I started this venture probably out of a WTF mood as the Japanese MCH version of BBB was one of my top 5 surround discs out of a large MCH library. It also had excellent reviews by others. I and nobody else, ever said it was not equal to a reference disc. Then the AP disc came out and all of a sudden, I felt, there was a knock of the Japanese version due to what was called "out of phase rears", so I decided to see/listen for my self, only using ears, pen and paper. I was relaxed and comfortable during both discs and I had no distractions.
I listened loud at a low of 77db to mostly a high of 81.5db. I did turn down to 64db in the middle of disc not because of ear fatigue, just a sheer volume break, then turned back up. See above my reference to both discs being more 4.0 than 5.1. Both discs where treated with Ultra Bit Diamond Plus. I was not reading or looking at computer, just sitting, eyes forward and listening.
My first listen, the AP disc: Right off the bat I noticed the big three where in perfect balance, bass, midrange, and treble, none overlaying the other, beautiful. In fact there where a few times I could feel the midrange cut through the room. Cymbals resonated perfect, snare had a nice snap to it, and bass guitar was defined, not muddled. Reverb on guitar was superb. Tracks 4 & 5, Air Blower and Scatterbrain are the best at pure sonic joy. Drums are best at tracks 7 & 8 Thelonius and Freeway Jam. Cymbals are beautiful at track 9 Diamond Dust. There is tape hiss at tracks 6 & 9 but as the volume of music naturally turns upward it is lost. A stunning disc that's for sure. Now,the infamous rears discussion. Keep in mind I was looking to hear a difference under normal situations I mostly take things as they come and keep my thoughts to myself. This AP version with it's stunning everything including rears sounds like this, if you can imagine, Becks guitar is almost always the rears, occasionally jumps to the front, can also be a strong rear right or a strong rear left. Many times and I really liked this, the guitar string would be picked rear right and finish resonating rear left, that is very subtle and very cool. If you where not in critical listening it might be unnoticeable. I will continue my Japanese notes on the next thread. There is definitely a difference in the rears between the two discs and I will tie the two reviews together.