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ironbellyYou know, I was kidding. But there is a drop of truth there.Quote
treaclefingersQuote
DornQuote
ironbellyActually, stick to old CBS CDsQuote
treaclefingers
OK, I'm glad we got all that figured out!
So to paraphrase Ironbelly, "stick with the vinyl releases!"
I'll add the Abbey Road half speed master from a couple of years ago is a good option, if you don't have a clean copy of the original release.
the old ones from the 80´s ??
Funny I actually bought Exile when it came out in the 80s so have that copy...I haven't listened to it in some time but recall thinking it wasn't that great.
I was young and foolish then so who knows...though now I'm old and foolish.
Actually, not a single series of CDs - CBS, Virgin, Polydor, flat transfers - is an ultimate case. Some of CBS CDs are better than Virgin. Some Virgins are better than CBS. Some Virgins are CBS + soft limiting. That is a tough case. Even a few 'flat transfers' are worse comparing to earlier editions.
For Exile there is no perfect edition for sure. You can prefer any. Every version of Exile on CD have its own bugs. I do not want to start a holy war here. It is a sensitive question.
PS. For Exile, apart of playback speed issue, flat transfer 2011 in terms of loudness and tonality is closer to CBS than to Virgin. So, you know...
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treaclefingers
OK, I'm glad we got all that figured out!
So to paraphrase Ironbelly, "stick with the vinyl releases!"
I'll add the Abbey Road half speed master from a couple of years ago is a good option, if you don't have a clean copy of the original release.
Not quite that.Quote
24FPS
If you can ever find the Blu Ray version at a decent price, get it. I heard Blu Ray Let It Bleed isn't that great. But Blu Ray Exile is fantastic.
Yes. All post-1971 catalog up to Dirty Work was issued as SACD. And all were flat transfers from original master tapes. Here is the list.Quote
VoodooLounge13
Now, this 2011 SACD version of EOMS, I'm assuming it's long out of print, first and foremost, but was the entire 71-81 done in SACD?

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VoodooLounge13
was there any improvement in the technology of SACD CD's between 2011-12 and 2014?
.
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ironbelly
VoodooLounge13
A lot of questions. Fortunately, Irix already answered one.
All the editions listed above used the same tape transfer. I.e., SHM-SACD, SHM-platinum CD and SHM-CD of (let's say, Sticky Fingers) came from the same DSD tape transfer made in 2011.
Initially, the original master tapes were transferred to DSD (2.82MHz/1bit). This material went to SACD disc 2011 or 2014. This is as close as you can get to the original analogue master tape in digital world.
In 2013 DSD files were converted to HR PCM 176.4kHz/24bit and further to standard CDDA 44.1kHz/16bit using a procedure that is called in the booklets 'HR (High Resolution) cutting from 176.4kHz/24bit at Victor Creative Media' (whatever it means, no details revealed).
This material was used to made SHM-platinum and SHM-CDs listed in the table above. It was not remastered or re-equalized, just converted and downsampled. Here we are a bit further away from the original master tapes because the digital material is of lower resolution.
Now regarding old CBS and Virgin CDs. Those also came from master tapes or low generation copies. It is known that in 1986 CBS used for Exile equalized dub tape prepared for vinyl production because the master tape they had in hands sounded awful. Anyway, those CDs were prepared from digital material that was made using antique A/D converters (for CBS) or using Apogee + UV22 algorithm (for Virgin) and mastered. And here is a trick that was explained by Steve Hoffman.
______
Remember, gang. This is the rule for mixed recordings, as stupid as it reads:
Master tape means UNMASTERED TAPE.
When you master something you use the UNMASTERED MASTER and MASTER IT to something , either DSD, CD, LACQUER, etc.
A master tape isn't mastered until it's mastered! A master tape is essentially WHAT IS APPROVED FOR MASTERING, hence it is marked MASTER. In other words, "Hey, Mr. Mastering engineer, USE THIS and do your mastering stuff to it to make it sound really good".
Therefore, a flat transfer of a master tape almost never sounds good "straight". But, sometimes it does and when it does, it is up to the mastering engineer to let it alone.
If you understand that, you understand all.
___________
Mastering usually includes application of compressor, limiter, re-equalization, using noise reduction, adding echo, playing with stereo scene etc. Whatever Mr. Mastering engineer has in mind. For example, most of the tracks from the recent Anniversary edition of Tattoo You obviously came from the same tape transfer as 2011 SACD but were made loud and compressed/bickwalled to death.
Thus, aside the different A/D transfer conditions, CBS and Virgin CDs include additional step in preparation of the digital material – mastering. Those 2011/2012/2014 Japanese SHM-SACD and 2013/2015/2020 SHM-CDs just represent direct (flat) transfer of the original master tapes without mastering tricks. These are like what was approved for mastering by the band. What they heard from the monitors in the studio. For good or for bad. Again, a quote from Steve Hoffman
____
I was sent STICKY FINGERS and GOATS from my friend in Japan. Also IT'S ONLY. Never played any of them except FINGERS which sounds to me like a flat transfer from the original tape. Needs mastering work to get it to sound its best but if you crank it up enough, it works.
Can't help you with the rest, sorry. Still in their plastic wraps.
These albums (other than the fine sounding BLACK AND BLUE) were all mixed so badly they give me a headache. That's why I usually go for the old vinyl when I'm in the mood..
I know that didn't help...
_______
So, you know… If the record was made in a hot basement by a band under influence with a guy in the same conditions at the controls in a studio you should not expect perfect audiophile record. Sure, all these do not pardon brickwall mastering added atop in 2009.
It is not me. It is Steve Hoffman's recommendationQuote
treaclefingersQuote
ironbelly
VoodooLounge13
A lot of questions. Fortunately, Irix already answered one.
All the editions listed above used the same tape transfer. I.e., SHM-SACD, SHM-platinum CD and SHM-CD of (let's say, Sticky Fingers) came from the same DSD tape transfer made in 2011.
Initially, the original master tapes were transferred to DSD (2.82MHz/1bit). This material went to SACD disc 2011 or 2014. This is as close as you can get to the original analogue master tape in digital world.
In 2013 DSD files were converted to HR PCM 176.4kHz/24bit and further to standard CDDA 44.1kHz/16bit using a procedure that is called in the booklets 'HR (High Resolution) cutting from 176.4kHz/24bit at Victor Creative Media' (whatever it means, no details revealed).
This material was used to made SHM-platinum and SHM-CDs listed in the table above. It was not remastered or re-equalized, just converted and downsampled. Here we are a bit further away from the original master tapes because the digital material is of lower resolution.
Now regarding old CBS and Virgin CDs. Those also came from master tapes or low generation copies. It is known that in 1986 CBS used for Exile equalized dub tape prepared for vinyl production because the master tape they had in hands sounded awful. Anyway, those CDs were prepared from digital material that was made using antique A/D converters (for CBS) or using Apogee + UV22 algorithm (for Virgin) and mastered. And here is a trick that was explained by Steve Hoffman.
______
Remember, gang. This is the rule for mixed recordings, as stupid as it reads:
Master tape means UNMASTERED TAPE.
When you master something you use the UNMASTERED MASTER and MASTER IT to something , either DSD, CD, LACQUER, etc.
A master tape isn't mastered until it's mastered! A master tape is essentially WHAT IS APPROVED FOR MASTERING, hence it is marked MASTER. In other words, "Hey, Mr. Mastering engineer, USE THIS and do your mastering stuff to it to make it sound really good".
Therefore, a flat transfer of a master tape almost never sounds good "straight". But, sometimes it does and when it does, it is up to the mastering engineer to let it alone.
If you understand that, you understand all.
___________
Mastering usually includes application of compressor, limiter, re-equalization, using noise reduction, adding echo, playing with stereo scene etc. Whatever Mr. Mastering engineer has in mind. For example, most of the tracks from the recent Anniversary edition of Tattoo You obviously came from the same tape transfer as 2011 SACD but were made loud and compressed/bickwalled to death.
Thus, aside the different A/D transfer conditions, CBS and Virgin CDs include additional step in preparation of the digital material – mastering. Those 2011/2012/2014 Japanese SHM-SACD and 2013/2015/2020 SHM-CDs just represent direct (flat) transfer of the original master tapes without mastering tricks. These are like what was approved for mastering by the band. What they heard from the monitors in the studio. For good or for bad. Again, a quote from Steve Hoffman
____
I was sent STICKY FINGERS and GOATS from my friend in Japan. Also IT'S ONLY. Never played any of them except FINGERS which sounds to me like a flat transfer from the original tape. Needs mastering work to get it to sound its best but if you crank it up enough, it works.
Can't help you with the rest, sorry. Still in their plastic wraps.
These albums (other than the fine sounding BLACK AND BLUE) were all mixed so badly they give me a headache. That's why I usually go for the old vinyl when I'm in the mood..
I know that didn't help...
_______
So, you know… If the record was made in a hot basement by a band under influence with a guy in the same conditions at the controls in a studio you should not expect perfect audiophile record. Sure, all these do not pardon brickwall mastering added atop in 2009.
So...to boil it all down...you're saying "stick with the vinyl"?

Because vinyl and CDDA are different formats. Analogue vs. digital.Quote
sotob
If "Artisan pressing" are considered top shelf I wonder that version was not released on CD or re-released on vinyl for mass market purchase instead of these other "types"?
Blu Ray is a derivative from SACD.Quote
24FPS
As for whether the Exile SACD (which I didn't know existed) or Exile Blu Ray sounds better, isn't the Blu Ray disc able to handle more information, and therefore might be a bit better?
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sotob
Great thread and thanks to all who have shared their insights.
I've come to the conclusion that no matter the release it will never sound "great" whatever that means. It will never sound like Keef playing next to you no matter what release you have, etc. Just enjoy the tunes I guess regardless of what you have...
I personally can not hear the difference between numerous release (Virgin, Aritsian) beside some sound slightly brighter (treble), which can modified by EQ depending on what YOU like...
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ironbellyBecause vinyl and CDDA are different formats. Analogue vs. digital.Quote
sotob
If "Artisan pressing" are considered top shelf I wonder that version was not released on CD or re-released on vinyl for mass market purchase instead of these other "types"?
Because vinyl pressings depend on many factors. Most probably they just can not reproduce conditions to clone Artisan pressing.Blu Ray is a derivative from SACD.Quote
24FPS
As for whether the Exile SACD (which I didn't know existed) or Exile Blu Ray sounds better, isn't the Blu Ray disc able to handle more information, and therefore might be a bit better?
Initial transfer was done as DSD (Direct Stream Digital). Blu Ray was conversion of the initial DSD to PCM (Pulse Code Modulation). It is just different way of the coding. So, no matter how much Blue Ray can handle you shall not get anything better than initial DSD. Hardly you will notice differences.
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ironbellyIt is not me. It is Steve Hoffman's recommendationQuote
treaclefingersQuote
ironbelly
VoodooLounge13
A lot of questions. Fortunately, Irix already answered one.
All the editions listed above used the same tape transfer. I.e., SHM-SACD, SHM-platinum CD and SHM-CD of (let's say, Sticky Fingers) came from the same DSD tape transfer made in 2011.
Initially, the original master tapes were transferred to DSD (2.82MHz/1bit). This material went to SACD disc 2011 or 2014. This is as close as you can get to the original analogue master tape in digital world.
In 2013 DSD files were converted to HR PCM 176.4kHz/24bit and further to standard CDDA 44.1kHz/16bit using a procedure that is called in the booklets 'HR (High Resolution) cutting from 176.4kHz/24bit at Victor Creative Media' (whatever it means, no details revealed).
This material was used to made SHM-platinum and SHM-CDs listed in the table above. It was not remastered or re-equalized, just converted and downsampled. Here we are a bit further away from the original master tapes because the digital material is of lower resolution.
Now regarding old CBS and Virgin CDs. Those also came from master tapes or low generation copies. It is known that in 1986 CBS used for Exile equalized dub tape prepared for vinyl production because the master tape they had in hands sounded awful. Anyway, those CDs were prepared from digital material that was made using antique A/D converters (for CBS) or using Apogee + UV22 algorithm (for Virgin) and mastered. And here is a trick that was explained by Steve Hoffman.
______
Remember, gang. This is the rule for mixed recordings, as stupid as it reads:
Master tape means UNMASTERED TAPE.
When you master something you use the UNMASTERED MASTER and MASTER IT to something , either DSD, CD, LACQUER, etc.
A master tape isn't mastered until it's mastered! A master tape is essentially WHAT IS APPROVED FOR MASTERING, hence it is marked MASTER. In other words, "Hey, Mr. Mastering engineer, USE THIS and do your mastering stuff to it to make it sound really good".
Therefore, a flat transfer of a master tape almost never sounds good "straight". But, sometimes it does and when it does, it is up to the mastering engineer to let it alone.
If you understand that, you understand all.
___________
Mastering usually includes application of compressor, limiter, re-equalization, using noise reduction, adding echo, playing with stereo scene etc. Whatever Mr. Mastering engineer has in mind. For example, most of the tracks from the recent Anniversary edition of Tattoo You obviously came from the same tape transfer as 2011 SACD but were made loud and compressed/bickwalled to death.
Thus, aside the different A/D transfer conditions, CBS and Virgin CDs include additional step in preparation of the digital material – mastering. Those 2011/2012/2014 Japanese SHM-SACD and 2013/2015/2020 SHM-CDs just represent direct (flat) transfer of the original master tapes without mastering tricks. These are like what was approved for mastering by the band. What they heard from the monitors in the studio. For good or for bad. Again, a quote from Steve Hoffman
____
I was sent STICKY FINGERS and GOATS from my friend in Japan. Also IT'S ONLY. Never played any of them except FINGERS which sounds to me like a flat transfer from the original tape. Needs mastering work to get it to sound its best but if you crank it up enough, it works.
Can't help you with the rest, sorry. Still in their plastic wraps.
These albums (other than the fine sounding BLACK AND BLUE) were all mixed so badly they give me a headache. That's why I usually go for the old vinyl when I'm in the mood..
I know that didn't help...
_______
So, you know… If the record was made in a hot basement by a band under influence with a guy in the same conditions at the controls in a studio you should not expect perfect audiophile record. Sure, all these do not pardon brickwall mastering added atop in 2009.
So...to boil it all down...you're saying "stick with the vinyl"?
[forums.stevehoffman.tv]
I do not care about vinyl, you know
Virtually unknown personQuote
treaclefingers
You're blowing my mind right now! And who is this "Steve Haufman" you refer to?
. No relation to our boys. Never mastered their albums.Quote
VoodooLounge13
But even though both SACD and SHM are pulled from the same source, the SHM CDs don't have the same sound as the SACD CDs, do they? I thought I'd read on here somewhere once that SACD is the process and SHM is just the quality of the CD plastic itself, or am I wrong about that? Such that, technically, the SACD SHM-CD would then be the definitive version, whereas the plain SHM CD would not have the same expanse upon listening as a SACD. I think of those Abkco reissues and how sonically better they sounded upon release. Beggars especially I truly loved in that format.
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treaclefingers
I believe you are correct. The 2002 was a 'hybrid' release meaning it had two layers and you could play it on a regular CD - because SACD wasn't a large market - was great because you could always 'update' later.
This way you are getting regular CDDA layer, i.e., regular CD 44.1kHZ/16bit.Quote
DornQuote
treaclefingers
I believe you are correct. The 2002 was a 'hybrid' release meaning it had two layers and you could play it on a regular CD - because SACD wasn't a large market - was great because you could always 'update' later.
when i copy those 2002 ABKCO SACD onto my PC, let´s say with windows media player, would teh CD layer be copied or the SACD one ?
All Japanese SHM-SACD discs listed in the table above are not an easy catch. It does not matter 2011 or 2014. And they are overpriced on the second hand market.Quote
VoodooLounge13
Thanks treacle. I confused myself on this thread! For some reason I was thinking that the 2014 edition was only SHM and not SACD. So I can just go with the 2014 editions, which are a little cheaper (not by much mind you!) and most likely easier to come by, to go along with my wonderful Virgin versions. Ugh. Hate having multiple CD copies of the same thing for just trying to have a definitive sounding version! LOL Good Lord I thought it was bad enough when I was sucked into buying all versions of a Super Deluxe!!!
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ironbellyAll Japanese SHM-SACD discs listed in the table above are not an easy catch. It does not matter 2011 or 2014. And they are overpriced on the second hand market.Quote
VoodooLounge13
Thanks treacle. I confused myself on this thread! For some reason I was thinking that the 2014 edition was only SHM and not SACD. So I can just go with the 2014 editions, which are a little cheaper (not by much mind you!) and most likely easier to come by, to go along with my wonderful Virgin versions. Ugh. Hate having multiple CD copies of the same thing for just trying to have a definitive sounding version! LOL Good Lord I thought it was bad enough when I was sucked into buying all versions of a Super Deluxe!!!