Stephanie, we audiophiles will crush your musical soul, run! ;) Great “Simple Minds” album 👍🏻👍🏻 CBS Half-Speeds and AAA… It makes sense that the CBS MasterSound Half-Speed Series would most likely be AAA. But that never was the issue with these anyway. Rather that several were mastered with the wrong RIAA eq for 1/2 speed mastering. Just really do not get the love for these for the most part. But yeah, nice to have confirmation for those concerned about AAA. To each there own:) However, CBS MasterSound also did a gold cd series. The Willie Nelson Stardust is great, probably the best digital version and since it is a subdued album the no surface noise is an added bonus. One I know for sure sounds great and may be the best version analogue or digital is the CBS MasterSound Gold CD of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” album. When I listen to these albums it is usually these gold cds. Steve Hoffman approved btw, fwiw. EMI 100’s… The EMI 100 Series were not all AAA. I believe the first half were and then the second half were not. The first 20, LPCENT 1-20, were digitally sourced. There were two different series in the EMI 100. Centenary and Millenium. Some of the records mentioned are Millenium and some Centenary. Again, some are from digital source and some from analog. All sound very good to great to borderline definitive. Sure bets from the EMI 100 series: The Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers is highly regarded by many, especially for its bass. David Bowie- Hunky Dory- Arguably the best version of this one. Though the UK -5E/-5E is neck and neck. Different presentations with the EMI 100 perhaps a bit more solid state and focus. But still incredible. Also Alladin Sane is fantastic. Iron Maiden- S/T- EMI 100- Incredible. Maybe the best. Hey Michael, here is something might try. Do a wave form comparison between the IR lp of Matthew Sweet’s “Girlfriend” and the old original cd version. Might be surprised ;) Thanks for the stream Steve and gang! ✌🏻🎸
In the 1980s, audiophile versions started to appear and I bought anything that I could get, that was to my taste. Jeff Beck Wired & Blow by Blow were the 1st CBS half speed that I bought (1980). They sounded clearer and a big improvement but compared to today they are no way near the quality of pressings by Analogue Productions, Impex and many others. Now is the Golden Age and that old Audiophile stuff is a curiosity. Nostalgia. Yes they were the start of the evolution to where we are now. Paying big bucks for old Audiophile has more to do with collecting habits and curiosity, rarely rewarding. OGs on the other hand are the real treasure. Discussions like this, that clear up old questions are enlightening. Great work.
Terry Bozzio played for Frank Zappa, I read that Zappa found him to talented a musician to only be a session player and pushed him to start his own band, I'm going by memory and that was over 40 years ago, I remember because I bought a Missing Persons album after reading the article, I had never heard of them, I still have the album, I just took it out and will give it a listen sometimes this weekend.
All those PF EMI titles are digital as well as being DMM! Two batches of EMI 100. First were DMM and mostly digital, second AAA cut to lacquer after complaints about SQ.
My CBS Mastersound copies of ELO Discovery, Secret Messages and Time were my goto copies up until getting the japan Master Sound Cuts which do say digital mastering on the OBI. My Canadian copy of WYWH on CBS mastersound is a solid pressing. Ive never been an analog purist but neat learning the half speeds were analog though. Especially having seen so many people bash on digital previously. Confirmation bias at its best. Great show everyone!
EMI 100's are awesome. I bought the EMI 100 Pet Sounds in the 90s - first stereo pressing & Brian singing God Only Knows (sq awesome). Also bought Gabriel's So from the series too, got noisy from poor storage over vinyl hiatus (kids!)...hunting for a clean EMI 100 of Band on The Run.
Reading the insert with my LP copy of *War of the Worlds,* it explains that digital recording is used in the making of the album itself *when possible.* "In addition to recordings made from digital master tapes, the Mastersound series includes special half-speed remasterings of high quality analog masters." I recall asking about the Discomputer at an AES convention in the mid 1980's. It was explained to me that the Discomputer provided continuous corrections to the cutting lathe whereas older technology provided periodic corrections (e.g. every quarter revolution). Of course the whole Mastersound record making process is done with more care. There was a definite improvement in sound when I replaced my US original with the Mastersound LPs-- no pre-echo in the places where the narration stops a second or two before the full orchestra comes in & quieter surfaces.
There shouldnt be confusion on the CBS, the signal had to be converted to digital for the control section of the cutter so the block diagram is correct to what the sound engineer said. It doesnt say on the insert that the digital section was used for the audio cutting section. Just that it was converted. That block diagram was marketing.
AHA! I bloody knew it! (just got to the reveal after my reply to Michael T's somewhat inaccurate quote (at least from me) below. I TOLD you there was no F'n way digital technology in 1981 (What, 3 frigg'n *YEARS* before CDs came out, and how did they sound... 😊) could possibly sound this good, this dynamic, with an F'n HUGE soundstage and separation, no way... I'm not saying my system is SUPER great or anything, but with 2 tall multi-driver open baffle dipole line arrays with 13 drivers a side, tube driven, and biamped with 2-15" dipole woofers, let me tell you, it is definitely revealing enough to show primarily big differences in image and soundstage, even subtle ones. For example, quite a few of the DIGITALLY mastered Abbey Road 1/2 speed pressings sound just EXACTLY like Fremer said their Who's Next sounded, flat, 2-dimensional, and like he stated it sounded like, 'the sound was projected across a shower curtain, very flat with no depth' And THAT my friends is by supposedly the latest, highly regarded State of the Art Digital mastering NOW at Abbey Road... and, many of them sound like $hit... So yeah, the CBS Mastersound of Abraxas anyway is probably one of my MOST vibrant, dynamic albums in a collection of over about 2600+ FWIW...
From my experience, most cbs half speeds compare poorly sonically to their OGs! But in the instance of Micheal Jackson’s 1st 2 lps on half speed the slow songs sounded better in terms of detail retrieval! Just my 2 cents! 😅
the CBS Mastersound vinyl sounds a little lean and sterile vs MFSL cuts from the same period. I can only think of one early MFSL that had insect-killing treble and that was 'Manhattan Transfer Live'. Several CBS and Nautilus discs had intense (or at least boosted) treble, 'Pretenders' s/t among the Nautilus titles. There were some excellent A&M Audiophile Masters discs, I suspect they were all analog, certainly never brittle sounding (Police, Supertramp, etc).
Hi Steve, watching on catch up from the UK and speaking from a place of zero experience with the CBS half-speed masters - but does that information make the records sound differently - what would have been the impact if the dude had said they had a digital step - would the records have sounded worse than yesterday - sorry don't get it. Always enjoy the show and the debates
Michael T, I did NOT say, 'Oh, it sounds so good it can't be digital' I said, FOR 1981, I don't think anything digital FROM BACK THEN could sound as good as the CBS Abraxas. BIG F'n difference my friend! 😁 Sure, MOV pressings and the well done DSD stuff can sound great... NOW... But, I don't think 40 years ago, no...
@@michaeltrochalakis6526 No, no, that's okay Bro, thanks for the nice reply 😊 It could have easily been someone else that said something similar, I just didn't want to be thought of as quite that dense just to say if it sounds really good it can't be digital... There are enough Bonehead things that I *DO* say that get me into trouble! 😁
BORN TO RUN CBS 1/2 MASTER and BARBRA STREISAND: GUILTY CBS 1/2 MASTERS do not have the best sonic reputations, even after GUILTY got two different oppressing in the series both bad. SPRING SESSION M is a classic! Rearrange the letters of the title and you get the name of the band.
Stefanie a breath of fresh air and def easy on the eyes. 😊
Stephanie, we audiophiles will crush your musical soul, run! ;) Great “Simple Minds” album 👍🏻👍🏻
CBS Half-Speeds and AAA…
It makes sense that the CBS MasterSound Half-Speed Series would most likely be AAA. But that never was the issue with these anyway. Rather that several were mastered with the wrong RIAA eq for 1/2 speed mastering. Just really do not get the love for these for the most part. But yeah, nice to have confirmation for those concerned about AAA. To each there own:)
However, CBS MasterSound also did a gold cd series. The Willie Nelson Stardust is great, probably the best digital version and since it is a subdued album the no surface noise is an added bonus. One I know for sure sounds great and may be the best version analogue or digital is the CBS MasterSound Gold CD of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” album. When I listen to these albums it is usually these gold cds. Steve Hoffman approved btw, fwiw.
EMI 100’s…
The EMI 100 Series were not all AAA. I believe the first half were and then the second half were not. The first 20, LPCENT 1-20, were digitally sourced.
There were two different series in the EMI 100. Centenary and Millenium. Some of the records mentioned are Millenium and some Centenary. Again, some are from digital source and some from analog. All sound very good to great to borderline definitive.
Sure bets from the EMI 100 series:
The Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers is highly regarded by many, especially for its bass.
David Bowie- Hunky Dory- Arguably the best version of this one. Though the UK -5E/-5E is neck and neck. Different presentations with the EMI 100 perhaps a bit more solid state and focus. But still incredible.
Also Alladin Sane is fantastic.
Iron Maiden- S/T- EMI 100- Incredible. Maybe the best.
Hey Michael, here is something might try. Do a wave form comparison between the IR lp of Matthew Sweet’s “Girlfriend” and the old original cd version. Might be surprised ;)
Thanks for the stream Steve and gang! ✌🏻🎸
I own several CBS MS LPs, and oddly enough, scored a few more just today.
My Canadian Mastersound copy of Wish you Were Here is amazing sounding record
Yes. 👍
I too have that SuperDisk Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The best!
I have it as well. So good.
It is stunningly good! Best kept secret as far as audiophile records go!
In the 1980s, audiophile versions started to appear and I bought anything that I could get, that was to my taste. Jeff Beck Wired & Blow by Blow were the 1st CBS half speed that I bought (1980). They sounded clearer and a big improvement but compared to today they are no way near the quality of pressings by Analogue Productions, Impex and many others. Now is the Golden Age and that old Audiophile stuff is a curiosity. Nostalgia. Yes they were the start of the evolution to where we are now. Paying big bucks for old Audiophile has more to do with collecting habits and curiosity, rarely rewarding. OGs on the other hand are the real treasure. Discussions like this, that clear up old questions are enlightening. Great work.
I have CBS Half-Speed Jeff Beck "Wired" and the Santana "ZeBop" release and I they sound great. No need for me to improve on these at all.
Terry Bozzio played for Frank Zappa, I read that Zappa found him to talented a musician to only be a session player and pushed him to start his own band, I'm going by memory and that was over 40 years ago, I remember because I bought a Missing Persons album after reading the article, I had never heard of them, I still have the album, I just took it out and will give it a listen sometimes this weekend.
All those PF EMI titles are digital as well as being DMM! Two batches of EMI 100. First were DMM and mostly digital, second AAA cut to lacquer after complaints about SQ.
Do you have a primary source for that? And are you saying that the DMM cuts are digitally sourced? Thanks for watching!
Pretty sure New Gold Dream was one of the Miles’ favourites to half-speed master.
My favourite is John Martyn - Solid Air HalfSpeed.
Awesome chat all!! You should definitely have DJSteph back on the roundtable. She is super cool!
Thank you! 😄@DJFoggyEyes
My CBS Mastersound copies of ELO Discovery, Secret Messages and Time were my goto copies up until getting the japan Master Sound Cuts which do say digital mastering on the OBI.
My Canadian copy of WYWH on CBS mastersound is a solid pressing. Ive never been an analog purist but neat learning the half speeds were analog though. Especially having seen so many people bash on digital previously. Confirmation bias at its best.
Great show everyone!
Enjoyed it Steve!
Thank you. What fun. 👍. Glad you enjoyed.
Ahhh, damn, I missed this one!😢😮
Watch it now and give me your thoughts.
EMI 100's are awesome. I bought the EMI 100 Pet Sounds in the 90s - first stereo pressing & Brian singing God Only Knows (sq awesome). Also bought Gabriel's So from the series too, got noisy from poor storage over vinyl hiatus (kids!)...hunting for a clean EMI 100 of Band on The Run.
Reading the insert with my LP copy of *War of the Worlds,* it explains that digital recording is used in the making of the album itself *when possible.* "In addition to recordings made from digital master tapes, the Mastersound series includes special half-speed remasterings of high quality analog masters." I recall asking about the Discomputer at an AES convention in the mid 1980's. It was explained to me that the Discomputer provided continuous corrections to the cutting lathe whereas older technology provided periodic corrections (e.g. every quarter revolution). Of course the whole Mastersound record making process is done with more care. There was a definite improvement in sound when I replaced my US original with the Mastersound LPs-- no pre-echo in the places where the narration stops a second or two before the full orchestra comes in & quieter surfaces.
David Bowie-Hunky Dory is the best sounding version I have heard.
There shouldnt be confusion on the CBS, the signal had to be converted to digital for the control section of the cutter so the block diagram is correct to what the sound engineer said. It doesnt say on the insert that the digital section was used for the audio cutting section. Just that it was converted. That block diagram was marketing.
Have you heard an original UK pressing of Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs, engineered by Geoff Emerick.
AHA! I bloody knew it! (just got to the reveal after my reply to Michael T's somewhat inaccurate quote (at least from me) below. I TOLD you there was no F'n way digital technology in 1981 (What, 3 frigg'n *YEARS* before CDs came out, and how did they sound... 😊) could possibly sound this good, this dynamic, with an F'n HUGE soundstage and separation, no way...
I'm not saying my system is SUPER great or anything, but with 2 tall multi-driver open baffle dipole line arrays with 13 drivers a side, tube driven, and biamped with 2-15" dipole woofers, let me tell you, it is definitely revealing enough to show primarily big differences in image and soundstage, even subtle ones. For example, quite a few of the DIGITALLY mastered Abbey Road 1/2 speed pressings sound just EXACTLY like Fremer said their Who's Next sounded, flat, 2-dimensional, and like he stated it sounded like, 'the sound was projected across a shower curtain, very flat with no depth' And THAT my friends is by supposedly the latest, highly regarded State of the Art Digital mastering NOW at Abbey Road... and, many of them sound like $hit... So yeah, the CBS Mastersound of Abraxas anyway is probably one of my MOST vibrant, dynamic albums in a collection of over about 2600+ FWIW...
The Ghost of Tim Joad is my personal favorite Bruce record and in my opinion the best sounding in his vinyl catalog.
From my experience, most cbs half speeds compare poorly sonically to their OGs! But in the instance of Micheal Jackson’s 1st 2 lps on half speed the slow songs sounded better in terms of detail retrieval! Just my 2 cents! 😅
the CBS Mastersound vinyl sounds a little lean and sterile vs MFSL cuts from the same period. I can only think of one early MFSL that had insect-killing treble and that was 'Manhattan Transfer Live'. Several CBS and Nautilus discs had intense (or at least boosted) treble, 'Pretenders' s/t among the Nautilus titles. There were some excellent A&M Audiophile Masters discs, I suspect they were all analog, certainly never brittle sounding (Police, Supertramp, etc).
Hi Steve, watching on catch up from the UK and speaking from a place of zero experience with the CBS half-speed masters - but does that information make the records sound differently - what would have been the impact if the dude had said they had a digital step - would the records have sounded worse than yesterday - sorry don't get it. Always enjoy the show and the debates
I think it's just a matter of provenance. Collectors like to have something close to the original.
Why will Jimmy Page allow Chad to do a 45 of LZ titles, but not a UHQR? I don't get it.
I have the first cut of WYWH and never noticed any issues. I doubt it’s audible. I’m fine with it.
i bet it is too.
Michael T, I did NOT say, 'Oh, it sounds so good it can't be digital' I said, FOR 1981, I don't think anything digital FROM BACK THEN could sound as good as the CBS Abraxas. BIG F'n difference my friend! 😁 Sure, MOV pressings and the well done DSD stuff can sound great... NOW... But, I don't think 40 years ago, no...
Thanks for the clarification, and my apologies for misrepresenting your comment.
@@michaeltrochalakis6526 No, no, that's okay Bro, thanks for the nice reply 😊 It could have easily been someone else that said something similar, I just didn't want to be thought of as quite that dense just to say if it sounds really good it can't be digital... There are enough Bonehead things that I *DO* say that get me into trouble! 😁
Steve. Contacted Shane of Intervention. He’s game to be on with you. If you have an email to pass along that would work too.
Amazing. Thank you so much. 🔥🙏🙏. stevewestman@rocketmail.com
@@stevewestman7774 just texted your email to him.
New Traditionalists is the 4th Devo album 🤦🏻♂️
BORN TO RUN CBS 1/2 MASTER and BARBRA STREISAND: GUILTY CBS 1/2 MASTERS do not have the best sonic reputations, even after GUILTY got two different oppressing in the series both bad. SPRING SESSION M is a classic! Rearrange the letters of the title and you get the name of the band.
Even AAA can’t make up for poor EQ choices. Just ask MoFi.
As long as it sounds good to you, does it really matter if it’s digital or AAA ? Sometimes you guys can sound like stuck up snobs.