Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:37 pm
Shows how much I pay attention...
I should really do another round of comparisons sometime.
I should really do another round of comparisons sometime.
A place to discuss music and Mallard Fillmore
http://forums.lukpac.org/
Andreas wrote:I have now made my first comparison of the Polydor WBWB against the MCA WBWB.
General observation: The Polydor is a bit louder.
Some tracks are from the same digital master.
My Generation, Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere: From the same digital master (but at different volumes).
The Kids Are Alright: Polydor has the full length version, and also sounds miles better than the shorter MCA mix.
Substitute: Polydor is mildly duophonic. (Only apparent with headphones). MCA version is pure mono and sounds better.
I'm a Boy: Unpleasant on Polydor, more distortion than on the MCA. Definitely the same mix, though.
Happy Jack, Pictures of Lily: As previously noted, only the MCA has the correct single mixes. Besides that, the Polydor versions sound "closer to the source".
I Can See for Miles: More clarity and punch on the Polydor. Compared to that, the MCA sounds like from a copy tape. Both versions have the complete first note (which is clipped or cross-faded on every other version that I am aware of.)
Who Are You: Couldn't hear a difference.
Won't Get Fooled Again: Polydor has the album version (sounding similar to the Who Collection), MCA has the single mix (sounding worse than The Singles).
Magic Bus: Polydor has the mono mix, MCA the stereo mix, but not with the complete intro as Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy.
I Can't Explain: Couldn't hear a difference.
Baba O'Riley: The Polydor has the same fade-in as on The Who Collection and the old Polydor Sell Out CD. The MCA has narrower stereo image. Both are, of course, not even close to being the best versions on CD.
I didn't listen closely to the remaining tracks, I don't think there were big differences, and all those sound better on other CDs.
Andreas wrote:Interesting: I Can See For Miles has more stereo separation on the Polydor WBWB than on the MCA. On the Polydor, the bass is strictly in the left channel, on the MCA it is somewhat between left and center.
My Generation and Anyway Anyhow Anywhere are from the same digital masters on the Polydor and the MCA WBWB. They are at different volumes and different offsets, but I could optically match the two waveforms in both cases. Sorry for the misinformation earlier. (I edited my earlier post.) More info to come.
About Let's See Action, Join Together, Relay, Squeeze Box on The Who Collection: Phil Elliott has the same preferences as I have. They sound "uncompressed", in my opinion.
I don't really have an opinion about Who Are You single mix. I prefer the album version.