Comparing vinyl sound to hi-res digital remaster

[magiccarpetride]

I bumped into used vinyl record (Paul McCartney "Band on the Run") at a yard sale yesterday. The LP was in pretty bad shape, didn't even have inner sleeve, but I got it for one dollar. I then remembered that few years back I bought the "Uncompressed Audiophile 96kHz/24bit" hi-res download of the remastered album (http://www.hdtracks.com/band-on-the-...d-uncompressed), so I decided to compare the LP with the hi-res remaster.

I was sure that the hi-res remaster is going to destroy the old vinyl (I had strong expectation bias). I was stunned when I played both formats side-by-side to hear how LP sounded much, much better than digital remaster. Especially knowing that the LP is old, abused, warped, not in the best overall shape.

Previously I wasn't surprised when I was comparing CDs to LPs and when I heard that vinyl beats the red book format. But I always thought that hi-res digital must have an upper hand compared to vinyl. Listening to both formats on "Band on the Run", I couldn't help but conclude that remastered hi-res digital sounds like a joke compared to the old school vinyl. I'm still in the state of disbelief...

[Bigman80]

I bumped into used vinyl record (Paul McCartney "Band on the Run") at a yard sale yesterday. The LP was in pretty bad shape, didn't even have inner sleeve, but I got it for one dollar. I then remembered that few years back I bought the "Uncompressed Audiophile 96kHz/24bit" hi-res download of the remastered album (http://www.hdtracks.com/band-on-the-...d-uncompressed), so I decided to compare the LP with the hi-res remaster.

I was sure that the hi-res remaster is going to destroy the old vinyl (I had strong expectation bias). I was stunned when I played both formats side-by-side to hear how LP sounded much, much better than digital remaster. Especially knowing that the LP is old, abused, warped, not in the best overall shape.

Previously I wasn't surprised when I was comparing CDs to LPs and when I heard that vinyl beats the red book format. But I always thought that hi-res digital must have an upper hand compared to vinyl. Listening to both formats on "Band on the Run", I couldn't help but conclude that remastered hi-res digital sounds like a joke compared to the old school vinyl. I'm still in the state of disbelief...

Even though I completely agree that Vinyl is the best format, you've open a huge can of worms now 😂

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[bob4333]

Here we go then and I'll keep it short (ish). As a general principle you may be correct.

But the overriding factor is how the original was recorded, mastered, produced and pressed. I have some vinyl that sounds deep and sparkly and just wants to be played over and over again it's so absorbing: likewise I have some that deserves to be turned into plant pots.

Play me again, Sam:

Cream: Live at the Royal Albert Hall.
Fleetwood Mac: Tango in the Night
The Beatles: 1962-1966 (Red Album)
David Gilmore: Rattle That Lock
Dire Straits: On Every Street
Roger Waters: Amused to Death


Pass me a Geranium:

Free: Live (even the CD sounds better)
Genesis: Seconds Out
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day
The Who: Quadrophenia
ELO: All Over The World

and sadly quite a lot of the more recent AC/DC stuff!

This is no reflection on the bands themselves, just the clowns in charge of the production process and those who think compressing the hell out of the music is something the public will welcome.

I have bought albums from HDTracks (expensive site in the UK, there are cheaper alternatives), but I've had a lot of success using DVD Audio Extractor to get the hi-res soundtrack off a DVD. Tubular Bells II and III Live are outstanding. You have to pay for the programme (about USD $30) but it works every time and you have the DVD of the performance as well.

Yes, you may be correct, but I think it's a qualified Correct.

[Firebottle]

...... just the clowns in charge of the production process ....

Isn't that always the problem with 're-mastered'

[magiccarpetride]

The Beatles: 1962-1966 (Red Album)

Are you referring to the recent remastered reissue, or to the original Red Album from the 1970s?

[bob4333]

Are you referring to the recent remastered reissue, or to the original Red Album from the 1970s?

Original 1970's. Strangely the "Blue" bought shortly after, although very good, doesn't have the same magical ring to it.

I didn't know the "Red" had been re-mastered. Live and learn.

Incidentally, the latest remaster (2015, I think) of The Beatles "1" album containing their 27 no 1 tracks does get a vote from me. Has more weight and clarity to it. So I guess re-mastering by people who have a level of empathy with the original and know what they're doing and can be a good thing.

[bob4333]

Need to drift a moment (sorry OP).

Genesis re-masters have been mentioned a couple of times in this thread. I indicated my original vinyl "Seconds Out" is quite poor - dull, lacking in any involvement even with the volume whacked up a bit.

For those that have heard - does the re-mastered vinyl of "SO" improve things? (a bit? a lot?). If so I'm off to the record shop.

Incidentally, I've ripped "Genesis - When in Rome - 2007" from the DVD using Audio Extractor into 24bit/48kHz FLAC and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Depth and weight of the music, sound stage, imaging etc. It's all there. So much so that if this were available on vinyl (which I don't think it is) I doubt I'd be queuing up to buy it.

My take is that Hi-Res digital can be a viable alternative - if, like vinyl, it's done well. Or maybe it's just different. But a very acceptable "different".

[magiccarpetride]

Original 1970's. Strangely the "Blue" bought shortly after, although very good, doesn't have the same magical ring to it.

I didn't know the "Red" had been re-mastered. Live and learn.

Incidentally, the latest remaster (2015, I think) of The Beatles "1" album containing their 27 no 1 tracks does get a vote from me. Has more weight and clarity to it. So I guess re-mastering by people who have a level of empathy with the original and know what they're doing and can be a good thing.

I remember back in my early youth I got the Red album from my mother as a present, and it sounded absolutely awesome. Sadly, later on it got left behind as I was moving houses. I guess now's the time to search for a decent original pressing. Thanks for reminding me

[Bigman80]

My Free live LP (original release) sounds great!

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[bob4333]

My Free live LP (original release) sounds great!

Best way to describe my copy (also from way back when) is it just sounds "thin" (and painful). And having seen them live on many occasions they were never that!

But doesn't this just epitomise the frustration of buying and listening to vinyl.........?