.4/100.0/100.0/99.9/83.2/100.0/98.0/53.7/99.9/79.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 26086-2 Matrix# 1 26086-2 SRC+02


BOYS AND GIRLS

Mastering 1: 91.2/86.8/91.3/47.0/82.1/88.5/84.1/71.6/77.0
US E’G/Warner Brothers 9 25082-2 Target Edition MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY POLYGRAM
E'G/Polydor 825 659-2 Matrix# 825 659-2 02 Made In W Germany by PolyGram (blue rings)

Mastering 2: 97.6/97.6/97.2/85.7/97.2/97.6/99.3/90.8/90.8
US E’G/Warner Brothers (need spine/matrix Information) 1999 US HDCD re-master
UK E'G/Virgin FERRY CD6

Mastering 3: 99.7/99.7/99.7/98.0/99.7/99.7/99.1/99.7/99.7
EMI/Virgin 7243 8 6683 2 3 Red Book CD layer of 2005 Hybrid SA-CD

Mastering 4: 100.0/73.8/80.4/50.9/77.5/76.9/100.0/62.7/64.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 25082-2 Matrix# 1 25082-2 SRC+06


BETE NOIRE

Mastering 1: 99.1/92.4/92.4/91.6/60.8/99.9/99.9/99.8
US E’G/Reprise W2-25598 Matrix# 1 25598-2 SRC+09 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing (Record Club edition)
US E'G/Reprise 9 25598-2 Matrix# 1 25598-2 SRC 03


TAXI

Mastering 1: 98.8/98.8/98.8/99.9/98.8/98.8/97.3/98.8/98.8/98.8/71.4
US Reprise 9 45246-2 Matrix# 1 45246-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


DYLANESQUE

Mastering 1: 100.0/100.0/98.5/100.0/100.0/100.0/99.1/100.0/97.1/99.8/100.0
US Virgin 0946 3 83891 2 5 Matrix# A 7301 094638389125 E70116-05 Manufactured by Virgin Records America

 

Let's Stick Together

EG 821521-2 (West Germany) Matrix: 821 521-2 01
86.5/75.3/90.0/86.2/64.8/76.1/56.9/71.9/59.8/72.5/65.0

EG 32VD-1078 "black triangle" (Japan) Matrix: 32VD-1078 1A1 TO
90.9/82.1/89.1/89.5/88.9/99.8/79.7/100.0/89.3/99.9/96.9

 

Another Time Another Place

EG 813 654-2 (West Germany Polygram) Matrix: 813 654-2 04
74.4/71.2/77.1/81.5/73.5/76.7/74.8/74.6/72.9/81.7

EG 32VD-1077 "black triangle" (Japan Toshiba) Matrix 32VD-1077 1A1 TO
79.0/67.9/72.2/77.0/70.2/76.6/71.1/79.9/72.9/79.3

These Foolish Things

EG 823 021-2 (West Germany Polygram) Matrix: 823 021-2 01
73.7/37.1/73.9/74.8/72.1/65.6/76.6/84.4/70.0/70.1/78.6/66.5/69.4

EG 32VD-1076 "black triangle" (Japan Toshiba) Matrix: 32VD-1076 1A1 TO
84.7/39.2/83.2/77.2/83.5/81.5/83.5/80.0/73.7/77.6/78.9/78.4/79.4

OK. That's 40 minutes of my life that I'll never get back. I'll do a few more next week.

 

I'm probably one of the few Roxy fans that enjoy the remasters. They aren't perfect but there were flaws on some of the original CDs as well that made me replace them.

 

I enjoy them too, I think they sound good. I do have an HDCD-enababled player, but thought they sounded fine before I owned this player too, albeit louder.

btw, despite being as heavily-invested in good sound as anyone here, I don't have a clue what these threads with lists of numbers mean.

 

Special thanks to the good Doctor for his time on this beautiful Saturday in Philadelphia. I was going to post levels for the West German E'G/Polydor edition of Let's Stick Together when it arrived from Ralph's Comic Books next next week but the Doctor beat me to it.

Cheers, Michael

THESE FOOLISH THINGS

Mastering 1: 73.7/37.1/73.9/74.8/72.1/65.6/76.6/84.4/70.0/70.1/78.6/66.5/69.4
E’G/Polydor 823 021-2 Matrix# 823 021-2 01 # Made In W Germany by PolyGram

Mastering 2: 84.7/39.2/83.2/77.2/83.5/81.5/83.5/80.0/73.7/77.6/78.9/78.4/79.4
E'G 32VD-1076 "black triangle" (Japan Toshiba) Matrix: 32VD-1076 1A1 TO


ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE

Mastering 1: 99.8/84.0/99.4/100.0/97.0/95.0/90.2/100.0/86.1/100.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 26083-2 Matrix# 1 26083-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing

Mastering 2: 74.4/71.2/77.1/81.5/73.5/76.7/74.8/74.6/72.9/81.7
E’G/Polydor 813 654-2 Matrix# 813 654-2 04 Made In W Germany by PolyGram

Mastering 3: 79.0/67.9/72.2/77.0/70.2/76.6/71.1/79.9/72.9/79.3
E'G 32VD-1077 "black triangle" (Japan Toshiba) Matrix 32VD-1077 1A1 TO


Let's Stick Together

Mastering 1: 97.5/82.1/98.9/100.0/99.6/96.7/76.6/91.6/82.8/100.0/94.8
US E’G/Reprise 9 26084-2 Matrix# 1 26084-2 SRC-01

Mastering 2: 86.5/75.3/90.0/86.2/64.8/76.1/56.9/71.9/59.8/72.5/65.0
E’G/Polydor 821521-2 Matrix# 821 521-2 01 Made In W Germany by PolyGram

Mastering 3: 90.9/82.1/89.1/89.5/88.9/99.8/79.7/100.0/89.3/99.9/96.9
E'G 32VD-1078 "black triangle" (Japan) Matrix: 32VD-1078 1A1 TO


IN YOUR MIND

Mastering 1: 68.0/74.6/67.3/82.5/76.6/69.3/62.7/78.3
E’G/Polydor 823 146-2 Matrix# 823 146-2 01 # Made In W Germany by PolyGram (blue rings)

Mastering 2: 99.8/95.6/97.3/100.0/99.3/90.5/91.6/99.2
US E’G/Reprise 9 26085-2 Matrix# 1 26085-2 SRC+01


THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE

Mastering 1: 94.9/100.0/85.1/65.2/68.2/91.9/81.1/57.1/77.9/51.4
E’G/Virgin EGCD36 Matrix# 821 127-2 01 # MADE IN W GERMANY BY PDO HANOVER

Mastering 2: 96.4/100.0/100.0/99.9/83.2/100.0/98.0/53.7/99.9/79.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 26086-2 Matrix# 1 26086-2 SRC+02


BOYS AND GIRLS

Mastering 1: 91.2/86.8/91.3/47.0/82.1/88.5/84.1/71.6/77.0
US E’G/Warner Brothers 9 25082-2 Target Edition MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY POLYGRAM
E'G/Polydor 825 659-2 Matrix# 825 659-2 02 Made In W Germany by PolyGram (blue rings)

Mastering 2: 97.6/97.6/97.2/85.7/97.2/97.6/99.3/90.8/90.8
US E’G/Warner Brothers (need spine/matrix Information) 1999 US HDCD re-master
UK E'G/Virgin FERRY CD6

Mastering 3: 99.7/99.7/99.7/98.0/99.7/99.7/99.1/99.7/99.7
EMI/Virgin 7243 8 6683 2 3 Red Book CD layer of 2005 Hybrid SA-CD

Mastering 4: 100.0/73.8/80.4/50.9/77.5/76.9/100.0/62.7/64.0
US E’G/Reprise 9 25082-2 Matrix# 1 25082-2 SRC+06


BETE NOIRE

Mastering 1: 99.1/92.4/92.4/91.6/60.8/99.9/99.9/99.8
US E’G/Reprise W2-25598 Matrix# 1 25598-2 SRC+09 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing (Record Club edition)
US E'G/Reprise 9 25598-2 Matrix# 1 25598-2 SRC 03


TAXI

Mastering 1: 98.8/98.8/98.8/99.9/98.8/98.8/97.3/98.8/98.8/98.8/71.4
US Reprise 9 45246-2 Matrix# 1 45246-2 SRC+01 Manufactured by WEA Manufacturing


DYLANESQUE

Mastering 1: 100.0/100.0/98.5/100.0/100.0/100.0/99.1/100.0/97.1/99.8/100.0
US Virgin 0946 3 83891 2 5 Matrix# A 7301 094638389125 E70116-05 Manufactured by Virgin Records America

 

May I add:

MAMOUNA
100.0/97.7/97.7/100.0/100.0/100.0/98.7/97.7/97.7/97.7
Virgin 7243 8 39838 2 7 CDV2571 Matrix # 839838 2 @ 3 Made in Italy