6/22/2023 0 Comments Eagles album with song wasted time![]() ![]() Even the Apple Music stream was played back via this approach as the Oppo Blu-ray players permit adding an Apple TV, via HDMI, thereby utilising the analogue circuitry of the unit. One would rightfully question playback equipment, but this too is uniform as both the HFPA Blu-ray stereo mix and remastered CD were played through my Oppo BDP-103 utilising its Cirrus Logic CS4382A DAC. What I would say, however, is that if you dislike digital glare, then the CD offers a more laid-back presentation. ![]() Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a night and day difference, for if it were, we’d be talking about completely different albums. ![]() Returning our attention to the remastered CD, the advantage it offers over the HFPA Blu-ray stereo mix is that it smooths the edges of the recording slightly. ![]() Not quite as impressive as the CD, for the CD has a more open and natural presentation, but unless you’re comparing them, as I have, you likely wouldn’t be disappointed in the streaming counterpart. In a similar manner, the Apple Music edition, an Apple Digital Master, is also derived from the latest remastering sessions and sounds astonishingly good. Subsequently, it is the mastering, rather than the format, that I am drawn to. What I am saying, however, is that this edition is a different master to the 40th Anniversary CD. That isn’t to suggest it is bad, for the surround sound mix is extraordinary. Well, it is more complicated than that for the included HFPA Blu-ray Disc is essentially a reissue of the 2001 DVD-Audio release. Given the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition set includes a High Fidelity Pure Audio (HFPA) Blu-ray Disc that contains the 192 kHz/24-Bit stereo mix of Hotel California, one may assume that I would prefer this edition more as the CD is a standard 44.1 kHz/16-bit by comparison and bigger is always better right? While tastes are highly subjective, I can say without hesitation that if I were to purchase only one release, it would be the standard remastered 40th Anniversary CD. I’ve no doubt for many people this will not be an issue, but if you love music as I do, you may find yourself wondering which version would be the best to own. Yet, to my knowledge, no vinyl reissue was released meaning that the mastering on the vinyl release is subsequently different to that on the digital reissues. It is a collectors nightmare and the record labels know only too well what they’re doing.Īs a result, when the 40th Anniversary came about, a standard CD, Expanded double CD edition, and this Deluxe Edition were released. Yes, I acknowledge there are Super Deluxe Editions and that they need to leave something for a 50th Anniversary release, but as a music collector it bothers me that we are required to purchase multiple copies of the albums we know and love in order to get everything. It is an omission that befuddles the music-lover within for a Deluxe Edition of anything should be an all-inclusive release. When one thinks of a box set release, especially the size and complexity of the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition set, it wouldn’t be erroneous to assume that a vinyl record should have been included. The original band fold-out poster is also included, meaning that besides the barcode and up-to-date release information, this edition is about as pure as you’re going to get unless you track down, or are fortunate to own, an original pressing. Liner notes are detailed but missing lyrics for all songs other than Hotel California an aspect that remains true to the original releases. You’ll be presented with a gatefold design that harks back to the original release. Again, the reproduction is good but if you’re after the very best pressing of this recording, this edition is unlikely to impress with its darker sonic signature that conceals elemental aspects of the music. Yes, it takes comparing editions to hear this muddiness, but when listening to the 2014 vinyl reissue, and attempting to clear your mind of other influences, it is likely that you’ll note something is off. Mastered by Bernie Grundman from 192/24 bit files, one would assume that the album should sound magnificent yet when comparing to the 40th Anniversary releases, as we will shortly, this 2014 vinyl reissue falls short as it is too bass-focused thereby causing a muddiness to the music. While I consider myself fortunate to own this edition, it is good, not great. ![]()
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