The Year of the Box

[wanners]

Well, I was just responding to wanners and he to me. If the mods wish to extract our exchange to a new thread, that's fine. It may or may not live on its own.

Kal

That's fine by me. I was originally only spreading the word about the discrete classical mixes from companies I like. I never intended to get into that sort of discussion because I don't think ambient surround should even be mixed because matrix processors or upmixes do a fine job of it, esp the new dolby PLX or whatever it's called. No offense to Kal, I do respect his opinions.

[ClarkNovak]

I am only in possession of one of these magnificent beasts, "Aqualung" (and thank you again, Tim!), so I have voted it my favorite. That is all. Thank you

[Quad Linda]

I voted for DSOTM, although Aqualung and WYWH are strong contenders. The Layla Scheiner mix is wonderful, but DTS ain't advanced res. Quadrophenia would have been my vote, because it is a better album than DSOTM, IMHO. A partial surround album is a rip off, though. Some truly great stuff, but I feel raped by the pricing.

Regarding the forthcoming Beatles SHM-SACD collection:
1- Will it be a US, European or Japanese release?
2- Will it be hybrid?
3- Will it be surround? That will be a curious thing on the 3-track masters, unless they present it as 3ch or 5.1 w ambience in the rears.
4- Will it be an arm and a leg like the Japan SHM-SACD's?
5- Is there a projected release date?

Kal, how does the Mahler set compare with the Tilson Thomas/San Francisco SACD 5.1's in performance and fidelity?

Linda
Inquiring minds want to know

The Beatles (now on Universal) SHM-SACD boxset may be a bit pricey.

Hasn't been announced yet though.

I voted for the Tull box. I should be receiving it sometime in the next 3 days. Lacking Chinese marbles and polyester scarfs made it score a bit higher.

[Kal Rubinson]

Kal, how does the Mahler set compare with the Tilson Thomas/San Francisco SACD 5.1's in performance and fidelity?

I have not played any of the MTTs in a while so I have not done a side-by-side comparison and I am still biased by the video component of the Abbados.

I would likely not be able to make a choice based on overall performance since both are outstanding. I prefer MTTs #3 and Abaddo's #6.

Kal

[Quad Linda]

Thanks, Kal. You're a wonder.

Linda

I have not played any of the MTTs in a while so I have not done a side-by-side comparison and I am still biased by the video component of the Abbados.

I would likely not be able to make a choice based on overall performance since both are outstanding. I prefer MTTs #3 and Abaddo's #6.

Kal

[Odys]

Quadrophenia would have been my vote, because it is a better album than DSOTM, IMHO. A partial surround album is a rip off, though. Some truly great stuff, but I feel raped by the pricing.

I've been sitting on this vote for a while, and while I agree with Linda, I still had to vote for Quadrophenia, it's that good. I bought all of the above box sets except for Layla, I already had the sacd and I'm not enough of a fan to buy it again. All in all I'm extremely pleased with all of my purchases, they are great albums and well worth it. I just hope Pete pays us back as he's hinted with a full release of Quadrophenia with some sort of free download for those of us who participated in his little test marketing experiment.

[Bob Squires Jr]

I bought all of the above box sets except for Layla, I already had the sacd and I'm not enough of a fan to buy it again.

The Single SACD of Layla, unfortunately, sucks. It scared me off buying the box.
As much as I love Quadrophenia... I won't put up the bucks for half an album in surround along with CDs I'll never play. Full album DVD-A or BD, yes.
Wish You Were Here... long awaited and glad to have it in surround but the mix is tentative to me.
So for me it's a toss up between Dark Side and Aqualung
Aqualung is nice but has it's glitches but the Quad Parsons Mix DSOTM is worth it.
I just wish they'd have offered the BD discs by themselves as a stand-alone.

As for the Beatles on SACD... gotta be stereo or mono. Doubt if you'll ever get surround mixes of those.
Most wouldn't pay. And if it's UMG, it'll be stereo and if it's SHM-SACD it'll be stereo... so...
But, I'll wind up buying those.

I already ordered 5 of the 6 Queen SHM-SACDs. No need for yet another version of ANATO.
Finally gonna get Exile On Main Street as an SACD as well.

[Quad Linda]

My guess is that Aqualung is in the lead because the Floyd folks are splitting the vote between DSOTM and WYWH. Although I'm a bigger Tull and Who fan, I HAD to vote for DSOTM.

Linda
Which One's Pink?

[LizardKing]

.......Which One's Pink?

Hey Linda - Jethro's Pink --- at least in this poll......


P.S. I'm waiting to get my hands on Aqualung before I vote... its in transit.....

I suspect I'll vote for Wish You Were Here or Aqualung.... they get extra bonus points for having quad and 5.1 on Blu-ray ...

DSOTM - Great - but we all already had the mixes for this.....
Laya isn't Hi-rez so can't vote for that....
The Who is only partially there - so no.....
All Sectors have been Signalled that the mixes were a Fly by Night rush job - so Farewell to Kings....

Or maybe Steven Wilson??? Superb Mix.....Possibly.....

[ClarkNovak]

As for the Beatles on SACD... gotta be stereo or mono. Doubt if you'll ever get surround mixes of those.
Most wouldn't pay.

I have to disagree there. I have heard Abbey Road in a raw, unfinished straight-from-the-multis Quad mix. Even in that form, it's a gem. I'd gladly pay for Beatles 5.1 SACDs, especially of Revolver, Abbey Road or the White Album. I think lots of others would as well.

[Bob Squires Jr]

I'd gladly pay for Beatles 5.1 SACDs, especially of Revolver, Abbey Road or the White Album. I think lots of others would as well.

Absolutely... but as I also said, I'll be buying the SACDs no matter Multi, Stereo or Mono!
The latter albums may make a good MCH but I doubt they'll spend the time or effort.

[rtbluray]

Hey where's the link to the page that says there's gonna be Beatles SACDs?

(Or did I miss it?)

[kap'n krunch]

Hey, guys, don't derail the thread with the Beatles stuff (coming from someone who NEVER derails threads )

Anyway, I think that what gives you the most for your well earned money is the "Aqualung" box set.
No marbles (to lose...who came up with this stupid idea anyway??) , no scarves or other useless stuff...and also you get an LP with the NEW MIX (although an extra quad mix LP would have been a cool touch...now, the encoding would have been tricky...)
Although I have not seen the inside any of the PF boxes, the Aqualung seems more rugged and you get
-an LP with weird packaging -front pocket with the LP-in a nice plastic lined paper sleeve-another nice touch- and on the inside of the gatefold, on the right side, INSIDE cardboard"sleeves"
-the normal stereo CD of the new mix
-another stereo CD with the alternate/extra songs (with lyrics included in the book-another nice touch, thank you)
-the DVD with the Surround mixes
-and the BluRay with the Surround mixes and extra stuff
-AND a very nice bound book with a lot of info and a LOT pics of VERY UGLY BLOKES, but with GREAT info about its recording-even instructing the masses on the different mics used and photos of the inside of the studios (is that a classic Neve console?)...funnily enough , I saw that SW uses Logic, like me!

So, if I could change my vote ..again, I'd go for "Aqualung"....in spite of the digital glitches...

[dr. simple]

I have to agree with kap'n krunch. Before I bought it, I thought about the whole verses the sum of the parts - 180 gram LPs are generally $30 these days, and say $20 each for the blu-ray, DVD, and 2-CD set, and $20 for a fantastic coffee table book. If you got a good deal on the box and broke it up and sold the parts, I believe you'd at least break-even. It's a real value. I suppose you could say the same about the Floyd boxes, but I guess the difference is that I'd be much less inclined to split the Aqualung box.

[wavelength]

I'd be much less inclined to split the Aqualung box.

Same here. I'm not a collector and when I decided to buy the box just to get the Blu-ray I thought I'd be selling off the pieces I'd never play. Now that I have it, it seems special. Maybe now I am just a wee bit of a collector.

[LizardKing]

Ok - I can finally vote as Aqualung arrived from ImportCDS.

My two contenders are:

• Aqualung; and
• Wish You Were Here.

Box Packaging - Winner: Aqualung
Aqualung - The packaging is superb - I love the canvas box - even better than the Steven Wilson boxes - The only gripe is the sleeves in the Vinyl for the discs - my Blu-ray Disc was loose when I opened the box.

Wish You Were Here - The packing is a bit "cheap" compared to Aqualung - and you have to dig into the box to get the discs + superflous crap.

Content - Winner: Wish You Were Here
I personally prefer Wish You Were Here over Aqualung.

Surround Mix - Winner: Aqualung (SW 5.1 Mix)
SW has done an awesome job on this. Way better than Both the quad and 5.1 from Wish You Were Here.

Fidelity - Winnner: Aqualung
As most people have said the improvement in fidelity on the SW mix is huge.

Music Extras (not marbles!!!) - Winner: Aqualung
With Aqualung you get 4 mixes of the original album, inlcuding 5.1 and quad and the original and new stereo mixes. You also get bonus 5.1 tracks!!! And tons of extra tracks...

I love it that you get the quad and 5.1 on the Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull.


SO - AQUALUNG WINS!!!

[kvsawilson]

It's been great to have this many quality titles releases this year. It's just too bad they figured out a way to get so much money out of us to get them. I would much prefer just the standalone bluray. Anyway, I've got to vote for Aqualung. What a great release! The new mix is incredible and 4 extra songs in surround is a huge plus for me.

K

[leevitalone1]

can't vote but got dsotm set and it was a mess. The dvd audio only had a mark, I can live with it but still for the money they could come up with a bettter way. It's so obvious these discs will go where they want and it all get shipped, and they all end up with damage. I just don't get it.

[quadstone]

I dutifully voted after having heard most of the offerings (and have a Certificate of Penury to prove it); but I believe being forced to choose between DSOTM, WYWH, Quadrophenia, Layla and Aqualung should be considered cruel and unusual punishment. Desert island discs all...making 2011 the Chinese Year of the Box indeed.

[kap'n krunch]

I dutifully voted after having heard most of the offerings (and have a Certificate of Penury to prove it); but I believe being forced to choose between DSOTM, WYWH, Quadrophenia, Layla and Aqualung should be considered cruel and unusual punishment. Desert island discs all...making 2011 the Chinese Year of the Box indeed.

REALLY made me LOL!!!!
IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE...couldn't they have been released a few years back when we all had scratch????

[Chris-in-CT]

I bought it and was really looking forward to it...honestly, I was a little disappointed. Maybe others will disagree with me (maybe vehemently), but I don't think it's sounds that great. Check that...the clarity/crispness of the recording is amazing, but I don't think the quad mix actually sounds much different from a stereo mix. If you look at the poll of favorites surround recordings, you'll see most of the top 10 or 20 are recordings where the back/surround speakers are much more prominent in the mixes. There's been a trend lately, especially in Steven Wilson surround mixes, to use less and less of the rear channels and much less use of what he refers to a "gimmicky" sounding use of surround. Personally, I don't find guitars swirling around my living room 'gimmicky', I call it AMAZING! Listen to any of the earlier P-Tree recordings (all in the top 15) and you'll hear incredible use of surround. Great separation, great multi-channel majesty. It was primarily Steven Wilson and P-Tree (as well as Fleetwood Mac & Eagles) DVD-A's that got me into surround recordings. I now find myself a little bit bored with the latest surround work of Steven. Anathema? Sleepy. The Incident? Except for 1-2 songs, sleepy. Opeth's Heritage? Sorry, I WANT to like it, I REALLY DO, I just DON'T!! Is anyone else with me on this?

[Chris-in-CT]

Speaking of "Year of the..." wouldn't Al Stewart's album "Year of the Cat" sound great in surround?

[wavelength]

I bought it and was really looking forward to it...honestly, I was a little disappointed. Maybe others will disagree with me (maybe vehemently), but I don't think it's sounds that great. Check that...the clarity/crispness of the recording is amazing, but I don't think the quad mix actually sounds much different from a stereo mix. If you look at the poll of favorites surround recordings, you'll see most of the top 10 or 20 are recordings where the back/surround speakers are much more prominent in the mixes. There's been a trend lately, especially in Steven Wilson surround mixes, to use less and less of the rear channels and much less use of what he refers to a "gimmicky" sounding use of surround. Personally, I don't find guitars swirling around my living room 'gimmicky', I call it AMAZING! Listen to any of the earlier P-Tree recordings (all in the top 15) and you'll hear incredible use of surround. Great separation, great multi-channel majesty. It was primarily Steven Wilson and P-Tree (as well as Fleetwood Mac & Eagles) DVD-A's that got me into surround recordings. I now find myself a little bit bored with the latest surround work of Steven. Anathema? Sleepy. The Incident? Except for 1-2 songs, sleepy. Opeth's Heritage? Sorry, I WANT to like it, I REALLY DO, I just DON'T!! Is anyone else with me on this?

To me, with SW we are seeing the evolution of a surround mixer. It is fascinating.

[fredblue]

Speaking of "Year of the..." wouldn't Al Stewart's album "Year of the Cat" sound great in surround?

Absolutely wonderful! Chances sadly are virtually nil.

Also doubt we'll see (m)any boxes before Septembers' Thick As A Brick now.
Even Ziggy next week is just an LP/DVD combo and on paper a 40th Anniversary of that had "Box Set" written all over it.

Meantime I bet there'll be at least half a dozen more CD/DVD combo's along the lines of the recent Gentle Giants/ELO before the year is out.

[fredblue]

To me, with SW we are seeing the evolution of a surround mixer. It is fascinating.

Just so long as he doesn't lose his bottle and evolve into an "ambiance in the rears-only" kinda guy..!!